Jail's Bait: Time Served (Book 5)

Everyone remained silent as Danny and Ray stared at one another across the room.  “I swear I didn’t know,” Danny said to Ray. 

“I know that,” Ray said in a low tone; “it’s just a lot to take in.”  He sighed, running a hand across his head absently.  “My own brother left me on the street to dig in the trash for food… and WATCHED.” 

Regine grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. 

“He watched me shiver under a rotten blanket in a filthy alley, laying next to rats in the winter,” Ray said, eyes filling now with tears.  “He watched me go for days… without a real meal.  I had to reach through vomit sometimes to try and wipe off a crust of bread that I could convince myself to swallow.  Sometimes that would be all I could find to eat for days.  And he KNEW about it, and he sat back and WATCHED me,” he said, tears of pain and anger bursting free.  “I wonder, while he was watching me… if he even laughed.” 

The impact of this hit everyone in the room as Ray stared down the image of his brother.  “I was put down, attacked, chased by police… I went through starvation… and my brother, who could have helped me, could have at least given me ONE decent meal- ONE lousy MEAL…” 

Everyone’s eyes were full of sympathetic tears by now- no one wanted to hear any more…. 

…But Ray went on.  “My brother… just left me there.  All because he hated you,” Ray said to Danny, whose own tears flowed once again, in sympathy for Ray. 

Marquis put his arms around his own abdomen.  “Ive never been this sick to my stomach before,” he said then to Kap, almost choking.  “I can’t believe anyone could be so evil.” 

Ray just stood there, the tears still falling down his face.  “This is why I didn’t want to know any of you rich people,” he said then in a broken voice.  “I had such a chip on my shoulder about those who had extra, how they don’t give a damn about those who have nothing.  Here’s the proof that I was right all along.” 

“Hey Ray- except for the children, none of us grew up with this money,” Regine corrected him; “we all had to fight and scrape to keep the bills going.  Some of us grew up in the projects, I know we don’t act like that NOW,” she added loftily.  “But we were just one step away from your situation.  We only got around all this dough when my son was a grown man.” 

Ray stared at her, and then put his head in his hands.  “Keep going, please,” he said then. 

The lawyers (two of them wiping their eyes) clicked the video back on.  “There’s something else you should know, Ray,” Joe said then.  “As I just said to Danny, the results of all the DNA tests he ran were full of shit.  If you recall, he ran a test on that precious little girl my son and Lamar are now raising as their own… and you WERE the one to rescue poor Jamara when Rah-Rah dropped her off the side of Mt. Rainier… that might have been a…father’s instinct, the way you jumped after her with no regard for your own life… that’s all I’m saying,” he added with a mysterious grin. 

“Oh my god,” Rah-Rah said with a groan.  Everyone knew that this was a memory that Rah-Rah in particular would not have wanted to relive. 

The implication Joe’s statement sank in, however; Malik and Lamar stared at Ray, who stared back at them.  “You don’t think-” began Ray, but the video went on. 

“Well, now that you know that you are Ray Hill, you are entitled to your share… and now that I’m dead, I don’t give a shit if you take your share.  So, as a legal heir of J. Mayson Hill, you inherit the usual trust of 40 million, and full voting shares in Hill Industries.  You also are entitled to a permanent home here at Crimson Crest, for you and your descendants.  Most people would rather have their own place, but it’s your home now too- for your blood, not your little homeless friends from the streets.  And you have a new sister to bond with, as well...!  I hope you’re a better brother than I’ve been.” 

“A rabid dog would be a better brother than you,” Ray glowered at the video, sitting back in his chair. 

“Okay then,” Joe said, moving on… “to Robert Hill, known as Rah-Rah.” 

Rah-Rah got to his feet, facing the video.  “I aint like the others,” he began.  “Fuck with me and I will dig up your grave and piss on your bones, old man.” 

Joe took a deep breath.  “As you already know, Robert, all charges against you were dropped about five years ago.  Mr. Price...?” 

