Rhuarc Black's Scrolls Index Page 3 страница

Eggs shook her head but Cuddles could see it was in sadness not denial.

“That bad, Can? ” Eggs said finally.

Canon nodded. “Worse, Eggs. Worse... ”

Cuddles’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open as Eggs carefully knelt in front of the seated woman. Large hands, used to beating flesh, touched gently a jumpsuit-covered knee.

Eggs spoke in a low voice. “I didna know... I’m so sorry, man. ”

Canon’s smile was bitter. “Part o’ the life, kiddo. No more, no less. ”

Eggs searched Canon’s face for long moments. Finally she nodded slowly.

Eggs stood up quickly, her voice changing, becoming more assertive. “Have a look at the girls, Canon. There be some nice tail round here. Good peoples too. Proven on the streets. You gonna have a good time. A good time, man. ”

Canon merely looked at Eggs. A few moments passed before Eggs spoke again. Cuddles could hear a grain of nervousness in her voice. “I be thinking and no disrespect. Latisha here. ”

Canon’s eyes lazily followed Eggs’ gesture toward the tall woman leaning quietly against the other bunk. “Latisha, ” she said slowly, savouring the name.

At the sound of her name, Latisha straightened immediately. She nodded at Canon respectfully. “Canon... ”

A minute nod was Canon’s answer to the greeting before she turned back to Eggs. Her voice was hard. “Nah. ”

A moment passed in silence before Eggs started speaking, gesturing expansively. “No matter, Can. No biggie. I call the girls over. Choose what you like, man. Anything you wanna. ”

A curt shake of Canon’s head stopped Eggs as she was moving toward the door of the cell. Eggs looked at Canon questioningly.

“Eggs, ” Canon said quietly. Her voice had an odd quality, like that of a patient teacher instructing a well-meaning but recalcitrant pupil.

“That ain’t the way, kiddo. Family comes first. That the rule. Hear me? ”

“I hear ya, Canon, ” Eggs answered immediately, looking at the ground.

Canon nodded at her bowed head. “Now tell me. Who’s your weakest? ”

Cuddles looked away as soon as Eggs’ eyes turned her way. She had known that they would. It was the truth after all.

Canon’s voice was calm, mild curiosity clear in it. “What the story? ”

Eggs sighed. “Fuck-up. Big fucking mess it was. Couple of the girls. They... Twas a prank no more. Gave the kid some weight. For a joke, ya know. Told her to pass outside a popo joint. Initiation like, ya know. ”

“What the fuck? ” The outrage in Canon’s voice made Cuddles look up.

Eggs was quick to explain. “Twas unsactioned. Fuckers both o’ em. Fucking fools. They got taken care of. Ya know Barbs. ”

Canon nodded stiffly and Eggs continued hurriedly. “The kid. We could do nothing for the kid. Ain’t got no balls. Ain’t got no brains either. Fucking mess. Got four year. One down, three to go. I try. Keep her out of a mess. No much I can do. Fucking trouble, she is. Can’t do nothing. Can’t fight. Can’t stand up. Fucking whale can’t even run. ”

Canon shook her head. “Fucking mess. ”

Eggs nodded. Cuddles looked back down to the floor. It hurt her to hear it. It was the truth. It still hurt though.

A few moments passed as Canon looked up at the ceiling clearly in thought. Cuddles kept her eyes down, not daring to look at the other women in the cell. Latisha was standing quietly, keeping out of the way, as Eggs shook her head and glared at Cuddles’ bowed head.

“Alright, ” Canon said finally. “I’ll take the girl. That be best. ”

Eggs was shaking her head in denial even before Canon had finished. “Nah, man. Cuddles ain’t good for nothing. I got girls for ya. Good ones. Canon! ”

Canon’s voice was cold, almost commanding. “Ya ain’t gonna waste a healthy bod to nursemaid a cripple. Hear me, Eggs? ”

Eggs shook her head once more but did not speak.

“I’ll take the girl. That all there is. Who know? Maybe I’ll school ‘er some, ” Canon said with finality.

“But Canon. Come on, man. Look at ‘er. What you gonna do? Swim though the fucking lard? ” Eggs said quickly in an effort to dissuade.

