Broken Shield

by Ryan Garner

  “Are you okay?” the younger officer asked.

  “Ye...ye…yes...I’m fine.” Karina responded stuttering a bit as she carefully sat back down in her chair and quickly began to type away on her keyboard searching the ECC's computer network for the appropriate file that the officers were requesting. Once she had located it she saved the recording to a small flash drive and handed it over to one of the officers.

  “Thank you...” he said as both men and her supervisor turned and walked away from her.

  Karina was still shaking and her breaths came in quick rapid gasps. It was all she could do to keep herself from completely breaking down.

  He didn't tell anyone... she thought quietly to herself still struggling to regain her composure as she blinked back tears. She knew that if anything were going to happen it would have by now. John had seemingly gone against everything he believed in for her, but why? They were close friends yes, but she was sure that given his feelings towards his career and Occupy Congress, he would eventually do the “right” thing and inform someone of her actions, but he hadn't.

  Thanks to her instinctive cynicism, Karina briefly wondered if John was secretly planning to use the situation against her or if he intended to abuse his new found information for some other nefarious means, but she quickly dismissed these thoughts. John was on a very short list of people Karina knew would never do such a thing to her. However, this knowledge did little to help her solve the mystery of John's actions. Karina slumped back in her chair and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. While this particularly nerve racking situation was over, she knew things between her and John had been damaged and she had no idea how or even if she could fix things. Sadness about the possibility that she had completely destroyed her friendship with John now began to pull itself over her.

  …..

  “Wilmington 1 to 205David.” John's ears perked up when he heard his unit number called. However, it had more to do with “who” was calling him on the radio rather than the fact that he was being called.

  Karina... He thought quietly to himself as he grabbed for the radio microphone and felt his heart sink.

  “205David is at Kerr and Cinema.” John responded in an undeniably tense voice as he gave Karina his current roadway location; not that he needed to do that as his vehicle was already equipped with a GPS tracker. After John spoke there was a noticeable pause on the radio. It was so long in fact that if any other officer had been paying close enough attention they would have easily taken note of the delay, however this was highly unlikely. Eventually, Karina came back onto the radio.

  “205David...” She again balked choking back her own emotions as she tried to speak in an unencumbered voice to John. “205David...Respond to a report of a trespassing call at 316 Marlboro Street. Caller stated there is a female milling about near the doorway to one of the abandoned buildings…said she looked suspicious and he was afraid she might be involved with terrorism.” John hesitated briefly as a plethora of different thoughts streaked through his mind. After the momentary delay he brought the radio microphone back to his mouth and depressed the talk button, but he suddenly found that he had no words to say. Quickly releasing the switch and allowing for more dead air to fill the radio waves he struggled briefly to regain his composure and to give himself a moment to gather his thoughts. The awkwardness on the radio was undeniable, though John doubted that anyone besides the two of them had taken any real note of it.

  Finally, John keyed the microphone, “205David, en route.” he said in a gruff tone before slamming the radio microphone back into its cradle. Moments later the laptop next to him began to beep as the details of his call were sent to it, through the police department's Computer Automated Dispatch system.

  “206David will also be en route.” John heard Chris Hesser say over the radio. In his mind he half way assumed that Chris had made the decision to check in with him on this call and not Morrisey, but it didn't really matter. As exhausted as John was he did not have the mental energy to try and figure out that particular mystery.

  “10-4...” Karina said over the radio, “...206David checking in.”

  ….

  The industrial park district was dark, dirty, and abandoned. Most of the roadway lights here were not functioning and the majority of the buildings’ power had been turned off years ago. This created an eerie ghost town like section of Wilmington. It was the perfect place for squatters to make their home. Seldom patrolled by police and avoided by almost all law abiding citizens, this area had become a haven for drug addicts, prostitutes, pimps, the homeless, and a seemingly never ending list of other undesirables. John heard a crunching sound under his tires as he drove over trash that was strewn across the roadways and in turn the sidewalks as well. He could see slovenly dressed individuals wandering about the area; they all looked at him suspiciously as he slowly cruised down the roadway glancing at the different building numbers keeping an eye out for the structure that he was seeking; until he finally found it.

  The massive industrial building appeared as if it had once been a large factory. A combination of brick, glass, and cement rose about fifteen stories into the dark night sky and was surrounded by a rusty fence line. John slowly drove his patrol car through the front gate that had been torn open years ago and made his way around the decrepit hexagonal shaped building. Finally, after coming around one particular corner he observed his suspect. A seemingly frail and thin young woman was curled up inside one of the doorways to the factory. Barely out of the rain, she had a bag and a few other items strewn around her that John assumed were her only possessions. He slowed his patrol car to a halt about twenty feet away from her and before opening his vehicle's door he flipped a switch on his center console activating the bright take down lights on his patrol car's light bar. The entire area was immediately illuminated.

