Target: Mendez: An Alex Mendez Tale

by Edward Hancock II

  “Well, Alex,” she whispered, reverent. “I think we can say this Bible has been baptized by a sinner saved by Grace.”

  “It was his. I was—I gave it to him.”

  Putting her arm around Alex’s waist, Janet hugged him.

  “Hang on to it,” she said. “I have a feeling he’d want you to have it.”

  “Yeah,” Alex said, turning to walk toward the kitchen.

  “We’re going to have to move Calloway’s vehicle before you can get out,” Kellan said.

  “I’ll have one of the black and whites drive me,” Alex said. “Moe can bring me home later if needed. I should be with him now.”

  “Sure about that, Boss?” Kellan said.

  “I’m not the boss, Kel,” Alex said, stepping into his foyer. “Brandy, you keep an eye on this one,” he added, pointing to Kellan. When she turned her head to meet Kellan’s grin, he cocked his lips to the side and raised an eyebrow.

  “Hey now! What’d I do to you?”

  A twitch of the ear followed by a frantic scratching was his only reply.

  Chapter 46

  It was a nice funeral, Alex thought to himself. A packed church. Good music. And no dry eyes. What a life Kellan’s young son had lead in less than seven years. He’d fought so bravely against the ravages of a disease few know about and even fewer understand. In truth, Alex didn’t understand Niemann–Pick disease any more than he understood quantum mechanics or why the word phonetic isn’t spelled the way it sounds. He understood that it was often referred to as “Childhood Alzheimer’s Disease” but nothing in the suffering the young child had endured struck Alex as Alzheimer’s in nature. To Alex, it seemed more like a child’s version of ALS – Lou Gehrig’s disease. But, then again, Alex was no doctor and certainly hadn’t lost someone to the ravages of Alzheimer’s or ALS for that matter.

  Kellan and Andrea were dressed to the nines. Kellan did his best to be the rock, but even he couldn’t fight back the tears when the reverend began speaking. Zad’s grandparents were surprisingly stoic, given the passing of their young grandchild. A man Alex recognized as Andrea’s cousin seemed the most open with his tears and the cries accompanying them.

  Though obviously torn, Lisa had thought it best to stay at the hospital with Alyson. She was better now. Awake. But she had a long road ahead, both physically and emotionally. Alex had never kept a secret from his wife of any consequence. And he hadn’t kept the events of three nights prior to himself either. He had, however, thought it best that no one tell Alyson that he’d had a prayer meeting with the man responsible for her fiancé’s death.

  The service concluded with a viewing. Alex hadn’t teared up much during the service, but viewing the body of Kellan’s young son laying there, something inside him broke. Images of his own child raced through his head. Images of past melded to those of the present and, yes, even future images. Images of an older Christina dating, graduating, getting engaged, and then married. An older Christina giving birth, making Alex a grandfather for the first time. All the things young LaZadrick Kellan Arthur III would never get to experience. In that bittersweet goodbye, Alex broke down.

  When the ceremony concluded, Alex greeted Andrea with a deep, powerful hug. He shook Kellan’s hand, “bro hugged” him

  “You going to the cemetery?” Kellan asked.

  “Nah,” Alex answered. “I can’t. I have another funeral to get to. Pretty sad when you have to divide your time between funerals, eh?”

  Kellan nodded. “Give Moe our love, will you?”

  “I will,” Alex said.

  He didn’t want to explain that Josh’s funeral had been put off for a couple weeks until Alyson was stronger. He’d explain later. Andrea probably wouldn’t understand. Alex figured Kellan would probably be more likely to appreciate the weighty guilt under which Alex found himself.

  ***

  The snow had all but melted, though the ground was still hard as a rock. The temp had risen to just over forty-five degrees. Short as it might have been, Winter in Texas was likely coming to an end. March would be here in a couple days. Most likely, it would bring in warmer temperatures.

  Unlike the grand cemetery where Kellan and Andrea buried their child, Forest Glen Cemetery was modest, somewhat overgrown and several of the headstones suffered from neglect. It took three grave diggers what seemed like forever to dig the hole. Unlike the funeral he’d left just minutes ago, there was no music. There were no songs and no charismatic preacher eulogizing he person being laid to rest. The funeral seats were all but empty, save the one Alex occupied, next to Danny.

