Propositions-Business or Otherwise

Within the next two weeks Angie and Manny Spain had many Breakfasts,Lunches,Brunches and dinners, went out dancing and for drinks and talked on the phone a lot...All this time ,he hadn't been to her duplex or tried to make a move on her...He was surprisingly a perfect gentlemen.

Eventually he invited her up to his loft ....It was after a night of clubbing and drinking...His new loft was a new and smaller place he was now staying in and after a few drinks, they discussed his business..Lucky for Angie ,she had taken a few courses in finance and financial planning the two and a half years she had been in college before she dropped out and went into the police academy....She knew a little accounting too...Enough to look at his books and understand his business ventures....

All three of his condos were nearly in receivership...With virtually no renters and very little fresh cash coming in.....The construction of two of his condos had completely been halted...And with his drug business decimated...He had no fresh cash coming in...

She used a micro camera to photograph as many of his books as possible and she gained the access codes to all of his off shore accounts....This was proof to how lax he had gotten and how much he trusted her....She carefully stored all of her information in zip drives...She dropped everything off in designated spots like Bridget Jones Lingerie Stores, Sam Mother's Diner,Aqua Bar and Josies where DEA agents intercepted it and passed it on to Carol Redding...She had been doing this for two weeks..

This night at his loft...Manny Spain poured his heart out to Angie over drinks... How he had left the streets and his early drug dealing behind and had gone legit...This was all bullshit ,she knew....He wanted her trust....but he seriously did like her and she felt bad at times about her deception...

Whenever she felt too bad she reminded herself that this man had had people killed...At least two people she knew of...And was still in control of a "package " that once on the street meant addiction and devestation to innocents...He had a second warehouse with back up stash...

She knew that sooner or later he was going to get to the point where he would want more than casual conversation....She hadn't thought about the effect this sexy club dress she was wearing this night might have on him...

He was eyeing her and smiling...

"You know...We've spent a lot of time together.."he said.

And here it was she thought...His first attempt to make a move...

"I know.." she said...

''And when two people spend as much time together as you and I have, they uh tend to uh want to get closer."he said.

Angie busted out laughing...Was this guy for real? She mused..

"What's funny?" he asked..

"You .."she said..."You sound like a Hallmark Greeting card."she said laughing..

"I do...You right...You right...This isn't even how I usually roll...But..I've never known a woman like you, A woman with your sophistication...your style, your maturity.....I'm just..I'm just in awe of you and I don't know how to talk when I'm around you Angie."he said.

This was probably about as honest as he'd ever been with a woman in his entire life..Angie was impressed...

"Awwwww.."she said..

He sat down next to her...She tried to move away...He moved next to her...She laughed nervously....

He finally wasted no time moving in for a kiss...His kiss was surprisingly soft.....He rolled over on top of her...She could feel his rock hard erection...He slowly opened her blouse...he ran his hand up the slit in her skirt,rubbing her legs...She was fighting it...but she was slowly becoming aroused...

"Oh My god...."he exclaimed ,eyeing her cleavage...

She giggled ,amazed at how excited he was....

His kisses got softer, slower....She didn't want to admit it...but she was actually enjoying this...More than she should be..She reminded herself that she was acting, that this wasn't real..This wasn't her husband Jimmy...And she couldn't let him take this much farther...He was running his hand up the slit in her skirt and tugging gently at her panties...

"Come on baby...let me have you....Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..Angie.Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you don't know how long I've waited for this...ummmmmmmmmmmmmmph...I'm about to lose my mind.." he moaned.....She could both feel and see that... Just then there was a loud knock at the door...

"Manny...Calm down ...Someone is at the door."she said lightly....

"The door?" he said, continuing to kiss her....and moan...

"Yes...the door...THAT Door!"she said pointing....Her lipstick was all over his face...She eased up from under him....Relieved....

There was a loud knock on the door.....and the ringing of the doorbell... She sighed a sigh of relief...She couldn't let things get to this point anymore...

