Across State Lines

by C. J. Johnson

  “Ye…us”

  Frankie handed Heather the pen and waited for her to scribble her name across the photograph.

  “Heather, do you think you can tell us what happened today?”

  Heather tried to clear her throat, then began to cough. She motioned to the sink.

  “Do you want a drink of water?” Alex asked.

  Heather nodded. They waited while Alex got a cup of water and a straw. Heather struggled to sip the water, coughing, and sputtering. After she caught her breath, she said, “I just moved there. I don’t know how they found me.

  Frankie asked, “What day did you move to your apartment?”

  “On Saturday.”

  “Did you tell Audrey where you were moving?”

  Heather shook her head slightly. “I didn’t tell anyone where I was moving. My caseworker and I are the only ones who had the address.”

  “Have you been back to the shelter since you moved?”

  Heather nodded. “This morning. I had to go see my counselor and caseworker. They helped me fill out some papers so I could get some furniture.”

  “Did you notice anyone behind you when you left?”

  Heather shook her head.

  “What happened next?”

  “I got to my apartment and was talking to my neighbor. I was looking around the parking lot, and I thought I saw Corey. I told my neighbor I was going inside because I was scared. I locked my door, but I heard Corey and Tubby running up the stairs and yelling at my neighbor. I went into my closet and called you.”

  Tears poured from Heather’s swollen eyes. She coughed and sputtered as she tried to explain. Frankie waited patiently, careful not to push.

  “I heard the door break, and it was just a few seconds later when they found me. Corey drug me out of the closet by my hair. Tubby started kicking me. At first, it was in my legs and side. I tried to block him from kicking me but...Corey was pounding me on my face, and I couldn’t protect myself. I don’t even know how many times he hit me. I tried to fight back but nothing I did seemed to matter. Finally, I gave up and just laid there. Corey said he was going to get some before he killed me. Tubby watched him then said he wanted his. When they were finished, they started hitting me again. I started going in and out of consciousness but I’m pretty sure I heard Tubby say they needed to go. He told Corey I was dead so they could leave me there.”

  Chapter 75

  Frankie gave Heather a moment before asking, “What happened next?”

  Heather looked to Alex and asked, “Can I have a tissue, please?”

  Alex nodded.

  “I laid on the floor and didn’t move. I don’t know how long I laid there, but the next thing I knew, the cops were standing over me. And then you were there.”

  “Heather, do you remember what they were wearing?”

  “I don’t know. It all happened so fast.”

  “It’s okay. Do you remember anything else? Anything they said or did?”

  Heather gave the question some thought. Frankie was about to tell her she would be in touch when Heather started to make sounds as though she were trying to say something.

  Heather took a sip of water and said, “Corey told me he should have killed me when he had a chance. Right before they left, he pulled his gun out and pointed it at my face. I laid there with my eyes closed and held my breath so they would think I was dead. That’s when Tubby said I was dead, and they should just leave.”

  “What did the gun look like?”

  “It was black. Like yours.”

  Frankie nodded, “That’s good. Is there anything else you remember or want to add?”

  Heather tried to shake her head but began to wince in pain.

  Frankie placed her hand gently on Heather’s shoulder and explained she and Mia were going to try to locate Corey and Tubby.

  “Do you know where they are?”

  “No, but we have a few leads. The hospital knows if anyone calls or comes to see you, they cannot confirm you are here or give out your room number. Hospital security is going to guard your room too. Alex will let me know what room number they assign you when you are admitted. I’ll come back and check on you tomorrow, okay?”

  Heather nodded.

  “Keep your call button close. If you see any of the men that hurt you, I want you to hit the button, okay?”

  Heather nodded.

  Frankie looked at the frail, broken woman lying on the bed. Silently she said a prayer. Aloud she said, “Alex, thank you for being here with Heather. We’ll be in touch.”

  As they walked to the parking garage, Mia asked, “Do you think they know she’s alive?”

