“The Mayor hired Marshall Jackson,” said Romano. “He won’t make anything easy.”
Jesse was silent for a beat. There was bad history between him and Jackson and everyone knew it. “Heavy duty,” said Jesse. “And a smart move on the Mayor’s part. As I remember, Cavanaugh the cop is Marshall’s friend. They’re splitting them up.”
“Well, Cavanaugh is our friend now,” said Romano. “We’ll float the story, feel out the perception and then we have a press conference.”
Jesse nodded. It was a familiar routine.
“Okay,” said Michelle. “I thank you for your understanding. I have calls to make to get out in front of this.”
Jesse said nothing. He left the office and walked back to his own, carrying the now very heavy file. He went back to his office typed out a text to his wife that read: going after the mayor for perjury. Then Jesse thought about all the trouble the digital age was causing men in public office.
He erased the text and decided to tell her when he got home.
20
COUP
Danny had been on the street all day but had found no evidence of the criminal called iDT. There was a reference to it in an article in the Detroit News’s online edition but not much else. No one in the police or on the street could verify anything but rumors.
The Farmer was right. This LaMaris and Bob were known commodities to the police but neither one had been in the system for years, and on the street, no one would even think about snitching on them.
He was upset that he didn’t know more. He was losing it, he thought, that hunger for knowing everything that happened on the street. “You’re getting old Cavanaugh,” he said to himself.
People were still leaving the city and maybe there just wasn’t much to know anymore. The murder rate had actually gone down because there were fewer people to kill. He smiled a little, remembering an old cop joke: If there were two people in Detroit, the murder rate would be fifty percent.
Danny did not enjoy cruising the streets as much anymore. He used to love working the neighborhood. It had always invigorated him, made him feel whole and more human. But now there was a sickness here. This malaise shunned his love and mocked his pride. It stood before him in confrontation and dared him to love a ghost town.
Danny drove down his block, looking at the new neighborhood watch signs that had been put up. He pulled up to his house and noticed two things. First, Bevia, his across the street neighbor, was back in her house. He saw her briefly through a window.
She’d plead guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and had gotten probation. Her son was still in the hospital but the court had mandated that he be sent back home when he was released. His neighbor had in all likelihood made the boy useless for the world and now she would have to care for him.
The second thing he saw was a black Lincoln parked in front of his house. It was a familiar vehicle, a high-end department issued car.
He knew sooner or later the case would bring out the Chief. What surprised him was that Tony Hill had come to his home. That could not be good, he thought.
Danny entered the house and smelled food. He found Tony Hill sitting on his sofa looking just as troubled as he felt.
“Hey, Chief,” said Danny. “Can’t imagine what brings you here.”
“Vinny’s dinner,” said Tony. He smiled and they shook hands.
“I smell something cooking back there, you want to eat?”
“Sure,” said Tony.
They moved into the kitchen where Vinny had food out for them. Normally, they would both get dinner, but Vinny was playing hostess for the Chief. After some pleasantries, Vinny left the men alone with their business.
“I came here to tell you to back off the case,” said Tony. “And you know where that order comes from. Everyone thinks they know you. They believe you might still be looking for the killer of that girl. And me, I really do know you so I’m sure you are.”
This was not news to Danny. His reputation for being stubborn was well established. Taking a day off right after they closed the case wasn’t the smartest thing either.
“But you don’t want me to back off really, do you, sir?” asked Danny. “You know something’s rotten here.”
“Yes. Despite the fact that I owe my job to Mayor Patterson, I’m still a cop first and I know what you’re feeling. I had to do an off the books investigation once myself and it is not good to dodge political power.”
“He did it,” said Danny. “I think he had that girl silenced. What I don’t know is why.”
Danny had complete trust in Chief Hill. The man had single-handedly given him back his life. He was the finest cop Danny knew and the Chief was in a bad position.
“I have to say, I can’t see him doing it,” said Tony. “He’s stupid but I don’t feel murder in him. My first thought was a cop but then—“
“It was sloppy,” said Danny. “A cop or a pro would have finished them both.”
“So, here’s how it’s going down,” said Tony. “I’m going to tell my bosses that I backed you off the case and you agreed. They’re not going to believe it. So, you do what you want, but know these three things: One, they’re going to be watching you. The department can track you by your issued phone. So when you’re off the clock, ditch it. Two, you cannot fail. If you keep going and don’t find the killer and the Mayor finds out, you and I both will be out of a job. To say nothing of your partner.”
Danny had forgotten about Erik and his connection to this. Technically, it was his case, too. So if he did get busted, he and Erik would both be screwed.
“Where’s Yvette Riddeaux fallen on this?” asked Tony.
“Right in the middle,” said Danny. “She did ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ on me looking into the case.”
“That’s Yvette in a nutshell,” said Tony. “Always covering her ass. So, I wouldn’t trust her but it sounds like she won’t work against you.”
“Hey, what was the third thing?” asked Danny.
“I got your back,” said Tony. “I don’t care what that girl was or what she did for a living. I have relatives who’ve done worse and I care about them. Nobody has the right to just kill someone because they’re in the way. That’s why police were invented.”
