Dopeman: Memoirs of a Snitch (Part 3 of Dopeman's Trilogy) by JaQuavis Coleman

Ralphie and get revenge for what he had done. But first he had to handle his business so he could stay free.
    It was Sunday and Hazel’s was closed for business. However, the place was semi-full from people from the community. Although Seven moved dope through the area, he was what you called the problem solver. On Sundays, he kept his door open and gave people in the community a chance to speak with him. Seven ran the city and everyone knew it. If someone had a problem, they didn’t go to the police; they went to Seven.
    Seven sat in his back office with a cigar in his mouth and a small glass of cognac beside him. He started at the teary eyed woman who sat in front of him. Lola stood to the left of him and listened with her arms crossed. She was a single mom who was having trouble paying her rent. She was two months behind and her ends just weren’t meeting as planned. She lived in the housing projects that sat in the middle of the city and also one of the main hotspots for Seven’s drug business.
    “Lillie, you still fuck with that shit?” Seven asked, knowing that she once had a bad heroin addiction back in the day.
    “No Seven, I promise. I haven’t touched any dope in almost a year. I’m clean.” Lillie pleaded as she wiped away the tears on her cheek. Seven remained silent and just stared at Lillie, trying to detect any malice in her eyes. Seven put his cigar down, stood up, and walked around his desk. He leaned on the edge of his desk and stood directly in front of Lillie. She cried as all of her burdens weighed heavy on her soul. She had five young kids at home and she had nowhere else to go. The state assistance she was receiving wasn’t enough to keep her out of financial turmoil.
    “Lillie, wipe your eyes.” Seven said as he handed her a box of tissues that sat at the edge of his desk. He gently grabbed her by her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. He put his arm around her shoulders and walked her to the exit while talking to her patiently.
    “Everything is going to be okay. Lola is going to set you up real nice. You don’t have to pay rent anymore. I will take care of that. Now, I’ma need your apartment from time to time, ya’ know? Let one of my youngins’ use your stove sometimes. When the kids are at school, we are going to need you to help package up a couple things, feel me? This way, you can keep a little money in your pocket.” Seven said as he gave her his charming smile.
    “Seven, Thank you! Thank you so much. I will not let you down,” Lillie said as she grabbed his hand and kissed it in appreciation. Lola then walked over and escorted her out. Lillie was thanking Seven all the way out of the door. Seven shook his head as he walked back over to his desk. He heard a knock at the back exit that was attached to his office. He knew it was someone in his crew because no one came in that way. He stepped to the door and opened it. Ball was on the other side of the door waiting.
    “Right on time,” Seven said as he looked down at his watch. Seven stepped to the side and let Ball come in.
    “What’s good? Lola told me to meet here,” Ball said as took a seat.
    “Want a glass of cognac?” Seven asked as he picked up his glass and took a sip.
    “Yeah, I will take one,” Ball responded. Seven walked over to his mini bar and poured Ball a double shot. He handed it to Ball as he studied Ball’s movements. He was trying to see if he sensed any snake in Ball. Lola was just returning to the office as Seven made his way around his desk. He picked up the newspaper that was in front of him and tossed it in front of Ball. Just as the paper hit the desk, Lola had a gun to the back of Ball’s neck.
    “Read that!” Seven yelled sternly as his mood switched from calm to irate within milliseconds. Ball was taken by surprised and looked down at the paper.
    “Cop found dead. Lynched,” The headline read.
    “So you a fed, huh? Your little friend you tried to introduce me to was a cop. You