  “Alex, promise me, I won’t die like this.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Looking away from the coffin, Danny’s tear-soaked eyes met Alex’s stare.

  “Don’t bury me in a grave alone. And, God, somebody show up! Promise me somebody will care when I die. Somebody will know.”

  Placing a hand on his shoulder, Alex gave a gentle squeeze.

  “I’ll know,” he whispered. “And I’ll care.”

  “You know what I mean,” Danny said.

  “Danny, I have a feeling your funeral may be the talk of the town, Bud.”

  A short burst of laughter followed by the choking back of even more sobs.

  “I don’t have any kids, Alex. My family is all far away. I’ve got nobody. Who’s gonna mourn me when I die? Seriously? Who is going to miss a bum like me?”

  “Your brothers and sisters in blue,” Alex answered. “You know, Danny, I think what’s more important is not the people mourning, but the people celebrating. Derrick’s last act in this world was to accept God into his heart. He assured his place in Heaven. And, bud, I’m ready to lead you down that road anytime you wanna go.” When Danny stared back at the coffin, Alex caught a glimpse of him like he’d never seen. In all their years as friends, Alex had never truly seen Danny mourn. He’d seen him mad. Seen him hurt. Even seen him sad, angry and depressed. But never in absolute mourning. And, in many ways, Alex understood his pain all too well.

  “I—Danny, I’m not sure if this is the right time or not,” Alex said. “I’m not even sure it’s the right thing to say.” As Alex paused to clear his throat, the three men nearby stopped digging. A fourth that had been standing by for some time, looked toward Danny.

  “Did you want to say anything, sir?”

  Standing, Danny approached the coffin.

  “Save a seat for me next to Jesus, eh? And say hi to Mom for me.” Danny said, choking on the last words. “After you hug my sister-in-law and niece.” Again, Danny choked, having to repeat the last word so that it would be audible.

  Alex stood just as Danny seemed on the verge of collapsing.

  Before he could react, Alex found himself locked in Danny’s grip.

  “I don’t have anyone!” he screamed, tears flowing. “I’m all alone, Alex. I’m all alone! I’m all alone! I’m alone!”

  Alex hugged Danny tight, as a father might hug a frightened child.

  “I’m here, bro!” Alex said, softly. “I’m here. You’re not alone! You got me, Lisa. The kids. Alyson. Danny, she is going to need all of us to get through this. Just like you did.”

  Danny crumbled to the ground just as the casket began lowering. He relinquished his grip on Alex, pulled back and, sniffling, he wiped his eyes. He sighed, let out a grunty growl. Pressed his palms into his eye sockets again.

  “Ah, I am sorry, Alex. I shouldn’t be doing this.” Danny paused, laughed at himself. “I didn’t really even know the guy.”

  “You knew him well enough, Danny. And he was blood.”

  Danny smiled, reached for a nearby chair and proceeded to pull himself into it. Reaching out a hand, he helped Alex stand.

  As Alex sat down beside Danny again, he put an arm around his friend.

  “I never did thank you, Danny. I know this wasn’t easy for you. I know you—”

  “I killed one brother…” Danny said, pausing. He met Alex’s eyes again, offering a soft s
mile. “…to save another.”

  “You’re not gonna get all clingy and wanna talk about your feelings all the time now, are you?” Alex said, smiling.

  “I might get clingy,” Danny said, chuckling to himself, which caused Alex to jokingly push him away. “I just might,” he whispered, staring at the top of the coffin, as it disappeared into the earth.

  “Come on,” Alex said, standing up. “Let’s go home.”

  “You go on ahead,” Danny said. “I want to say my final goodbyes alone.”

  Silent, Alex nodded. Turning, he synched up his jacket, fished his keys out of his pocket.

  “Hey Alex?” Danny said.

  He turned back around. “Yeah?

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For saving him.”

  Pointing to the sky, Alex smiled. “Don’t thank me. Thank Him.”

