Citycide

by Gary Hardwick

  

  Danny, Jesse King and the local U.S. Attorney, James Tinsley all stood behind Reebah as she happily munched a Hostess Ding Dong and drank a Red Bull.

  Reebah’s brother had been moved to solitary confinement and would be taken out of prison in a few hours.

  Reebah had given up her drug contacts. The DEA was coordinating a major strike. Duke’s buddies would be in jail before nightfall and iDT was no more.

  Reebah would cop to all state charges but they would be deferred to the federal case. The feds would put her and her brother into Witness Protection. But all of the deals hinged on what she was about to show them.

  “Before I start, am I immune from all federal crimes concerning how I know about the murder?”

  “No guarantees,” said Tinsley. “You’re in enough trouble already.”

  Tinsley was a law and order type and had come in the case with scant information. He was fifty-ish with a balding pate, a long nose and an ample belly. He looked more history professor than attorney.

  “James,” said Jesse. “I think we can provisionally amend any crimes in the deal we already have, can’t we?”

  Tinsley looked upset about this but Jesse’s expression was pressing. Danny’s was downright mean. Tinsley reluctantly agreed and Reebah continued.

  “Okay after 911, all kinds of unconstitutional shit went down in the federal government,” said Reebah. One of them, was something called NS3.”

  “Never heard of it,” said Tinsley.

  “Of course, you didn’t,” said Reebah. “It’s way above your pay-grade. The NS3 is a surveillance system that is set to spy on people. It has an optical interface so small; it can barely be detected. It runs on solar power and it transmits on a frequency that can be relayed by satellite. I saw one, it looks like a big ass thumbtack.”

  “Jesus,” said Tinsley, “something like that could wire a whole city, like CCTV.”

  “No,” said Reebah, “just the east side of Detroit. The feds started in Detroit because of all the Arabs and suspected terrorist groups. A lot of military, CIA and FBI heavyweights were in on it. And there was one other name that popped up but then it got redacted from everything.”

  “Jesus, not the President,” Tinsley said.

  “No,” said Reebah. “It was someone named L. Green.”

  “Of course, they tested this out on the black people first,” said Jesse with mild anger.

  “Mostly they spied on the Arabs,” said Reebah. “Anyway, while I was helping the feds, with their computer shit, I hacked their database to see if the defenses were working. In the confusion, I got the info on NS3. Well, that shit was amazing! So I created a false info feed from the feds to the city and county but really it was coming to me. It was some of my best work.”

  “That’s how you could see all the dealers and what they were doing,” said Danny. “You had eyes everywhere.”

  “Yes,” said Reebah. “I can only look at main streets and stuff, but people gotta use them sooner or later. Also, some of the feeds show the insides of people’s houses and businesses.

  “Ho-lee shit,” said Tinsley.

  “That’s what I said,” Reebah continued. “So, I’m checking the feed one night and I see that girl park on Seven Mile. A man gets in the car with her. I’m thinking it’s a quickie blowjob or something so I hit the capture button. Then someone walks up and blows her head off.“

  Reebah hit a series of keys and a video started. Danny saw Quinten Forrester get into Rashindah Watson’s. A few minutes later, a figure in a hooded shirt and wearing gloves walked up to the car and blasted the window out on the driver’s side. The killer reached in the car then left. Quinten scrambled out the passenger side and ran off.

  “In the name of God,” said Tinsley. “Why wouldn’t someone from the government say something?”

  “And give away an illegal surveillance system?” said Danny. “Also, I’d bet they don’t give a shit about one murder, even this one.”

  “That doesn’t tell us who did it,” said Jesse. “We never see the shooter’s face on this.”

  “That car that rolled by,” said Danny. “It slowed as it passed, then the shooter came up after.”

  “Man, I guess you are smart after all,” said Reebah. She took the video back and paused it as the car went by. The license plate number had been blacked out.

  “So what?” said Tinsley. “I see nothing.”

  “That not a car’s only ID,” said Reebah.

