I spent about fifteen minutes giving Hopeton a high-level summary of where I was with Mundo and all of his over-budget projects.
“For the most part it’s all cool,” I said. “The four things he has going on were a fucking mess when I got here, but I whipped them into decent shape already.”
Hopeton nodded.
“And as long as I stay on top of things and Mundo doesn’t try to start any fuckery, I should be wrapped up and outta here by end of next year at the latest.”
“At which point, any karma you’ve had with Mundo will be settled and you can move on with a clear mind and heart,” Hopeton intoned.
“Gangster’s Anthem style,” I replied, laughing. “If you don’t watch out, I’m gonna start calling you Terror Fabulous, bredren.”
But Hopeton had inadvertently brought up a good point.
“What fuckery do you think Doe’s gonna try to get me caught up in?” I asked. “I’ve been trying to suss that shit out since I got here, and I feel like there’s some shady paperwork drama going on with the construction companies.”
“That’s the type of basic-ass play Mundo would jump on,” Hopeton agreed.
“You know, all of this shit is subsidized by the government here, and my gut’s telling me they’re falsifying the fuck out of their documentation paperwork. Biz would be able to get to the bottom of it in a nanosecond. I’m tempted to bring him out here for a week to go through the invoices, but I know he’d refuse.”
Hopeton laughed. He knew Biz had no love for spoiled-ass Olmando.
“I don’t want any part of it,” I continued. “I just want to wrap up these projects cleanly and move the fuck on. Karma settled or not.”
“When Mundo comes and tries to get you involved- and he no doubt will,” Hopeton said, “tell him clearly- hell no. And keep saying it.”
Now it was my turn to nod.
“And make sure you tell Wilkie to stay out of it, too,” Hopeton cautioned. “Let him know you have bigger things in mind for him.”
“We no rob petty money, a pure Brinks we jook,” I said.
“Didn’t I tell you, Pierre? Real gunman is never too old for any gunman anthem.”
I laughed.
Damn, I’d missed talking shit with Hopeton. Too bad I didn’t bring my dominoes set. We coulda turned this reasoning session into a party.
“And since we’re talking about real tings, Pierre, I want to talk to you about why we’re here in Panama,” Hopeton said in a very serious tone.
“The money changing network?” I asked. I very much hoped that’s what he was talking about.
“Yes, the money changing network,” Hopeton confirmed. “I want to give you the run-down.”
“I am one-hundred percent paying attention, Hopeton.”
“Good, paske li pa twò konplike,” but I’m going to need you to absorb it in stages,” he replied, flipping a little Kreyol at me. “Right now, I’m going to explain the outer layer for you.”
We sat there for the next hour or so, as Hopeton walked me through the basic set-up. It was an odd combination of Hopeton’s role in PanStar’s legitimate money transfer business and Eula’s role in Biz’s EBT scheme. I could pretty much wrap my head around it, but I’d need to see it all in action to figure out what my role would be, exactly.
“So, what I want to do with you for the next two days, is take you around and just let you get a general feel for the rhythm of the business.”
“Sounds good to me,” I replied, genuinely excited. “I mean, this is why I’m really here, right?”
“Yes, Pierre,” Hopeton agreed. “Just like I told you back when we were in Brooklyn and you were miserable.”
He poured me a glass of beer from the nearly empty pitcher.
“What you’re looking for is in Panama,” he reminded me. “And here we are.”
