by D. Camille
Chapter 7
Saturday afternoon, Mac was joined by Khayla as the two shopped for dresses to wear to the Policeman’s Ball next week. They both looked at the racks of formal wear designed for women with fuller figures, including what Khayla’s nephew called ‘big fronts’.
Mac and Khayla had met when Mac was introduced to the Negus. Being Khalil’s twin sister, she was an integral part of the group and they all looked out for her as their own sister. Lance and Khayla getting together hadn’t surprised anyone as Lance had been in love with Khayla since he was a little boy.
“I can’t believe you were mad at me,” Khayla said pulling out a blue dress.
Mac turned to her. “You’re the worst of the bunch Dr. Khayla Lewis-Johnson.”
Khayla smiled. “But I’m winning.”
“You’re a mess,” Mac said turning back to the clothing and admiring a low cut green gown.
“Oooh, that’s pretty and it matches Brandon’s eyes,” Khayla said happily.
Mac replaced the dress. “I’m not trying to match Brandon’s eyes.”
Khayla went back to her search. “He and the Judge do have those beautiful eyes.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Mac said nonchalantly as she continued to browse. The thought of Brandon’s eyes brought memories of watching them while he powerfully stroked her body or as he stared up at her from between her thighs. Yes indeed, Brandon had some beautiful eyes…and lips, and hands.
Feeling herself flush, Mac moved further down the aisle of dresses. She selected three dresses, two of which did happen to be green and took them to the fitting room. Khayla followed with a few selections of her own and the women entered separate stalls.
Mac tried on the three selections and felt partial to one of the green ones. As she was getting dressed, her phone rang. Grabbing her bag, she fished it out and answered immediately.
“This is Chief Green,”
What Mac heard on the other end set her in motion. She finished dressing and quickly found Khayla exiting her own dressing room.
“I have a situation. I need to go.” Mac said in a rush.
Khayla looked at her. “What happened?”
“Shooting at the park, multiple victims.”
“Go!” Khayla said taking the dresses from Mac’s hands.
Mac nodded then rushed out the door to her car. Turning on her sirens, she took off to the destination, sending up prayers all the way. This was the worst part of her job, when the citizens turned on one another in violence.
Mac had been chief long enough to understand the dynamics surrounding community violence. While media portrayed it simply as savages preying on one another, she recognized the systematic design that perpetuated these results.
Mac arrived at the chaotic scene with officers trying to calm the situation that included irate and distraught family members. She was approached by the lead officer.
Looking around she said, “Tell me quickly.”
“Family birthday party, car rolls up, starts shooting into the crowd, there was return gun fire. Three people hit including an eight-year-old who’s critical at this point. No word yet on the other two. No one’s talking either.”
Mac shook her head, “Shit!”
She looked at who she assumed was a family member of one of the victims, who was wailing while others tried to console her. Mac took a deep breath and walked over.
“Ma’am, I’m Chief Green,”
The woman looked at her with pain etched on her face. “This don’t make no damn sense! That baby!”
Mac nodded. “I know ma’am. Can you identify any of the shooters?” she asked.
“We were just having a good time! The next thing I know it was like Fourth of July, kids and people running all over and bullets flying!”
Mac placed a hand on her shoulder. “Did any of you see the shooters?” she asked again.
“It was a black car,” one of them spoke up and Mac turned to him.
“Do you know what kind? Did you see who was inside?” Mac questioned.
He shook his head and clammed up.
Mac looked at the group. “I can’t help you if you don’t help me.”
“Nobody can help us…cause don’t nobody care,” the woman said sadly as the crowd led her away from Mac and she watched them go in frustration.
“Did you get anything Chief?” the lead officer joined her side.
She shook her head. “The same old story.”
“Well there’s a witness who was walking on the path. She’s willing to talk but not out here.”
“Tell her to meet me at Katydid’s down the street in ten minutes,” Mac instructed.
He nodded and disappeared as Mac took in the scene. Party favors were strewn across the grass. The evidence of a mad scramble included discarded balls, toys, caps and bags. Slowly walking through the items, one in particular caught her attention.
“Earl!” Mac called for one of the technicians.
“Yes, Chief.”
Mac nodded at the ground. “Pick that hat up for me.”
With his gloved hands, Earl lifted the hat for her inspection. Mac’s eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene again looking for the owner.
Firmly, she spoke into the device on her shoulder. “I want an APB out on a Tremaine Meyers. Now!”
******
Brandon was working on his next campaign speech when the headline ran across the news about a multiple shooting at an eastside park. He put a hand to his head.
“Shit!”
His immediate thoughts went to Mackenzie. He knew how much these type of situations got to her. As tough as she was, she was also the most compassionate person he knew. His phone began to buzz and he read the group text from Khalil informing them of the situation.
Brandon responded by saying that he was on his way to the station to see where the police were and what Mac wanted and needed from the Negus. Standing, he grabbed his keys and headed out the door. Inside the car, his phone rang again.
