by Mikey Lee
Seth knocked on the Captain’s office door and entered, not waiting for the invite. “Cap, you ready for this? I’ve got him.” Seth explained the basics of the case so far and where he was at this point.
“So, it’s Franklin’s manager. You sure this time? First it was the cabby, then it was freakin’ Franklin, which almost gave me a fucking heart attack, just so you know. And now it’s Nathian Adams… the most well respected boxing manager and promoter in all of boxing history. Are you trying to kill me here? Is that what you’re doing?” Captain reached in his top desk drawer pulling out a bottle of Pepto.
Seth cracked a smile, trying his damnedest to hold in his chuckle. “Alright… Cap…”
“You know, I just want you to know, because of you and fuckin’ Moore’s dumbass…the two of you are the only reason I have this stuff in my desk.” The Captain said holding up the bottle, shaking it.
The smile grew bigger, making it harder for Seth to hold back. “My victim was drugged. The toxicology report shows that Kathy had signs of Rohypnol in her system, but it was a low dose.” Seth started to explain.
“What the fuck is Rohypnol?” Captain asked.
“Really, Cap?” Seth very slightly shook his head. “It’s also called the date rape drug.”
“Why didn’t you just say that, then?”
“C’mon sir, I know it’s early and all, but stay with me here.” Seth jokingly roused the Captain.
“So, how did she make it back to her house? How did Mr. Adams get there?” The Captain asked.
“It was a low dose. He had to wait for the drug to take effect and knock her out.” Seth continued to explain. “After Kathy left the hotel, he was the one that paid for the cab. At that time, he must have over heard and/or he was the one that told the cabby the address. A couple hours later, he left the hotel. The dumb son of a bitch used the hotel limo and went to the victim’s house. The limo driver filed in his travel report that Mr. Adams was at the victim’s house for about an hour. Then went right back to the hotel.”
“Nice, this puts him there at the scene, and we’ve got a witness.” Captain Barrett said licking the Pepto off his lips. “What about DNA? Fingerprints? So far this all sounds good. But at best this is all circumstantial.”
“Yeah, about that DNA. So, I’m gonna need an arrest warrant for Adams, and…” Seth bit down on the corner of his lip.
“Oh motherfuck… you don’t have DNA yet?” The Captain leaned back in his chair.
“Well… not exactly.” Seth said with snark.
“What the fuck does that mean? Not exactly?” The Captain raised his voice.
“I’ve got… fifty percent DNA…” Seth’s eyes squinted.
“Are you? How the hell do you get fifty… FUCK ME. I don’t wanna know.” The Captain said.
“I’m going to need a warrant for Adams’ DNA after I bring him in.” Seth attempted his charming smile on the Captain.
Staring in to his eyes, the Captain analyzed everything in his head. He took a deep breath before answering. “You’ll get the warrants. Lane, DO NOT FUCK THIS UP. You better be right on this one.”
“I knew you loved me Cap.” Seth said in the middle of his about face and started to exit the office.
“You’re going to feel the wrath of my fuckin’ love if you fuck this up, Lane.” The Captain shouted.
22
Rounding the corner, Seth looked at his office. Having all glass walls and having it located in the middle of the precinct was designed for the victims to not feel like they were being interrogated, but more open and safe. It gave them the ability to look out and not feel claustrophobic. It didn’t give much privacy for Seth as he was working, but it also allowed Seth to see in. Like now. He could see when a douchewaffle was sitting on the edge of his desk talking to Ashley.
“Moore, stop being an asshole and leave her alone.” Seth poked his head in the doorway. “Ashley, come on. It’s time to go to work.”
Just as Detective Moore gave any kind of hint of speaking up, Seth shook his finger at him, giving him a silent ‘hush’.
She grabbed her jacket on the way out of the office. “What’s on the agenda?” She asked.
“We need to go arrest someone.”
“What am I missing here?” Ashley said, reaching back grabbing the seat belt.
Seth started the squad car and revved the engine. “The tox report from the hospital. It showed that Kathy was drugged. But it was such a small dose that Adams needed to wait for the drugs to kick in. That’s why he waited and didn’t leave the hotel until midnight.”
