The Scales (The Black Land Series Book 3)

by D. Camille

  “The mother just went into a coma…”

  ******

  Brandon escorted Mac to her car as she left to go back to the hospital. Walking to his own vehicle, he thought about what she’d said to him in her office. One thing Brandon prided himself on was his professionalism and his ability to always be balanced like the scales.

  He thought back to the day his father told him that his mother was gone. Just like he’d done in that moment, he quelled those emotions…afraid that if they ever broke through, it would destroy him completely.

  To this day, he still didn’t understand why HIS mother had to be taken from him when he was only a boy. True, his father had stepped up and provided everything he ever needed, but nothing had ever filled the void of Ann Williams in his life.

  Brandon sniffed and composed himself. His mother’s death had made him become the man he was today and he was eternally grateful to her for that and all the love she’d given him in the short time she’d been with him.

  As he navigated, Brandon thought about Mackenzie. She always kept it one hundred with him. In her office, she’d hit a nerve…one that he’d thought had been deadened a long time ago. Brandon didn’t discuss his mother, with anyone…yet Mackenzie now had him examining all those buried feelings.

  He arrived at his father’s house and although it was late, he didn’t care. Using his key, he entered and eventually found his father in his study.

  “I was expecting you son,” Benjamin Williams greeted him.

  Brandon took a seat across from his father. “Then you know why I’m here.”

  “I figured you’d see Chief Green and she’d tell you my recommendation.”

  He looked hurt. “Why?”

  “Because you’re my son and I love you more than life itself. Ann left you to me and I won’t ever let you jeopardize your future,” his father told him.

  “It’s my job,” Brandon asserted.

  “Yes son, it’s your job to prosecute criminals. It’s not your job to take on cases that can break you.”

  Brandon looked confused. “Is this about the race?”

  Benjamin shook his head. “No, this is about your entire life.”

  “Dad, why are you being so dramatic?” Brandon asked.

  “I’ve watched you Brandon, for thirty years. I’ve watched you bury the pain, deeper and deeper inside. A trial is not where you want that to surface,” his father warned.

  Brandon looked away. “You think if there’s a case, I should assign it to someone else?”

  Benjamin nodded.

  “The city will expect the best to handle this.”

  “Isn’t Prosecutor Patterson-Shaw still employed?”

  Brandon sighed. “At the moment, yes but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last.”

  “Then find someone who you can be a second to,” his father instructed.

  He looked back at his father. “Questions will be asked.”

  “And answered.”

  “I value your opinion, more than anything but I won’t step aside. This family deserves justice and if I can’t do my job then I don’t deserve to have it,” Brandon told him.

  Benjamin smiled. “I knew you would say that.”

  “Then why did we just have this conversation?” Brandon questioned.

  “First, because Chief Green has to at least ask for you to be recused. Any Chief worth her salt would do that to ensure a smooth trial and conviction.”

  “Second, you don’t want to put a spotlight on the fact that you two are involved so she can’t show any preferential treatment towards you, for the sake of both of your careers.”

  “And third, every lawyer in this town will try to use your mother’s death against you in court saying you’re biased. It’s the best weapon they’ve ever had and you need to be prepared.” Benjamin explained. “I have to keep you two focused.”

  Brandon nodded. “Who said Mackenzie and I were involved?”

  “The fact that she told you what I said and the fact that you’re sitting in that chair right now talking about it.” He told him. “You two are in the beginning stages of your feelings and I have to look out for you both.”

  Brandon sat back. “Mackenzie has turned out to be more than I expected.”

  “How is that?” his father asked.

  He looked away deep in thought. “She makes me… feel.”

  “For so long I’ve operated on rules and standards, things that don’t require emotions. Mackenzie tosses that all out of the window. She has me completely out of character.”

  He met his father’s matching gaze. “So the Tin Man does have a heart after all?” his father commented.

  Chapter 8

  Two days later Tremaine Meyers was apprehended and brought into the station. Mac arrived as soon as she got the news. This one she wanted to handle herself to ensure everything was done by the book.

  Walking into the room in her uniform, she took the seat across from him where he looked tired and scared.

  “You’d better talk to me and fast because you’re looking at some serious charges,” she told him firmly.

  “I didn’t do anything Chief. I was trying to protect my family,” he pleaded.

  Mac frowned. “Why did my officers have to find you?”

  He placed his hands on his head. “I was scared.”

  “Do you know the other shooters?” Mac questioned.

  Tremaine put his head on the table. “Yeah,” His answer was muffled by the wood.

  “What was this about Tremaine?”

  He lifted his head slowly. “My brother got into it with those guys a few weeks ago. That’s why we had the gun, to protect us.”

  Mac shook her head. This was a never-ending story, ridiculous beefs turning into unnecessary tragedies.

  “What kind of gun was it?” Mac asked.

  “Nine millimeter,” he answered quietly.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Where’d you get it from?” she asked suspiciously.

  Tremaine looked away.

  “Where’d you get the damn gun Tremaine?” she demanded.

  “From the store owner where you saw me. He sold it to us.”

  Mac felt her blood boil. It didn’t make any sense how the city’s streets were flooded from the outside with drugs and guns.

