Body Snatchers 2

By Roze'

Haitian 4 Life ...
The Body Snatchers are at it again but, this time, one of the twins is missing from the action. The six-member crew almost crippled the city of New York when their plan to rescue their commander’s twin brother, Jerry, was fouled by FBI Special Agent Camper. Everyone except the crew’s commander, David, narrowly escapes with their lives after a massive shootout. The men elude the authorities and eventually flee to Haiti, but not before training their loyal female protégés, Pretty Posse.

While the men are in Haiti building favorable reputations and making enemies at the same time, Pretty Posse conspires to go after the governor of New York, seeking revenge for David’s death. They kidnap and torture the governor’s adviser and make him reveal top-secret information about the Body Snatchers and one of their members—information that rocks Pretty Posse to its core and sets them on a new course of action. Now they’re on a mission to reunite with the Body Snatchers in Haiti and help defend them against coming danger. But before they can embark on their journey, there are a few more kidnappings, including the governor’s wife and Agent Camper’s daughter.

Will Pretty Posse reach Haiti in time to warn the Body Snatchers, or will their good fortune finally run out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roze'
• Release date: Jul 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9780989528214

Roze'

Body Snatchers is Rozé’s first novel. Presently Rozé is working simultaneously on Body Snatcher 2 and Love on the Rocks. A native New Yorker who lives in Queens, she is of Haitian descent and is a first generation American. She believes in strong family values and knowing your history. One of Rozé mottos in life is, “Persistence will get you where you want to be. Don’t allow rejection to deter you; just think of it as a minor technicality and keep striving.”

Book preview

Prologue

Two years ago

Sirens and flashing lights pierced the quiet night. The roads leading to Chico’s mansion had been barricaded off and police tape formed a border surrounding the property. The scene was one of total devastation. Mutilated bodies and limbs were scattered all over the front yard. Body parts were strewn all over the driveway. It was all the aftermath of a battle that erupted when the Body Snatchers invaded the home of the Haitian drug lord, Chico, while trying to rescue their commander’s kidnapped brother, Jerry, who was called King. Chico was affiliated with the Haitian government as well as being a kingpin in the country’s drug trade. His security team had put up a good fight, but they were overwhelmed by the number and the savagery of the Body Snatchers.

No one, not even FBI agent Jonathan Camper had been prepared for the terror that this group of young Haitians inflicted upon the city of New York. EMTs and crime scene units were all over Chico’s property. Dozens of body bags were removed from the area. Ambulances rushed off the property in a desperate attempt to save anyone they found with the slightest pulse. Amidst all of this chaos, forensic scientists waited at the mansion’s perimeter for permission to go inside and begin dusting the area for prints and looking for any other evidence from this gruesome crime scene. Meanwhile, local officials were having their patience tested by a barrage of hungry reporters and civilians asking too many questions.

The paramedics went inside Chico’s home and witnessed another disaster area. The walls were splattered with blood and contained massive bullet holes and there was blood all over the floor. One EMT used his gloved hands to gently turn over the body of a dead man. The victim appeared to be no older than 25 and his throat had been slit wide open. There was a deep laceration from his left ear to his right, and his Adam’s apple was torn in half. There was no visible sign of a struggle.

He was probably caught by surprise from behind, the paramedic thought as he bagged the body.

On the other side of the mansion, another group of paramedics continued examining bodies, looking for any signs of life.

We’ve got a pulse! one of them shouted.

Frantically, a small group of paramedics rushed toward him with their medical bags, ready to resuscitate the victim. One began administering CPR while a couple others rushed outside to retrieve a stretcher, ready to whisk the victim off to the hospital, hoping to save a life. They quickly lifted the body onto the stretcher and continued pumping his chest as they rolled out the door.

Keep pumping! Keep pumping! a paramedic shouted.

On the count of three! One, two, three! another ordered and they all hoisted the body into the ambulance.

An agent standing outside smoking a cigarette was watching the paramedics and thought he recognized the body being lifted into the back of the ambulance. He rushed over.

Wait! Who’s that you’re carrying out of here? the agent shouted as he got closer.

We need to get him to the hospital now! gasped the paramedic. He’s going into shock and has already lost a lot of blood! he explained, not wanting to delay any longer.