Mr. Price came over and handed Rah-Rah a more official-looking clip of papers.  “If I have already given these to you before my demise, please excuse my indulgence; I had to make sure that these legal documents had all cops made in the duration. 

These are your official papers proving that you are a free man, and your official release from OakGrove Institution,” said Joe.  “You’ve already received your share of 20 million as one of J. Mayson Hill’s grandchildren; you could not inherit voting rights either while you were catatonic, so your son Marquis inherited your share of rights along with his own.  Now that you are back to recognisiance, those shares of Hill Industries will also revert back to you.”  He took a deep breath.  “I  wouldn’t have bothered to pardon your charges when I became Governor, I still see you as a street punk that should be locked up; lets just say that I owe your father to treat you with respect.  Try to take this second chance to not be a screw up,” he added with a look that suggestsed that he knew Rah-Rah would fail. 

“Whatever,” Rah-Rah said, flipping the finger at the wall as he sat down. 

“And now, to Marquis Hill,” Joe said; and Marquis got to his feet, looking at Joe as he spoke:  

“You, my boy, are the best and brightest of us all.  I have full condfidence that you will take the name of Hill and spear-head our future.  I was impressed at the level of compassion that you showed for Smithers, who never knew you were related to him, and yet you would come and play chess with him as much as you could.  And again, you showed remarkable compasoisn for your lover, Michael; I just hope that he does appreciate the fact that you deeply you’ve taken care of his future.” 

Lamar, Danny and Malik looked tremulously at Marquis, who stared at Kap, wide-eyed. 

“Imagine my surprise when I began making the arrangements to have Kap’s tuition paid from the Hill family Estate and we find out it already had been paid out of your own Trust...!” Joe nodded, obviously impressed.  “Of course your money has been put back, taken from the Estate coffers.  Ingenious, boy!” 

“PAUSE the tape, please,” Kap’s voice was heard then. 

CLICK- 

Kap slowly turned to regard Marquis, who grimaced as he faced his lover.  “Our last semester in RC High, Coach came from Berkeley to offer me a four-year wrestling scholarship.  That he came to the championships to scout me…” 

Marquis stammered.  “I-I know man,” he began.  “The truth is… there aren’t any wrestling scholarships to Berkeley.” 

Kap’s mouth fell open in shock. 

“It was all me,” Marquis said.  “I wanted you to go to Berkeley with me, with the girls too.  I explained to your coach the situation, how you wouldn’t take a handout from my family, and I made him promise never to tell you; and he agreed to it once he saw how talented you were on the mat, in your own right-” 

“ALL that was a lie...? Dammit, Key,” Kap frowned; “I told you, NO handouts… NO Hill family connections.  You saw how happy I was when I found out I earned the right to go to school with you on my own… it was like I felt like I could take care of myself, I was worthy to stand with you, with Angel and Carm… as an equal, not a charity case.  My biggest fear, Key- you know my biggest fear…” he said, staring down Marquis while the latter gulped.  “You KNOW I never wanted anyone to think I was your friend ‘cause I’m some gold-digging social climber, like money even matters to me- I thought you knew that,” Kap said, tears of shame stinging his eyes.  “It’s Billy Bishop all over again,” he spat. 

“Billy Bishop...?” Danny asked curiously. 

“In the 5th grade I was getting Lamar and Malik to buy me and Kap anything we wanted, and we would show off at school,” Marquis confessed. 

“Is it too late to ground you...?” Lamar asked with a small smile. 

Marquis grinned back fleetingly.  “Anyway, we were playing in the recess yard with our expensive toys and Billy Bishop came over and started teasing Kap, saying that he was a golddigger who begged the rich family to buy him stuff cause his mom-” and here Marquis faltered. 

“-Cause my mom was so poor,” Kap said, a rude tear stinging one eyelid. “It was the first time I ever felt ashamed because you had more, and I had less,” Kap said honestly, eyes fixed on Marquis.  “Ever since then I vowed that no one would ever be able to say that about me… and now, look what you did,” he added, shaking his head. 