  Danny smiled, turned back toward the hollowed earth. Taking a moment himself, Alex said his own final goodbyes. Staring at the hole next to the graves of Calloway’s wife and child, Alex couldn’t help but appreciate the second moment of bittersweet agony today. Perhaps this one, more sweet than bitter.

  “What a strange world we live in,” he whispered, low enough that Danny wouldn’t hear. “Rest in peace, Derrick. I’ll take care of your brother from here. You just hug your family.”

  A winter wind kicked up, chilling Alex to the bone, causing him to thrust his hands into his pockets, hug himself tightly.

  Turning around, he cast his eyes upward.

  “No need to make all that fuss about it,” he whispered. “Hey, if you can find my dad and brother, say hi to him for me too, will you? You’ll like Ted. But don’t tell him I said that.”

  Chapter 47

  Alex had been in many court proceedings. He’d attended many trials, given countless depositions and testified in front of more grand juries than he dared count. This was different.

  He’d listened to testimony he never thought he’d hear. He endured the sting of re-living the deaths of Whit, Escalante, Josh and even little Zad. He’d had to recall the attack on Alyson that had been little more than a warning shot. And the moment that had nearly spelled her death. Finally, the death of Derrick Calloway. As Tom Steelman and Danny Peterson sat at the front of the courtroom preparing to face the consequences of their actions, Alex could do nothing but wait. There was no jury, so the fate of two men he’d long respected rested in the hands of a judge about which Alex knew basically nothing.

  When the bailiff gave the “all rise”, Alex began to tremble. Standing, but frozen in place, Alex felt a hand grab his. Suddenly in possession of his senses, Alex turned, offered his best smile to Lisa then turned back just as Judge Margaret Cochran entered.

  She was a tiny woman with long, flowing hair, salt and peppered.

  “You may be seated,” she said. Her voice was almost sweet, Alex thought. Perhaps that was a good sign?

  “Captain Daniel Peterson, would you please stand?”

  Silent, he complied.

  “Chief Thomas Steelman, would you please stand?”

  He did likewise.

  “Captain Peterson,” she began. “I have weighed the evidence in this hearing very raptly. I have gone over every detail of the testimony given in this matter. I have weighed all of your known actions and motives as testified by the witnesses in this case. It is unclear whether your decisions lead directly to a number of attacks. At the very least, your inaction contributed to the death of at least one federal officer. Furthermore, it is the judgment of this court that you did, in holding secret meetings with the deceased Derrick Calloway, place your fellow police officers in grave danger. You were, by your own admission, aware of the threats that had been made by the aforementioned Calloway twelve years ago and did, with a complete disregard for the safety of your fellow officers and the public at large, attempt to hide, aid and abet a convicted criminal, to say nothing of the nature of your relationship with the aforementioned Derrick Calloway. And by relationship, I am, of course referring to your biological relationship as his half-brother.”

  When Danny tried to speak, she held a hand to silence him.

  “Boy, she doesn’t miss a trick,” Alex whispered, leaning toward Lisa. Placing a gentle hand on his arm, she nodded.

  “That being said,” the judge continued. “I understand your motive was to help your half-brother in what you claim was an attempt to rehabilitate himself. Still, by the testimony of relevant witnesses, Calloway had little if any intention of rehabilitating himself until, perhaps the very end. Furthermore, you did, again disregarding the letter of the law, escape from incarceration, albeit you claim to right previous wrongs. As a person, I sympathize with the position in which you found yourself. I asked myself, several times, what I would have done in your place. However, as a judge sworn to uphold the law, I must recognize there are consequences for your actions. I cannot afford to let emotion interfere with my ability to render clear judgment. I am, however, taking into account your obvious remorse and the fact that you have served this community valiantly for a great many years. Most recently in sacrificing your own safety to eliminate Calloway as a threat to the community. You can thank the testimony of Lt. Mendez for the fact I am releasing you from custody and recommending no actions be taken as per your removal as Captain of Longview Police Department’s Homicide Division. I will send my recommendation to the IA review board. But remember that, as far as that goes, they will have the last say. As for my say, it is the opinion of the court that you have learned your lesson and all charges against you should be dropped. In my discussion with the district attorney’s office, he has agreed to drop all criminal charges and leave your fate to Internal Affairs.”

