"Frio Verana: Part 2"

Chapter 1

Scene 1

(48 hours later. Jamal was sat in his cell. He hadn't eaten since his arrest, he looked and smelled like death. He refused a change of clothes and the opportunity to shower. He even refused the chance to speak to a lawyer. All he was worried about was getting contact with Lara and Zack. He spoke to Lara a few times, she was shaken up a bit but she seemed OK considering what happened. Zack was the same, he just wanted to see his Daddy as soon as possible. At around 9.52am he could hear footsteps leading to his cell. He looked up and saw Adam with some people dressed in suits. Two black officers and a small Chinese lady he had never seen before. She looked very formal, she wore a brown suit and had a thick leather briefcase.)

Leah: Jamal Joseph, you are free to go.

Jamal: And who the hell are you?

Leah: I'm Leah, the lady who worked with your friend Adam here to get your ass out. You are free, this isn't a trick. All you need to do is put a statement and-

Jamal: Relax, I'm a fed too, I know how this works. Or have you forgotten what I do?

Leah: Nobody in Spanish Harlem will forget you any time soon Mr. Joseph. (She cracked a smile and nodded her head as the police officers opened the cell.)

Jamal: Thanks.

(Jamal took Adam into one of the quiet rooms and he sat him down and broke down the sequence of events which led up to the incident.)

Adam: You think it's them? Or whoever was behind Smokey?

Jamal: I'm telling you, I've shaken up a lot of operations around town, this was clearly the biggest one. It must have hurt somebody bigger and they are now looking at me as a target.

Adam: Why didn't they take Zack? They could have killed your whole family-

Jamal: It's a message. This guy is basically saying, don't play with me.

Adam: This is insane, we need to get F.B.I involved.

Jamal: No, we can't get anyone from the bureau involved.

Adam: Jamal! Are you crazy?? They just ran in your house! What if he or them or whoever these people are target everybody else that helped bring down Smokey. F.B.I have the brains and the resources to hunt these people down.

Jamal: Look, I had to get informants to help with bringing down Smokey. F.B.I have been working on several big drug cases in Harlem but how far have they got with any of them huh? You tell me. They do a half assed job most of the time.

Adam: So what do we do? Follow up with the feds and investigators here?

Jamal: I don't know what the next play is, right now I need to check on my family. 

Adam: You good? That must have been terrifying.

Jamal: I'm ok for now, I just need to see Zack and get my head straight.

Adam: If you need anything let me know.

End Scene

Scene 2

(Jamal arrived at Lara's home at 12.30pm Henry answered the door. Henry was a bit taller than Jamal. They had a very cordial relationship, there never was really any bad blood between them, maybe some awkwardness but nothing crazy. They shook hands and Jamal walked in. A few feds were sat around the table with Lara and they asked her questions. Zack ran to Jamal and Jamal held him close. He felt waves of joy fill his body.)

Zack: Daddy are you ok? My Daddy stopped the bad men taking me.

Jamal: I'm always there for you kiddo.

Lara: Go upstairs Zack, the grown ups are talking.

(The feds all stared at Jamal, he was certainly well known.)

Catherine: Mr. Joseph, I hope you are ok and I'm sorry about the mix up you had here, I scolded some of the officers that were on that job. They should have known better.

Jamal: Mistakes happen, nothing personal. (Jamal shrugged).

Catherine: You are welcome to join us. Your statement got faxed to us already but if there is anything you want to say let me know. There have been a flurry of burglaries in the neighbourhood as of late.

Jamal: Naw, I got nothing to say. Carry on as you were I'll be with Zack in his room. (Jamal and Zack went upstairs where they played and watched movies until the feds started to leave. Catherine came upstairs. She put her head through the door and walked in.)

Catherine: Look Jamal, I'm sorry about what happened here.

Jamal: Look, these things happen.

Catherine: I know-

Jamal: Burglaries happen all the time, Thankfully nobody got hurt.

Catherine: Except they didn't steal anything. Everything is still intact. They didn't even kick the door open, they picked the lock. It seemed very well planned. We  haven't found any prints or DNA anywhere. The men wore black masks, Henry and Lara are unable to I.D any of them-

Jamal: With all due respect, I'm with my son right now.

Catherine: Sorry, but if you need anything just hit us up.