Canon barked a laugh. “She got a tongue, ain’t she, Eggs? That good enough for me. ”

Eggs shook her head, her voice becoming stern. “What if something happens, man? It ain’t like we own the joint. Cuddles there. She can do nothing, man. Nothing! ”

Canon looked at Eggs impatiently. “I ain’t needing no fucking bodyguard, kid! I hold ma own. ”

“How you gonna know her, man? You ain’t knowing her from Jesus! ” Eggs replied angrily.

Cuddles felt eyes on her but refused to look upwards. She had no desire to see the contempt in the gaze of the woman that was a legend in the gang.

Canon’s words were thoughtful. “Paint an ace of swords on her. I’ll know her then. ”

“An ace? Like a card? ” Eggs asked with disbelief.

“Aye, girl. An ace! ” Canon answered with an impatient shake of the head. “Believe me. I’ll know an ace. ”

Eggs sighed but after a few moments she nodded in acquiescence. “As you wish, man. It be your call. ”

Canon nodded back slowly. “Thanks, kiddo. It be alright. You’ll see. It be alright. ”

Cuddles looked up when the silence lengthened to see green eyes observing her from head to toe. She swallowed painfully before slowly meeting Canon’s stern gaze.

“Come’ere, girl, ” Canon said.

Cuddles walked quickly until she stood in front of Canon. An imperious gesture from Canon told her to sit. Cuddles paused for a moment. She knew she could not sit on the bunk. She had tried it once, only for the bunk’s legs to groan and start to bow under her weight.

Cuddles waited for too long. Canon’s voice was cold, almost angry. “Ya need a special invite, girl? What the fuck? ”

Cuddles looked at the pockmarked floor in shame. She tried to speak but her voice broke at the first word. She coughed to clear her throat. “I’m sorry. ”

Cuddles never saw the movement that brought Canon to her feet. She did feel the hard grip of Canon’s hand on her chin. Her head was jerked upwards until she looked into Canon’s eyes.

“What the fuck is wrong with ya? Ya stupid or something? Sit the fuck down! ” Canon ordered impatiently.

Cuddles had to blink to stop the tears from flooding her eyes. “I’m sorry, Canon. I can’t, ” she said brokenly.

“Can’t fucking what? ” Canon’s voice betrayed her anger.

Cuddles jerked away from the Canon’s grip. With trembling hands she dashed the tears from her eyes. “I canna sit on the bunk. I’m too fat! I’m a fucking whale! That what ya wanna hear? ”

The hand that grasped the hair at the top of her head felt like a band of steel. There was nothing gentle about the jerk that made Cuddles face Canon once more.

Canon’s face was as hard as her voice. “I don’t disrespect ya, girl. Don’t go about disrespecting me! Ya hear? ”

Cuddles nodded as much as the iron grip on her hair allowed.

“Good, ” Canon said evenly. “Now. If ya canna sit on the fucking bunk, where the fuck do you sleep? ”

Cuddles looked away, only for the grip on her hair to tighten. “On the floor, ” she said in a small voice.

Canon shook her head. “Fuck! ”

A moment passed, Cuddles not daring to move. Finally Canon spoke again. “Ya got enough blankets and shit? ”

“Yeah, ” Cuddles replied quickly.

Canon shook her head again. “Alright. Alright... It be alright. ”

Cuddles nodded wordlessly. This was not what she expected.

Canon’s grip gentled until it was no more than an insistent but not painful pressure. “Look at me, girl. ”

Cuddles took a deep breath and then look Canon in the eyes. Canon nodded after a moment. “Ya understand? Me ‘n Eggs here, we made a deal. ”

Cuddles tried to nod but Canon shook her head immediately. She swallowed, trying to wet her throat. “Yeah, I understand. ”

Cuddles waited for a moment but Canon was looking at her expectantly. She swallowed again. She knew all about it. She even knew it was not necessarily a bad thing. Still the idea left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“I’m your bitch now, ” Cuddles said faintly.

Canon nodded. “That right. ”

Cuddles looked down in shame but Canon forced her head upwards once more. Green eyes found hers and Canon’s mouth twitched into a small smile. “It gonna be alright, girl. Hear me? ”

Cuddles nodded as Canon searched her face. She wanted to look down again, hide from those eyes that seemed to see right into her but she did not dare. Finally Canon nodded.