  John's small, yet high powered flashlight illuminated the doorway where the young woman was lying. The girl was still curled into a ball facing away from him and had her head resting on her backpack. John noticed that mixed in with the scraps of paper and other bits and pieces of litter and random items scattered about her was a small stuffed animal. The entire scene was a bit morose, even for him.

  “Ma'am...” John spoke in a flat tone trying to garner the girl’s attention; he received no response. He tilted his head to the side slightly as he looked over the girl’s body checking to see if she was still breathing; she was. The girl wore extremely tight blue jeans and a short fitting tank top that along with exposing her tattoos on her hip and lower back, displayed her thin frame. He could also see various bruises about her arms, shoulders, and abdomen. John's view of her face was obstructed by the girl’s hair which was died orange in color.

  John knelt down next to the young girl hearing his chlorofram belt creak as he did so. “Ma'am…” he said again as he reached out and placed his hand on her bare shoulder. His contact with the girl startled her so much that she gasped and nearly jumped off the hard concrete ground. She quickly sat up and whipped her head around to look at John. There was the unique sound of a piece of glass striking the ground as John noted a small glass pipe fall from the girl’s hand.

  “What are you doing?” the girl asked in a tone that was groggy and confused as she clumsily began to search the ground around her in an attempt to locate and try to hide her crack pipe; even though John was shining his flashlight almost directly in the young girl’s face her pupils remained completely dilated.

  Besides taking note of the obvious signs of drug impairment and the paraphernalia she was still trying to conceal, John was surprised to see that behind her messy and bruised exterior the girl who could not have been older than 18 had a uniquely beautiful face. If it had been any other day he would have known exactly what to do in this situation, charge or arrest the female for trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia and move on, but not today...today things had changed completely. Staring into the girl’s green eyes that were now almost black thanks to he
r enlarged pupils; John could not help, but see a young Karina behind them.

  Damn... He thought quietly to himself. John had known even before he approached her that she would likely be a drug addict and prostitute, still in light of recent events this particular case seemed to be affecting him more than normal. He took a hard swallow as he felt his emotions welling up behind him. John angled his flashlight downwards so as to not blind her with its intense light.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked in a voice that was mellower.

  “What does it look like I'm doing?” The girl immediately shot back, but cringed almost immediately after snapping at him.

  “I'm sorry...” she said in a regretful tone. John shrugged off the girl’s harsh response as he took note of the sadness behind her eyes.

  Another lost soul, he thought quietly to himself before speaking.

  “What are you doing here?” John asked again his tone softening further. The girl did not respond, but only shrugged her shoulders.

  Let’s start with a simpler question... he thought, “What's your name?”

  “Samantha...” The girl responded in a fearful voice as her eyes darted around the area still searching for what John only assumed she thought were unseen threats. He took further note that the girl’s body was trembling, probably from the chill caused by the combination of the drizzling rain that fell around them and the cool night breeze; either that or the paranoia that came from being on drugs, possibly a mix of all these things. As she brought her face further into the light he noticed a black and blue bruise that ran along Samantha’s jaw line. His mind was already running through the different options he had available to him. By this time of night shelters were either closed or full, either way none would take her. He knew that he could arrest her; this would get her off the street for the night; of course with no money to make bail she would probably be held in jail just long enough for her withdrawal to be in full swing when she was released. She would be desperate enough to do anything to get her fix at that point. John crinkled his brow as he remained in the kneeling position next to her.

  “Are you going to arrest me?” Samantha asked as she looked into John’s eyes, while still awkwardly searching the ground around her with her right hand for her pipe.

  John sighed, “No...No I’m not.” He said as he continued to mentally see Karina seated in front of him. Had things gone a slightly different way in her life she may very well have been right here. John reached out with his hand and retrieved the glass crack pipe from the ground.

  “Looking for this?” he asked as he brought the glass tube up into their line of sight. Samantha’s eyes shamefully darted towards the ground; she didn't say anything.

  “Who did this to you?” John asked as he pointed to the bruise along her jaw.

  She immediately hedged at his question. “Nobody...” she responded shaking her head which caused strands of her wet, nappy hair to fall into her face. Still searching his mind for something to do with her, John felt himself growing more depressed by the minute at his lack of options.

  “Do you have anywhere to go?” he asked, “Somewhere I can take you, parent’s or friend’s house maybe?”

  “No, my mother is dead; I don’t know where my father is. I don’t have any friends; at least none that would open their door if I showed up with an officer.” John's jaw clenched, he wasn't angry at her, but at the situation.

  “How old are you?” he asked.

  “Old enough to be on my own.” Samantha said before adding, “I’m emancipated.” This answered John’s question if she may be a runaway juvenile or not.

  Suddenly, strobing blue lights filled the area around them. Glancing over his shoulder John observed another patrol car slowly pulling up beside his vehicle; Chris and Morrisey were here. John immediately saw that the arrival of another two officers frightened Samantha.

  “Relax...” John said in a quiet voice, as he stood, palming the glass pipe in his left hand so that no one could see it before turning and walking over towards Chris's patrol car.

