Broken Shield

by Ryan Garner

  For whatever reason the pair found that was the “ice breaker” they needed and John and Karina had spent the remainder of their shift together talking nearly nonstop. John found himself actually becoming annoyed when he would receive calls on the radio as it would seemingly always interrupt their conversation. At some unknown point, Karina had found a way into his heart.

  Early on Karina had told John about her prior relationship with Jennifer Fields. While she did not go into graphic detail John was quickly able to surmise that what had once been a beautiful relationship had quickly turned to utter disaster and heartbreak. This was one of many bits of information that she would eventually reveal to him that helped John to understand her albeit initially cold and distant personality. Knowing of her affair with Jennifer had ensured that at least for the time being, John viewed his relationship with Karina as purely friendship. Oddly enough, that understanding allowed the two of them to grow even closer since there were no preconceived notions about who they were or where they stood with each other. Nevertheless, in looking back on their past together, John now saw that his feelings for her were perhaps inevitable. As time continued to progress John found himself secretly hoping that something between them would change, but he also understood that Karina had clearly been hurt so badly she was for the time being unable to see anything beyond what was directly in front of her and John was forced to keep his own feelings in check…and possibly for too long as Darren Siegal had soon managed to work his way into her life.

  “His tags are expired.” Chris said pulling John away from his reveries and back to reality. Focusing on the vehicle in front of him John noted that it was a green older model Jeep Grand Cherokee. Glancing over at his laptop he saw that the vehicle’s tags were indeed expired. Pulling the radio microphone free from where it was secured on his center console he handed it over to Chris.

  “Call in our vehicle stop.” He said as he flicked a switch and activated the LED light bar located atop of the Charger.

  …..

  John glanced over the driver’s license he now held in his hand as he stood on the darkened road next to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The name Jesse Hayes was printed on the ID and the photo of the young male in his early twenties with short, bleach blond hair matched the person that was now seated in front of him. It even appeared that Hayes was wearing the same dirty white t-shirt that he had worn when his license photo had been taken.

  Before they had approached the vehicle Chris who now stood on the opposite side of the vehicle quickly darting his flashlight around the interior of the SUV had run Hayes’s information through CJLEADS since he was the registered owner of the vehicle. The background check showed that Hayes had been arrested numerous times for a plethora of different crimes many of which involved the sale and distribution of cocaine.

  Due to such extreme jail overcrowding, repeat felonious violators such as Jesse Hayes were often released on different kinds of probation numerous times over, even if they continued to violate the terms of their release. Of course this never stopped John from at least trying to do his job.

  “Mr. Hayes, do you have anything in the car that we need to know about?” John asked as his eyes momentarily glanced around the interior of the SUV. He could still see Chris looking furious around the vehicle from the other side.

  “No…” Hayes responded in an annoyed tone as he looked over at Chris on the other side. “Doesn’t he need a warrant to do that?” he then asked in an openly contemptuous tone.

  “No…” John immediately shot back, fighting the urge to say anything further. People like Hayes with their particularly arrogant persona always managed to get under John’s skin; though he’d never allow them to know it.

  “Since there’s nothing in the car that we need to know about then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if we took a closer look then?” John tried to word the question as more of a statement, hoping that Hayes wouldn’t pick up on the intricacies of it.

  “YES I’d mind!” Hayes immediately responded.

  So much for that idea... John thought to himself as he glanced around the car one more time.

  “Okay sir, if you’ll just wait right here for a minute.” John said as he took several steps backwards and away from the driver’s side window before turning away and heading back towards the patrol car, Chris mimicked a similar pattern as he headed back towards the cruiser as well.

  Both officers sat inside of the patrol car staring at the laptop affixed to the console between them and scanning through Jesse Hayes’s information. Upon closer inspection they discovered that he had an even longer criminal history than what they had initially seen. A convicted felon at least three times over with numerous other violations John was unsure how Hayes had managed to escape a habitual felon charge which only required three felony convictions.

  However, at this point the particulars of prior cases were unimportant as he searched for something more current that would allow them to search Hayes’s vehicle. With just a minor registration violation John knew there was no probable cause that would allow them to forcibly gain entry into the Jeep. Although the National Preservation Act had suspended the United States Constitution it had become somewhat of an “unwritten” law that local law enforcement did not receive the “benefits” offered by this act and must continue abiding by their own state's constitution even if it would have been advantageous in this type of situation. Adding to that was the knowledge that his own agency (along with numerous others) had made it a department policy to carry on as if the constitution were still in effect. This helped to strip further lateral movement away from officers. For John there was also an ethical issue in regards to how one should operate within a law enforcement capacity without the constraints of the constitution. An American citizen still had rights he felt bound to respect and uphold. However, the fact of the matter was that most police departments were more concerned with civil liability repercussions and the dangers of a lawsuit rather than the actual moral ramifications that he currently faced.

  John’s attention was drawn away from his laptop when he observed the sudden flash of blue LED’s in his own rear view mirror. Glancing out of his side view mirror he observed an unmarked black Chevy Tahoe slow to a stop behind them.