He was purely irritated...

He got up off of her..

"WHO THE HELL IS IT?" he asked...

Angie giggled...She put her hand over her mouth....His pants were standing out like a circus tent...She had really gotten him excited and she hadn't done anything...

He swung the door open....Two men walked in...They stared at Angie, whose blouse was open,

She adjusted his dress and her hair...

The two men looked at Manny Spain, whose pants were still sticking out like a circus tent and laughed...

"Apparently we are interrupting something here..." said the one man....A New York Hood Named "Panama"Brown ,who was looking to move into the Philadelphia market....With him was his enforcer and number two man..Smackwater Jack...a murderous thug who was both his driver and hatchet man if need be..Manny detested both of them....They were like vultures flying over a soon to be dead prey..

"You know, you might try calling the next time."said Manny Spain who was visibly irritated and did not try to hide it..He missed June Carson not being around...When June was alive, these two would have never gotten a meeting with him...They would have met with June....He didn't associate with riff raff like this anymore.

He looked at Angie,looking so good tonight,He was that close to closing the deal with her...and these two knuckleheads have the nerve to pay him a late night visit..

"That's okay Manny..I have work to do....I'll see you later." said Angie, who smiled at the men and excused herself...She had planted several micro listening devices in his loft in places she was sure they would never be found....She didn't need to be there...

He was upset, but he had to let her go...He didn't really want her around to hear this conversation...

"Uh Okay baby." he said.

Once outside in the cool air...Angie fixed her make up and her hair and straightened out her dress...She couldn't afford to let things get to this point again...That was close in there..She thought..

II-

Panama Brown looked around...

"Nice spot you got here Manny...Not as fancy as your high rise joints..but I guess it will do for you." he said.

He looked at Manny's trousers...

"Damn man...She's gone....She still got your soldier standing at attention? She must got mad skills.She is a nice looking woman...I'm impressed...You always did have good tastes."he said and busted out laughing...

"You need to stop talking right now."said Manny Spain..."She's my financial planner." he said.

"Sounds like you guys was plannin on makin a baby."said Smackwater Jack...laughing at his own joke..

Manny pulled his nickel plated .45 out of his drawer and cocked it ,aiming it at Smackwater Jack's head menacingly......

''Shut up errand boy." he said.

Smackwater Jack went to reach for his gun....

''You aint the only person with a heater." he said.

Panama Brown called for calm...and got in between the two men who obviously did not like each other.

"Relax Manny baby,Jack was just makin a joke..Relax...She is cute....Very sexy...Not what I think about when I hear the words Financial Planner...You got a fine one there man...But now...Let's get down to what I came here for." he said.

''What is it Panama?" asked Manny Spain.

"I been readin the papers...You appear to be in trouble....You took some big losses recently...Cops and Feds busted all of those people...That nut took all of your top guys out...and your boy June Carson aint around...You lost your warehouse....I mean times is hard for you...That's where I come in." said Panama.

"Panama, The Philadelphia Police , The FBI and The DEA all took a run at me and I'm still standin...What makes you think I need your help?" said Manny Spain defiantly...

"They took you down a notch playa....Nobody on the street will touch you...You are radioactive.''said Smackwater Jack.

Manny Spain looked into the air...

"Is somebody talking?  I faintly hear something, but I don't see nobody..." he said mockingly.

"Come on Manny....I could help you....I know you need cash flow to help you with your three condos...They are almost in receivership...."said Panama Brown...

"What do you want?" asked Manny Spain..

"For now...We want to be your partners....Give us 60 percent of the package.....We'll put it on the street....We'll get you a decent return."said Panama..

''Sixty percent? You're out of your mind...Panama."said Manny...

"Come on Manny..We doin the legwork...We puttin our name out there...And it's still your package..."said Panama...

"Sixty Forty my way and I'll think about it."said Manny...

Panama laughed...

