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Chapter 9
Neo
The music from the sound system at Sexy Claire’s Bar blasted through the atmosphere. It was a festive night with patrons drinking and dancing the night away. At least once per week and on weekends, the bars operated like a club, with music being played by a DJ, with dancing, food, and drinks. By law, those without a club license were only allowed to party until midnight, but with the inner-city bars, that was an exception as they always break the rules.
The crowd was thick, so Neeky and I blended in well. The sound system was set up in the ‘lawn’ outside the bar. When Jamaicans used the word ‘lawn’ to describe a place of dancing, I originally thought of beautifully cut grass and flowers. But these dancehall venues known as ‘lawns’ were just large areas with dirt or concrete floors. The outdoor bar was made of wood or bamboo, with a roof of coconut branches. It looked like some thing you would see in a Jamaican destination commercial.
We found a spot at one corner of the lawn which had a panoramic view of both back and front of the property. As this was the main meeting ground for the Hot Dawg Massive, the Kings were scattered throughout the dance and the community. We believed that Rusty would venture here around two o’clock, which was his usual time to create havoc.
I was baffled about a dance being kept in the middle of a war, when the Hot Dawgs must have known about Point Blank targeting them. Many people were there, and I was concerned that they would get caught in the crossfire. But at this point, there was nothing I could do about it. What was more concerning was that not a single policeman was in site.
I sipped an ice cold Guiness while Neeky enjoyed a ‘Special’, which consisted of a shot of Jamaican White Overproof Rum, and a dash of the energy drink called Boom. We were enjoying the music when we heard the first gunshot. It was indistinct but I recognized the echo of a Berretta 9mm being fired.
“Did you hear that?” I asked Neeky.
She looked at me with confusion. “Hear what?”
Another more distinct gunshot sounded with the music. This time the lights went out and chaos ensued. Darkness filled the lawn and people started moving around, screaming, and pushing each other out of the way. Neeky and I remained in our corner waiting to see who were coming in instead of going out.
Men were running towards the back fence which led to the same gully that ran behind the guesthouse. Gunshots rang out from that direction and some of the men ran back to the lawn.
The crowd thinned, leaving figures hidden in the dark. The lights came back on as the DJ who had hidden behind his music station was dragged out by a man in a stocking mask and pushed to the ground. I pulled my gun, waiting to see what would happen to him. The man in the mask uttered something unintelligible and pointed his Berretta at the man’s head. I aimed and fired once, hitting stocking mask in the head.
Neeky and I stood still and waited. Men ran out from the indoor bar and started firing aimlessly. I chuckled as I saw how untrained and unskilled they were. These were supposed to be Point Blank gang, the feared faction of which Rusty Cock was leader. However, it appeared that the Hot Dawgs were better combatants as they stood still in the shadows and waited until the men alighted from the bar where they stepped forward and annihilated them.
Something felt off about this. Its was too slick, too easy. I was brooding over the fact that I wouldn’t get a showdown with Rusty tonight when running feet sounded from the front and back followed by shots. The men in the center of the lawn dropped like wounded birds. Those not dead, screamed in pain.
The DJ had crawled over to the outdoor bar where he hid behind the counter, but someone found him and brought him back to the center of the lot. There was one man who came in from the gully who did not wear a mask and I immediately knew who he was, based on description. Some of the men surrounded him like a shield and that wouldn’t have deterred me from taking him out. However, I wanted him to suffer. I wanted him to feel pain like he never felt before, equivalent to the number of years that my Neeky suffered without both parents.
We had several scenarios planned out including if Point Blank were gathered in one place. Of course, we knew that there were those on the lookout for the police, stationed at certain points around the community, but the dance was where the big operation would take place. I was happy that the regular patrons were not hurt, or so I hoped.
Now Rusty was standing in front of me, and I wasn’t about to wait for the Kings to arrive. Neeky and I decided to separate, and we moved in the shadows avoiding any reflection of light. Neeky was the first to take down a couple while ducking behind the sound box.
* * *
Meanwhile at the nearby police station
Corporal Sims and Seargent Nicols sat drinking D&G ginger beer, unconcerned about the gunshots which could be heard from the station. The prisoners in the lock-up were unusually quiet tonight as everyone knew what was happening. Two corporals held their heads down over a desk in the corner while Constable Tunny came barging in, fitted in combat gear.
“I ready, Sarge (short for Seargent).”
“Ready for what, Constable?” Seargent Nicols asked.
Tunny’s eyes widened as he stared at his superior. “Sarge, dem a kill each other. We need to intervene.”
“Who said that? Did you get any orders from Specky (the Inspector) or Supe (the superintendent)?”
“No Sarge, you is in charge tonight, so I thought you would give the orders.”
Seargent Nicols stood and fixed his pants waist. “I not giving no orders to walk into a war. I must keep my officers safe. Let them kill each other and when dem done, we will clean dem up real good.”
“But Sarge…”
“Is it not two weeks ago the man name Skatta Ranks killed Corporal Brown, your brother-in-law?”
A somber look presented on the corporal’s face. His brother-in-law was murdered for being a policeman in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Yes Sarge, that’s why I want to take out a few of them.”
