UNTITLED NOVEL- CHAPTER TEN

Marcus looked at Madina and smiled and she smiled in return. This was when Marcus knew that Madina would become a good friend. Peter and Navette drove up just as the ambulance and security were pulling away. Peter and Navette quickly ran into the house. They didn’t know what had happened so they exuberantly asked many questions.
“What wrong? Who is in the ambulance? Why was security here?”
“Just a moment, Peter. We need to go to the hospital and check on Emerald. I will tell you all about it on the way. Marcus can inform Navette.”
“What happened to Emerald?” Peter and Navette asked almost simultaneously.
Navette was afraid that Emerald had opened his big mouth and he and Marcus had fought and Emerald had been injured. This was the first thing that came to her mind knowing her brother’s antagonistic behavior, not that Marcus was prone to violence.
“He was hit in the head with the butt of a gun.”
“A butt of a gun?" Navette repeated as she looked toward Marcus as though he might have done it.
“Yes, I told you it is a long story. We need to get to the hospital. I will tell your father then Marcus and Madina can tell you. Let’s go Peter.”
Peter and Bright left Marcus and Navette standing in the foyer, Madina had already returned to the kitchen. Navette looked at Marcus and was not sure she wanted to hear what she was about to hear.
“Let’s go to the kitchen and you and Madina can tell me all about it.”
Navette and Marcus walked into the kitchen where they discovered Madina with her elbows on the counter and her hands covering her face. It appeared she was or had been crying. Marcus walked over, laid his hand on her shoulder and asked if she was all right.
“I am all right Mr. Marcus, I am sorry that my brother shot you and Mr. Emerald got hurt. I wish Johnny had taken after Mama rather than Papa.”
“I am all right and I’m sure Emerald will be all right too. Don’t worry. You can’t help what your brother does. If you could, what happened today would not have happened. He will just have to realize himself that he needs to change.”
Navette couldn’t wait any longer. “Ok, someone is going to have to tell me what happened. There was a shooting?”
Marcus took a seat at the counter. “Yes. I will try to explain but Madina may have to jump in.”
Marcus told Navette the story while Madina prepared lunch. It seemed that the healthy groceries were still in the Jeep that Peter and Bright drove to the hospital.
Navette was worried about Emerald. She called her father on his cell phone.

“Dad, how’s Emerald?”
Madina and Marcus were just hearing one end of this conversation and wondering what was being said. “That’s good news. Madina has lunch almost finished, since we left the groceries in the jeep. We’ll see you soon.”
“It sounds like Emerald is going to be all right.”
“Yes, but, he has a concussion and a very bad headache. They will be home soon.”
“Thank the Lord.” Madina exclaimed while raising her hands toward the ceiling.”
“Marcus, you have a knack of being at the wrong place at the right time. You helped that girl in New York and then you helped Mrs. Tolkowsky save her ring. And, both times someone shot at you.” Madina was sorry that Johnny had caused all this trouble. “How can I make it up to you Mr. Marcus?”
Marcus smiled. “You don’t have to do anything else Madina. You have already done enough.”
“Why, what have I done Mr. Marcus?”
“You have given me a glimpse of your soul, Madina. While we were holding hands and you were praying, I felt as if I had known you forever. Your words touched me in a way I had never been touched before. I just know you will be my friend forever. The same thing happened when I first met Joe.”
“Who is Joe, Mr. Marcus?”
“Oh, that’s another name I have for Peter.”
Navette didn’t want Marcus to go into detail about Joe. “You can tell that story later. What did you and Mom talked about today?”
“We had a good conversation. She told me a little about the magazine and I got an opportunity to look closely through some past issues and I am really impressed.”
“Did she tell you about how the magazine got started?
“No she didn’t. How did it get started?”
“Well, it was before Mom and Dad married. They were dating and on a ski trip in Colorado. Dad had planned to ask Mom to marry him. But, Mom was working for Tolkowsky Diamonds and she would have to quit if they became engaged. It was a family thing. None of the Tolkowsky’s wives worked in the organization. In fact none of the wives worked at all. Well, while they were at the slopes they saw an old acquaintance: Mom’s old boyfriend. This guy had proposed to Mom on this same mountain a year earlier, but she turned him down. He owned a magazine named JEWELRY WORLD; Mom had worked for him for a number of years. Mom had met Dad and, you know that thing you said about when you first met Dad you knew he was going to be your friend; well that’s what Mom said. She felt she had found a friend and possibly a soul mate. She just could not marry this man after meeting Dad. Mom evidentially quit her job at “JEWELRY WORLD.” She was very uncomfortable working there after she had turned the boss’s marriage proposal down.