  She zoomed into the front of the car and magnified the picture. The she turned on another program and began to hit keys. Her hands moved so fast, they were almost a blur.

  “Vehicle ID on the windshield,” said Reebah. “I was curious, so I hacked the DMV. Piece of cake, by the way. Look what I turned up.” Reebah hit a key and a picture from the DMV popped up.

  Jesse and Tinsley expressed shock and dismay as Reebah laughed darkly.

  Danny said nothing. He checked his watch and then called Erik.

  31

  PRIVACY

  Marshall and Jesse had given their arguments on the text messages in the evidentiary hearing to a packed audience. Marshall was masterful saying that because the account was personal, all personal communications were protected by the Constitution.

  Jesse had countered that since the city paid for the service through reimbursement, that it was not protected. It was public information.

  Marshall had stunned the gallery by introducing proof that Patterson had sometimes paid for the account from his personal funds. He argued that at the very least, the Mayor had paid for the private communications.

  Judge Phillip K. Waters III had listened intently. He’d already read the briefs on the issue. He was inscrutable as the two attorneys argued their case. Waters had not allowed media for this hearing but had allowed a gallery to attend.

  Patterson had walked in confidently. Polls showed the people were on his side in the case and most legal scholars said he had the winning argument. So, he had decided to attend the hearing even though he didn’t have to. When he won, it would be great opportunity to use the media, to strike back at his enemies.

  Patterson’s family sat behind him. This time, his brother Ahmad was there, seated with the Mayor’s other supporters. He fidgeted, looking very nervous.

  Jesse and his boss Michelle were seated at the prosecutor’s table.

  Marshall had smiled when he saw the big boss come in. That meant they were worried.

  “This has been a very interesting matter,” said Judge Waters. “There is no real controlling law on this and the unique facts seem to put us in a very gray area. The court, however cannot give a gray ruling. This was the Mayor’s private phone but it had a city account number billed to a private carrier. If every phone the Mayor touches is public, then he in effect has no privacy. If no phone is official, then the people have no accountability or transparency. If we split the communications into public and private that would be quite logical. We could admit the public and exclude the private. However, this perjury case hinges on a statement made about a public matter to a private citizen, who is now deceased. If the Mayor makes the same statement to a public official, then perhaps the outcome would be different. The mixed nature of the phone, the conversations and the payment for the account forces us to err on the side of constitutional protection. The evidence is excluded.”

  The gallery roared with cheers and applause. Patterson shook Marshall’s hand, smiling like a lottery winner.

  Jesse and Michelle looked upset but not as frustrated as they should have been under the circumstances.

  Danny was in the back of the courtroom. Marshall caught sight of him. Danny stood against a wall next to Erik and James Tinsley, the U.S. Attorney. Danny locked eyes with his friend and ever so slightly shook his head.

  Marshall’s face showed surprise, then alarm. He quickly turned back to the court and stood.

  “Your Honor, without this evidence, there is no case against the
Mayor,” said Marshall. “We move for dismissal.”

  “Mr. King?” said Judge Waters.

  “We would like to hold that motion pending appeal of the court’s ruling today,” said Jesse.

  “Mr. Jackson?” asked the Judge.

  “We think it highly unlikely Your Honor will be reversed but it is their right, so we will not oppose but we want a reasonable time limit. My client has labored under this cloud of suspicion long enough.”

  “Okay,” said Judge Waters. “We will allow expedited appeal on our ruling today. Does the prosecution have anything else?”

  To everyone’s surprise, Michelle Romano stood.

  “We do, you honor but it does not concern the court,” she said. “We will need Your Honor’s courtroom.”

  “My space is your space, madam prosecutor. This matter is adjourned for now.” Judge Waters gaveled and left the courtroom.

  Four county sheriff’s officers had very quietly circled the courtroom and now they were in the four corners of the room.

  “What the hell is this?” asked Patterson standing up. “This bogus case is over.”

  Danny and James Tinsley had moved to the front of the courtroom. Erik was gone.

