by Iris Bolling
Nate nodded. “Yes, Wayne is with her.”
Regan nodded. “That’s good and I got my sisters with me.”
“We are going to be there for her too,” Rachel nodded. “Just like Alex was there for us. It’s the least we can do.” She placed a caring hand on Nate’s arm. “How are you doing with this?”
Nate looked from Regan to Rachel. “Keeping it bottled up until I know who and why.”
Regan reached out and hugged him, returning the comfort he had given her. “We will find a way through this.” She nodded as if reassuring herself. “We will. You go home and get some rest. I’m sure you’ve been up since this happened.”
“Are you going to be okay?” Nate asked again as she walked him to the door.
“I have my sisters; I’m going to be fine.” Regan kissed his cheek. “Be strong Nate.” She said as she closed the door behind him.
Nate glanced at Rachel’s car parked in front of the house. He thought for a minute. Instead of going to his car, Nate strode around the corner of Regan’s building. He walked down the alley, then leaned against the private fence across from her two-car garage and waited. He checked his watch. It was 6:30 am in the morning. He was tired, hurt, and mad as hell. But he knew the Fontaine sisters well enough to know when they had a beat down on their minds. Regan may be hurting, but if she really believed Judge Reid had something to do with Alex’s death, she was about to take a ride. Rachel’s car was small. Regan had a Black SUV. When they came out, it would be with her behind the wheel.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Judge Fontaine,” he spoke when the call was answered. “It’s Detective Reigns. I just told Regan about Alex’s death. She is not taking it well. Neither are her sisters.”
“Are they together?”
“Yes, Sir. They are at Regan’s house. I would appreciate your help with this situation. I’m in the back blocking the garage.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Thank you, Sir.
Nate disconnected the call.
18
Notifications were complete. Regan, Rachel and Riley were pissed at him. But he knew what they were about to do would damage the case and Regan’s reputation.
The look on the sisters’ faces when the garage door came up and they saw him leaning against the fence was priceless. But it had nothing on the look they gave him when their father appeared. Lord, he felt like a traitor but knew he had done the right thing. If Regan was right about Judge Reid being connected to Alex’s death, and he believed she was, there was no way he could let her interfere in the investigation. Giving the woman a beat down would create issues. Nate could now breathe easy knowing Regan’s parents and her sisters were there to support her.
Now, Nate could take a moment to process Alex’s death. On a personal level he was pissed, in disbelief, and hurt by the death of a man who had set him on his current path in life. As the lead investigator, there were a few questions that were nagging at him. Sitting in his car, he took a moment to clear his mind of emotions and concentrate on the case step-by-step.
Alex never took any woman to his place. Someone placed that woman in his bed. How? How did they get into Alex’s condo? The doorman, Jim, was no slouch. Jim was an ex-cop with a suspicious mind and a keen eye. How did they get past him? Alex was an ex-cop. How did they subdue him? There was a needle mark on his neck. What drug was used? How was it acquired? Identifying the woman and following the drug is where Nate decided he would start. Regan’s words came to mind causing his gut to churn. He did not know how this would lead to the dirty judges’ case, but like Regan, he believed it would.
Nate started his car just as his phone rang. Pushing the button on the steering wheel, the sweet voice of his mother filled the automobile.
“Nate, how are you?” Charlotte Reigns asked.
“Hello Mother, it’s been a rough day,” Nate replied.
“I just saw the news about Alex. The reporter indicated you are heading up the case. I’m worried about you dealing with this emotionally. I know what Alex meant to you.”
“Emotions are going to have to be put on hold for now, Mother. I have to find who did this.”
“I know you do; try to remember you have a family that loves and misses you very much. Audrey and Hayden are your siblings. They care about you just as much as Alex did. Turn to them when you need to.”
“I know they care, Mother, but it was you and Alex who were at the hospital when I regained consciousness. Alex was there every night, listening to my thoughts. It was him helping me through the madness.”
“They were there when they could be. You know it’s hard to go against your father. They don’t have the backbone to stand up to him. Missing a day at the office would incur his wrath. Their livelihoods are in your father’s hands.”
“Their choice. Both of them can step out at any time to join another firm or start their own law practice. They do not have to stay bound to him.”
“It would be career suicide for them to start a firm against your father.”
“It wasn’t for me.”
“You are different, Nate. You always have been your own man. Like it or not, you are just like your father.”
“I am not like him, and I will never do the things to my family that he has done to us.” He could hear the anger seeping through his words. Nate exhaled to take a minute before speaking again. “Mother, I love you. But now is not the time to equate me with your husband.”
“Your father, Nathan, your father.”
“I hear you, Mother, but at this time I’m going to reject that premise.”
“Reject the premise? You are your father’s child that is for sure. Come to dinner on Sunday.”
“Mother…”
“Nathan, Alex’s death is another example that life is short, and I need to put eyes on my entire family. I expect you at the normal time.”
“Goodbye, Mother. I love you.”