It’ll only take a second, begged the agent. I need to identify this victim.

The agent looked down and immediately recognized the man on the stretcher. He gasped and then rushed inside the mansion to inform his superior.

* * * *

Chapter 1

Present day, NYC

The Body Snatchers almost shut down the city after the unlawful imprisonment of their aunt (who acted as their mother in the states). Now it was no longer safe for them to stay in New York. All the law enforcement agencies—including the DEA, FBI, CIA and NYPD—were on the hunt for them. They wanted the Body Snatchers to pay for all the mayhem and turmoil they caused. They wanted the Body Snatchers to pay for the deaths of their fellow officers and for kidnapping the chief. King, who led the Body Snatchers along with his twin brother, was well aware of all the crimes they’d committed and knew it was only a matter of time before the authorities found where they were hiding out. King knew he could not risk anyone in his circle getting caught and he was lucky that he had the connections to help them.

He sent a message to Franky The Bull, informing him that a package would be arriving soon and telling him not to be alarmed when it was delivered. The package contained a pre-paid phone so King and Franky could communicate safely without worrying about law enforcement tapping their conversation.

As promised, on the following day, the package arrived. When Franky opened the box, he found a phone inside, along with a piece of paper. A phone number was written on the paper, which he immediately dialed. After two rings, a woman answered.

Tina’s Nail Salon. How may I help you? she chimed.

I’m sorry, I think I have the wrong number, Franky replied, looking down at the number to make sure he’d dialed correctly.

Is this The Bull? the woman asked.

Franky hesitated for a second before responding, then said, Yeah, this is The Bull. Who’s this?

Please hold.

There was a brief silence and then he heard King’s voice.

Franky, my man! Thank you for reaching out to me, King said.

‘Hey, King! What’s happenin’? I see you guys have been quite busy lately, Franky remarked while lighting his cigar.

You know how the Body Snatchers do it. They were taking us for a game and we had to show them we’re not to be messed with.

I see, young’n, Franky said with a smirk on his face.

Don’t mean to be rude, Franky, but this call is not for pleasantries. I need your help getting out the country. I have the money but don’t have a way to escape without getting caught. I know you have a trucking company that transports cargo interstate. We need to move a few items, if you know what I mean.

Yeah, I understand. When would you like to start loadin’ this precious cargo? Franky asked.

As soon as possible. We’ve gotta get out of here right away, King said.

Okay. I think I can help you. We have a shipment leavin’ in two days for Florida. Is that soon enough for you? Franky asked.

Yes, that’s perfect. It’ll give us enough time to tie up any loose ends.

Okay, then. I’ll make a call and set— Franky began, but before he could finish his sentence, King interrupted.

Franky, if you can, please handle this all by yourself. I would truly appreciate that. You know we have everyone in the world out looking for us, and if the wrong person gets wind of what we’re doing, it will all be downhill from here. I just wanna be extra cautious because these pigs are going hard. I have a driver set up and ready to go, so all we need now is the vehicle, King explained anxiously.

Franky thought about what King said and he did have a point. If anyone in the Lucci family found out what he was doing, he definitely would not hear the end of it. At least this way he wouldn’t have to worry about finding a driver to transport the men.

Okay, King. I’ll handle this myself. No worries. I’ll call you tomorrow with the final arrangements. Should I use this number? Franky asked.

Yeah, that’s cool. I put 60 minutes on it. Just remember to toss it once our business is complete. Give me a call anytime. Thank you again, Franky. I owe you big time. Let me know what I owe you.

For you, King, this one is on the house. You kept me entertained the week you had the NYPD and Feds runnin’ around like chickens with their heads cut off, Franky said, chuckling.

Alright, Franky. I’ll wait to hear from you, King chuckled in response.

Okay. Tomorrow, then, Franky said and hung up.

King put down the phone feeling relieved. He knew none of the Body Snatchers could drive out of state without being stopped. They needed a disguise and Franky’s truck provided the perfect cover-up. The police were unaware that the Body Snatchers had an affiliation with the Lucci family. Now it was time to let the boys know to start packing so they could all head back home.

Yo, fellas! Come downstairs! I have important news! King shouted out.