  “Where is the gun now?” Mac questioned.

  He shook his head. “Uh, I tossed it while I was running! I don’t know.”

  Mac closed her eyes for a moment until he cried, “My family is in the hospital Chief! They might die!”

  “Where’s your brother?” she asked opening her eyes.

  Tremaine shook his head. “I don’t know. He’s hiding out too, I guess.”

  “I need you all to squash this. It’s only going to lead to more bloodshed,” she warned.

  “They shot my family,” he said determined.

  Mac lifted a brow. “Are you sure?”

  “From my understanding, bullets were flying all over the place.” Mac pointed out.

  Tremaine looked scared. “I didn’t shoot my family!” he yelled.

  Mac stood. “Bullets don’t have names on them Tremaine and if one of yours hit your family members, you’re going to jail.” She told him. “And I have an eyewitness that puts the gun in your hands.”

  Tremaine dropped his face into his hands. “I didn’t shoot them! The guys in the car were shooting at us,” he sobbed.

  “I’m holding you here until I get some answers and for your own safety,” Mac told him.

  “Please Chief…” he pleaded looking up at her.

  “I can only do my job Tremaine.”

  Mac left the room instructing the officers to take Tremaine into custody. Mac felt for the young man, but he was at least facing charges of having an unregistered weapon and using it negligently.

  When she returned to her office, Brandon was waiting in the lobby. He was dressed in his suit and had his head prosecutor look on his face, so she knew what this visit was about.
r />   “Come in counselor,” she said leading him inside her office.

  Mac took a seat behind her desk and looked over at him in the chair.

  “First, let me say this Mackenzie, I haven’t bothered you because I know this case has consumed your time, but in no way think that you haven’t been on my mind.”

  “Thank you Brandon, for understanding.”

  He nodded. “I’m here now as the Prosecutor, but I will see you soon as the man who misses spending time with you.”

  She smiled a little. “I think I’d like that.”

  “I think we both will.”

  Mac got back to business. “You’re here about the arrest?”

  “Yes, what do we have?”

  “I have Tremaine in custody,” Mac began.

  Brandon frowned. “The boy from the store?”

  Mac leaned forward. “He bought the damn gun used in the shooting from that no good ass store owner.”

  “You want me to look at charges on the store owner?” he asked.

  “Yes!” Mac agreed. “The news is filled with stories on gun violence in the community, but they never examine how those damn guns get here.”

  Brandon nodded. “Charges on Tremaine?”

  Mac calmed down. “I don’t know Brandon.”

  “He was shooting into the crowd, right?”

  “His story is that his brother got into it with the other boys a few weeks ago and this was retaliation,” Mac explained. “He’s not a bad boy.”

  “Good boys break laws too Mackenzie,” Brandon told her. “When are you expecting ballistic results?”

  “Another day or so,” she answered. “It could be self-defense Brandon.”

  “With a gun bought on the street…there are charges right there.”

  Mac looked over at him. “Aren’t we supposed to be working on an initiative to keep these boys from going to jail?”

  “Not when they’re recklessly using weapons.”

  Mac put her hands on her temple. “Shit! I’m so tired of this.”

  Brandon moved around the desk to her side. Gently he helped her from her seat and took her into his arms.

  “Mackenzie,” he lifted her face to his. “I think we both need this right now.”

  He lowered his head and reacquainted himself with her luscious mouth. Mac’s arms wound around his neck as she received his gift. She tangled her tongue with his and pressed closer to his strength.

  “I think I need to see you sooner than later,” Brandon whispered against her mouth.

  “I need to release some tension,” she whispered back.

  He kissed her again. “I want to give you all kinds of releases,” he groaned as his hands began to explore her body.

  “I don’t know when I can get away,” she breathed as he squeezed and fondled.

  “Call me…” He returned to her mouth. “Wherever you are, I’ll come.”

  Mac caressed the back of his head as he set her mouth and body on fire. She knew this was totally inappropriate in her office, but she was too far gone and it felt too good to stop it yet.

  Brandon, however, came to his senses and stepped back. “I know you have work to do.”

  Mac licked her lips and tasted him. “Yes, I do. I know you do too.”

  He kissed her once more and touched her face. “Call me…”

  She nodded and watched as he walked to the door and out of her office.

  “Damn, I needed that.”

  ******

  Brandon left Mac’s office hot and bothered. It had taken every ounce of his control to walk away from her today but they both had jobs to do that came before their personal lives. However, when he did get some more personal time with Mackenzie, all bets were off and Bad Boy Brandon was in control.

  His next stop was with his on again, off again prosecutor, for the time being. He needed Rion and Tauri to get their shit together because there were some huge cases possibly looming.

  At the Shaw residence, Brandon sat across from his best friend and his best prosecutor. He took a breath.

  “Look you two, we have to come to some kind of decision. With this shooting, there are some crucial cases on the horizon. I need to start putting teams together.”

  Rion nodded then looked at his wife.

  “I apologize Brandon for even putting you in this position,” Tauri said quietly. “Orion and I have talked about this.”

  “And?” Brandon prompted.

