The inmates that conduct the burial detail must have separated Ibrihim from the other decedents. The inmates from Riker’s Island volunteer for the burial detail and are respectful of the decedents. How did the inmates know which coffin belonged to Ibrihim? Then she noticed markings. Each coffin was marked with the decedent’s name, written in permanent crayon. On the lonely coffin, in the space where the decedent’s name should be, were the words SUICIDE BOMBER written in block letters. Ibrihim was getting what he deserved from all sides.
She and Ozzam approached the coffin. Ozzam carried the thermos. He handed it to Carmella so he could grip the lid of the coffin. He looked surprised, but pleased as the lid easily slid open.
Ozzam looked up and Carmella followed his gaze. At the end of the row of the newly dug trenches a corrections officer stood with four inmates. The Corrections Officer nodded at her in answer to the unasked question. Yes, they had unsealed the coffin.
Carmella peered into the coffin as Ozzam cut the shroud paper with his Swiss Army knife. A foul pungent odor caused her to gag. Ozzam moved the paper aside and revealed the mess that once was Ibrihim. Carmella unscrewed the top of the thermos and slowly poured pig’s blood onto Ibrihim’s remains. When the thermos was empty, Ozzam replaced the shroud paper and coffin lid.
Ozzam and Carmella turned to leave and found themselves face to face with the burial detail. They had not noticed the detail approach.
Carmella saluted the men. “Thank you for helping.”
Each man returned her salute, from the CO in blue to the men in orange.
Chapter 39
Carmella wore a pale-pink business suit. She sat amongst a small audience inside the auditorium of One Police Plaza.
After weeks of funerals, memorial services, and doctor visits, Carmella was glad to be here. Glad to have something good to attend. Hence, the out of character pink color she chose to wear.
She thought this day would never come. Carson was being recognized for years of undercover work in The Impoverished. He was being promoted to First Grade Detective, the highest rank an NYPD detective can earn. And earn it, he did.
She looked around at the unoccupied seats and checked her watch. The ceremony would begin in a few minutes and the auditorium was still empty. Carmella, Matt and Arthur Henderson were the only law enforcement personnel aware of Carson’s NYPD role prior to the bus bombing. She did not expect a crowd.
Even though it was probably not necessary, Carmella placed her shoulder bag and cane on the seat next to her to reserve it for Arthur Henderson. She was wrong. Out of nowhere, the room erupted with the chatter of scores of voices and the footsteps of many feet. Uniformed cops filled the auditorium. She recognized collar brass from the 66, the 88 and the 84. The 66th Precinct covers Borough Park, the 88th and 84th Precincts cover downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights.
As the cops found seats, the room started to settle down. But once again cops were filing into the room. The 76th Precinct, which encompasses Park Slope, sent a large group. Carmella heard voices from above her head. Transit cops took up the balcony space.
Personnel from all the precincts that were threatened by the Subway and Bus Plot were here. Behind the precinct cops, came uniformed officers from the Emergency Service Unit and the Bomb Squad. The word of Carson’s role got out. They were here to honor him.
The ceremony was about to start and there was no sign of Arthur Henderson. Just as an Officer took the stage to sing the National Anthem, Henderson arrived.
He was not alone. He was accompanied by a gray haired man wearing a sports jacket. Carmella retrieved her bag from the seat next to her.
Henderson smiled as he sat down. He whispered in her ear, “Don’t you recognize my friend?”
Carmella offered her hand to the stranger, but when she looked at his face she embraced him instead. It was Detective Malone.
As soon as they sat down Carson was called to the podium to be promoted. There was a five minute pause in the ceremony as the room broke out in hoots and hollers. Carmella looked around. Everyone in the entire room was standing for Carson and clapping loudly. Tears flowed down her cheeks. This time, though in happiness. Carson was finally being rewarded for years and years of dangerous work.
When the ceremony was over, Malone whispered in Carmella’s ear. “A friend of mine, who happens to have scrambled eggs on his uniform cap, told me that you and Carson are being transferred to The Terrorist Interdiction Unit.”
“No kidding! That’s great news.” She was relieved not to return to the RIC, where she would have to pass Matt’s empty desk every day.
“Guess which terrorist group you will be assigned to investigate?”
“No?” Her eyes twinkled.
“Yes.” He winked. “The Impoverished better look out!”
The End
The Impoverished: Boxed Set Page 17