Jamal: Thanks.

(After a while Jamal and Zack came downstairs. He went into the garden with Henry, Lara was sat on the table with a cup of tea. Jamal sat opposite her.)

Jamal: You ok?

(Lara stared outside the window and sipped quietly. She nodded her head.)

Jamal: Look I know you must be a bit shaken up but I promise the feds will investigate it and find out who is responsible.

Lara: Do you think I was born yesterday?

(Jamal looked shocked.)

Jamal: What?

Lara: You think I don't know why this happened? Why this happened to me and Zack?

Jamal: Look, I don't know what you think this is but-

Lara: You take down a big crew and all of a sudden people are breaking into the home of your son and baby mother? I'm no investigator but any dummy can put two and two together. Those officers sat here for 4 hours talking about burglaries and that we should install a security system but I played dumb because I knew what the truth was.

Jamal: Listen to me, I do my best to help and I always keep Zack safe-

Lara: Well this time you over did it and you pissed somebody off and now look!

Jamal: Listen Lara-

Lara: No you listen! You want to be the hero and help everybody that's fine, that is good for you. You are helping the community but you are putting my son in danger.

Jamal: Our son-

Lara: Look I won't tell you again. We will carry on as normal you will keep getting your visits I have no problem with that but if I sniff any more trouble you will never see him again.

(She got up and opened the door for Jamal. He looked at her sadly and walked out.) 

End Scene

Scene 3

(A week had passed since he spoke to Lara. He now made a conscious effort to Zack more than usual. Seeing him on the week-ends was not enough. He even cut his hours down at the district. He wanted to make sure he was around Zack as much as possible. He had barely spoken to Melanie, she texted him a few times since the episode to check if he was ok. He hadn't seen her since he went to see her that night. He sat in the cafe drinking his coffee, it was midday and there was hardly anybody inside there, just a few builders on break. The door opened and some bells jingled, Jamal looked up and Melanie walked in. She wore jeans and flip flops, she had her hair tied back. She sat in front of Jamal and took off her sun glasses revealing her deep beautiful eyes. On this occasion she wore hardly any make up but she looked as good as ever.)

Melanie: You've lost weight Sir. I hope you are not starving yourself to death.

Jamal: I haven't had much of an appetite these days.

Melanie: You mean since Lara's house got busted into. 

Jamal: Well-

Melanie: Look, you gotta look after yourself sweetie and stay focused.

(Jamal broke down the events leading up to the break in. Melanie stayed fairly calm during his story. A little too calm for Jamal, he was expecting her to be shocked.)

Jamal: You don't seem surprised.

Melanie: Me? I'm a judge, I see messy things like this everyday.

Jamal: That is true I guess, I've never had this-

Melanie: Look Jamal, you have to stay focused and I don't think me and you is gonna work with all this stuff hanging over your head.

Jamal: What?

Melanie: What I'm trying to say is, we gotta stop this, everything.

Jamal: Melanie I can't believe you are doing this? I need you.

Melanie: I have always been there for you but this time, its too much, you said those guys knew where I live. I have a son and a husband. Granted my husband is an asshole but if something happened to him I couldn't live with myself.

Jamal: I don't believe you would do this to me.

(Melanie got up and put her glasses on and walked out.)

Jamal: SO YOU JUST GONNA LEAVE ME OUT HERE?

Melanie: Goodbye Mr. Joseph.

(She walked out the door.)

End Scene

Scene 4

(It had been a week since he had heard from Melanie. Jamal felt rotten, he didn't think about the possibility of getting her or her family in trouble. He had accepted that he had been naive in his dealings with her. The fact that she was a respected judge and having an affair with a black man was enough to assassinate her whole character. But he couldn't help it, he was weak for her. And right now he still wasn't completetly safe. he couldn't shake the feeling that somebody or something still had him on their radar. He hopped out of his car and walked to Lara's house. He sent Melanie one last message "Can we talk baby?Please! I miss you so much!". His stomach rumbled, since the burglary happened he had lost his appetite, even more so with Melanie leaving him. He planned to take Zack to Chuckie Cheese. As he walked to the house he noticed both cars were not in the drive way and the lights were off. This alarmed Jamal and he reached for his gun. He looked around and couldn't hear or say anything. Lara never gave him a spare key so he couldn't go inside for himself. He looked under the plant pot and under the rug. He couldn't find anything. He felt his phone vibrate, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Lara's name come up.)