Cuddles steeled herself. She had witnessed enough scenes like this in her year behind bars to know what was coming next.

She never expected the strong grip to change into a caress, gentle, almost loving. Canon’s words came to her to a whisper that carried. “None o’ that shit, girl. I ain’t got nothing to prove. It gonna be alright. ”

Cuddles turned incredulous. This was nothing like she expected. Canon was shaking her head but a small smile played on her lips. A moment passed and then another but the gentleness in the caress against her head and cheek never changed. Cuddles swallowed and took a quick breath.

She nodded once again. This time Canon’s caress changed into a light pat against her temple. Canon nodded back slowly. “It be alright. ”

Cuddles blinked the memory away. Even after all these years it still seemed like it had happened yesterday. Cuddles looked at the still hot cups of coffee. The years had passed since then. But she owed a debt to Canon. A debt of schooling. A debt of gratitude.

The two years she had spent with Canon until her parole came through had been the best and the worst of her life. Cuddles had learnt to live by rules that never changed and never flexed.

Canon had made her lose a hundred pounds. She resented that in a way, even as she felt grateful for it. And Canon had taught her a trade. Cuddles had been taught every trick in the book and quite few that weren’t. By the time she was paroled, she was lighter, stronger and for the first time in her life dangerous.

The others still looked at her oddly. They still made jokes about her. But now it was only behind her back. For the toughs in the corners, her quiet manner and gentle smile made her an oddity, an outsider.

But Canon had been right. Cuddles could still hear Canon’s slightly hoarse words even after all this time. “A muscle is an outsider. Ya got to keep yer distance. Doing the job well, that earns ya respect. Bragging just earns ya time. ”

The toughs and the street dealers looked at her oddly. But these days when Barbs needed something done, done well and quietly, she always sent Cuddles to do it. Cuddles had overheard her once speaking to Rain. The memory of the words still brought a flush of pride to her cheeks. “Cuddles ‘s good. She the best I got. ”

Cuddles took a deep breath. Her eyes passed over the curious faces of the Kats watching her and the watchful gazes of the Russians. Her hands tightened on the paper cups. With slow even steps, she walked toward Detective Amanda Lewis.

She had worn an ace for two years. It had not taken long to understand that it was significant. Too many nights of listening to Canon’s nightmares had told her more than she needed to know.

Not the details, certainly not the details. But enough to know that the woman the Kats had nicknamed Ace was someone Canon loved. A cup of coffee, cop or no cop, was the least Cuddles could do. This night there was no blue or the black and red. This night there were only memories and mourners.

*********************

“That’s the shit that’s gonna go down” ~Canon

       Detective Amanda Lewis sipped from the cup of still hot coffee. Her eyes followed the heavy-set woman walking back to her friends. Amanda’s gaze slid away from the Kats watching her with hatred and contempt.





       They didn’t understand. How could they after all? To them she was the enemy. The cop, the popo, the pig. Even after all these years, they did not forget, or forgive. Even these youngsters that had never known her, even they would not forget or forgive.





       A bitter laugh reached her lips but never left them. It was ironic. Here she was, in a cold hospital waiting room. Gangbangers, local and foreign, were her fellows. Amanda knew that when her captain heard of this, there would be hell to pay.





       A part of her tried to care but it did not succeed. Canon was dead. Her mind was numb. She had expected it. She had spent so long expecting it. Now that it was real, it seemed impossible to believe.





       Her eyes, seemingly of their own accord, moved until she could catch a glimpse of Snow in between the Russian bodyguards’ bodies. Canon was dead. And Amanda was angry. It was so easy to blame her.





       Snow was the one after all. For her Canon had come back to the life. Amanda blinked forcing the tears that wanted to break through back down.















       “Do you see the woman in any of these photos? ” The exasperated voice asked for what seemed like the millionth time.





       Washed-out green eyes turned lazily to look at the tall thin man with the thinning hair. A few moments passed in silence before green eyes, almost glazed in the light of the naked overhead lamp, turned away from the man once again.





