No One Survived

Chapter 4

“Mr Queen, I offer ten percent profit of all the goods that go through Harlem with an upfront cash of five million dollars'' Ryan opens a suitcase filled with cash.

Alex sat across from Mr Queen, who was in charge of every business deal that directly or indirectly involved Harlem. The Mexicans that resided in Harlem took it upon themselves to stop every shipment involving the American syndicate.

“The disrespect, I am disappointed Mr Donatello, five million dollars. What do you take me for”

“I do not understand you are American why would you side with the Mexicans”

“You have Mexican roots, Alex, why do you rule America?”

“It seems you have done some background check on me” Alex grinned. “I would love you to know that Isabella, Isabella tastes nice, smells so good, and screams so loud. Isn't that right boys.”

The men around Alex laughed. Mr Queen had been having an affair with his secretary, Isabella.

“You disgusting piece of shit”

Alex signaled Ryan, Ryan pulled out some pictures, handed it to one of Mr Queen's men, who in turn handed it to Mr Queen.

They were nude pictures of Isabella lying on the floor, she looked like she had been drugged.

In anger Mr Queen pulled out a gun and shot at Alex. It happened so fast, no one expected it.

Everyone pulled out their guns, it was chaos, bullets flying here and there.

Ryan rushed to help Alex out, as he noticed Alex had been shot.

Mr Queen got out of the warehouse as quickly as possible. “Start the car, start the freaking car.” He shouted as he got in. The driver sped off, Mr Queen picked his phone to dial his wife.

“Are you home?” He said in a rush, “What's wrong, is everything fine?”

“Are you home? There's no time to explain Jane, are you home”

“No, I'm at target with the kids. Tell me, are you fine.”

“Listen to me, send your location to me right now. I'll come pick you up, I'll explain later on.” he cut the call.

“Mama, is that Papa” Amy asked

“Yes, it's your father”

“He is on his way home?”

“He is coming to pick us up,” Mrs Queen responded.

“Come on, let's finish up,Lilly.” she called out “Finish up, okay!”

“Yes mama,” Lilly said out loud for her mother to hear.

“Get in”

“Hi dad”

“GET IN” Mr Queen thickened his voice, “What is going on Joe”

“What's with all the rush”

“Just get in” they all get in. “Rodrigo faster, we are going to the airport.”

“Airport”

“Airport”

“Airport” three of them echoed. “Why Joe, what did you do this time?”

“This time? I am doing this for you, for us, for the children, don't look at me like that. Jane.” Mr Queen hissed “I picked up our passports on the way.”

“I have school papa,” Lilly said, “I have work. We can not just leave the company at this point. We have a huge contract, we are about to land. I promised you, dad I would get us this contract.”

“Amy look love I get it. Contract this, contract that, maybe when we safely land in Canada, we'll talk more about this okay! but now is not the right time.”

There was silence which lasted for a bit.

“Tell me Joe what did you do?” Mrs Queen said as tears began to gather.

“The American syndicate is after us” Mr Queen palmed his face in regret.

“The cartel?” Amy confirmed as Mr Queen nodded. “What did you do, Joe, what about Ivy, my baby.”

IVY. It dawned on Mr Queen, he had forgotten about Ivy. She was always a quiet kid, he forgot he drove her to school days ago in the rush. Subconsciously, he had expected her to be with his wife. She was always close to her mother, always clinging to her mother even when she was a pre teen.

Mr Queen had wanted to utter a word when suddenly a loud *BANG* Mr Queen's SUV was hit by a truck as the car tumbled over, over, over, over and over till it came to a stop. The impact was so hard everyone in the car fell unconscious as the car exploded, burning every single one of them into ashes.

No one survived, no body was found. The rescue team was only able to collect the ashes. They were only able to confirm the victims identities through the plate number and CCTV of Mrs Queen, Amy and Lily getting into the car at Target.