Danny smiled a little. Being a cop was a pain in the ass but it truly was one of the few noble professions left in the world. Tony Hill was all blue as they say, there was no ambivalence in him.
“I thought blackmail,” Danny said. “But what could she have on the Mayor?“
“Not the sex,” said Tony. “The man has no shame in his game on that front.”
“I do have a lead but I’ve hit a dead end,” said Danny. “Have you ever heard of a dealer they call iDT?”
“No,” said Tony. “Are those initials?”
“No,” said Danny. “It stands for Detroit Thug and the “i” is for his method. He communicates by digital devices.”
“Jesus,” said Tony. “You knew it had to happen; a high-tech homeboy.”
“But I can’t verify it. Any new players in town I don’t know about?”
“Well,” said Tony, “there’s a white power crew and a suspected terrorist group that have been rumored to be moving a lot of product these days but the feds haven’t been able to get anything on either them.”
“Doesn’t sound like my guy,” said Danny. “Don’t think he has any kind of agenda like that. He’s all business.”
“Why do you need to find this iDT?”
“I think he’s involved somehow,” said Danny. “Here’s what I got so far: Rashindah Watson is fucking the Mayor and he‘s texting her on a city phone. But this ain’t enough for her. She’s got a plan to get something big out of him and so she puts the squeeze on. But she’s smart. She doesn’t do it on the text, she tells him face to face maybe and right then, he decides to kill her.”
“But what about the sloppy kill?” asked Tony. “And why let the witness get away only to reacquire him later?”
/> “Don’t got that figured out yet,” said Danny.
“If I think of something, I’ll get a message to you through Vinny,” said Tony. “After tonight, we shouldn’t have any contact. But if you get in deep, call me.”
“I will.”
Tony got up and left after saying goodbye to Vinny. Danny understood that the Chief’s loyalty was not to him but the job. But it was good to know that he had an ally like Tony Hill.
“We in trouble again?” came Vinny’s voice from behind Danny as he watched Tony Hill drive away.
“Yes,” said Danny. “So what else is new? You pregnant yet?”
“Not that I know of,” said Vinny. “Maybe you want to put some insurance on it tonight.”
Danny turned smiling. “There’s a killer loose, you know?”
“Don’t mean we can’t handle our business, does it?”
Danny embraced her. They kissed and Danny pushed her toward their bedroom. Vinny had no such idea in her head. She pulled him to the floor in the living room.
Danny’s cell phone rang and just for a second he thought about getting it. Vinny’s hand on his belt changed his mind.
He committed himself to life with her again. Their pleasure seemed much sweeter as they each understood what this act really meant each time now.
As Danny again fell to passion, Jesse King was leaving a voice message on his phone.
Danny sat with Erik outside Jesse King’s office the next day. King’s message had been cryptic to say the least.
“Detective, this is Assistant Prosecutor Jesse King. I need to speak with you urgently.”
Danny didn’t remember having a case with King. But he did know of him. No one could forget the death of Mayor Harris Yancy and the twisted tale that lead to his killer.
“Any idea what this guy wants?” asked Erik.
“No idea.” said Danny. “But I looked him up. He’s a pretty heavy weight brother down here.“
“First the Chief comes to your crib and now this. You think it’s connected?”
“I’m not gonna assume anything. I’ll just see what he has to say.”
“So, I moved out the house,” said Erik after a moment. “No need to pretend anymore. We ain’t gonna make it.”
“Sorry to hear it,” said Danny. “What about the kids?”
“They’re fucked up about it but you know, this is the price we pay.”
Danny fell silent. He had promised to stay out of this thing with Erik and his wife but it was killing him. Kids bound you for life and he and Vinny were trying for one. Suddenly, it was important that he know why his partner was losing his wife.
Danny looked at Erik with sympathy. He nodded a little then turned away.
A long moment passed and Danny would later guess that Erik felt he owed his friend an explanation, a reason he had let him down. People invest in the happiness of their friends and so when things go wrong, it’s like you’ve failed, too.
“I hit her,” said Erik calmly.
Danny did not turn back to face him. He was surprised but not shocked. All cops had a dark side and Erik was made of the same stuff as every other cop.
“I wish I could say that I didn’t mean to do it, but I did. She just…” Erik stopped talking. Whatever he was going to say was probably pathetic to him.
Then Danny did turn to face him. He had neither judgment nor disappointment in his eyes. He tried for understanding but didn’t know if he achieved it. He said the only thing he could.
“Nothing you can do to make that right,” Danny said. “I know. My father… it was a different time and he drank, but still, there’s no excuse for it and no real way back from that, you know. It’s all on her and it seems she’s made up her mind.”
“I know that now,” said Erik. “She doesn’t trust me anymore. Sleeps with a knife in her bed. For some reason, that hurts me the most.”
Danny could feel this painful moment molding itself to their long relationship. He could forgive Erik for what he had done but it was a small thing for a man. Erik would never get his wife and family back and for that, Danny felt sorry.