"Come on Manny don't be ridiculous..we are doin the heavy lifting."said Panama..

"It's still my package...."said Manny...

"You can't move it...It's sittin in your other warehouse rotting...We can move that shit man.."said Smackwater Jack..

"Is somebody talking?  I faintly hear something, but I don't see nobody..." he said mockingly again....

Panama looked at his man Smackwater Jack and replied...

"I believe he just told you to shut the hell up..Grown folks is talkin..."said Panama Brown who busted out laughing...

Smackwater Jack didn't find any of this funny and he made a note that one day,he was going to personally kill Manny Spain, who he detested anyway.

Panama smiled..

"Okay Manny....Think about our offer.....You don't exactly have all the time in the world.."said Panama Brown...

"We leavin..Call your girl...maybe she'll come back."laughed Smackwater Jack as the two hoods left.

He wanted to shoot that sniveling punk, he thought...

III- 

 DEA Headquarters- Philadelphia- The next day-

DEA SAC Carol Redding hugged Angie...

"Oh my god girlfriend....you did great work...We got the access codes to his off shore accounts...We got photostats of his books and ledgers with names and dates of pay offs and a world of information we didn't even have a clue about before... and we got him on tape talking about distribution of drugs to two known Narcotics Traffickers...We have the beginnings of a nice RICO case.Just a little more and you can come in... We are about to make 39 arrests based on what you gave us of his known associates...At any rate..These are guys we couldn't touch before...But we got em cold now..Sissy, Sharon and the guys are going to be very busy tonight, taking doors...Manny Spain's name is going to be poison in the streets...And we are going to freeze his accounts..All of em.All of this because of the great work you did baby girl."she said.

"But you still don't have Manny Spain?" said Angie...

 "We have enough right now to bust him for RICO and conspiracy charges...Enough to bury him for 25 years to life at least..." said Carol Redding..

"Maybe I can get him to talking about a murder or murders?" said Angie...

 He had already told her enough and exposed her to more than he normally would have the average person....Sometimes Angie could just feel him staring at her and salivating....And it seemed the more she held out, the more he revealed to her...He was practically a love sick puppy...Calling her three and four times a day, texting constantly....Just to communicate with her, just to hear her voice...He had fallen harder for her than even Carol Redding had expected.

"I doubt that....He hasn't fully exposed himself to you....Figurtively speaking.."said Carol Redding giving Angie the side eye...and smiling..

"Oh you heard us the other night  huh? That was close..." said Angie

"Yes...It sounded like it." said Carol, laughing....

"Don't make fun ....I was trying to figure a way out of that...All we did was kiss..but he wanted more.. I was trying to keep him from getting my bra off...It had the listening device in it.." said Angie..

"Yess..I gathered....Just the thought of sex drives most men to distraction...He's no different...Just be careful girlfriend...Try to avoid those types of situations where you're alone with him...Be elusive..I didn't really want you for this assignment, because you're married...But when I saw how he was checking you out and practically drooling that day in Bridget's shop...I had no choice...My husband says that you are cool under pressure..He's right." said Carol.

"Your husband taught me almost everything I know about being a detective."said Angie..

"My husband taught me everything I know abut being a detective..." she said...."Now of days...I'm teaching him some things."she said laughing slyly...

"Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..girl you are so bad.."laughed Angie...

''And he loves every minute of it..."laughed Carol slyly.....

"I just know he does." laughed Angie.....

"Take the elevator down to the basement..You'll be escorted out in a Black SUV and let off somewhere ,where it's safe...Then go home...Relax...I've got a team of guys watching your house...You'll be alright.. Good Work Angie...Sissy sends her regards,"said Carol...

Angie smiled...

"Tell her and the guys...that I love them and I miss them." said Angie, smiling weakly.

"Be easy girlfriend.." said Carol...

"Always"said Angie.

IV-

As Angie walked up to her duplex a day or so later....Smackwater Jack walked up to her...