“But… we don’t have anything else. How do we know he didn’t go to KFC? There’s no DNA.” Ashley pointed out.
“Remember this morning when I called Phil? He looked up the driver’s log of the limo from that night.” Seth said, backing out of the parking spot.
“And?” Ashley said looking at his beautiful jaw line.
Seth slapped the gear shifter down into drive, “And…” Seth stomped down on the gas jolting Ashley to the back rest. “He drove to 206 Drexel Dr. and sat there for about an hour while Mr. Adams was inside. Then drove back.”
“206… Kathy’s address.” Ashley confirmed.
“That’s right.” Seth said.
“What about the DNA?” Ashley asked.
“We’ll get it later. Captain’s calling the judge now, we’ll have a warrant for that.” Seth answered.
“How do you know Adams is going to match with the rape kit?” Ashley asked.
Weaving in and out of traffic he bobbed his head back and forth, high on closing this case and sharing these details. It was like a puzzle clicking into place. “There’s no one else it could be. The results from the brainiacs came back with fifty percent with Franklin. And, Adams… is Franklin’s twin brother. They share fifty percent DNA.”
Her head nodded up and down. “And, when were you going to tell me all this?” Ashley gave Seth side eye.
“Huh. Looks like we both need to work on our communication.” Seth winked at her and smiled.
Pulling up the front of the hotel, Seth hopped out of the squad car. In the corner of his eye he saw the valet kid running up to him.
“Son… by now, you should know better.” Seth said, pointing at him, stopping the kid dead in his tracks.
Walking through the entrance of the hotel, Phil met Seth and Ashley in the lobby.
Phil looked out at the driveway, scratching his temple. “You know brotha, we do have a parking lot.”
“You really need to do something about that kid out there.” Seth shook hands with Phil.
“What’s going on? What do I owe the pleasure of today’s visit?” Phil asked.
“I’m here for an arrest.” Seth said in an almost whisper.
Phil responded, equally as quiet and excited. “Franklin? You’re going to arrest Franklin?”
“Nope.” All three of them started to walk towards the elevators. “I’m here for his manager.”
“Oh, I’ve gotta see this.” Phil said, falling in formation.
Seth approached the door to the suite, but before knocking on the door, he paused. He looked back and forth —from left to right and back to the left—gauging the width of the hallway. Seth turned his head back to Ashley, dropping his eyes to her feet and back up to her face.
“Stand over there.” Seth pointed to the right side of the hallway, roughly four feet behind him. “Phil, stand there, next to Hart.”
Ashley caught a small sample of Phil’s cologne as she looked up at Phil. Seth tossed his neck from side to side; his neck cracking with each twist. His hand raised to the peep hole on the door and knocked twice.
As the door opens, Nathian stood there. “I told you, Franklin isn’t talking to you without his attorneys.” He said aggressively.
Seth swiftly reached up and grabbed Nathian by the shirt. Pulling him out of the doorway he swung him around to where he was facing the wall on the right side of the hallway, just in front of where As
hley stood. Using the wind of their twirling dance, Seth’s suit jacket fluffed up and back, exposing his handcuffs. In an almost practiced routine, Seth’s right hand reached back and then forward again, this time with the handcuffs in his hand.
Wrenching Nathian’s left arm back and he slapped the cuff on his wrist, “Mr. Nathian Adams, you’re under arrest for the rape and sexual assault of Kathy Wilson. You have the right…” He yanked his right arm back and cracked the cuff down on that wrist, “to remain silent.”
Franklin’s voice emanated out of the hotel suite, “What the fuck… Motha-Fucka…GET your fuckin’ hands off my brother.”
Seth looked at Ashley and her eyes got wider; her shoulders started to twitch, raising her arm. Seth tilted his head slightly to the right. In the far right corner of his peripheral, he saw Franklin coming up on him fast. Once Franklin got to arms distance, Seth dropped down in a defensive fighting stance and landed an elbow into Franklin’s gut. Franklin dropped. First doubling over Seth elbow, then falling towards the ground landing on his back.
Seth un-holstered his side arm. Franklin looked up, catching a breath staring down the barrel of Seth hand cannon.