  “Playing dead probably saved her life. They did a number on her. I hope she agrees to stay in a shelter outside the city once they release her from the hospital.”

  “Yeah,” agreed Mia. “Where do you want to start?”

  “I think we send radio cars out to their momma’s houses, and we roll through the neighborhoods and see if we can catch them standing on the corner.”

  “Swoop in and snatch ‘em up?” Mia asked.

  Frankie smiled at the image Mia conjured up in her mind.

  Sitting in the parking garage of the hospital, Frankie called dispatch and requested they send radio cars out to the addresses Mia had found for Corey and Tubby. Mia used the in-car computer to see if she could figure out where they like to hang out.

  When Frankie disconnected the call, Mia said, “Looks like these guys have been the subjects in a few field interviews. Every single one was between 67th and 69th Streets on Askew. I’m betting if they’re out, that’s where they are.”

  “And if they aren’t, the boys hanging out there will know where they are.”

  Chapter 76

  The sun was starting to set over the City of Fountains. The streetlamps illuminated one by one as they drove south towards 67th Street. Traffic was getting denser the closer they got to their exit. Frankie made the turn onto Gregory Blvd and could feel the anticipation building in her chest. Something was going to happen; she could feel it.

  “You think we should call for a radio car?” Mia asked.

  Mia must have the same feeling, Frankie thought.

  “Text Mac and see if he’ll come into the area.”

  Frankie knew Mia was right to want a radio car in the area. The block they were heading to was always hot. Drugs and guns were staples with most of the young men they would encounter.

  “Mac’s off tonight. He said he’d get one of the other guys to head to the area.”

  Frankie nodded, slowing down as she turned north on Cleveland towards 67th Street. Frankie and Mia scanned the area for Corey and Tubby, hoping they would catch them together.

  “Brings back memories,” Frankie said. “Mac and I used to roll up and down these blocks looking to get into something. I remember one night…”

  “Frankie, make a left, I think I see Tubby.”

  Frankie turned, resisting the urge to speed up. If they played their cards right, they would be close enough to snatch him before he realized it was the police. Mia released her seatbelt and got ready to jump out. Frankie followed suit, silently hoping they wouldn’t have to chase him.

  Frankie grabbed her mic, “1061 and 1064 on Metro, copy a ped check.”

  “Go ahead 1061.”

  “67 and Askew. Black male. White shirt. Khaki pants.”

  “1061 and 1064 on a pedestrian check. 1905.”

  Mia started to open the door, and the man began to run. Mia bolted from the car, giving chase.

  “1061, hold the air. He’s running west through the houses. I’m circling the block. 1064 is behind him.”

  “242, we’re almost 10-23.”

  Frankie gunned the engine as she circled the block in an effort to cut the man off at the pass. Mia didn’t have a radio, so Frankie was hoping they went straight through. The sound of sirens was getting louder as radio cars came their way to help set up a perimeter. Frankie parked the car and jumped out ju
st in time to hear Mia yelling.

  Frankie ran towards the sound, not stopping until she found them.

  Chapter 77

  “You stupid son of a bitch!”

  Frankie rounded the corner to see Mia wiping blood from her mouth with one hand and pinning Tubby’s hand with the other, her knee resting on his back.

  Frankie grabbed her handcuffs and grabbed Tubby’s wrist. Once he was secured in handcuffs, Mia stood up and backed away. Frankie rolled the young man onto his side, searching him as she rolled.

  “Why’d you run, Lamont? Or would you prefer I call you Tubby?”

  “Fuck you, bitch.”

  “Now, now that’s no way to talk to a lady.”

  “That bitch hit me in my junk.”

  “Guess you should’ve bobbed instead of weaved. I mean, I can’t believe I actually hit it. It was an awfully small target,” Mia said.

  Frankie shot Mia a sideways look, trying not to laugh. She reached into his pockets, “Well, what do we have here?”

  “That shit ain’t mine.”

  Frankie took the plastic bag of a white, rock-like substance and held it up for Mia to see.