“Is that why you stopped taking the Christmas gifts we bought you when you were still in grade school...?” Lamar asked, eyes full of sympathy. 

“Yessir,” Kap replied, his head down. 

“All this time I thought his moms just disapproved of us buying him a lot of stuff,” Malik interjected.  “You were ashamed to take it.” 

Marquis frowned at Joe’s video-face.  “Can we talk about this later,” he asked Kap.  He knelt down to reach out, but Kap jerked back from his touch.  “I don’t care what anyone else thinks,” Marquis began haltingly. 

“Well I DO,” Kap said; “damnit Marquis, I feel like you bought me like a slave.” 

“Hey Kap- that’s not true-” Rah-Rah said then; “I remember you running around with Marquis at school back when I was raising him.  Yall were the best of friends, and shared everything… I remember you and Marquis both falling off the monkey bars, and both of yall crying and crying- not because you got hurt, but because Marquis got this scar on his leg and you didn’t get one. Yall even wanted the same injuries.” 

Kap, startled at Rah-Rah’s rememberance of such a small thing about him, gulped as a tear fell from his cheek. 

“I forgot all about that myself,” Marquis said, smiling with a warmth that Kap hadn’t felt from his lover since Hooch’s attack. 

“Listen, Kap, we know you’re not the social-climbing type,” Malik reassured him; “come on, man.  You would have had to have been scheming since second grade to be Marquis's best friend, just on the offchance that one day he might accidentally become rich and famous.  Do you see how that sounds...?” 

“Hey Kap,” Lamar said, smiling over at him, “Malik is teasing you because you’re just as much a little brother to us as Marquis is.  We love you.  You’re family whether you like it or not- you and your moms.” 

“And the fact that even you got smacked down with a Hill family secret should show you right there that you belong with us,” Danny smiled sadly. 

Marquis reached over and hugged his lover.  “Let them think what they want; let Great-Uncle Asshole say what he will,” he said to Kap, who hugged him back just as tightly.  “All those who love you know the real story… and isn’t that what matters...?” 

Kap pulled back, sniffled, then wiped his eyes.  “Thanks for that; thank you all.”  He looked at the lawyers.  “Unpause, please.” 

CLICK- 

“So, great-nephew,” Joe was saying, “Along with your voting shares in Hill Industries and your 20 million, all finances accured from school will be paid from the Hill family estate.  Make it count, Marquis.” 

“You go straight to hell and burn, old man,” Marquis grumbled as he turned away from the wall. 

Joe was rubbing his hands pleasantly. “And now, let me see.  Who’s next...?  Ahh, yes.  Michael DonaTello, come on down...!” 

Kap raised himself gingerly up into a rest-elbow position, while all eyes turned to him. 

Joe smiled benignly.  “I would like to take the opportunity to apologize for the callous way I spoke of your mother earlier; she is a truly remarkable woman, fighting so hard to raise you to be an upstanding young man.”  He paused.  “You know, I see you and my great-nephew Marquis together, and you two remind me of Malik and Lamar, back when they were your age. Michael, you show the same strength of character and deep loyalty to Marquis, and also to the Hill family, for you have been made aware of our secrets and your discretion is complete.  It also seems to be a guarantee that you are going to be a member of the Hill family from now on, as long as you and Marquis are in love.  Therefore, in addition to the Hill family crest I gave you, you receive an honorary Hill inheritance of 10 million and all future school expenses paid, should you decide to go for a graduate degree. All this I bequeath to you… for as long as your relationship with Marquis lasts.  If you two break up, then everything given to you by the Hill family Trust will be revoked, tuition included.” 

The room collectively gasped, “WHAT?? 

“Don’t get me wrong,” Joe continued, the same benign smile on his face, “ for you are a standup young man… but if your relationship with Marquis runs its course, then it wouldn’t be fair that you get to reap the rewards of the Hill family- especially if he finds someone else...?  I’m only being practical, Michael, I’m sure you understand.  Good luck.” 