“Hey Dad,”
“I know you’ve heard,” his father responded.
Brandon nodded while driving. “Yeah, on my way to the station now.”
“There’s a child involved.”
He sighed. “I know.”
“Possibly a mother too,” his father said quietly.
Brandon paused. “I didn’t know that.”
“It’s not out yet. I wanted to give you a heads up.”
He nodded. “Thanks Dad. I’ll be in touch.”
Brandon disconnected the call and took a deep breath. When he reached the station, he went inside and was told that Chief Green was out in the field. He was, of course, invited to wait for her. Brandon was escorted to the private lobby outside of the chief’s office. He took a seat in the empty area then lowered his head into his hands.
“Damn,”
******
Mac walked into Katydid’s Restaurant ten minutes later and was directed to a table in the back where her witness was seated.
“Hello, I’m Chief Green.” Mac took the seat across from the young woman.
“I know. I’ve seen you on TV. I’m Keisha.”
Mac nodded. Thank you for coming forward Keisha.”
“So you were at the park when the shooting broke out?” Mac asked.
“Yes,” she said quietly.
“Would you like something to drink or eat?” Mac offered.
She shook her head. “No they asked me already.”
“Okay, then tell me what you saw today.”
Keisha cleared her throat. “I was walking on the path and I saw a black car pull up and park. I didn’t really pay much attention ‘cause I thought they were just going to the party where all the kids were.” She paused.
“The next thing I knew some guys jumped out with guns and just started shooting.”
Mac frowned. “Were they shooting at one person?”
“No, I don’t think so. They were aiming all over the place.”
“Can you identify them?” Mac asked.
Keisha shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve never seen them before but maybe…It all happened so fast and people were screaming and running.”
“I understand. Possibly we could show you some photos?”
She agreed and Mac continued. “Do you know what kind of car they were in?”
“It was a Cutlass…the older ones.”
Mac nodded and thought to herself…young drug dealers.
“How old did the suspects look?” Mac asked.
“They were young, seventeen, eighteen maybe?”
“Did you see anyone else?”
Keisha nodded. “The dude in the red hat was shooting back at them.”
Mac took a breath. “Red hat, what kind?”
“One of those Detroit Red Wings hats.”
“You saw him with a weapon?” Mac questioned.
“Yes, he didn’t start the shooting, but he was shooting back at the car.”
Mac gave a cordial smile. “Thank you Keisha for this information.”
“Look, I don’t want to get caught up in any of this. I just feel for that little girl,” Keisha told her.
“I understand. I will be in touch when we have some suspects in custody. I hope that you will work with me.”
Keisha looked away. “I don’t want to be next Chief, or my family.”
“I don’t want that either Keisha and I’m doing my best, I promise you.”
“But I can’t do it alone…” Mac told her.
******
Mac’s next stop was at the hospital. The three victims were still being worked on. She now knew it was an eight-year-old girl, her mother and another male family member. Three people shot in one family, this was certainly not going to be easy…not like they ever were.
Taking her customary deep breath, she approached the waiting family. Mac hated to look in their anguished faces.
“Good evening, I’m Chief Green,”
They nodded. “Hello Chief,” one man stepped forward. “I’m James. My wife, daughter and cousin are here.”
“I’m sorry Mr.?”
“Evans.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Evans. I’m going to do everything in my power to bring justice to your family.”
He nodded again and held his emotions in check. “If you don’t find them Chief, we will.”
“My squad is on it. Please don’t take the law into your own hands. I don’t want your family to be hurt anymore.”
James shook his head.
“Do you know the shooters?” Mac asked.
“I didn’t see anything. Once the guys started firing, my only thought was to get to my family.”
Mac sighed. “Mr. Evans, if anyone in your family knows anything, please ask them to come forward.”
“Chief Green?”
Mac turned at the sound of her name and saw an officer waiting with one of the doctors.
“Excuse me Mr. Evans. I will be on top of your family’s progress as well as finding the perpetrators.” She told him.
Mac moved to speak with the doctors who informed her that the little girl had taken a bullet to the neck, probably after the mother had been shot in the back trying to shield her daughter. The man had been hit in the chest. All three were in Intensive Care and being watched closely as it didn’t look good for any of them at this point.
When the doctor finished, Mac wanted to vomit but her sheer professionalism kept her expression intact. “Thank you doctor, please keep me updated. I need to be the first to know if something happens to any of them.”
The doctor nodded and Mac returned to the family. “Excuse me Mr. Evans, may I ask you one last question?”
James got to his feet. “Yeah, Chief.”
“Do you know a Tremaine Meyers?”
James nodded confused. “Yeah, I know T. Why?”
“How do you know him?” Mac asked.
“He’s my nephew.”
******
By the time Mac got to the station it was dark outside. She had no suspects outside of Tremaine, who was still MIA. Her officers were working on locating the vehicle in question and she had an officer at the hospital ready to update her at the slightest change.