  “1061, can you start us a wagon and a Sergeant with a test kit for crack?”

  “240’s almost 10-23.”

  “240 out with 1061 at 1915.”

  Frankie rolled Tubby over to check his other pocket then sat him up.

  “Can you walk?” Frankie asked.

  “What do you mean, can I walk? Did you not hear me? She. Hit. Me. In. My. Dick.”

  “I’ll take that as a no.” Frankie looked over at Mia. Her face was red, and her eyes snapped with anger. “You okay?”

  Mia nodded. She tilted her head to the side and said, “It’s over there.”

  Frankie looked in the direction of Mia’s nod and saw what she meant. Laying on the grass, not two feet from where Lamont sat, was a black, semi-automatic handgun. She was just about to say something when a booming voice sounded behind her.

  “Well, if it isn’t the dynamic duo. What are you two doing down here tonight? Besides making more work for me?”

  Frankie smiled. Without turning around, she knew it was Sergeant Seever. She had worked for him when she was in the field. Seever knew how to take care of business but having spent time undercover and with the tactical response team, he also knew how and when to cut up.

  Seever looked down at the young man seated on the ground and, with a straight face, said, “You’re looking a little gray.”

  Lamont looked up and started to say something then stopped. Seever, an imposing man by anyone’s standards, hulked over the boy.

  Seever turned to Frankie and asked, “What do you have for me?”

  “He has a pick-up out for kidnapping, sodomy, and aggravated assault. He ran when he saw us. Mia chased him down and they scuffled a bit. I found this in his pants.”

  Frankie handed Seever the baggie.

  “Man, I’m tellin’ you, that ain’t mines. These aren’t even…”

  “Let me guess, those aren’t your pants,” Seever crossed his arms and looked at Tubby.

  “Naw, man. I mean, that’s right. You know how it is. These ain’t my pants.

  “How did you end up in another man’s pants? I mean, I’ve had some crazy nights, but I don’t think I’ve ever ended up in another man’s pants.”

  Frankie and Mia both shook their heads and said, “Me either,” in unison.

  “What about that over there?” Seever asked, nodding towards the gun.

  “I, uh…” Tubby stopped.

  Chapter 78

  “I told you them drugs ain’t mine,” Tubby shouted.

  “Fine, if they aren’t yours, then whose are they?” Mia asked.

  “How many ways do I have to say I don’t know?”

  “I suppose until you tell me the truth.”

  Frankie walked in with a manila folder full of paper and sat it on the table.

  “You guys want some water or something?”

  “I could use a diet Dr. Pepper,” Mia said.

  “Can I get a Coke?” Tubby asked hesitantly.

  Frankie left the room to grab the drinks then waited at the door, listening to Tubby talk about the drugs and gun, continuing to insist they weren’t his. After a couple of minutes, she opened the door, cold drinks in hand.

  “Thanks,” Mia said.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  Frankie pulled up a chair, inching it closer to Tubby than Mia. Mia grabbed her notebook and pen, ready to take notes. Frankie laid a photograph in front of Tubby and asked, “Do you know this girl?”

  Tubby glanced at the photo then said, “I think she’s a friend of my girl’s.”

  “When did you meet her?”

  Tubby told a slightly different version of how he met Heather.

  “She drove us to a party at my cousin’s apartment. She hooked up with my boy then left.”

  “Did she come back to the party?”

  “The next day. She was our ride, so she came back and took us home.”

  “Did anything happen when she came back?”

  “Naw. I don’t know. She and my boy may have gotten into it, but that’s it.”

  Frankie and Mia let Tubby spin his tale then began to poke holes in his version of events. Eventually, Tubby began to change his story.

  “Yeah, Corey was pissed. But she finally came back.”

  “What did he do when she came back?” Frankie asked. “Did he hit her or anything?

  “He may have smacked her a little, but that’s it.”