       “Listen to me! We got the car, we got the bandages, we got the pills. Piled with your prints all over. We got the tape from the pharmacy. You’re going down! You hear me, Canon? You going down! ”





       The man’s words seemed like the sound of the waves crashing against some nearly distant shore. A scene flashed before Canon’s eyes. Blood dripping, Canon’s hands red with it. Fingers pinching, praying for the tenuous hold not to slip. The sound of sirens, too far away. The gun in Canon’s other hand held tight, forgotten. Canon’s voice, unrecognisable. “Hold on, Ace. Hold on, babe. Your pig back-up is coming. Come on. I got ya. Hold on. ”





       The door crashing open made all eyes turn to the figure of the enraged woman in the pin-striped suit. Her voice sounded so strong, so strong. “What the fuck you think you’re doing? ”





       The word tumbled out of Canon’s lips without thought. “Ace. ”





       Amanda felt her heart stop for a second. She moved to Canon’s side without thought. Strong hands turned Canon’s face gently to look into luminous blue eyes. “Where are you, Canon? ”





       A small smile appeared on chafed lips. “You did hold on. Didn’t ya, Ace? ”





       Amanda blinked as her face shattered in a grimace half-grief half-pain.





       “Who the hell you think you are? ”





       The men’s voices pulled her from the pain that seemed to well unbidden, unstoppable.





       Canon looked so lost.





       Amanda extended her badge to the two men shouting. “Shut the fuck up! ”





       Canon shook her head with a pained grimace, her words coming out sluggish. “Hey, Ace. ”





       Amanda turned back to Canon. “I’m here, Canon. I’m here. ”





       Canon’s voice was toneless, defeated. “Fucked up my parole, didn’t I? ”





       Amanda’s eyes blinked as if to hold back tears. “You’ve done your time, Canon. You ain’t on parole no more. ”





       The words took long moments to penetrate the pained fog in Canon’s brain. The question was born out of stiff lips. “Then what up with ’em cops? Been clean, said I’d go clean. ”

       Ace... a name surfaced... Amanda... Amanda. “Amanda. ”





       A tear fell from Amanda’s eyes. It was immediately brushed away. “That’s right, Roby. Amanda. Sit tight now. ”





       Ace... Amanda turned to the two detectives, her voice colder than the sleet on a November night. “Was she hit on the head? ”





       The tall balding detective answered cautiously, a note of suspicion in his voice. “Just a bump. They roughed her up a bit. Nothing much. The doctors gave the all clear. ”





       Amanda’s answer was rapid fire out of lips stiff with anger. “A bump? The doctors? What doctor? Some fucking intern fresh out of med school? Are you fucking idiots? ”





       The smaller detective’s voice was smooth, belaying his grey hair. “Detective, calm down please. Miss Carver... is not a victim. ”





       “Miss Carver, detective, has never been a victim. And if you look at that file your partner is carrying around like a banner, you’ll see a medical report thick as your scull. You cannot interview Canon without a neurologist’s opinion, ” Amanda hissed at the older detective.





       The man’s eyes widened even as his partner started leafing through the file hurriedly. “What are you talking about? The doctor said no concussion, just a bump on the head. ”





       Amanda took a large breath, letting it leave her lungs slowly. Her voice was calmer but the undertone of anger was clear to all. “Two years into her prison sentence, Canon hit her head. Badly. Very badly. She lost the greater part of her memories. Any further injuries to the head may induce coma, severe bleeding or further loss of memory. Did you or your fucking doctor check whether she knows what day it is? What month? What fucking year? ”





       The soft voice stopped whatever the detective was ready to answer. “1997. ”





       Both men saw the despair colouring Amanda’s face before she turned to look at the woman sitting stiffly on the chair. “Canon... Roby, you seeing flashes? ”





       The nod was barely discernible but both men saw it. Amanda’s voice was gentle, as if speaking to a frightened child or a wounded animal. “Canon... it ain’t ‘97 no more. ”





       Green eyes, a sudden flash passing through them for a moment, rose to look into deep blue. “It’s 2008”





       Amanda slowly lowered herself to rest one knee on the interview-room’s dirty floor. Her voice was gentle but forceful. “Canon, baby. I need you to listen to me now. ”





       Green eyes blinked once in the old mannerism that almost brought the tears back to Amanda’s eyes. After a quick breath, the detective continued. “What’s the last thing you remember? Not a flash, Canon. A clear memory. ”





       The answer was slow to come. “That bitch. ”





       Amanda felt the two detectives perking up even as she delivered her next gentle question. “The one that hit ya? ”





       Canon’s answer was immediate. “Nah... the one I’m living with. ”





       “Sally? You remember Sally? What about her, Canon? ” Amanda asked slowly.