  “Shit…” John said to himself immediately garnering a befuddled look from Chris before he also turned to see who was behind them.

  …..

  Jennifer Fields stepped out of her Chevy Tahoe closing the driver’s side door after doing so. She was no longer dressed in the National Governing Police’s dress uniform that she had worn at her graduation; instead she was now clothed in the NGP field uniform. Snug fitting navy blue Battle Dress Uniform pants along with a button down BDU shirt that was also a dark navy color. She tugged slightly at, and repositioned her black level 3 bullet resistant vest and the various pieces of equipment which were attached to it. Her ornately designed brass NGP badge glistened in the light from the bright blue LED’s that were on both her vehicle and John’s cruiser. She brushed her hand over the Colt 1911 .45 that was in its holster on her hip instinctively checking that it was still there. Her equipment belt and vest weighed heavy on her especially given her smaller stature, but it was something that she had already grown accustomed to and barely noticed at all by this point.

  Walking up alongside the Dodge Charger Jennifer made her way to the driver’s side window and John rolled it down as she approached.

  “What have we got boys?” She asked in a somewhat provocative tone as she leaned her body over so that she could look into the patrol car and make eye contact with both officers. When she did this her jet black hair which was pulled back in a tight pony tail fell down across her left shoulder. More than a little suspicious of her impromptu arrival John hesitated for a split second before responding.

  “Pulled him for a registration violation, he’s a convicted felon with multiple drug arrests, but he refused us consent to search his vehicle and we’ve got nothing on him other than the origi
nal registration charge.”

  Jennifer looked at both men with her sultry brown eyes before responding, “I’ll handle this…” she said in a confident voice and with a mischievous smirk on her face. She then glanced over at Chris and playfully winked at him. Chris blushed slightly and fought the urge to grin as Jennifer walked towards Jesse Hayes’s SUV.

  “Oh…She’ll handle this.” John mumbled sarcastically to himself under his breath as he glanced up at his patrol car’s video recorder to make sure it was still active. He then quickly exited his vehicle and Chris hurriedly followed.

  Jennifer made her way up to the driver’s side window which was still rolled down and was immediately met with a slightly surprised look from Hayes upon seeing a beautiful woman standing next to him.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  “I’m Officer Fields with the National Governing Police.” She paused for a split second before continuing, “I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle.” The playful, flirtatious tone in Jennifer’s voice was no longer present; instead it was replaced by a much more authoritative tone.

  “What for?” Hayes asked in an annoyed voice. Jennifer crinkled her brow showing frustration creep up on her at Hayes’s failure to comply promptly with her commands.

  “Because I told you to…” She immediately shot back. John who was now standing behind her raised his eyebrows slightly and he felt his heart rate increase upon hearing her confrontational statement. Yes, they had Hayes outnumbered and outgunned, but he generally didn’t look for reasons to fight people either.

  Hayes hesitated briefly before responding, “I told that other cop you guys couldn’t search my car.” Jennifer’s eyes immediately narrowed.

  “Sir I’m not asking you…I’m telling you to get out of the car now.” Hayes seemed a bit taken back, John surmised that despite all his encounters with law enforcement this might be Hayes’s first confrontation with an NGP Officer. Assuming that he still had the same rights and privileges as he did with John was a grave mistake. John had seen certain NGP Officers drag people to prison for far less than what Hayes was doing right now.

  Hayes still had not responded and John could see that he was still debating whether or not he wanted to argue with her further. After another moment’s delay Jennifer had, had enough.

  “Sir, get the hell out of the car RIGHT NOW, before I arrest you for conduct contrary to the interests of the nation!” The shocked look on Hayes face almost made the experience with Jennifer worth it for John.

  In what was possibly his smartest move of the night Hayes reluctantly opened his car door and stepped out as Jennifer stepped in behind him so that she could escort him to the rear of the vehicle.

  “I got him,” she said to John before adding, “…search the car.”

  John looked over at Chris on the other side of the Jeep and motioned with his head for him to meet Jennifer at the rear of the vehicle to cover her should Hayes decide to do anything while John was distracted with his search.

  After Jennifer had Hayes in handcuffs and pressed against the hood of his Charger as she patted him down, John began his careful exploration of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Even given his negative prior history with her, he could not help, but smirk as he heard Hayes voice his numerous objections to what Jennifer was doing.

  After glancing over the interior of the SUV John began a more extensive search of the SUV starting by looking under the driver’s seat; his eyes immediately widen when he did this.

  “Now that’s interesting.” John remarked before carefully reaching under the driver’s seat and removing a loaded Smith and Wesson .357 revolver. The weapon was a bit antiquated for the times, but still deadly nonetheless. John immediately unloaded the firearm, before continuing his search.

  …..