Gully, Jinx, Ricky and Bones ran down the stairs in anticipation of what King had to say.

Get your things ready; we leaving in two days. I got in contact with Franky and he’s agreed to give us a getaway truck.

Yo, that’s what’s up! I’m ready to go now! Ricky said, becoming more excited by the minute.

Gully, contact the driver and let him know we’ll be leaving in two days, King ordered.

He’s ready. He was only waiting for us to give him the word, Gully replied.

Alright. King paused for a moment before continuing. I have a few more loose ends to tie up here and then we’re good to go, he said, thinking about Fifi and Ms. Kelly.

Later that evening, King stood in the doorway of a bedroom where Fifi and his daughter, Barbara, were staying. He watched tenderly as Fifi interacted with Barbara. She tickled the little girl and they laughed together. The sound of their laughter brought a smile to King’s face, but it was quickly erased when he thought about David. He felt horribly guilty for what happened between him and Fifi. Even though it wasn’t planned, it still happened. And he could never take it back.

Fifi, we gotta talk, King said, walking solemnly into the room.

Hi, Jerry. What happened? Fifi said, turning around with Barbara in her arms.

Dada! Dada! Barbara squealed and reached for King.

King walked over and picked her up, kissing her gently on the cheeks and hugging her tightly.

How’s Daddy’s little girl? he asked Barbara with a big smile on his face.

Barbara giggled, delighted to see her Daddy, a line of drool running down her chin.

King was momentarily distracted with Barbara until Fifi sneezed and snapped him back to reality.

What do we have to talk about? Fifi quizzed.

Me and the fellas will be leaving in two days. I’m going to give you money so you can buy a plane ticket for you and Barbara to meet us in Haiti. I want you to get the tickets for one week from today. You can stay with my Aunt Kathy and my cousin Lauren until that time.

Why can’t I just come with y’all? Fifi asked, pouting.

Because we don’t need any distractions right now and it wouldn’t be safe for you and Barbara.

Okay, I guess, Fifi replied, gloomily. "Is she traveling with y’all?" Fifi was referring to Ms. Kelly.

"No, she won’t be traveling with us, but she will be in Haiti as well," King said, handing Barbara back to Fifi.

Oh, that’s just great, Fifi said with attitude, rolling her eyes.

Listen, just make sure you have all your things packed because you’ll be heading to my Aunt’s place tomorrow, King said and walked out of the room.

King entered his bedroom next and saw Ms. Sharon Kelly lying on the bed watching television. He sat down next to her. Hey, Babes, we gotta talk. We’re leaving.

Sharon sat up instantly, anxious to hear where they were going to start their new life. She was tired of sitting in the house doing nothing and getting into arguments with Fifi. But because she loved Jerry, she was willing to put up with a little annoyance from time to time. She listened intently as Jerry explained the plan to her. She wasn’t too thrilled that she wouldn’t be traveling with him, but she was happy she was still part of the plan and that she’d be with him in the end.

Everything was finalized and set in motion. Fifi and Sharon had been told to meet Jerry in Haiti. Sharon decided to go to Maryland and stay at a hotel until it was time for her to leave the country. Fifi prepared Barbara and her bags to take to Jerry’s aunt’s house. Jerry and the rest of the Body Snatchers planned to drive from New York to Miami and, from there, to make their way to Haiti.

* * * *

CHAPTER 2

Long Island, NY

Agent Camper sat quietly inside his car, waiting for his daughter to get out of school. He had taken a leave of absence two years prior, after the Body Snatchers put the city under siege. They had blown up the police headquarters and kidnapped the former chief. Agent Camper had been under so much stress, he lost 30 pounds and his hair started turning grey. The time he’d spent handling the Body Snatchers case caused him to neglect his daughter, Elizabeth, and he felt terribly guilty about that. He loved his daughter and would do anything for her.

Agent Camper wanted to surprise Elizabeth by dropping by after school with a small gift. Now that the case was finally over, he could spend more time with his baby girl. He had broken many promises to her in the past and, although she was only 8 years old, he knew she’d noticed his inconsistencies.