  Frankie and Mia continued to challenge Tubby’s account. Eventually Tubby’s narrative resembled William’s. When asked about the assault at Big Bruce’s house Tubby admitted to oral sex but, like William, said Heather wanted to do it.

  “Mia, will you hand me that photo?”

  The folder contained several photographs, but Mia knew which one Frankie wanted. She kept it facedown as she handed it to Frankie. Frankie began to shake her head, then flipped it over and placed it in front of Tubby.

  Tubby looked at the girl with the broken face but did not say anything. After a moment, he turned the photograph facedown.

  Frankie turned the photograph over and asked, “Tell me how this happened.”

  Tubby stared at the photograph, taking a finger and touching her face. Under his breath, he said, “Damn.”

  “Here’s the deal Tubby, we have already talked to William. You can either tell us your side of the story, or we can ask Corey. What do you think he’s going to say?”

  “He ain’t putting this shit on me.”

  “So tell us what really happened.”

  Tubby did not immediately respond. Frankie was about to say something when Tubby asked, “What kind of deal are you offering?”

  Chapter 79

  “We aren’t authorized to make any deals, but we will tell the prosecutor what you said. We will make sure they know your side of things.”

  Tubby let that sit for a moment. Frankie looked at her watch, they had been at this for over four hours, and she was beginning to lose her patience.

  “Mia, let’s give Tubby a minute to think.”

  Frankie and Mia stood up and left the room. Once the door was secured, Frankie walked into the squad room and stretched while watching Tubby on the monitor.

  “Check him out,” Mia said. They watched with amusement as Tubby held his stomach and began rocking in his chair.

  “Turn the volume up,” Frankie said.

  Mia increased the video’s volume. The sound was faint, but they could hear him mumbling.

  “Corey is going to kill me. She’s supposed to be dead.”

  Frankie and Mia listened to Tubby mumble and repeat himself for a few minutes, then watched as he grabbed a trash can and began to dry heave. When he sat back up and took a drink of his Coke, they went back into the room.

  “You’ve had a few minutes to think things over. Are you ready to talk, or shall we take you back u
pstairs to the jail?” Frankie asked.

  Tubby did not immediately respond. Frankie started to stand up to escort him to the jail when he said, “Wait.”

  Frankie sat back down on the hard chair.

  “We went over there to talk to her, but things may have gotten a little out of hand.”

  “A little out of hand,” Frankie thought. Aloud she said, “Heather almost died.”

  “She wouldn’t answer the door, so Corey pushed his way in. He had a little talk with her and then we left. I don’t know how she ended up like that.”

  Frankie wanted to yank Tubby from the chair and beat him like he beat Heather but she needed some answers first.

  “How did you know where she was living?”

  Tubby smirked and said, “My girl told me that bitch got her car back and was moving out of the shelter. We waited until she left and followed her. She’s not too bright, you know. I live in the same complex she moved to.”

  So that’s why no one heard a car leave.

  “Did you all knock on the door?”

  “Corey banged on it a few times, but she wouldn’t let us in.”

  Frankie didn’t tell Corey she could hear them breaking the door through the telephone.

  “Tell us who pulled her out of the closet?”

  “Pulled her out…what? No one pulled her anywhere. She was sitting on her bed when we walked in.”

  Frankie stood up and said, “We’re done here. If all you’re going to do is lie, then I’ve got better things to do with my time.”

  “Wait! Alright. Corey found her in the closet and pulled her out. He was yelling at her for ratting us out.”

  “She didn’t get those injuries from being yelled at,” Mia said.

  Tubby looked over at Mia and suddenly, his face fell. It was as if he realized he wasn’t getting out of this as easily as he had planned.

  Chapter 80

  “So, Corey yanked Heather out of the closet by her hair. And to hear Tubby tell it, Corey beat the hell out of Heather. Tubby held her down while Corey punched and kicked her. Tubby told Corey she was dead, so they left,” Frankie said. “He denied kicking her or raping her and said Corey didn’t rape her this time either.”