“Mr. Franklin… you are a professional boxer. You are the heavy weight champion of the world. Those hands of yours are considered to be deadly weapons here in this city…” Seth pulled the hammer back on the .45. “Do you want me to defend myself?”
Franklin was still trying to regain his breathing after getting every bit of oxygen ripped out of his body. Leaning back, he raised his hands up by his side, giving up.
Returning his attention back to Adams, Seth continued. “Anything you say, can and WILL be used against you in the court of law.”
“You’ve got nothing on me. Do you know who I am?” Nathian interrupting Seth.
“Mum. Yeah, I do. That’s why I called you Mr. Nathian Adams.” Seth answered his rhetorical question. “Do you understand these rights as I’ve explained them to you?”
Franklin sat up and scooched back against the wall to look up at Seth. “Mmmhmm. You a fighta alright. I knew you was.” He looked down the hall at Nathian, “You aight lil’ brotha’. I’ll have you out in no time.” He said as Ashley and Phil escorted Adams back to the elevators.
Seth holstered his sidearm and looked down at Franklin. He shook his head slightly, “Over a hundred fights and never knocked down, huh. Interesting.”
As Seth turned around and started walking away, Franklin blurted out. “Fuck you.”
23
Standing in front of the front desk, two patrol officers turned and gawked at whom Seth walked in with. Escorting Nathian in to the lobby area of the precinct, Seth waved over the officers.
“Fellas, would you guys mind taking Mr. Adams here to booking, and afterwards allow him to relax in room three for me please?” Seth asked.
“My pleasure sir.” One of the patrol officers replied.
Seth started to walk off as Ashley stopped him. “Lane.” She said.
Doing an about face, Seth looked down at her.
“That… I just wanted to say, that was awesome. The way you dropped Franklin.” Ashley reenacted the elbow thrust move. “And he’s a big boy, Franklin, that is. I mean, not to say that you’re not…”
“What the hell did I just hear?” Captain said walking around the corner behind Seth. “Did I really just hear that you assaulted Franklin?”
“Not really assaulted, more like defended against.” Seth replied.
“Na na na… I don’t wanna know. Here’s your warrant for Adams’ DNA.” The Captain handed him the envelope. “I swear to fuck, you’re going to be the death of me.” He said walking away.
“Ashley, take this to the lab boys and tell them Adams is going through booking right now. Have them go get his DNA and run it asap.” Seth said handing her the warrant.
“Got it.” Ashley said double timing it down to the lab.
Sitting at his desk with his elbows on his knees Seth slouched over. He had his cell phone down under the desk between his knees, scrolling through his phone. Decompressing, he looked at pictures from his engagement. Zee was just as beautiful then as she is today. So much courage in such a little body. Was it courage or confidence, I wonder. Maybe a mixture of both. After all, she’s the one that grabbed my ass that night at the bar. By far the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Closing out the photo gallery on his phone he opened his texts.
[hey baby, I just wanted to say I love you. If all goes to plan today, I’ll be home soon.]
Captain Barrett and Ashley stood at Seth’s office door as the Captain walked in. “You about ready for this?” The Captain asked.
Seth looked up, nodding his head. “Yup, ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You better be.” The Captain held up a blank manila folder. “You’re about to interrogate one of highest profiles in the sports world. You know what this is?” He waved the folder. “This is your resignation letter if you fuck this one up.”
Wonderful. Well, Zee… if all goes well, I’ll be home soon and if all goes to shit, well, I guess I’ll be home even sooner. “Thanks Cap for the faith.” Seth said standing up and adjusting his tie. “I’m going to go hit the head while you guys get set up in the video room.”
He walked down to the interrogation room hallway, and Ashley looked over to the Captain. “Are you for real? Are you really going to fire Lane if he messes up?” Ashley said with some worry in her voice.
A small half grin broke in the corner of the Captain’s mouth. “Oh fuck no. I have no doubt Lane will get a K.O. with this interview.” The Captain said, opening the door to the video room allowing Ashley to go in first.
“What was that all about with his resignation letter in that folder?” Ashley said, looking down at the folder still in his hand.