  “Officers, get the audience out of here,” said Tinsley.

  Now several big men in dark suits stood and with the sheriffs, cleared out the onlookers.

  “What is the FBI doing here, James?” asked Marshall.

  “Marshall, I’m sorry about this,” said James. “We had to move quickly.”

  When the sheriffs and the FBI were done. The courtroom only held the attorneys, the police and the Mayor’s cheering section.

  “Okay,” said Patterson. “What the fuck kind of shit is this now? You got incriminating tweets or something?”

  “Sir, please,” said Marshall, “let’s just hear them out. We won. We can afford to indulge them.”

  “Mr. Cavanaugh,” said Michelle Romano. “Make it quick.”

  Danny moved forward. “We found the person who killed Rashindah Watson,” said Danny. “We got a confession.”

  Danny signaled a sheriff who opened a door. Then Tony Hill and Erik brought in Yvette Riddeaux in handcuffs. There was an audible gasp as she was lead in. Danny looked at the people who had come in support of the Mayor. They all looked terrified.

  Danny moved over to them, past Patterson, then Don Przybylski who had turned pale. Danny then walked to Ahmad, whose dull look had not changed.

  Danny stopped at Taisha.

  “Ms. Patterson,” said Danny to Taisha. “Step away from your father-in-law, please.”

  A sheriff took Randolph Patterson by the arm and led him away. Theresa tried to stop it but another sheriff held her back. Randolph glared at Riddeaux who returned the stare.

  “It’s done, Randy,” said Riddeaux sadly. “There was nothing I could do.”

  “Don’t know what lies she told you,” said Randolph, “but they’re not true.”

  “Daddy?” said Patterson and he sounded almost like a child.

  “This is crazy!” said Theresa. “Somebody do something, dammit! Don, do something,” she said to Przybylski.

  “Rashindah Watson was going to blackmail the Mayor,” Danny continued. “She thought she had information that he would pay her to keep quiet. What she didn’t know, was she and the Mayor had been videotaped at his home together by cameras Taisha Patterson had set up in the bedroom.”

  Patterson groaned loudly and sat down hard. Theresa stepped away from Taisha.

  “Are you out of your damned mind, girl?” said Theresa.

  “I swear I didn’t know,” said Taisha.

  “Everybody, please shut the fuck up!” said Randolph. “Don’t admit to anything!”

  “Mr. Mayor, your father went to my boss and told her the story,” said Danny. “Lieutenant Riddeaux confirms that they are having a sexual affair. He promised her she would be Chief if she took care of the girl. Lieutenant Riddeaux found Rashindah and followed her that night. And then she killed her. Riddeaux hid her face, but Quinten Forrester tried to tell me that he saw the killer’s hands. Sm… ha… was all he could say. Small hands was what I think he tried to tell me before he died. He thought it was a man, but the hands holding the gun were small. Lieutenant Riddeaux was so confident, that she never got rid of the gun. She put it back in her gun collection at her home. Ballistics has already confirmed it. Then she put me on the case, knowing I’d close it without suspecting her.”

  “Jesus,” said Randolph. “Get me the fuck out of here.”

  “Yes, can I go now?” said Riddeaux. “I’m tired.”

  Randolph Patterson and Riddeaux were taken out the back of the courtroom. Tony Hill and Erik went with them.

  “Mr. Mayor,” said James Tinsley. “Since you are here with your attorney, this might be a good time for you to come to our office and answer a few questions.”

  “Are you on crack?” said Patterson. “My father just got taken away for murder. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “I think we should go,” said Marshall.

  “What?” said Patterson. “Why?”

  “He brought the FBI,” said Marshall. “The agents mean that have probable cause to arrest you. He’s not asking, sir.”

  Patterson looked at James who had a very serious look on his face. Behind him, Jesse and Michelle Romano smiled broadly.

  “Fuck it,“said Patterson. “They ain’t got nothing.”

  “Can you give us an hour?” asked Marshall. “You have my word he will be there.”