When she saw Brandon waiting in her lobby, her expression didn’t change as she led him into her office. After she closed the door, she was in his arms. This was new to Mac; she’d never had anyone to hold her close after a terribly bad day.
Brandon held her quietly, rubbing her back and letting her process the events. Mac reluctantly laid her head on his shoulder, allowing herself this brief moment of comfort.
“Hello counselor,” she whispered.
“Hello Mackenzie,”
There was a knock on the door and Mac pulled away to answer.
“It’s for me,” Brandon said as he opened the door. Mac watched as he was handed a bag. He thanked the person then closed the door and turned to her.
“I know you haven’t eaten,” he explained.
Mac looked sad. “For a while I couldn’t.”
He took her hand. “Well come and try now.”
Walking over to her desk, he sat the food on the table and stared down at her.
“This is going to be a hard one,” Brandon said touching her cheek.
She agreed as he lowered his head and kissed her softly.
“Let’s eat,” he said slowly licking her lips.
“How long have you been here?” Mac asked.
Brandon lifted his head. “Since I heard about it this afternoon.”
Mac frowned. “Brandon…”
“I wanted to be here when you got here,” he cut her off.
He began to unpack the bag as she spoke, “I had to speak with a witness, then I went to the hospital to check on the family.”
“I figured you’d stop there,” Brandon told her. “Did the witness have any leads?”
Mac looked at the food he was setting up on her desk. “Yes, but my suspect has disappeared for the moment.”
Brandon pinned her with curious green eyes. “Someone you know?”
“Tremaine.”
“The little dude from the store?” he asked.
Mac nodded. “It seems so unlike him, but I have an eyewitness that says he participated in the shooting, not as the initial perp but he did engage later.”
“Self-defense?” Brandon inquired.
“I don’t know. I need to talk to his ass and I need some ballistics like yesterday.”
“Why would he disappear if he was protecting himself?” Brandon asked.
“That’s what I have to find out.” Mac blew out a breath. “He’s also related to the family in the hospital.”
Brandon frowned. “Damn, this is about to get real messy.”
“I agree,” Mac accepted the plate of food he handed to her. “From Katydids?”
He nodded. “Khayla sent it over. Your staff told me you were on your way.”
“She’s trying to get on my good side,” Mac said picking up a fork.
Brandon laughed and took his own plate. Together they sat at the table in her office and began to eat the delicious healthy fare.
“I love the food from Katydids, but I will never give up my chicken wings.” Mac announced.
“I’ll remember that.” Brandon smiled.
Mac looked down at her plate. “When I arrest someone, I will be requesting another prosecutor.”
He looked up at her as his smile faded. “Why?”
“I don’t want you to lose your first case because your objectivity is off,” she told him.
“I can do my job, Mackenzie.”
Mac sat her fork down. “Brandon, not only are we involved…this case could become a trigger for you.”
“People who shoot into crowds of people, injuring innocent women and children deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that is my job,” Brandon told her firmly.
Mac looked at him. “You’ve already prepared your c
ase and you have no facts.”
“Your job Mackenzie is to locate and arrest the perpetrators. I’ll take it from there.”
“Brandon, this case could cost you the election if you fuck up.”
Brandon angrily went back to his food. “Thank you for your confidence in me Mackenzie.”
She reached for his arm. “This isn’t the time for me to stroke your ego and if you’re going to be mad at anybody, be mad at Judge Williams because he suggested that I request a different prosecutor.” Mac told him matching his mood.
His green eyes hardened. “My father?”
“Brandon, you’ve never prosecuted a case this close to home for you. Don’t try to do it now,” Mac told him.
Brandon paused. “Okay Mackenzie, yes…my mother was killed by a drive by shooter that was never found. I’ve dealt with that for thirty years. The city is going to be calling for justice, especially if one of those people die. I vowed to do this job regardless of my personal feelings and opinions.”
“If this mother dies, are you prosecuting this perpetrator or the one who shot your mother?” Mac asked.
“They both deserve the same.”
Mac looked away. “You’re so damn stubborn Brandon.”
“That’s why I’m the best.” He took her hand. “Don’t worry about me, you’ve got more than enough on your plate.”
“Is this going to end what we’ve started?” she asked holding his gaze.
Brandon smiled. “Not at all, I haven’t even gotten you to my bedroom yet.”
“We can be on opposite sides through this?”
“Mackenzie, these are our jobs. I can separate our personal lives, beautiful. Can you?” he asked.
Mac lifted a brow. “We’ll see Brandon.”
“I swear that disbelief on your lips makes me want to kiss you,” he whispered moving closer.
“I think you’ll be kissing me a lot then,” she replied.
He laughed softly against her lips. “Mmmm…I’m up to the task.”
Mac allowed Brandon’s mouth to do all the wicked things she was rapidly becoming accustomed to when he kissed her. When her phone rang, she reluctantly removed her mouth from his.
“This is Chief Green,” she answered a little breathlessly.
Her eyes flew to Brandon’s intense gaze. “Thank you,” she said into the phone then slowly disconnected.