Lara: Hey Jamal. Look I want to be very honest with you. We don't feel safe in the neighbourhood anymore, we don't feel safe with you being around Zack. We certainly don't feel safe with you coming over to our place at all. I know it's worked well in the last few weeks with Zack but long term it just doesn't feel safe. Me and Henry have decided to leave. I will update you about Zack. There no need to find us. I will be changing my number, no need to bother finding us we will be OK. 

(Jamal went on his knees and burst into tears in front of the house.)

Scene 5

(Jamal sat in Adam's apartment slumped on his sofa with his head in his hands. He was downtrodden and angry.)

Adam: You want a can buddy?

Jamal: Sure, why not. (Adam throws him a can of beer.)

Adam: You look like shit, and smell like shit too.

Jamal: Shut up. 

Adam: I can't believe she did that. I mean she seemed like a stand up lady. She knew you always did your best by your son.

Jamal: It's my fault, its always been my fault. She has always tried to tell me but I didn't listen. I should have just left it alone.

Adam: NO WAY!

Jamal: It's true man, I try to play hero too much.

Adam: Look, you've only done your job, you only have to look to the people of Spanish Harlem to see all the good you've done. You stood up to these low lives when others wouldn't do it.

Jamal: Now I've lost my family, was it worth it? If I'm not working hard to feed and support my kid then what am I doing it for? For glory?

Adam: Don't beat yourself up man. This ain't over, this is how it goes sometimes.

End Scene.

Scene 6

The following day...

(Jamal pulled up to work. He grabbed a cup of coffee from the pop up stall. He was still struggling to sleep but he knew he had to be alert. There were numerous cases he had to deal with and he still had the matter of his family at the back of his head. He walked briskly into the building and ignored the stares. He knew he looked a mess but he was still alert and ready to work. He walked into the conference room. A group of hired private investigators from Houston and California were huddled together. They were looking up some child kidnapping cases. Jamal was tied down with the smokey case so he wasn't able to help out with this but he was now ready. He nodded and shook their hands. As they were about to take their seats the Guvnor walked in. Charles Davenport. A large African American gentleman. He served in Vietnam and he was head of a prison in New York. One of his eyes was grey and the other was brown.  He was very round and walked with a waddle. He had a warm heart, and he was dedicated to serving Spanish Harlem.)

Charles: Jamal! Before you sit your black ass down I would like to have a word with you Sir! 

Jamal: Sir, I haven't been briefed about this next project, I wanted to make sure I was up to speed-

Charles: Did I ask you or tell you champ? Haha

(Jamal slowly got up and walked through the door Charles had left open for him. He followed Charles into his office and sat down. Charles sat across him smiling, showing his crooked white teeth. He adored Jamal for all the work he had put in.)

Charles: You know me Jamal, I don;t bullshit people. I call it how it is.

Jamal: Yes Guvnor.

Charles: And you know that's the foundation of our relationship right?

Jamal: That is true indeed. So whilst we are here being honest, stop bullshitting me and tell me why you called me in here?

Charles: Because I don't think you are on your A game. I think that your mind isn't focused enough to get in the game.

Jamal: What? I know im going through a rough patch, but like you always say God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soliders-

Charles: Look I have to look at the facts and assess the situation and my conclusion is that some of these upcoming cases are very sensitive and require a lot of focus. One mistake and we are out of the game.

Jamal: I know, that's why you brought me here right? Half these sons of bitches couldn't crack any of these damn cases-

Charles: Look bwoi, I like you, I like you a lot but don't puff out your chest and knock others that have also helped you.

Jamal: I'm sorry, its just-

Charles: Look, this isn't about sorry. I know your family have left, and I know you think that some people are after you. And I don't think that is impossible but right now I cant afford any slip ups. I am laying you off indefinitely. You aren't sacked or dismissed for good, its just-

(Jamal got up and walked to the door. His body was trembling with rage.)

Charles: Don't walk out on me!

Jamal: Screw you Charles.

Charles: I'm trying to help you!

Jamal: have a nice day sir.

(Jamal left the room and slammed the door.)

End Scene