Free CON TEST: Double Life by Rahiem Brooks Page B

because I know that he would have broken down had he been asked about you. He’s weak and would have snitched.”
    “ I thought that was ya main man. Why did we bring him then?”
    “ Because he has no record, so he’s a good driver. And I just used his name to get away from the police.”
    “ So, what do I do now?”
    “ Chill. Until I get some cash wired out here to this 24-hour supermarket that I see. This place is hungry to prove that they need a police force.”
    “ Fuck dat. Its pitch black and I am scared as fuck a deer is going to trash me. I’m coming out and taking my chances. There’s no way that I am staying back here.”
    Justice saw a bus approaching in the distance. He contemplated what to do before the bus came to a stop. He could not risk staying in Woodbridge waiting for Walmart to realize that he had written a check too. He would go down if he was seen with Amir for harboring a fugitive. That was until they found that he was the true fugitive.
    The bus pulled in front of Justice and Amir could hear the engine.
    “ Look, let me call you back before my battery dies.”
    “ J! I hear a bus. Do not leave me here.”
    The line went dead. Justice was going to do the best thing for him.
    William closed his laptop with a solid approach to solving Justice’s complaints. He had something to go on. He sat back and considered all other conceivable alternatives. He would make the story work, even if he may be under police scrutiny after it published. That was his job.
    He picked up his office telephone and dialed. Forensic pathologist Harvey Wilcox answered on the third ring. Harvey had no idea that he would play a pivotal role in crafting a devastating plot twist for William’s yarn.

 
     
    FOURTEEN
     
     
    T hat evening, Mr. and Mrs. William Fortune lay in bed when Lundin exposed that she wanted to start a business with William.
    “ You have contacts and a marketing background. I have a Fine Arts background and contacts, as well. We can do this, Blackey. You and I, start a firm that markets new movies for independent film makers.”
    “ Charming analysis, but had it dawned on you that the studios have their own in-house teams for that?”
    “ But there happens to be smaller film producers without the budgets to boost their movie exposure and sales.”
    “ So, you intend to work pro bono or gratis ?”
    “ Of course not.”
    “ Well…”
    “ Forget it. Thanks for the encouragement.”
    “ Lundin, I was simply telling you that in LA that is no easy undertaking. That is like tackling a monster that you know that you cannot beat. I could have easily let you go at it alone, lending my resources and all, buy my first bit of advice is the true nature of the business. I will liken your chances of success as parallel to opening a restaurant next door to Spago’s.” William grabbed Lundin by the waist and pulled her close to him. He asked her if she knew what business McDonald’s was in. Quickly she pointed out that they sold billions of burgers and that was their business.
    “ Maybe they sell trillions, but you’re so wrong.”
    “ Really! What then?”
    “ Real estate. Every fast food joint has burgers. Theirs are not special. McDonald’s invests in real estate at some of the most profitable intersections in the country and around the world. At Hollywood and Highland is a McDonald’s; in Times Square; and, in the most rural boondocks, you’ll find a McDonald’s.”
    “ Okay, I get it, but I want to be independent,” she said, and rested her head on his chest.
    “ And you can be. When I am struggling for a plot twist, or the plot that I thought was good is not, you never see it again. Not because I can’t argue a justifiable purpose for it, but because you have found a flaw. And if you found a flaw, so would my readers. And with you being my number two fan after money, I aim to please.”
    “ That’s good. I need to be pleased,” she said and pressed her lips to his.
    The kiss was long