  A cheer went out among the audience, causing the judge to bang her gavel repeatedly. She raised her hand, directing the room to be quiet, so as to allow her to render further verdicts.

  “Thomas Steelman, as Chief of Police, it is your responsibility to keep the men and women under your charge in line and to make sure they are prepared and professional in their duties and the discharge thereof. You have clearly failed in this instance and that falls to you alone. That being said, again, I had to weigh the evidence apart from the emotion. Also, I had to ask myself what would I have done were this my son. I do not envy the position in which you found yourself. Ultimately, I can attach no true, lasting criminality to your unwise acts, save one. In breaking Captain Peterson out of his jail cell, you did willfully thumb your nose at the law you are sworn to uphold. However, thanks in no small part to the testimony offered by Lt. Kellan Arthur and your fellow defendant, Captain Peterson, it is the opinion of this court that you also acted without regards for the consequences to yourself, putting the needs of others ahead of your own in the end. However, you are also a highly-decorated officer with years of service, dating back to your time in the United States Marine Corps. As this is what the legal system would call a ‘first offense’ for you, I am, likewise, clearing you of all charges and recommending you be reinstated as Chief of Police immediately. As I told Captain Peterson, I can only hope that the IA board takes my recommendations into account. But, if they hear the testimony I heard today, I am certain they will rule in your favor. Captain Peterson, Chief Steelman, I want to thank you for your service to the community. And I can only hope that, should I ever find myself sitting where you are, I will be as obviously loved and respected as the two of you are by so many people. On a personal note, I am sorry for the loss each of you has endured. Case dismissed.”

  And that was that. A bang of the gavel had cleared Danny and Chief Steelman of any criminal wrongdoing. And Alex was relieved. An IA hearing loomed on the horizon, but Alex was confident it would work out as well.

  Alex smiled as he watched Tom Steelman hug a woman Alex found out was Steelman’s cousin. He wondered if anyone else could see the unhappiness in Chief Steelman’s eyes. Missing his young wife who couldn’t even show up to support her husband. As Steelman an
d his cousin approached him, Danny following close behind, Alex hugged Chief Steelman close. Lisa hugged Danny and Chief Steelman.

  “Well, that’s that,” Alex said.

  “Yeah,” Steelman said, “That’s that.”

  He smiled, turned when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Hugged a woman Alex didn’t recognize.

  “What’s wrong?” Alex said, when Danny’s face went sullen.

  “I’ll talk to you about it later.”

  “Walk with me,” Alex said.

  “Later,” Danny said, forcing a smile that Alex knew to be fake.

  “Love you, Bro.”

  “I know,” Danny said, hugging Alex again. “And thank you.”

  Moe approached. Alex hadn’t seen him enter.

  He and Danny shook hands. Moe put a hand on his shoulder and smiled.

  “Well, what do you say we all celebrate?” Alex said. “Who’s hungry?”

  “Well, I don’t know who’s hungry here,” Lisa said, nudging Alex. “But we’ve got two kids, a grandma and an Alyson at home that could probably do with a bite.”

  “Ah, the woman speaks truth,” Alex said. “Okay, well, home first. Party later.”

  “Uh, home first,” Lisa said putting a hand on his chest, “Rest later. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, Babe!”

  “Indeed it has,” Alex whispered, kissing the top of her head. “Indeed it has.”

  “Walk with me, Alex.” Steelman said.

  “Sure thing, Chief.”

  As they exited the court room, Alex found himself alone with Chief Steelman. Unlike the cramped courtroom they’d just exited, the hallway was something out of The Untouchables. Ornate, elaborate and incredibly out of place for the rest of the building. Their every step echoed throughout the otherwise empty hallway.

  “What can I do for you, Chief?”

  “Well, I wanted to prepare you,” Steelman said.

  As he was about to continue, the door to the courtroom opened. Danny emerged, smiling awkwardly