"Hey Cutie!!!...Mrs. Courtland eh?  Financial Planner...I looked you up....BA and MBA from Penn huh? Pretty smart...I see you have a J.D. too...A Lawyer as well...Impressive...Shame about your seperation..Your husband's loss...You're a fine woman and smart too...Any man would be lucky to have you by his side...Can't see what you see in Manny Spain, but oh well,I guess money talks..huh?" he said laughing.

Angie ignored him...She stared at him icily...

"What do you want?" asked Angie..

"Nothin...I was just makin sure you was legit...If you gonna be workin with our future partner, that's all...You okay!!...Nice crib...."he said.

"Glad I meet your approval." said Angie sarcastically...

 Smackwater Jack just laughed and got in his car and pulled off..

Angie smiled..She looked across the street...A DEA sniper with a sniper rifle was on the roof..He waved...Had Mr. Smackwater Jack have attempted anything...He would have been dead before he hit the pavement.

An hour later, Manny Spain called her..

"Hey baby...I'm sorry about those guys the other day..They're straight off brand dudes...Not the kind of people I associate with..."he said.

"You sure because they looked and sounded like you were about to do business with them or you've done business in the past." asked Angie..

"No...Never...I know em that's all..But we aint friends and we aint partners."he said.

"Oh because the one guy was over here this afternoon, and he said you guys were going to be partners.." said Angie ,laughing..

There was silence...

"They were over your house?" asked Manny...now beyond furious.

"Not both..just one...the tall skinny one..Smackwater Jack" she said...."We just talked...He didn't do anything."

There was more silence...

"Uh,I'll call you back baby." he said.

Angie smiled..

"I'm baby now huh?" she thought...

V-

The Mermaid Club was packed tonight....Manny Spain hadn't hung out in this place in years...He saw Smackwater Jack drinking and laughing with three people at the bar...

"Jack...Figured you'd be at this joint..."said Manny Spain..

Smackwater Jack looked him up and down and remarked..

"What are you doin...Slummin Manny? Don't you drink Uptown?" he said.

"I do..,I came here to see you...A word Jack,outside.." he said...

"Watch my drink Joe...I'll be back...This ought to be worth a laugh.."he smirked..

Smackwater Jack never saw it coming...

Manny Spain punched him in his jaw as soon as he walked out the door..

"ooooooooooooooooof!" he moaned....

"Goin to see my girl eh? Who do you think you are?" said Manny as he slugged him again...

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" moaned Jack....

Smackwater Jack was stunned...He tried to swing but Manny hit him with an uppercut that nearly took his head off and then hit him in his stomach...He groaned and then Manny hit him in his face a couple of times and knocked him to the ground...

Blood ran from his nose like a sive and out of his mouth.....Manny Spain then pulled out his Nickel plated .45 and put it to his temple..

"Go anywhere near my girl again and Jack I swear...I'll kill you...I'll kill you myself.."he said..He cocked his pistol...

"SAY SOMETHIN SMART....I DARE YOU!!  SAY SOMETHIN..PUH-LEASEEEEEEE, Give me a gotdamn reason...I aint never liked your smart alecky ass..."said Manny Spain, surprised at how angry he was himself...He usually ignored Smackwater Jack...but the thought of him touching Angie drove him mad..

Smackwater Jack said nothing...He lay still as onlookers walked by.....

"STAY AWAY FROM MY GIRL...YA HEAR?" said Manny Spain...

A drunk patron stumbled by the two..

"Yeah man, it's plenty of babes out here...leave his alone...for you get yo self kilt..." said the man who stumbled down the street...

Several onlookers snickered....

Manny put his gun away and got in his car and pulled off....

Smackwater Jack got up slowly, straightened out his clothes...To say he was embarrassed was an understatement...

A woman passed him a hankerchief so he could wipe the blood off of his face...

 He made a mental note...

"I'm gonna kill him one day."

(TO BE CONTINUED)