  “Okay Marshall,” said James. “I still owe you a few from the old days. One hour, or we perp walk him out of City Hall.”

  James Tinsley signaled, then he and the FBI agents left the courtroom.

  “I do not believe this shit,” said Patterson.

  His mother was drinking a bottle of water and breathing heavily. Ahmad consoled her. Taisha just sat next to her mother-in-law, her head hug. She was crying.

  Przybylski stood nearby and it looked like he had aged ten years in the last few minutes.

  “Don’t know when I’ve had so much fun losing a case,” said Michelle Romano.

  “See you on appeal,” said Jesse.

  “You can forget about your job, Cavanaugh,” said Patterson. “I want you off my police force.”

  “Sir,” said Marshall. “You don’t want to say things like that.”

  “No sir, you don’t.” said Don Przybylski. “He’s a unioned officer.”

  “I don’t give a shit!” said Patterson.

  “Sir,” said Przybylski, “we have to go outside and give a statement. As far as the public knows right now, you won the case. We can put out a statement about the murder to protect you.”

  Danny moved to Patterson, who was now on his feet. Marshall moved between the two men.

  “Just go, Danny,” said Marshall. “He’s just upset.”

  “Someone tried to kill me,” said Danny, ignoring his friend. “Riddeaux swears it wasn’t her. It may have been your father but we may never know just who did it. I like my job. I’m very good at it as you can now see. It gives me a way to catch the bad people, the kind of weak, cowardly muthafucka who would send a fallen cop to murder me and my pregnant girlfriend because he’s not man enough to do it himself.”

  Without warning, Patterson reared back to hit Danny. He was angry and not thinking. His big fist moved towards Danny’s face and Danny did not move. He stood there waiting for the blow.

  Suddenly, Marshall grabbed Patterson’s arm stopping the assault. Marshall was thrown off balance for a moment and then steadied himself.

  “Sir, you can’t!” said Marshall. “He’s on the job. You hit him and it’s a felony.”

  Patterson stopped as if in shock. He lowered his arm and took a step back away from Danny, who now had the slightest of smiles on his face.

  “Nice try,” said Patterson with little conviction.

  “I’ve watched men like you try to kill this city all
my life,” said Danny. “Selfish, ignorant men who have no idea how great this city is. Well, like the others, you failed. The city’s not dead yet—and neither am I.”

  Danny turned and walked away. He left with Jesse King and Michelle Romano.

  He was very tired and a little hungry. He took out his phone and called Vinny.

  He couldn’t wait to get home.

  32

  CITADEL

  Danny hated moving. He carried another box inside the big, empty house and set it down.

  “Green stripes in the kitchen,” said Vinny walking by.

  Danny picked up the box marked “dishes” and put it in the kitchen on a counter.

  Vinny’s whole family was helping and so they would be done in no time, he thought.

  Marshall entered behind Danny with his wife, Chemin. They both carried boxes.

  “I swear you people have a lot of stuff,” said Chemin.

  Marshall and Danny had put their brief differences behind them. Danny had apologized to his friend, saying that after the Prosick incident, he understood why Marshall had taken the Mayor’s case. And Marshall had expressed regrets over his ambitions.

  The Watson murder had been all over the national media for the last few months. Riddeaux had confessed to murder and Randolph Patterson had copped a plea as well. It was not a surprise to Danny that Reebah and the government ‘s NS3 system were never mentioned in the press. He knew quietly they were probably taking it down for good.

  The U.S. Attorney had decided it had no case against Mayor Patterson for now. Rashindah’s Watson’s incredible story and the pictures of the documents did not prove any crime. If there had been a backdoor deal to privatize Detroit, it had certainly been called off.

  Marshall had lost the appeal in the Mayor’s case and so the perjury trial was back on. Valerie Weeks filed another lawsuit and two other women filed sexual harassment charges against the Mayor as well.

  Citing family problems and stress, Patterson had resigned his position as Mayor of Detroit. He was negotiating a plea with Jesse King who assured Danny there would be jail time involved.