       A sad grimace contorted Canon’s face. “Fought again. Calls me Roby you know. Always Roby. Fucking bitch. Hate that name. ”





       Amanda nodded once but before she could speak, Canon continued, her voice holding a sense of wonder. “Fuck me, Ace. I’ve been in ‘n out, ain’t I? Holy fuck! You put me in, didn’t ya? Shit! How long, Ace? How long was I inside? ”





       The lead detective had to turn his gaze away from Amanda as she threw her head back, her brow scrunched in pain. “Fuck. Ah fuck, Canon. They really scrambled you, didn’t they? The fucking bastards... ”





       Canon never had the chance to answer as the door banged open once again. The small rotund man with the wiry glasses glaring at all and sundry in the room. His voice was high and nasal. “Detectives. This is over. My client has nothing to say to you. ”





       All three detectives turned to look at the man with narrowed eyes. Amanda was the first to speak. “Your client? ”





       The short lawyer smiled slightly. “Miss Roberta Carver... I’m doing my pro bono... ”





       The words fell heavy in the ensuing silence. The redness in the two detectives’ faces betrayed their anger. Amanda did not spare a glance at them but merely turned slowly to look at the woman slumped on the chair. She opened her mouth to speak but with a shake of her head closed it again.





       The lawyer took a seat next to Canon with small jerky movements. His voice was low but Amanda noted that he kept his tone gentle. “Miss Carver, my name is Chester Holms. I will be representing you. ”





       Amanda watched carefully as half-closed green eyes turned to look at Holms. “Who the fuck are you? ”





       Holms did not answer immediately but slowly opened his briefcase. Amanda’s eyes narrowed as he took out a book with a colourful jacket, obviously new. His words were slow even as his eyes searched Canon’s expression. “I thought you might want to read this. ”





       Canon’s eyes did not open fully but Amanda caught the sharpness that appeared suddenly as soon as the book was on the table. “This new... ”





       Holms spoke even more slowly than before, as if every word had to be pronounced just right. “Your original... well it got damaged... and we had to... we had to take it to the binders. ”





       “So? ” Canon’s voice had a quality Amanda had not heard in years and it chilled her blood.





       The lawyer answered more quickly this time. “It will take a while but it will be fixed. But I thought you could read this one till then. ”





       Canon’s nod was slow but her voice remained even. “You got my marker, Mr. lawyerman? ”





       Amanda looked at the lawyer as he opened his briefcase once more, this time taking a torn slip of paper out of it and placing it carefully on the book. Canon’s movements were slow but Amanda caught the assuredness, long missing, of her hands. A steady hand held the paper for a single moment before carefully placing it inside the book, only a corner sticking out the top.





       Canon’s hand remained on top of the book lying on the table as green eyes turned to the lawyer. “You know your game, Mr. lawyer? ”





       Holms swallowed once before answering in a steady even tone. “Yes, I do, Miss Carver. ”





       “Gimme a sec then, counsellor, ” Canon said with a nod.





       Amanda watched as green eyes turned to her, searching her face lazily. “Hey, Ace... ”





       The tall detective stepped next to the woman handcuffed to the interview table. “Canon... ”





       A small movement barely followed slid the book across to Amanda. “Early Christmas this year... Detective. ”





       Amanda breathed deeply before taking the book in her hand. With slow careful movements, she opened the book on the page marked with the torn slip of paper. A single finger turned the paper around until Amanda could read the few words written on it.





       The round childish handwriting brought a grimace to her face. She had seen it only once before but she would never forget it. The message written in round wobbly letters made Amanda’s eyes closed for long moments. “If they flip me, look at the medical files. It’s a child’s game. ”