SMASH!!! 

The room jumped back as everyone realized that a glass full of something crashed dead center against Joe’s face.  Dark liquid dribbled down the wall as the room turned to see Marquis standing alone, chest heaving in anger.  “Is he kidding...?  IS HE KIDDING???”  Marquis screamed at the wall.  “He’s really trying to run my life… he’s trying to set limits on my relationship from the grave...!  Dad, I swear to god if you really wanna dig him up, let me know and I’ll get the fuckin shovel.” 

“Son, sit down,” Rah-Rah said absently; “I already told Lionel to go get a couple shovels out of the barn anyway.”  No one quite knew if he was serious or not from the look on his face… 

Kap was lost in thought.  “What he just said… that means that if we break up before I finish school-” Kap began, his eyes wide with trepidation. 

“It means,” Malik said, “don’t worry about it.  Your tuition will be paid in full.” 

“Damn straight,” Lamar agreed, eyes blazing. 

Kap smiled gratefully. 

Meanwhile, Joe had continued.  “I would now like to call forward someone none of you had the pleasure of meeting before today.  I introduce- my long-lost sister, Ranell Hill.” 

Ranell Hill stood to her feet, and faced the dripping wall.  “I’m here,” she said aloud. 

Joe seemed to nod to her.  “I understand that you had no idea that you had any family out west, according to our mother.  Whatever it was that made her leave me behind, I know that it had to do with our father, who was an incorrigible bastard.  As you’ve probably noticed, the apple hasn’t fallen too far from the tree.  Most of the people in this room had me pegged as a nice, docile fellow, who didn’t care how they stomped on my feelings; I guess Ive corrected their way of thinking somewhat.” 

“I bet you did,” Ranell answered clinically. 

“I’m sorry that I left you in poverty as long as I did, I just didn’t trust what your intentions might have been.  Hopefully this might make up for some of my treatment of you.  As J. Mayson Hill’s daughter, you receive full voting shares in Hill Industries, and a 40 million inheritance.  I am aware that you have lost a son, my condolences.  Yet the silver lining here is that he did have two daughters before he passed on.  As heirs to the Hill fortune, they each receive the grandchild’s share of 20 million, with all tuition and expenses paid for school.  At age 25 they will receive voting shares in Hill Industries.  The three of you, in addition, will receive a Hill family Crest, made like the one I’m wearing in this ring.”  He held up the Great Ring of J. Mayson Hill, which shone almost as bright as a red neon sign, complete with the intricately carved letter H set in the center; “only it will be in medallion form.” 

With a jolt, Kap suddenly remembered that right before Hooch attacked him, he was looking for his missing Hill family Crest… a cold chill began to shiver through his spine. Losing his medallion was starting to feel like a bad thing… 

Joe was still explaining things to Ranell.  “You and your granddaughters will always have a home at Crimson Crest, as well.”  Joe sighed then, sitting back.  “Well, I don’t know, sister Ranell, after what you’ve heard so far, whether or not you would have ever wanted to know me; yet having said that, welcome to the family.” 

Ranell’s eyes were indistinguishable.  The room watched her as she shook her head and quietly sat down. 

“We’re going to properly welcome you into the family after all this is settled,” Regine said determinedly; “don’t you worry about that, you or your girls.” 

Ranell smiled gratefully. 

“Next, we have come to the littlest Hill,” Joe said expansively, “our Jamara.” 

“If he says anything outrageous about that child,” Danny said then with a threatening look at the lawyers, “I’ll remind you what Vlad Tepes did to those who carried to him the written word of his enemies,” and the small group of lawyers trembled. 

“Who’s Vlad Tepes...?” Rah-Rah whispered over to Marquis. 

“Vlad the Impaler, the real-life guy Dracula is based from,” Marquis replied; “he killed the messengers that brought him bad news- stuck their heads up on spikes.” 