  Jennifer placed Jesse Hayes who was still cursing at her in the back seat of John’s patrol car and slammed the door on him while he was still in mid-sentence. Given the current state of affairs within the countries judicial system John was still not 100% sure what, if anything would be done to a convicted felon caught with a handgun. But, it was still a felony charge; one that John was hoping might lead to Hayes being convicted as a habitual felon. Nevertheless, he was still unsure of exactly what would happen once all of this got to court.

  “Appreciate the help.” John said as he opened the driver’s side door to his patrol car.

  “Anytime…” Jennifer responded, the playful and somewhat seductive tone again returning to her voice. “You know how to reach me if you need anything.” She then added before glancing across the patrol car at Chris and giving him another enticing smile. Turning and walking back to her Tahoe her stride was noticeable enough for him to enjoy as she made her exit. Chris took a deep, flustered breath of air into his lungs as he watched her go.

  “Careful kid…” John said upon hearing the door to Jennifer’s Tahoe close and still noticing Chris’s flushed complexion. His comment was met with immediate confusion. John had known and worked with Jennifer years before she had joined the NGP; while she had still been an officer with the Wilmington Police Department. In fact, they had worked together on the same squad for quite some time. He had known her before he had met Karina and even prior to that he had never quite trusted her, sensing that Jennifer was a bit to sly, cunning, and crafty for his liking. Through various observations of her own actions it had become readily apparent to him that Jennifer was only concerned with her own wellbeing and personal gain. Becoming an NGP Officer had always been one of her top priorities and it had become extremely clear that she was willing to do whatever was necessary to obtain that which she desired most. And now she was the liaison officer for the National Governing Police working with Wilmington PD; the entire situation made John more than a bit nervous.

  Still seeing the confused look on Chris’s face, John again spoke, “Just trust me…you don’t want to get involved with her, she’s trouble.” John sat back down in his patrol car followed by a puzzled Chris who still did not completely understand the gravity of the situation at hand.

  CHAPTER 6

  Darren Siegal sat quietly on the wrought iron bench located on the grassy recreational field of UNC Wilmington’s campus. A warm breeze blew gently against his skin and he took in a long, slow breath of air as he allowed his eyes to wander across the well maintained landscape. Casually dressed this time, he wore sandals, khaki shorts, and a green polo shirt that he had not bothered to tuck in; a pair of dark Ray-Ban sunglasses finished out his attire. For the moment he was taking in the view of several scantily clad female college students playing volleyball on the sand court several yards away from where he sat. There were also more women playing tennis on the courts across from the volleyball field, but he preferred the look of bikini bathing suit tops and blue jean shorts to tennis dresses; even if they were snug fitting and short. He had attended UNCW for several years before garnering his law degree; he was quite familiar with the campus and found it easy to conduct business there. Plus he couldn't help, but enjoy the additional “scenery.” A subtle smirk grew on his face as one of the girls playing volleyball noticed him watching them. She paused briefly and gave him a flirtatious smile as he continued to observe the young coeds play their game. Just then, out of the corner of his eye Darren observed movement as a young male sat down next to him.

  “Hello Mr. Siegal.”

  “Hello Jessie.” Darren responded followed quickly by, “…and I’ve told you to call me Darren.” He said taking a quick glance over at the college student who had just sat down next to him. Jessie Banning was also casually dressed in flip flops, khaki pants, and a t-shirt.

  “I've made contact with several people and it seems we are all set for the next rally.” Jessie stated as he looked over at Darren.

  “Good…I expect there to be quite a turn out.”

  “Will you be there?”

  “No...” Darren responded, “...I unfortunately have other matters that I must attend to, but I think you and th
e others can handle this protest without me, there shouldn’t be anything too out of the ordinary going on…this time.”

  Jessie nodded his head in response. “Sounds good…” he then hesitated for a split second, “Will she be there?” he asked.

  “Yes…yes she will.” Darren said as Jessie chuckled slightly.

  “Does she even know half of what’s going on?”

  Darren immediately laughed. “Are you kidding?” he responded in a contemptuous tone. “She’s far too blinded by her own fanciful ideals to see anything beyond what is directly in front of her.”

  “So you plan on keeping her in the dark?” Jessie asked.

  “For the moment…yes. Though in time I may yet inform her of certain things; depending on how useful she may be to us.”

  “You think she could handle it?”

  Darren’s voice took on a more sinister tone, “With the proper persuasion I believe she may yet be convinced to accept our true cause. Quixotic ideology is easily influenced.” he said with a slight laugh and then continued, “Besides, she does have other areas of usefulness; at least for the time being.” Darren’s remark came with a sneering undertone and both men snickered.

  “You and your women…” Jessie said with a smirk on his face as he leaned further back in the bench.

  “So many women…so little time.” Darren added in his trademark cavalier tone.

  There was a temporary lull in the conversation before Jessie spoke again, “Can I ask you something?” he said.

  “Yes…”

  “Lately I’ve been wondering why you are doing all of this? It’s not exactly every day that a successful attorney takes up this kind of cause…well, outside of the courtroom that is.” Darren allowed for a dramatic pause before he responded with his carefully rehearsed “speech.”