Violent Spring by Gary Phillips Read Free Book Online Page A

of the building, Monk unlocked a steel-sheeted door diagonally opposite the employee restroom. He entered the room and closed the door behind him.
    The lights in the ceiling hummed to life and revealed a cheap wood-paneled room containing a standing safe, two heavy duty file cabinets, a cot and an IBM PC on a small table. A folding chair fronted the table, and two more, folded up, leaned against the wall. There was a phone jack currently sans phone. Monk sat at the computer and powered it up.
    Tumbling across the black ether of the monitor came yellow phosphorescent text. With two-finger effort and studied concentration, Monk entered his preliminary notes on the case. A knock sounded on the door.
    â€œYeah?”
    Elrod’s voice came through the door. “Chief, Delilah just called. Said you better get back to the office quick. Shit’s jumpin’.”

T HEY CROWDED THE rotunda where Delilah’s desk and computer sat. Dressed in Calvin Klein and Alexander Julian suits, their ages ranging from mid-twenties to early fifties, the members of Harvesters Unlimited were a GQ version of an occupying army. Monk threaded his way through the phalanx of African-American men. Counting heads as he went, he calculated at least fifteen were jammed into the reception area.
    Gaining the front, he spied Linton Perry leaning on Delilah’s desk, amiably talking with her. Perry turned his head as Monk glided in.
    â€œBrother Monk. We meet again.” He held out his hand and Monk shook it. Perry was tall, taller than Monk and fleshly in the body. He was lighter in complexion than Monk, and there was a grey shock cutting a swath through part of his hair. The hand Monk shook had a gold ring on the middle finger and a silver one on the little.
    Pointing his thumb behind him, Monk said, “Why the big turnout, Mr. Perry?”
    â€œTo impress on you, my brother, that I didn’t come here speaking for myself. I came here with these gentlemen who represent various constituencies in our community so you could see we are united on this matter.”
    A sour taste gathered in Monk’s mouth. “And what matter is that?”
    â€œWhy, these clients of yours, the Korean-American Merchants Group.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    â€œThere was a press conference this afternoon in front of their building announcing just that.”
    Monk swore under his breath. Goddamn thing was already being turned into a circus for everybody’s benefit except his. He eyed the room. “And you decided you needed to remind me of how to do my job.”
    Perry stood up. He was relaxed yet Monk sensed it was all an effort at tight control. A mannerism that hid a volatile nature. Much like what he’d felt with Li. “We came here because we can’t have brothers doing things against other brothers. We can’t be seen to be working at cross purposes, at least not in the public eye.”
    Monk rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Come in my office please. Just you.”
    â€œI’d prefer it not be just me.”
    â€œIt’s you or I’m out of here. I’m not in the mood to get Mau Maued this late in the afternoon.”
    A long stretch of seconds passed as they stood looking at one another. Finally Perry said, “Okay, if it’s all right with everyone else.” He looked at the others in the room who shook their heads in concurrence.
    The two entered the office. Monk removed the sport coat he wore over his starched khaki trousers with cuffs, blue-striped button-down shirt and tassled loafers. He hung the coat up and sat at his desk. Perry eased his large frame opposite. He tented his hands, waiting.
    â€œWhat is it you expect me to do or not do, Mr. Perry?” Monk said testily.
    â€œAre you determined to pursue this matter?”
    â€œI’m going to look into the murder of Bong Kim Suh.”
    â€œThen we hope you aren’t going to play their game, brother Monk.