“Man after my own heart,” Rah-Rah grinned. 

“Jamara…” Joe sighed, looking for the first time as if he were lost in thought.   “Her prettiness and precociousness are absolutely outstanding sometimes… she can call it out, I tell you.  She should be left the rest of my estate… but since Ive already admitted that the DNA tests Danny ran three years ago are suspect, you guys might want to do that one again.”  He paused.  “If little Jamara is found to be Ray’s daughter and a Hill by blood, she is entitled to the standard inheritance of all the minor heirs- 20 million in trust in which she receives at the age of 19, full voting shares in Hill Industries at age 25, and all school expenses paid by the Estate.  If she is found to be only a Hill through adoption she will receive all school expenses paid, and a 10 million trust at age 19.” 

“Oh, thank god,” Danny said- “he didn’t pull anything on the child- we can relax…” 

Joe’s eyes had narrowed.  “However, this next addendum applies whether Jamara is proved to be blood-kin or not.” 

The whole room groaned. 

“Jamara must find a suitable husband, within her own social standing.  There will be no golddiggers latching on to this family, much less a golddigging husband...!  He must come from a financial foundation that is just as strong as the Hill family’s, or she gets nothing but her tuition paid for school.” 

There were several outbursts of rage after this one.  Joe seemed to pause, as if to let everyone vent.  “Well, not just satisfied with running my life after his death, now he wants to betroth Jamara,” Marquis said in a mix of anger and awe. 

“This is too much,” Kap agreed. 

Joe was, meanshile, shaking his head.  “The younger of the family members might consider this running her life, but it is the very last thing I want to do.  I want her to be happy, and not have to wonder if the man in her life loves her or her pocketbook.” 

“Shut UP, Joe,” Regine said, reaching over for the now almost-empty bottle of liquor. 

Joe cleared his throat.  “And now, saving the best for last, to you, to you my son, Malik.” 

All eyes fell on Malik as he took a deep breath, squeezed Lamar’s hand, and got to his feet, facing the still damp wall.  The dark liquid had dried to weird streaks in the video’s light, making Joe’s face look as grotesque as his attitude had become. 

Joe smiled.  “My son.  You are the unexpected blessing in my life, the one who will carry on the legacy of the Hill family.  Let me take a moment to apologize to you as well, for showing that tape you weren’t even aware that you made back when you were 19, before you and I even knew that we were father and son.  Even I realize that showing that now was a bit crass.” 

“I can’t believe you, old man,” Malik growled at the wall. 

“I need you to understand that you are the head of this family now, Malik, and as such you must steel yourself up.  You wear your heart on your sleeve, and while that works for a small project like HillTopp Records, that wont work with your being the head of a powerful conglomerate like Hill Industries.  Your investors and your board members - they will smell fear like rats smell cheese.  As angry as you were with me in this video-will, this should have went like water off a duck’s back.  If you got overly angry at any time during this video, you’ve already proven that you’ll fail running Hill Industries.” 

“Don’t listen to him,” Lamar said then; “remember, he’s bitter.” 

“I got this, baby,” Malik said, smiling encouragingly at his lover.  “He can’t get to me, there are no secrets on me he can spill.” 

“I do admit, however,” Joe went on then, “that though you may be weaker than I would like, you’re no punk, either.  When I found out that you went behind Lamar’s back and put his name on the National Donor Registration list, even after he begged you not to- well, it showed me that you can fight dirty, if you have to, of course... which means that you have potential …” 

“Stop the video, please,” Malik said then; “Rah-Rah, tell Lionel to grab another shovel,” he yelled as Joe’s face froze once again. 

“You did …WHAT...?” 

The voice was monotone and the decibel was low, yet the force behind the simple question hit everyone in the room like a bullet… as slowly Lamar stood to his feet and turned to Malik, his eyes flashing. 

Malik, eyes wide with apprehension, turned to face him.  “Mar, baby, you have to understand-” 

CRACK! 

