The Black Book

Well, I believe we are done here, my love Terrell Tanden said to his daughter Yara. Just in case someone followed me here, do me a favor and leave out the back in twenty minutes, it’s all been arranged just let Mateo our waiter know when you’re ready. No worries dad I’m expecting some friends for drinks so I’ll be staying for a while. Terrell laughs nervously and gives his daughter a kiss on the forehead as he leaves the restaurant. He just finished having lunch with his 25-year-old daughter Yara, whom he had in college and was still a secret to the world. He replays the conversation with his daughter. I’m trusting you to protect this information for me, I can’t tell you how bad it would be if it were lost or stolen.Terrell then passed Yara a black book wrapped in a plastic bag across the table. Don’t worry dad, Yara assures him, I understand and I promise you I will protect it. Good, you are the only one I can trust right now. He took out his phone and called for his driver to bring the car around. As he walked out Mateo watches one of the most powerful and richest men in the world exit. Mateo now turns his attention to the young woman he left sitting at the table. He notices her putting a black book into her bag. Walking over to the table where she sat alone, Mateo leans down next to Yara and asks if she needs anything else? No thanks, it’s Mateo right Yara asked? Yes, Mateo replied, still leaning over so only Yara could hear him. I’m expecting some friends, can you let me know when they arrive? Sure I can do that for you, said Mateo. When Yara’s friends arrived and were seated at the bar, Mateo informed her they were there. As Yara walked over to join her friends she yelled out, hey bitches order some shots. After six shots and feeling a little tipsy Yara announced to her friends it was time to depart. Why so soon they all wanted to know? Because I’m flying out to meet Jordan in Costa Rica. Well damn, sis one of her friends said let’s do one more shot for Jordan. Ok, ok but after that, I have to go Yara said checking her watch. She turned and saw Mateo standing nearby. Can you get a cab for me, please? Mateo hailed a cab for Yara and watched as she said goodby to her friends. As she walked by and got into the cab Mateo shook his head, No Thank You and No Tip. Yara jumped in the cab, commanding 100 Bala Cynwyd, please. She put her earbuds in and sat back as she prepared for the ride. They hit 76 and everything was going fine till the cab driver slammed on the breaks. Yara’s bag with all its contents went flying throughout the back of the cab. Some dumb ass had cut them off and almost caused an accident. The cab driver, a middle-aged foreigner, began yelling in his native dialect. He checked on Yara to make sure she was ok. When they arrived at the destination the driver waited as Yara picked up her belongings. She tipped the cab an extra twenty for waiting and not rushing her to collect her things. Once Yara was done she went into her apartment and started getting ready for her trip. Bags already packed she called for a car to take her to the airport. Checking

the time Yara realized she could take a shower and relax before leaving. As Yara went into the bathroom a bath seemed more relaxing than a shower. When the water was just right she lowered herself into the tub. Yes, this was just what was needed before boarding a plane for a four-hour flight. Heading to Costa Rica to hang out with Jordan, a trip they were both excited about. The ringing of her cell phone bought Yara out of relaxed sleep. Oh, shoot she screamed realizing her car was here to take her to the airport. She answered the phone yes, ok I will be down in a second. Hanging up Yara began rushing around the room to get dressed. Grabbing her cell phone she called the concierge and asked if someone could come for her bags. She gave permission for them to enter the apartment and pick them up.They will be by the door and if they would please place them in the car that’s waiting, she instructed. Placing the bags at the door Yara returned to her bedroom and finished dressing. Now dressed Yara picked up her cell phone and looked for her bag, it was on the coffee table open? Yara looked at the bag and thought for a second had she lifted it open? Having no time to worry about that right now she grabbed her bag and ran to the elevator. She tipped Kenny the concierge a twenty as he stood next to an open back door of the SUV. As the door closes the driver speeds away promising to get her there on time. For some reason, in the back of Yara’s mind she kept telling herself to check her bag. Checking her bag she couldn’t find her passport, it wasn’t there. Turn Around, Turn Around Please Yara said again I left my passport. Ok, hold on the driver said as she made a sharp right turn before getting on to 76. Yara called the concierge desk and Kenny answered. Once Yara explained, Kenny said I will personally go up and look for it. When they pulled up to the front of the building Kenny stood with the passport in hand waiting. Yara had the back window down and as Kenny handed her the passport she gave him a fifty. Turning her attention back to the driver, can you still get me there in time? If so it’s an extra hundred in it for you. The driver, a young African American woman, said put your seatbelt on and get that hundred ready I got you. They pulled up at terminal A west with time to spare, the driver jumped out and unloaded the bags. Yara smiled and said nice job, she passed her the hundred. Oh, and this is your tip as another hundred was passed. Yara made it to the gate just as her plane was starting to board.