The school door flung open and children bolted down the steps and into the arms of their parents. Agent Camper stepped out of his vehicle when he saw his little girl skipping out of the building. He smiled and leaned against the fender of his car. She looked so much like him. The blonde hair, blue eyes, long nose, thin lips, and the dimple in her chin were all his genes. She got her height and sassiness from her mother. Elizabeth was the only thing that gave him inner peace. She was the sunlight in his life and the reason he got up every morning.

Agent Camper watched his daughter wistfully and was startled to see her charge into the arms of her mother. At the sight of his wife, he stopped smiling.

Bitch, he muttered under his breath as he approached them.

Agent Camper and his wife had been separated for about two years now. He left after she confessed one night at dinner that she’d cheated on him and found comfort in another man’s arms. She reasoned that it had only happened because she felt neglected and unwanted. He regretted that he’d made work his priority and never had time to spend with his family. Knowing he was partially to blame, he didn’t fight or argue with her; he just took his belongings and walked out the door. Despite everything they’d been through as a couple, he couldn’t believe his wife had cheated on him and felt betrayed and violated. Even though he knew he should have been a better husband, he hadn’t felt his wife had any grounds for committing adultery.

Elizabeth hugged her mother and looked up just in time to see her father.

Daddy! she cried and bolted toward him.

Donna, Elizabeth’s mother, turned around and shot her estranged husband a meddlesome look.

Elizabeth rushed into her father’s arms and he scooped her off her feet and spun her around.

Ha-ha! Stop it, Daddy, you’re making me dizzy! Elizabeth laughed.

Oh, okay then! Agent Camper said and spun faster.

Elizabeth continued to laugh, enjoying her father spinning her in the air. Agent Camper stopped when he noticed a young man standing next to Donna.

Are you finished? Donna asked sarcastically.

Agent Camper gave the guy a once-over. He looked fairly young, about 30, and he sported several tattoos: two colorful sleeves and some ink on his collar bone. His hair was cut really low and he was dressed kind of like a punk rocker.

Agent Camper put his daughter down and barely noticed her nearly tumble to the ground from dizziness. She giggled while trying to get her balance.

Donna! Agent Camper greeted.

I guess you’re the infamous, Jonathan, the guy said, with a smirk on his face.

Agent Camper frowned at the sound of his name being uttered by the stranger.

Who’s he? Agent Camper asked Donna.

Before she could respond, the guy said, You can call me Bass.

Agent Camper stared at the guy to gauge if he was really serious about his name. When he saw the earnest look on the young man’s face, he chuckled.

Bass’ eyebrows furrowed when Agent Camper laughed.

So, who is he? Agent Camper asked Donna again, motioning with his head toward Bass.

He’s a friend of mine, Donna answered, crossing her arms over her chest, defensively.

Agent Camper chuckled to himself at the word friend.

What—are you going through a mid-life crisis or something?

Whatever, Jon! she fired back.

The guy has a tattoo on his neck for crying out loud! Agent Camper pointed.

Why are you here? Don’t you have some serial killer to catch or something? she retorted.

You know what ... Agent Camper hesitated. Calming down he said, I’m here to see Elizabeth.

Oh, that’s a surprise, Donna mumbled under her breath.

I didn’t come here to start an argument. I just want to see my daughter, Donna, he said, then turned his attention toward Elizabeth. "Hey, Ladybug. How about you and I go see Shrek next week?" he asked, kneeling down to speak to his daughter at her level.

Yay, Daddy, that sounds fun! she said and hugged him.

Agent Camper stood up after giving Elizabeth a bear hug and a kiss on the forehead. He didn’t bother to say anything more to Donna and Bass. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with Donna today. As he walked back to his vehicle, he decided it would be best to speak to Donna about her new friend another time.

* * * *

CHAPTER 3

Queens, NY

The Body Snatchers escaped for Haiti but kept their female extension, Pretty Posse, in the States to continue their legacy. Pretty Posse had been trained by the Body Snatchers years earlier and had mastered the art of snatching bodies. Each member had been required to take various lessons at gun ranges and learn to shoot a variety of submachine guns, like the Beretta M12, Blyskawica, MP9 and Cherkashin. They’d also had to enroll in martial arts classes and take up boxing with top instructors. The women had been taught the art of inflicting pain through torture. They studied the Body Snatchers closely in order to hone their craft. The members of Pretty Posse became ruthless, proving themselves ready and capable to take on a challenge. Handling Ms. Kelly’s problem and dealing with the cops that night in front of the store showed their strength and heartlessness.

