Tempted by the Badge

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “Ms. Barnes! Ms. Barnes!”

  The two women exchanged a quick look before turning in the direction of the high-pitched squeals piercing through the thick chatter of students crowding the hallway. Marion Talley tossed up a slight hand as she stomped her size-eleven heels in their direction. Before reaching their side, she admonished one student for cursing, a second for groping his girlfriend inappropriately and sent a third to the office for the length of her skirt. She herself wore a black knit dress that hugged one curve too many, remaining baby weight from her two middle-school-aged daughters still clinging to her midsection and hips.

  Joanna forced a smile to her face, her mouth bending upward as she feigned interest in the woman who chaired the school’s English department. Marion Talley spent every opportunity she could find to make Joanna’s life miserable. The two of them had history that took them both back to their own high school days, resentment harbored over teenage antics that should have been long forgotten.

  “Mrs. Talley, what can I do for you?” Joanna asked, mindful of all the ears shuffling past them.

  “I was hoping to catch you before you left your classroom. You must have rushed out before the students. You do know leaving early without permission is grounds for disciplinary action. If someone were to tell, of course.”

  Joanna bristled slightly, the little hairs against the back of her neck rising.

  “Cut the crap, Marion,” Angel snarled under her breath. “You know she left her classroom the same time you left yours. You’re always trying to start something.”

  Marion narrowed her gaze on the other woman, her face skewing with irritation. She bit back a comment, turning her attention onto Joanna instead.

  “Mrs. Donato would like to see you in her office. I’m headed down to cover your study hall.”

  “Did she say what it’s about?” Joanna asked.

  Marion smirked. “No. But then there’s so much going on around here today. I’m sure it’s nothing, though.”

  Joanna gave her another smile. “I’m sure, too.”

  “Humph!” Marion grunted as she turned on her high heels and stomped back in the direction she’d come from.

  When Marion was out of earshot, Joanna muttered under her breath, “I really wish she’d fall into a large hole and disappear.”

  Angel laughed. “I know two sophomores who would gladly make that happen for you. Just give me the word.”

  * * *

  Minutes later Joanna sat in a wooden chair across from Valentina Donato, the school principal, and a police detective from the Chicago police department. A uniformed officer stood at the door. Joanna was shaking and on the verge of tears.

  “Your union rep will meet you down at the police station, but you might want to consider hiring your own attorney,” Valentina was saying.

  Joanna shook her head. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding,” Valentina said, “but we have a legal obligation to have the charges levied against you investigated. The allegations are very serious, Joanna! David Locklear claims you had a sexual relationship with him and that you held that relationship over his head and threatened his grades. We can’t just ignore that.”

  Joanna turned to the man standing at the edge of the desk. “Am I under arrest? Because I certainly didn’t do what you’re saying I did!”

  The detective cleared his throat. The man was short and slightly obese. He wore a gray suit that was ill-fitting. He was sweating profusely, his eyes darting around the room. He was clearly uncomfortable and he refused to look directly at her. His gaze finally rested somewhere on the wall behind her head. “For the moment, we just need to ask you some questions, Ms. Barnes, and under the circumstances we need to do that down at the station.”

  Joanna could feel herself nod but everything seemed like an out-of-body experience. Her arms and legs were heavy and she was shaking. Her nerves felt completely fried. The wave of shock that had washed over her was consuming and, for a moment, Joanna wasn’t sure she could keep her emotions in check. She took a deep breath and then a second, filling her lungs with air as she struggled not to cry, or worse, rage aloud.

  The detective rose from his seat and gestured for Joanna to do the same.

  “I have my car...” Joanna started. “I can meet you—”

  The detective shook his head. “I need you to ride to the station with me, Ms. Barnes.”

  Her eyes widened. “I don’t... I can’t... I need to...” she stammered, suddenly unable to complete a coherent sentence.

  “It’s not an option,” the detective added. “Right now, this is just a formal questioning and I’m willing to spare you the embarrassment of handcuffs as long as you cooperate.”

  Joanna stood. She took another deep breath. “I need to make a call,” she said, her voice a loud whisper. She reached into her handbag for her cell phone. “Please? I need to call my attorney to meet us there.”

  The detective nodded. “That is your right.”

  * * *

  Mingus Black rolled his eyes skyward, not at all amused by his sister Simone. The sixth child and the youngest girl in his family, Simone Black was being a proverbial pain in the ass as she pranced around his office, giving orders to his staff like she paid the bills. Despite him being older, his attorney sister was notorious for bossing him around, wielding control when it was least wanted. She got that from their sister Vaughan. He was grateful when her cell phone rang, announcing an incoming call, because he was just seconds from throwing her out the door on the heels of her Manolo Blahniks.

  “I need to take this,” she said with a light laugh. “But when I’m finished, we need to talk about you incorporating this business. You can’t keep running it all willy-nilly like you’re doing.” Mingus rolled his eyes a second time as she depressed the talk button on her phone. He went back to signing the checks his secretary had dropped on his desk earlier that morning.

  Simone’s lighthearted expression suddenly deflated like air being sucked from a balloon. Her brow furrowed, shock and concern flooding her face. She was listening intently and from where he sat he could sense the anxiety of the person on the other end of the phone line.

  Mingus met his sister’s stare as he shifted forward, lifting himself upright. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice a loud whisper.

  Simone held up her index finger, still listening attentively to the party on the other end. Rising, Mingus rounded the desk and moved to stand beside her. He brushed a large hand against her back and shoulder when he realized she was shaking, something having moved her to distress.