“I love you more. Be safe Nate, and know I am very sorry you lost a friend.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Nate replied as he ended the call.
Pulling into the private driveway that led to his secluded, renovated home. Serenity – it was the reason he’d purchased the home in the wooded area, ten minutes on the outskirts of Richmond. It gave him the privacy he needed from the city and the distance he needed from his family.
Bypassing the entrance to the two-car garage, Nate parked on the side of his house.
Entering through the mud room, Nate pulled off his coat dropping it on the hook by the entrance.
“Kitchen, coffee, black,” he ordered as he walked into the open space with vaulted ceilings. The professional grade appliances were his treat to himself for those Sundays when he liked to cook. The wood flooring that flowed from the kitchen into the family room complimented the contemporary furnishings and the floor-to-ceiling encased marble fireplace that provided for cozy nights with a good book. The most alluring feature was the folding doors that divided the indoor living space and the outdoor area. The doors unfolded across the entire width of the back of his home and led to a huge wraparound deck with lush green trees and the calming waves of the James River as his backdrop.
“Smooth jazz playlist,” he said to the smart system that controlled every feature in his home. It was custom designed with his lifestyle in mind. It handled lighting, audio, video, security and most important of all, appliances. The skylights filled the room with brightness, which he needed on days such as this when the darkness of life seemed to be taking over.
He walked down the hallway to his master bedroom as the sounds of Mister Magic by Grover Washington Jr., played in the background.
“Bathroom shower, steam,” he ordered while pulling off his shirt, kicking off his shoes, then stripping out of his pants. Dropping everything to the floor as he walked through the closet into the area where the trees outside the glass enclosed bathroom, made it appear as if he was walking into the woods. Stepping through t
he shower, the warmth of the stream cascaded over him, as he released a sigh. Bracing his hands against the marble walls of the shower, Nate allowed his feelings to flow. The tears from the hurt and anger of losing his friend, washed down the drain along with the water from the multiple shower heads. This would be the only time he would allow his feelings to rule him. The death of this one man would touch so many lives over the next few days, and Nate could not allow his emotions to take over. This moment was all he would allow.
Once he stepped out of the shower, Nate pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. He put his feet in his favorite slippers, then walked into his office. He picked up a legal pad and pen, then returned to the kitchen. His coffee was ready, and his mind was clear. Opening the glass doors, the fresh spring air after a rain, filled his nostrils. He stepped out onto his deck, placed his coffee on the bistro table, sat in one chair, and propped up his feet in another. It was time to write out the theory of this case. He wrote the first word on the page in capital letters then put a big circle around it. HANGING.
Regan may have been upset, but Nate’s gut was telling him, in her grief, she may have set the direction of his next step.
19
It was precisely seven hundred hours when Christian walked into the small office. The telephone rang. He answered the call on the first ring.
“Level Twelve.”
“Level One. We have a situation with RPD. It seems they stumbled into a sensitive area. I need the following case and any connections with it closed.”
“The case number?”
He wrote down the information then without asking any questions, he disconnected the call. It was not his place to question, it was his job to follow orders. He picked up the phone and dialed the number 743-RPD1 then waited.
The call was answered on the second ring.
“Level Sixteen,” the person on the receiving end of the call answered.
“Level Twelve,” the man advised. “You are being activated. Case number RPD71-812 needs to be closed.”
There was silence on the other end of the line.
The man patiently waited, then spoke. “This is not for the faint of heart. This is war. It is up to patriots like you and many others who have the courage to fight for our country.”
“My hesitation was due to my proximity to others.”
“Are you prepared to move forward?”
“Prepared,” the man of Level Sixteen replied, then disconnected the call.
The man, referred to as Level Sixteen, returned to the room he had just exited. “My apologies gentlemen, I had to take that call. Please continue, Chief Williams.”
Chief Williams looked at the man as he took his seat back at the table then continued with his morning briefing with his top deputies. “Due to the fact that this was a case involving one of their own, I do not anticipate any problems with obtaining search warrants, even from Judge Dumfries.”
“The man has been known to give certain officers a difficult time when requesting search warrants,” Deputy Chief Duncan of Patrol Services stated.
“It may take a personal request from you, Chief,” Deputy Chief Bynum of Support Services stated. “He thrives on special treatment.”
“We do not have the time to kiss ass on this case,” Chief of Staff West sat forward. “Commonwealth Attorney Alex Burnett was found dead in his home last night. I would think that warrants cooperation from every individual involved with this case.”
“It is my understanding that it is a murder-suicide, is that not correct?” Lieutenant Scarpa, of Internal Affairs asked.
“From what I understand it sounds like an open and shut case,” Deputy Chief Rowe for Business Services offered.
“We do not know what the situation is at this point,” Chief Williams corrected. “We do know the victim lived in a secure building. We would like to have the ability to check security cameras from businesses in the area. We need to be proactive here. This is going to be a high-profile case. I want every ‘i’ dotted and ‘t’ crossed from the beginning of the investigation.”