Dad hired Mom at Tolkowsky Diamonds soon after she quit. By this time Mom and Dad were dating heavily and Dad felt bad about Mom quitting her job. Mom really loved the magazine and missed it very much. Anyway, it turned out that Mom’s old boyfriend was there to propose to another woman and he was going to sell the magazine and move to Europe with his new bride. Dad saw the opportunity and offered to buy the Magazine. And, that’s when Mom went back to the work she loved. Dad bough the magazine and changed the name to ‘DIAMOND WORLD” and the rest is history.
“The ad makes sense now.”
“What ad?”
“There was this ad about a Perfect Diamond, and I just got the point of the ad. That is a neat story. I am glad you told me.”
“So, what do you think about the whole situation.”
“I am excited. I am a little concerned as to what role I will play at Sloan. I mean the role they will want me to play. However, I know that I will learn a lot and overall it will be a good thing for me. I also know I am excited to be on the team with you. And Sammy?”
“Sammy will be on the team as well.”
“Why am I the last one to know these things? I guess I should be thankful that I have all these people looking out for me, but sometimes I feel useless directing my own life. Why is Sammy a part of the team?”
“Sammy being on the team has nothing to do with Dad or Mom. Margaret is responsible for Sammy being on the team. Margaret put in a good word for Sammy to Mr. Sloan. She knew that Sammy wanted something a little more challenging. Somehow she got wind of this team and felt like Sammy would enjoy working with the two of us. But, like me, Sammy was told not to mention this to you.”
“What am I to do, I mean, it’s a secret right?”
“You will just have to pretend that you know nothing when Sloan talks to you Monday.”
Marcus reached to his side and felt something wet under his arm. He then felt pain. Looking at his hand he saw something that looked like blood. He had discovered an injury he did not know he had. Navette saw this also.
“What is it? You’re bleeding.”
“I must have injured myself when I tackled Madina’s brother.”
“Take your shirt off and let’s take a look.”
Marcus took his shirt off and there was a long gash in his side. It looked as if he had been cut with a knife. Navette suggested they go to the bathroom and clean the wound.
“You were shot.” Madina spoke as if she knew this.
“You said that when you were describing the incidents earlier”
“I felt it when you were shot.”
“Madina, what do mean you felt it?”
“Just as the shot was fired I felt this burning in my side. I knew you had been hit. The pain wasn’t very bad, so I knew you would be all right.”
“I would like to talk about this special gift you have.”
“You two can talk about that later. Now we need to get you bandaged up.”
Marcus and Navette went to the bathroom and washed the wound and put a bandage on it. As they returned to the kitchen, Peter and Bright and Emerald had just arrived. Emerald had a big bandage on his head. Marcus hadn’t put his shirt back on and his bandage was very obvious also.
“What happened to you Marcus?”
“When Johnny shot at me the bullet must have grazed me.” It is just a superficial wound. I will be all right.” Marcus put his shirt back on and looking at Emerald’s head inquired about him. “What about you Emerald? How is your head?”
“Right now it is not hurting. They gave me something for the pain. That guy could have killed me. I hope he stays in prison for life.”
Marcus looked over to Madina and saw that she was sinking deeper into remorse for having involved everyone in her personal troubles. Marcus was trying to think of something to say that would make Madina feel better. But before he could say anything, Bright spoke up.
“Emerald, that guy is Madina’s brother, could you not have a little more sympathy in your words. I’m sure that Madina doesn’t want her brother to stay in prison for the rest of his life.”
“That’s all right Mrs. Tolkowsky; Johnny is already on the street.”
“I just felt a sense of trouble come over me and I just know he is out of jail. He has friends that get him out of these things.”
Emerald seemed to be overcome with fear again. “You mean that guy is out of jail. He is probably going to come back over and get even with us. He will kill us all. I’m leaving. I’ll see you guys back in New York.”