This lesson was very clear to Danny. He would never raise his hand to Vinny. His mother had fallen into despair as an abused woman and Erik’s wife had pushed him aside like garbage. Besides, he thought to himself, Vinny, the ex-cop, would just shoot him.
Jesse King emerged from his office. He looked like a prosecutor, Danny thought, clean cut and polished.
“Detective Cavanaugh?” said Jesse.
“That’s me,” said Danny standing. Erik stood up next to him.
“Is this your partner?” asked Jesse.
“Detective Brown,” said Erik.
“I’m sorry,” said Jesse. “I thought I was clear that I only needed to see you, Detective Cavanaugh.”
“I don’t remember nothing like that,” said Danny. And now that Danny had spoken a longer sentence, he noticed the surprise and recognition on Jesse’s face at his voice.
“I’m the man’s damned partner,” said Erik.
“I appreciate that,” said Jesse “But I can only take Mr. Cavanaugh where we’re going.
Danny and Erik shared a look. It was quick and the understanding passed between them.
“I’m cool,” said Erik. “I’ll see you back at The Sewer.”
“Okay,” said Danny.
Erik walked off and Jesse King watched him, making sure he was gone.
“Okay,” said Danny. “What’s up with all the secrecy?”
“Let’s go and talk with Michelle,” said Jesse.
“Romano?” asked Danny. “The Prosecutor?”
“Yes.”
They made the quick trip to Michelle Romano’s office and in those brief moments, Danny had assessed what this was all about. There was only one reason the County Prosecutor would want to see him after all that had happened.
Danny entered the Prosecutor’s spacious office. Romano was finishing up a phone call and quickly got off.
“Detective,” she said, “so good to finally meet you.” She extended her hand and Danny shook it.
“Are you really going to do this?” asked Danny looking her in the eyes and still holding her hand. “Are you really going to indict the Mayor?”
Romano’s face showed surprise and he let go of her hand, but Danny couldn’t tell if it was from his voice or from his question.
“Well, I can see your reputation is well-deserved,” said Romano. “Yes, we are going to bring a felony indictment against Mayor Patterson.”
“Why bring me here?” asked Danny. “Do your thing, subpoena me like everyone else.”
“This is different,” said Jesse. “You found the evidence that revealed the crime.” He glanced at his boss quickly who gave him the slightest of nods, then added: “Also, the Mayor has hired Marshall Jackson to defend him.”
Danny’s mouth fell open for just a second. He understood what this meant. Then he realized that he had not spoken to Marshall for a while and he wondered if this had something to do with it.
“I get it,” said Danny. “They’re pissed off at me for finding the evidence.”
“They’re pissed because you’re a good man and you did the right thing,” said Romano. “Not like the weak, duplicitous men and women they’re used to.”
“We just wanted you to know that part of our job will be to protect you from them,” said Jesse “If they exert any pressure of any kind, we want to know about it.”
“I also called the partners at JFK where your girlfriend works,” said Romano. “If the Mayor or any of his people make a run at her, we’ll intercede.”
“You’re acting like he’s some kind of gang leader,” said Danny.
“That’s kinda what a Mayor is supposed to be,” said Jesse. “It’s a good thing but only when it’s used to protect the public.”
“My boss,” said Danny. “She may need protection too… is all of this confidential?”
“If s
he assisted you somehow,” said Romano, “if that’s what you’re going to say, then don’t say it.”
“We may have to call her,” said Jesse, “so we don’t want you to say anything that could get her in trouble. We have ways of finding out where her loyalties lie.”
Reebah had very cleverly covered Danny and Erik’s asses, but Riddeaux was still a target for the enemies of this case, he thought.
“Okay,” said Danny. “She can look out for herself, I guess.”
“I’m going to need your copy of the telephone records,” said Romano. “I know you gave them to your superiors but I suspect you made a copy.”
“When we ask for them,” said Jesse, “we want to make sure we get everything. No offense to your friend Marshall, but I don’t trust anybody.”
King had an edge that he could not educate or polish away, Danny thought. It was in the defiance of his stride, the confidence of his speech. This was a man from the street and he had made it out. Suddenly, Danny felt closer to him.
“No offence to you,” said Danny. “But Marshall is very good. You’d better watch your back when you go up against him.”
Jesse gave Danny an offended look. Romano laughed audibly.
“Jesse’s my top gun,” said Romano. “Nobody’s got a bigger brain than him.”
“I can handle Marshall Jackson,” said Jesse. “He’s good but so am I.”
“When is it going down?” asked Danny.
“Soon,” said Romano. “We just need to get our ducks in a row. It’s going to be pretty loud.”
“She means it’s gonna be a shit-storm,” said Jesse. “And I suspect you’re going to feel some heat.”
“I’m used to it,” said Danny. “I’ll get you a copy of the evidence today.”
“I appreciate that,” said Romano. “We’ll be in touch.”
Romano turned abruptly and went back to her phone. Jesse and Danny left the office and made their way back to the department’s entrance.
Citycide Page 15