“So, you are looking for convenience?” General Counsel to the RPD McRoy asked.
“I’m looking to get leads on the death of the Commonwealth Attorney. I would think you are interested in bringing the guilty party to justice.”
“I think we all are, Chief Williams. But I must caution you here. You do not want it to have the appearance of cutting corners to find this killer.”
“The media will pick up on and report the slightest change from protocol,” Angela Harris, from the Public Relations Office warned.
“I understand.” Frank nodded. “I will make it a point to run those decisions I can by you, before proceeding. However, there will be many that will be time sensitive.” He looked around the table. “I want and expect each of you to give the resources needed to be in front of whatever we may find in this investigation.”
Deputy Chief Duncan glanced at Deputy Chief Bynum. “Gerald, what are your thoughts on this? Your department is leading this investigation. Do you believe this is a murder-suicide?”
Deputy Chief Bynum glanced at Frank, then back at Duncan. “The Chief believes a thorough investigation is needed.”
“I know what he thinks,” Deputy Chief Duncan stated. “Do you not have a mind of your own? I’m asking, what do you think?”
Frank sat back, then tilted his head looking at Bynum and waited.
“I concur with my Chief,” Bynum stated. “As do my lead detectives on this case.”
“Of course, you do.” Duncan exhaled. “I have no idea why I bothered to ask.”
“Don’t beat around the bush with Bynum, Duncan. You have something to say, put it on the table.” Chief Williams glared at the man.
“I’ll do that, Chief.” He sat forward. “You put Reigns as the lead in this investigation. A good portion of my men don’t care to work with the man. I can’t promise you will get the cooperation you expect. I would urge you, strongly to put another detective on this case if you want patrol to assist.”
Chief Williams sat forward. “I expect them to follow the orders that you give. If you are unable to give those orders and perform your duties as a Deputy Chief, put your badge on the table.” He pointed to the door. “The door goes two ways. You go out it just like you came in.”
The man remained seated as Frank’s eyes challenged him. He sat back without a response.
Frank glanced around the table. “Anyone else want to challenge my order?”
“No challenge, but I do have a question, Chief?” Lt. Scarpa sat forward.
“Lieutenant.” Frank looked his way.
“If Duncan leaves, can I have that bagel?”
Frank stared at the man who appeared to be quite serious with his inquiry. He then glanced at Duncan who was also frowning at the Lieutenant as if he were crazy. Duncan picked up the bagel then bit into it.
“You’re not getting my bagel,” Duncan said as he continued to chew.
With that, the tension that was building in the room crawled to an end, Frank stood indicating the meeting was over. “Be safe out there,” he closed the meeting with the words he used each morning.
Duncan narrowed his eyes as he watched Deputy Chief Bynum walk away from the table to talk to Counsel McRoy. He then changed his focus to Chief Williams. With a slight nod, he sent a signal.
Frank walked over to Duncan, then spoke quietly. “You’re sure you want to do this?”
“We have to flesh them out, Frank. When we were beat cops together, you told me that ‘we are the front line to the rule of law. If the front line is corrupt, the people we are tasked to protect don’t stand a chance.’”
“This could go very wrong at any turn, my friend,” Frank warned. “If they are involved in Burnett’s death, it could be an indication that things are escalating.”
“I took an oath to serve and protect.” Duncan nodded. “I’m protecting my own. Stop being a damn goody two-shoes and make it sound believable.
”
Frank nodded then took a step closer to Duncan as he raised his voice in a loud whisper to ensure others who remained in the room could hear.
“You will not interfere with the investigation of this case. Your people? You don’t have people. They all belong to me. That includes you.” He paused, then glanced angrily around the room. “You will not hinder this investigation. Give my people the respect they deserve when they come to you.”
“Or what, Frank? You’re going to bust me down a rank or two? That sounds like you are attempting to blackmail or coerce an officer.” Duncan angrily chuckled. “You got balls, I got to give that to you.”
“I do,” Frank replied to the man as he walked away. “Unlike you, I know how to swing them. Give my people the assistance they need on this case,” Frank demanded then walked away.
Interesting turn of events, the man, referred to as Level Sixteen, thought as he glared at the Chief walking away. It was time for a change. Williams needed to be shown his place in the society. Frank Williams had been a thorn in his side since his days as a beat cop. Now the new Mayor had named him chief. It was the damnedest thing. How could anyone in the police department expect a Black man to be able to hold his own people accountable? Most of the murders in the city were related to Black-on-Black crime. Hell, if it was up to him, he would supply the hood with as many guns as possible and just let them rid the earth of the rodents, one boy at a time. Taking Williams down would be a personal pleasure. Unlike others they had eliminated, he wanted to make sure that when Frank Williams went down, he knew who did it. He watched the exchange between Williams and Duncan and thought the timing could not be more perfect to feel the man out.
“Deputy Chief Duncan, a word.”
Duncan was glaring at Frank’s back as the man approached him. When he looked up, the man standing before him was exactly who Frank told him to expect.