Emerald went upstairs to pack his overnight bag. Marcus thought that Emerald was a little paranoid. After all, Johnny could still be locked up. But, Madina had this special gift that tells her things: like him being shot. Maybe he was out and maybe he was going to get even. Johnny still needed that paper signed.”
“Lunch is ready.” Madina called out. “I am sorry it is so late.”
They all sat down to a delightful meal of chicken salad sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. Macaroni and cheese is one of Peter’s favorite dishes.
“Thank you, Madina for making my favorite dish.”
“My pleasure, Mr. Tolkowsky.”
“The groceries, they are still in the car.”
Marcus wanting Peter to enjoy his favorite dish volunteered to get the groceries. “You enjoy your Mac and cheese and I will go get the groceries.”
As Marcus was walking toward the door the doorbell rang. The first thought was that this could be Johnny. Emerald was coming down the steps when the doorbell rang. Emerald quickly turned and ran back up the steps. Peter jumped up from his seat in the kitchen and walked toward the front door. Marcus looked out the peep hole and then opened the door. It was the officer that had been there before.
“Hi officer.”
“Hi. I just wanted to let you know that Johnny is out of jail. The judge placed a half million dollar bail on him, but someone bailed him out. I don’t know who it was but they must have been wealthy.”
This was the news they had feared. It is exactly what Madina had predicted.
“I don’t think he will be back, but you never know what goes through these guys’ heads.”
“The judge placed an order for him not to return to this address. But, that usually doesn’t stop them. If you see any sign of him, give us a call”
Marcus went out to the car to get the groceries. A taxi drove up. Emerald ran out and jumped into the taxi without saying a word. The taxi drove off and Emerald was off to New York.
Marcus brought the groceries back in and set them down on the kitchen counter. Peter, Bright and Navette were discussing what to do if Johnny returned. They all were concerned about Madina; her brother would still want her to sign the papers.
“How can we keep him away?”
“We can’t.”
“Madina, do you have anywhere to go where he wouldn’t know where to find you? Do you have any other relatives who leave nearby?”
“No, Mr. Tolkowsky. The rest of my family live back east. I’ll be all right. I don’t think Johnny will hurt me.”
“We can’t take that chance. Madina. You stay here tonight. Navette, you and Marcus pack your things and fly back to Manhattan.”
“Dad, we can’t just leave you and Mom here.”
“We will be fine. I will call Bill and have him send a security officer over to keep a watch. I don’t think Johnny will come back, he will probably skip the country.”
“It didn’t take long for Navette and Marcus to pack. They were all together waiting for the taxi. Madina was working in the laundry room when they heard her shout. “Oh my Lord.” She came rushing into the room, “Mr. Marcus, you can’t go now.”
“Why Madina?”
“Something bad is going to happen.”
“You had another premonition didn’t you?”
“Yes, and you should not leave.”
A horn blew outside. It was probably just the taxi, but it startled Madina and she screamed out. “Oh my!”
Peter went to the door and peered through the peep hole in the door. It was the taxi. “It’s just the taxi. Come on you two, just get to the airport and you can catch the red eye if nothing else.”
Marcus picked up his and Navette’s bags and thanked Peter and Bright for their hospitality and wished them good luck. He and Navette got into the taxi and as the taxi was pulling away another black SUV pulled in front of them. It was Johnny. He came up to the taxi and opened the back door on Marcus’s side. He grabbed Marcus and pulled him out of the taxi. He pulled a handgun from his back pocket and pointed it at Marcus’ head. “I missed you last time but I won’t miss now.”
At that time a car pulled up almost hitting Marcus and Johnny. Johnny turned stepped aside to dodge the car and Marcus was able to get leverage again to drop Johnny to the ground. The car that almost struck them was Bill. He drew his weapon and ordered Johnny to slide his weapon to the side. Johnny hesitated and Bill placed his foot on Johnny’s shoulder and ordered Johnny again to slide his weapon over to the side: telling him not to be stupid. Johnny again was reluctant to do as Bill had ordered. Johnny made a sudden effort to rise up and that is when Marcus gave him a blow to the lower back and Johnny went back down. Bill again ordered Johnny to slide the weapon over to him. This time Johnny did as Bill asked and then Bill placed cuffs on Johnny and put him in the back seat of the car. Peter, Bright and Madina all witnessed this from the front door of the house.
“Peter, you didn’t call me anytime too soon.