Each of the women was personally connected to the Body Snatchers as well. Meena, the only Haitian in Pretty Posse, was Gully’s girlfriend and also Jinx’s cousin. Brittney, the white girl in the group, was Major’s, a.k.a. David’s, girlfriend. Geneva had become Ricky’s girlfriend while he was locked up on Riker’s Island. The women played a significant part in the rise of the Body Snatchers. They had proven their love through their loyalty and their reward was being able to create Pretty Posse.

In the basement level of a house, the three women were gathered around a corkboard, conspiring about their next job. They’d done two jobs already and were ready to get back out there and make more money. They’d started off small by kidnapping a club owner, an Albanian man named Joseph who loved to spend money on women. He was always seen around town with several women, splurging his earnings. The women visited his club and made sure he noticed them. He quickly took a liking to Brittney and the plan was set in motion.

Brittney and Joseph went on a date and Joseph was slipped a mickey during dinner. Meena was at the bar when the waiter made their drinks. She distracted the waiter and slipped a powdered concoction into Joseph’s drink.

The date ended early and Joseph walked Brittney to her car; he said he wasn’t feeling well all of a sudden. When he got back to his car, he blacked out. And when he woke up, he was tied up in a basement with no clothes on.

Their other victim had been an older man named James who owned a small chain of clothing stores. He had a safe in his house that the ladies emptied out.

What do you think about him? Geneva asked, tapping the picture on the board.

He’s cute. Meena nodded and smirked.

Brittney sat quietly at the table, listening to the women talk. She closed her eyes and drifted into her deepest, innermost thoughts.

Geneva gave Meena a serious look and walked over to the table.

Alright, alright. Who is he? Meena asked.

Meena sat down at the table next to Geneva. It was stacked with piles of manila folders containing all the information the women had gathered on possible targets. Each of the ladies had a specific assignment. They were to locate and gather intel on government officials, heads of corporations and even celebrities. They dedicated several hours each day to researching their marks. They found out where the men worked, where they lived, if they were married, how many children they had and who had mistresses on the side. Their primary targets were men between the ages of 23 and 65.

That, Geneva said, pointing to the picture, is Edin Dalstone.

The picture was taken while he was attending a meeting in a restaurant. He had blond hair, blue eyes and

Reviews for Body Snatchers 2

[oosabookclub · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Haitians4Life At the behest of their mother, teenage twins David and Jerry leave Haiti headed to New York to live with their mother’s sister. It’s their plan to make enough money to send for the rest of their family. The boys quickly adjust, making names for themselves in the streets. Together, with fellow Haitians, they form the Body Snatchers, a ruthless gang of kidnappers. While they are looking for victims, little do they know someone is waiting to add them to their list of victims. I really liked the storyline of Roze’s “Body Snatchers,” its premise and even the characters; its execution – not so much. What started off as an intriguing, tightly-woven story unraveled as the story progressed starting with its narration. Initially the story was told in first-person narration through the eyes of the twins, allowing for readers to get better acquainted with the characters. However, by the sixth chapter, the book switched gears to third-person. After three chapters it again switched back to first-person. This would become a pattern with the story losing its power with the multiple changes, some within the same chapter. Had the author chosen one form of narration it would have made for a much smoother, less convoluted flow. The timeline was shaky as there were some points where I could not tell how much time passed. Add to that, with the flips in narration, an event would be covered in a chapter and the next chapter would be at a different frame of time or recover the same event from another viewpoint, which proved confusing. I liked these characters. I liked the plot. I liked the Haitian pride displayed by both the characters and the author. I just wish the execution had been better, that the author had taken a little more time to play out the boys’ transformation, and had stayed focused on the boys (narration) as they were the charm of this book. I also wish that the author had given one complete story brought to an end instead of leaving an opening for the dreaded S word. While “Body Snatchers” is not a perfect book, no book is, it’s obvious that care and attention was given to editing. That’s a rarity in an industry saturated with poorly edited books and this reader appreciated it. Newcomer Roze has a unique voice and I look forward to more from her. Reviewed by: Toni3.5