Shocked gasps filled the room as Malik stumbled back and fell across Ray’s outstretched legs, landing on the floor with a whump! from the force of Lamar’s right cross.  Marquis jumped to his feet, not sure how to react.  Struggling to his feet (assisted by Ray), Malik righted himself, rubbing the sore spot on his face as he faced down his furious lover. 

“You KNOW how I felt about that list,” Lamar murmured in a deadly tone, gingerly palming his right fist.  “Read my lips:  I will NOT take away someone else’s chance at life-” 

“YOU’RE TAKING MINE!!!” Malik shouted then, all the pent-up anguish and pain gushing forth, further shocking the others into silence. 

He fell to his knees, sobs splattering forth, the broken-hearted look in his eyes suddenly replaced by rage. “YOU’RE TAKING MY CHANCE AT LIFE- YOU-ARE-MY-LIFE...!!!” he cried, each syllable emphasized by the beating on Malik’s chest.  “I w-w-wont let you d-d-die, I’LL S-S-S-TOP YOU!!!  I swear to GOD,” Malik declared with a growl, sudden, violent tears springing to his eyes- and then he crumpled the rest of the way to the floor, crying.  “Don’t you know, Lamar...?” he whispered in anguish; “I CAN’T live without you…” and then he broke down into heaving sobs. 

Lamar stood there, his own shock reflected on his face as he gazed down at Malik- and then he crossed over and knelt down beside him, covering his arms around the sobbing man and laying his head down on the back of Malik’s neck.  The whole room felt the inevitability of Lamar’s doom like a physical punch in the face. 

“Oh my god,” Marquis whispered in horror, sitting back down in his armchair.  “I knew Malik was scared over one day losing Uncle Mar to HCM, but he never showed anyone how deep it went… until now,” he said in a low tone to Kap, his own face reddening with grief, mutely matching the horrified look on Marquis's face. 

Rah-Rah stayed uncharacteristically silent, the expression on his face unreadable. 

Regine had solemnly handed out tissues to everyone in the room that needed one at the moment, for most of Joe’s survivors had sympathetic tears for Malik’s private anguish, brought out for the world to see.  “They’ve been by each other’s side since the first grade,” she murmured to Ray, who took one of the tissues and blew his nose.  My baby boy doesn’t know what life is like without Lamar being right there, all through childhood, now as grown men.  They were only separated for one year, when Malik got locked up when he was 18.  Imagine… having to lose your only love after literally being by their side every day for damn near thirty years… they’re too young to have to deal with this bullshit,” she added, anxiously running her hands through her expensive wig. 

Lamar began to help Malik back into his seat; it was as if Malik were the sick one and  Lamar the strong one.  Once they settled down again, the lawyers looked around expectantly. 

“Please turn the video back on,” Regine said then. 

CLICK – 

“So, son,” Joe said with a smile, “I leave you this ruby ring I wear, passed down from father to son, the ultimate symbol of the head of the Hill family.  You also get the title and the deed to Crimson Crest, with everything in it, to be passed down to your children as it was passed down to me.  Should you have no children but Jamara, it is she who will inherit the house and grounds.  You also have control over the Hill family Estate, which presently is vauled at over 100 billion.  You have the seat of CEO of Hill Industries, and you are also the principal shareholder in all subordinate companies under the Hill umbrella.  I also leave to you my personal journals and writings, which chronicle my life from when I was in college.  J. Mayson Hill also wrote his memoirs, yet I never had a chance to go through them.  Maybe you can take a look at his files, see what may be useful to you, what is so much junk, etc.”  Joe paused.  “Maybe we weren’t as close as we could have been, son,” Joe said then seriously, “but I do want you to know that I love you.  Maybe in the end, that will mean something to you, boy.” 

Malik looked up from where he crouched with Lamar, tears streaking his face as he gazed up at the streaked visage of his father.  “Don’t forget to get me a shovel, Rah-Rah,” Malk said.