  “I wanted to discuss with you about consulting on cases. I can’t leave little Rion every day, but I could work from home and be in court when needed. Mrs. Shaw and Granny said they’d be happy to care for him on those occasions,” Tauri explained.

  “The city has a budget. I don’t know if I can fit in a new prosecutor and keep you on as a Consultant,” Brandon told her.

  Tauri looked at her husband. “I don’t a need a salary.”

  Brandon also looked at Rion. “I’m not going to ask you to work for free Tauri.”

  “My wife loves what she does Brandon. If she says, she doesn’t need a salary then that’s what it is.” Rion told him.

  Tauri smiled and hugged Rion’s arm. “My husband is so wonderful to me.”

  “Whatever makes my Goddess happy and keeps my son with his mother.” Rion smiled down at her.

  Brandon looked between the two. “Okay, I won’t turn down free help, especially from you Tauri. I’m going to need you more than ever.”

  Tauri looked interested and Brandon told her what was going on.

  “Oh my god! That’s terrible. I saw the shooting on the news,” Tauri exclaimed. “Has Mac made any arrests?”

  “One so far and he’s related to the family. The story is that he was retaliating against the original shooters.” He turned to Rion. “He bought the gun from the store owner we visited.”

  Rion frowned. “What?”

  Brandon nodded. “Yeah?”

  “Are you charging him?” Tauri asked angrily.

  “I need to put together a case.”

  Tauri nodded. “I’m on it.”

  “Great. I’m waiting for Mac to get ballistics to see exactly who shot whom, then I’ll be ready to bring charges,” Brandon informed her.

  “How are the victims?” Rion asked.

  Brandon sighed. “Mother’s in a coma. The little girl has had two surgeries already and the male has at least been stabilized.”

  “Such a tragedy,” Tauri shook her head.

  Rion looked at his friend. “How are you Brandon?”

  “I’m fine Rion.”

  Tauri heard the tone between the two men and looked at them. “I’m going to check on little Rion.” She kissed her husband quickly and patted Brandon on the shoulder as she left the room.

  “Please don’t start asking me about my mother. I’ve already had Mackenzie and my father take me through this,” Brandon told him.

  “It has to hit home, Brandon.” Rion told him. “You’re going to have to deal with it eventually.”

  Brandon shrugged. “Why does everybody think I’m going to have some kind of nervous breakdown prosecuting a case? This is my job.”

  Rion knew Brandon better than anyone else except for his father and had always been Brandon’s confidante.

  “You’ve always been there for me Brandon and I’m here for you. You don’t have to prove anything.” Rion began. “You’re the best damn head prosecutor this city has seen.”

  “But you’re human too. Nobody expects this not to affect you,” Rion finished. “If you need somebody, I’m here, that’s all I’m saying.”

  Brandon looked at his best friend. “Thanks Rion. I know that and I appreciate your concern.”

  “Mackenzie is going to petition for me to recuse myself if the mother doesn’t make it,” Brandon told him.

  Rion nodded. “She has no choice. Is that going to be a problem between you two?”

  “It started out that way, but I’m not going to let it,” Brandon answered. “I won’t recuse myself o
n my own, but if I’m removed I won’t fight it and I won’t hold it against her.”

  “You really shouldn’t be taking on cases like this while you’re running for Mayor. If you lose, that could be a big strike against you,” Rion pointed out.

  “I’ve never lost,”

  Rion looked at him. “There’s always a first time for everything.”

  “Look, we know how good you are Brandon. No one is questioning that but it’s okay not to tempt fate sometimes.”

  Brandon agreed. “We’ll see how it plays out and what fate has in store.”

  ******

  Mac visited her favorite convenience store with a warrant and two officers to see exactly what the storeowner was selling. She pulled into the parking lot and spotted a black vehicle matching the description of the shooters car. Mac parked out of sight and cut the engine before staring at the front door.

  She pressed the button and spoke into her shoulder. “This is Chief Green. I need additional backup at the In and Out Market. Possible shooting suspects in the area, consider them armed and dangerous.”

  Mac relayed the address and waited watching the door. Turning to the empty vehicle, she surmised the suspects were inside. Not knowing how many were involved, she would wait until her additional officers arrived. She wasn’t trying to play heroine tonight.

  Mac watched as the door opened and two young boys came out laughing, heading to the vehicle in question. As soon as they opened the doors, two squad cars pulled up with lights flashing. When the two jumped in the car, Mac sighed. Dammit, these damn kids didn’t like to go down easy.

  She exited the car quickly, with her gun drawn, as her officers surrounded the car demanding that the boys put their hands up. While officers were handling that situation, Mac instructed a few other ones to follow her inside.

  They entered the store yelling instructions while Mac focused on the store owner.

  “Put your got damn hands up!” she yelled.

  His eyes widened on the Chief and he complied immediately. Mac slapped a paper down on the counter. “We have a warrant to search the premises.”

  Her officers kicked in the door leading to the back and quickly pulled him from behind the counter.

  “You’re under arrest for selling illegal weapons,” she announced as the man was handcuffed.

  “What? What is going on?” he cried remembering Mac. “I told you I have the papers for those guns!”