“What, oh, this? This is nothing more than a picture my kid drew in school.” The Captain flipped the folder open showing Ashley a page covered in crayon marks. “In all the years of having the opportunity of watching Lane in action…” He trailed off before speaking again. “I can’t even explain it. He’s taken on some of the most difficult cases in history. He’s always kept his cool, he never once got a big head. Lane is the most, not one of, but the humblest guys I’ve ever encountered.”
“So why did you say all that?” Ashley asked, turning on the video monitors.
The Captain reached down, grabbing a blank recording disc. “Well, someone has to keep him in check and make sure his head doesn’t get too big.” He said sliding the disc in the DVR. “You really want some good advice, Hart? Obviously, you want to listen to what Lane teaches you. But more so, watch what he does. Learn from his actions. Maybe you’ll be the one to figure it out.”
“Figure what out?” Ashley asked puzzled.
“Figure out where in fuck he gets his damn knowledge, or inspiration, or whatever the fuck it is. For real? Who would have thought to have the victim checked for drugs? How did he know about Adams and Franklin being twin brothers? How did he even think of something like that to even check up on? Being a good detective isn’t always what you know, but it’s what you can find out. Its almost like Lane has someone telling him the answers and pointing him in the right direction, every goddamn time.” Captain said, getting comfortable in his chair.
Seth tapped a knock on the door to the video room as he walked by and the Captain looked over at Ashley, “You ready? Watch this… you wanna play over/under again?” A smile raced across his face while he raised his eyebrows.
“Ummm… I think I’m going to pass this time. I learned my lesson last time.” Ashley smiled back.
24
The door to interrogation room three flew open, and Seth side stepped in and slammed the door behind him. In an aggressive and stern voice, Seth began speaking before Nathian could even blink. “I’m going to need you to pay attention.”
Nathian looked up at him, getting ready to say something but Seth puts his hand up in his face, holding a finger up
. “Me first.” Seth said. “And before you say a word about having a lawyer here. I’ll let you know, I’m not going to ask you anything.” Taking a seat across from Nathian, Seth sat up tall, making sure his eye level was higher than his.
“You see what he’s doing there?” The Captain pointed out.
“What’s that?” Ashley asked.
“Lane is sitting up; he’s not leaning back in the chair. He’s making his presence in the room more dominate. He’s in control of this conversation. Did you see when Adams was about to say something? Lane stopped him, putting his finger in his face. That was another show of being in control here.” Captain said.
Ashley nodded while still focused on the monitors, taking mental notes.
Seth looked across the table, clearly winning in a staring match against him. “Before, you questioned my intelligence. Give me a chance here to show just how smart I am.” Seth said slamming the case file down on the table in front of him.
Nathian broke eye contact and looked down at the case file. He gauged the thickness of the file. Noticing that its not all that big, he started to question just how much information Seth actually knew.
“Here’s what I know. Ms. Wilson left her work early to accompany you and Mr. Franklin back to your registered hotel suite for a victory party. While at the party Ms. Wilson had some drinks, conversations, maybe some more drinks, and at some point ingested a drug.” Seth explained.
Adams opened his mouth and raised his hand inches off the table. Seth quickly cut him off. “Like I said before, you sit there and shut your damn mouth. I don’t want to hear a word from you. I’m talking.” Seth said, raising his voice slightly.
Seth brought his voice back down to normal and continued. “I know that at 12:04 am Saturday morning, you left the suite. At exactly 12:20, you took the hotel limo to Ms. Wilson’s residence. The limo driver has documented that he waited at that location for an hour. And at 2:20 am, you returned to the hotel.” Seth said. “All of this is easily proved with simple surveillance from the hotel. Now we’re going to get into something a little bit trickier. I know, that Franklin’s DNA is only a fifty percent match to the DNA we got from the hospital with Ms. Wilson.” Seth started to nod his head a bit. “Yes, I know that you know, a fifty percent match isn’t enough to convict someone in the court of law. But, guess what? I also know that Franklin’s legally, born name is Benjamin Adams. I know you two are brothers. Twin brothers at that. Did you know that siblings actually scientifically share fifty percent of the same DNA?” Seth gave him a wink.