  “I'm good...” John said as he approached Chris and Morrisey's vehicle. “You guys can clear.” he then added. His statement immediately garnered a suspicious look from Morrisey who knew in the back of his mind that under normal circumstances John would have probably already arrested the girl, or at the very least would be in the process of writing her a citation; Chris also seemed slightly confused by the situation.

  “She’s no terrorist; she’s just got nowhere to go.” John said in a quieter voice to Chris as he motioned with his head over his shoulder towards Samantha's direction. He made sure to omit any reference to the drug paraphernalia.

  “I'm just gonna let her off with a warning.” Chris nodded seemingly satisfied with his friend’s explanation; Morrisey on the other hand still seemed skeptical, but was not interested enough to stand out in the rain to try and figure this particular puzzle out. He climbed back into his patrol vehicle followed soon thereafter by Chris.

  “Thanks guys.” John said waving his hand at the two officers as the blue lights were immediately turned off and the patrol car began to back away. Once he was satisfied that Chris and Morrisey were far enough away John dropped the glass pipe next to his foot and stepped on it hearing a crunching sound beneath his boot as it was crushed. Walking back over to his patrol car he opened the trunk and retrieved a blanket from it. He tucked the softened cloth wrap under his shoulder and then made his way back to Samantha who still sat shivering in the doorway as the rain began to increase.

  Upon reaching her John knelt back down next to Samantha and held the blanket out to her, “There's an abandoned building about one block up…back before they cut the power to most of this area we were always responding to alarm calls there because the owner refused to fix the lock on the back door. It's nothing special, but it is dry and you won't be cold.” Samantha gave John a surprised nod as she took the blanket and quietly began to gather her things. John reached into the breast pocket of his uniform shirt and retrieved a business card; he flipped it over and scribbled down his cell phone number on the back of it.

  “Here's my card…” he said, “…if you need someone to take you somewhere safe or if you need help with something, call me.” Giving him a confused, yet thankful look Samantha took the card from his hand. Reaching behind her, John took hold of the small stuffed animal that Samantha had very nearly left behind and handed it to her.

  “Thank you...” she said quietly as she produced a half smile; immediately after which Samantha winced from the pain in her jaw that the movement caused. She then slowly stood.

  “Be careful.” John said as he watched her walk away. He then made his way back to his patrol car where he sat quietly watching Samantha slip off into the darkness until he could no longer see her. He then put the car in gear and drove away.

  CHAPTER 9

  Karina lay naked and motionless on her left side as Darren Siegal slowly slipped out of bed. He sat momentarily on the edge of the mattress and stretched, allowing the well-toned muscles in his back, arms, and lower body to bristle. The closure of the courts had allowed him to spend extra time at the gym which had left him in peak physical condition. The bed creaked slightly as he stood and retrieved his clothing from the floor.

  “Everything okay with you?” he asked Karina as he picked his jeans up off the floor. “You seemed...distracted.”

  Karina briefly hesitated before responding, “Yes, everything's fine...” she finally said as she rolled over to look at him, not bothering to pull the sheet above her waistline.

  “Just tired from work is all; they've had us going nonstop.” Deep down Karina knew this was at best a half truth and that she was still very disturbed by the events of the last few days. Worse yet she had not spoken with John about everything that had transpired, nor had she been able to figure out the motivation behind his actions following his discovery that she was part of Occupy Congress. It was a puzzle that was constantly playing on her mind
.

  Darren nodded his head, “We'll have to make sure you're more focused next time.” he said in a cavalier tone with a smirk on his face. His statement pulled Karina from her trance. She instinctively chuckled and smiled back at him as she lay on her back.

  “Oh, like lack of focus on my part would stop you.” she added in a laughing tone.

  “But of course, I am first and foremost a gentleman.” Darren said quickly as he maintained his arrogant grin. Karina playfully smiled; albeit an expression that masked the true conflict that was within her.

  “Well babe...” Darren said as he leaned over the bed placing his arm across Karina as he leaned in and kissed her. “I've got an appointment to go to.”

  “Appointment?” Karina asked.

  “Yeah, just a few of us lawyers and other folks getting together to talk about some OC issues.”

  “What issues?” Karina asked. She was immediately surprised at her own sudden curiosity since she had always believed she knew exactly who Darren was and what he stood for. Karina had always been content with his altruistic, yet vague explanations of what he did on a day to day basis when it involved Occupy Congress. She had accepted his assurances that he and his particular Occupy Congress cell were working for the peaceful congregation of the masses against a government that had become far too powerful and needed to see the error of its ways, but now she had begun to wonder if something might be wrong. Perhaps what had happened with the riot and with John was influencing her more than she had realized.

  Darren momentarily appeared annoyed at her inquiry, but his disapproving demeanor quickly dissipated into another intoxicating smile.

  “Just boring lawyer stuff about our next meeting and how to make sure we don't have another incident like we did a few days ago...” he said and then slowly looked her body up and down as she lay on the bed in front of him.