—---

Tim drove Ivy to the funeral. A lot of people she had never met were present; some said they were employees, coworkers, or business partners. Ivy wasn't really listening to them. There was no wake; damn, there was no body to be buried – all that was left of her family were ashes. She remembered her mother's smile. Ivy couldn't help but think she was also meant to be in that car. If not that, she was adamant about going to school; maybe then she wouldn't have to face this at all.

"Thank you for being here, Tim. I really don't know what I would do without you," Ivy said, bursting into tears.

"Dear, dear, I'm here; it's okay, cry it out, cry it all out."

Ivy and Tim were at the Queen's house when they heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it," Tim said, wondering who it would be, as Ivy had said her goodbyes to the well-wishers.

"Good day. I am Thomas. I'm looking for Miss Ivy Queen; is she perhaps around?" the man in a black suit said upon seeing Tim.

"Uhmm, yeah, come in; she's right there."

He walked in to greet Ivy.

"Ivy Queen? Ah, yes. I'm your father's attorney. I'm so sorry for your loss; my condolences."

"Thank you." Ivy gestured for him to have a seat.

"Your father was a great man and a great friend. His presence would be greatly missed; it hurts to be the bearer of sad news." He handed Ivy a bunch of paperwork, which she collected and skimmed through.

"The company is in debt – your father was in debt, about 400 million dollars. I know you are young; it's a lot to take in. I did some work to save you from troubles: the house, the yacht, and the vacation house in the Bahamas, the cars – everything in your father's name has to go. That would reduce the total to about 180 million. The properties in your mother's and sister's names could help reduce it all to 80 million. We could also consider selling the company; if we are lucky, you'd probably be in no debt. But if they get wind of the debts your father had to save the company... you might end up with about 20 million in debt. So, we need to act fast."

"I'm not a child," Ivy fired back, hot tears dropping from her eyes and blurring them.

"We'd like to think about this for a moment, please. We'll contact you later, sir. A lot has happened today," Tim said.

"Yeah, I understand. I'll take my leave now. We need to act fast, guys, and I need your signature. Here's my card." He dropped it on the coffee table.

"You know your way out, right?"

"I do."

"Why is this happening to me? Why? What did I do for all this to happen to me, Tim? I should have stayed; I shouldn't have begged to go. I should have been in that."

"Hey, hey, don't say that. Don't say that you did nothing wrong. It's okay; I'm here for you. We are in this together, okay? Look at me, together."

"What do you think I should do, Tim?" Ivy said, staring at the papers with a void in her eyes. It hurt Tim to see Ivy like this.

A call broke Tim's train of thought.

"I have to take this."

"It was from my dad; I have to go."

"It's okay, Tim. I'm okay. You can't always be with me; you have a life. Thank you, but I actually do need to be alone."

"No, I can't leave you here like this. We'll talk to the man over the phone. Let's go back to school, okay?" He pleaded with his eyes.

"There are some things I have to face alone. I haven't even properly said goodbye yet."

"Aw, shit, this is really important. I swear, immediately I'm done, I'll be right back."

"Don't do that, Tim. Once I've said my goodbyes, I'll go back to New York," Ivy said, in between tears.

——

"Where the hell have you been, Ryan?" Alex demanded.

"Cleaning up any loose ends."

"Do they suspect any foul play?" Alex asked.

"None that I know of. If they do, one of my intel would have said something."

"The shipment moves tonight. I want it done clean and as fast as possible. Get the shipment over before the Mexicans think to retaliate. Is there anything else I need to know, Ryan?"

"I did the job myself; it was clean. His family was in the car; his last daughter is alive – she'll probably inherit everything.

"Does she know anything?" Alex asked.

"I don't think so," Ryan replied.

"You don't think? I don't want thoughts, Ryan. Does she?"

"She doesn't."

"Good, let's hope it stays that way. What about Isabella?"

"Cleaned. They'll never find her body."

Ryan's words hung in the air, and Alex's gaze narrowed. "What did you do?"

"Let's just say there's no body to be found."

Alex's expression turned approving, and he patted Ryan on the back. "You son of a... I knew to trust you."

"You ready?"

"Sure thing, boss. How's your arm?"

"Never been better. Come on, let's do this."