Yara landed in Costa Rica excited about seeing Jordan, after picking up her bags. Yara was off to the hotel hoping Jordan was there. Walking up to the front desk she gave her name to the receptionists. Has the other guest arrived and anxious Yara asked? No I’m sorry you are the first to arrive. A puzzled Yara went to the suite they had reserved and wondered why Jordan wasn’t here already. She was supposed to arrive first as her tour of duty was to be over this morning. Jordan was one of the Marines on a detail to protect a senator, who was checking on the troops. Yara took out her phone to call Jordan and saw that she had a message. It must have come in while she was still in the air. Hey

baby just calling to say hello and I can’t wait to. MOVE YOUR ASS Marine , what is happening ? Oh, Shit ! This is what Yara heard before the line went dead. Now in a panic she dialed and redialed Jordan’s number but all she got was a busy signal. A dejected Yara fell to her knees and began to pray, please God, please don’t let anything happen to her Pleaseeee.

Terrell pulled a ring cell phone from his jacket and answered, Mr. Tanden. An unrecognizable voice responded, I have something I think you are willing to pay say $10,000 for? Terrell came back with, I don’t play games like that he hung up. To his surprise the phone ring again this time Terrell answered more aggressively What! The price just went up to $20,000 want to hang up again? First of all, Who the hell is this and what in the hell do you think I will pay you $20,000 for? Get this, you are dumb as hell Terrell said laughing into the phone. You have nothing I want for that kind of money, clown. Are you done? The mystery voice asked cause I can wait till you’re done. So I can burst your bubble! Yeah, I’m done so what is it you have? A black book in a plastic bag now you laugh about that. Oh, and you can call your daughter to confirm that she doesn’t have it. The line went dead and Terrell Tanden started to panic. He tried calling the number back but no one answered. After making 20 attempts he finally gave up and started dialing his daughter, all the while thinking how could this person have the black book? Why wasn’t Yara picking up her phone? At this point, Terrell wasn’t sure what to think, was his daughter a part of this, was this her way of getting even with him? Terrell was confused and uncertain about everyone right now especially Yara. He wasn’t sure if he should wait to hear from Yara and the person who called him? Or if he should call Maro Berlusconi, gangster friend. Terrell had no idea what the price for such a favor would be, just that the stakes would be high.

Yara hears the beeping of her cell phone as her eyes open. She sees that there were over ten missed calls from her dad. Was he calling to check on her cause he heard about Jordan? Yara was surprised he answered on the second ring, Where’s The Book I Gave You he asked? Dad please I can’t with you and this book right now! Yara, Terrell screamed into the phone, Where Is The Fucking Book! Geez dad can you calm down, hold on it’s in my bag. Yara looked in her bag and frantically moved things around searching for the blackbook. DAD ! It’s not here! Fuck ok, listen we have to back track everything that happen and everyone your came in contact with. Dad I can’t do this right now I’m worried about Jordan. Look Yara I don’t give a rats ass about Jordan right now. If we don’t figure this out we’ll have more to worry about like our lives. What’s in this black book dad Yara asked? Terrell told her about the phone call, and how afraid he was. He also promised to make a phone call to find out about Jordan. They began going over what happened to Yara after she was given the book. The one thing that seemed to stick out was the cab ride. Could Yara have overlooked it leaving it in the cab for another

passage to find? What are we going to do dad Yara asked? Pay the money and hope for the best, Terrell replied. I think we should be there to see who picks it up, Yara suggested. How much time did they give you? They said in 48 hours drop it off at Love Park. Ok I’m on the next plane.

When Yara landed at Philly International airport she rented a car and then called her dad. Is everything set up and are your people in place? Yes I’m waiting on you. Ok I’m on my way Yara informed her dad, see you there. After dropping off the money as instructed Terrell located Yara and they stood across the street, waiting and watching. A surprised Yara grabbed her dad, they picked up the bag. When the person had the bag in their possession Terrell and Yara ran across the street and approached them. Hey Terrell yelled out causing the person to turn around. Oh My God, both Terrell and Yara shouted! You!

The Black Book By

Tony Hannah-Dennis