  “Everything’s going to be fine,” Simone said, clearly fighting to contain the worry in her voice. “I will meet you at the police station. Don’t say anything to anyone. Don’t answer any questions until I get there. I’m on my way.” There was a moment of pause, the other person speaking, and then Simone said, “It’s going to be okay. I promise,” before she disconnected the call. “Mingus, I need you to come to the police station with me.”

  Mingus eyed her with a raised brow. “What’s going on?”

  “Do you remember my friend Joanna Barnes? She and I went to Western Illinois for undergrad. Joanna is one of my sorority sisters. She went to the Center for Teaching at the University of Chicago for her graduate studies.”

  Mingus shrugged, having no real interest in putting a face to the name. “Sorry, it doesn’t ring any bells,” he said as he moved back behind his desk and sat.

  Simone frowned. “Well, she’s been picked up for questioning. They’re alleging she had a sexual relationship with one of her students.”

  Mingus shot his sister a look. “She’s a teacher?”

  “High school, and she didn’t do it,” Simone said matter-of-factly.

  “How do you know that?”

  Simone scowled. “I know her. Joanna is not
that kind of woman.”

  “Are you sure you know...” he started.

  Simone waved her index finger at him a second time. “I know.” She reached into her purse and pulled a dollar bill from inside, dropping it onto his desk. “I need to hire you to help prove she’s innocent.”

  Mingus laughed as he picked up the currency, smoothing it between his fingers. “You really don’t expect me to work for free, do you?”

  “Of course not. That is just an unofficial retainer. We’ll work out the details later.”

  He laughed again. “I’m not an attorney, Simone. I’m a private investigator. There’s no privilege that needs to be established.”

  “I know that,” she answered, irritation rising in her tone. “I just need you to come to the station with me. Please.”

  Mingus blew out a heavy sigh. He had a lengthy list of things he needed to complete and taking on another case was not something he had planned to do. He watched as Simone headed for the door.

  Simone tossed him one last look over her shoulder. “So, are you coming?”

  Mingus tossed up his hands in frustration, knowing that if he were honest with himself, he really didn’t have any other options. His sister knew there wasn’t anything he would not do for her. Even when she irritated him. She had already banked on him saying yes. He’d follow her to the station and he would work whatever case she needed him to work. She had him wrapped tightly around her little finger and, despite his best efforts, he had yet to unravel the string to set himself free.

  “I’ll meet you there,” he said, reaching into the desk drawer for his keys. “I need to drive my own car.”

  Despite his reservations, Mingus was at least willing to show up. He didn’t know Simone’s friend, but her relationship with the woman was already a cause for concern. He always kept his distance when dealing with people he knew personally in a professional capacity and knew that friends weren’t always truthful if there was something they didn’t want you to know. He didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news if Simone’s friend wasn’t everything she believed her to be.

  Chapter 2

  Mingus shifted into fourth gear, his Nissan 370Z Coupe picking up speed. He’d kept straight instead of turning right when his sister did, Simone believing the shortcut through downtown would shave some ten minutes off her travel time. He knew they’d arrive at their destination within minutes of each other, Mingus parked in the lot when she pulled in. It would irritate her to no end and that gave him the slightest bit of satisfaction.

  The Chicago Lawn district police station was on West 63rd Street, around the corner from the West Communities YMCA. The surrounding neighborhood was a modicum of small businesses and modest single-family homes. During his brief stint on the Chicago police force he’d been stationed there and then at the West Harrison Street station.

  Mingus had followed his father and older brother into law enforcement after graduating from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His parents had expected he would join the ranks of detective, eventually climbing the law-enforcement ladder to lieutenant before heading his own precinct as commander. But the rank and file of being an officer hadn’t been for him. Mingus didn’t play by the rules that others did. Even when he was on the straight and narrow, he wasn’t above deviating down his own path to get a job done. His work ethic was impeccable, just not necessarily above board. He approached most things, including his relationships, with a wary eye. He defied expectations, rebelled instead of acquiescing, and often took shortcuts others had issue with. He often thought he was simply wired differently from everyone else. The uniform and badge had often tied his hands and Mingus didn’t take kindly to his hands being tied. Giving it up had been the best decision he’d ever made, even if it had disappointed his parents.

  Mingus came from a family of high achievers. His father, Jerome Black, was the Superintendent of the entire Chicago Police Department. His mother, Judith Harmon Black, was a federal court judge, and both were well respected in Chicago’s judicial system. They were all in the spotlight, doing their civic duty to make Chicago a safer place. Mingus was just as dedicated to the municipality. But he worked alone, sometimes in the dredges of the community, beneath the cover of darkness, getting his hands dirty. He sometimes did what others weren’t willing to do and he did it exceptionally well.

  When Simone pulled her car into the empty parking space beside his, Mingus was standing against the hood of his vehicle with his arms and legs crossed. As she stepped out the driver’s-side door, he stole a glance at his watch, a sly smirk pulling at his mouth. His sister was not amused and she said so.

  “You’re going to get another speeding ticket and they’re going to pull your license.”

  “My license is already revoked,” he said matter-of-factly.

  Simone blinked, her lashes batting feverishly. “Are you crazy? And you’re driving?”

  Mingus laughed. “No, I was joking. You need to stop being so serious.”

  “You play too damn much!” Simone snapped, suddenly unleashing her frustrations on him. For a good two minutes she recapped everything that had ever been proclaimed about him. He wasn’t focused or driven, and he was too unpredictable. He took too many risks, played too many games and was surely headed to hell if he didn’t change his life around. For two good minutes Mingus let her rant.

  “So, are you done?” Mingus finally asked, his tone even.

  “Sorry,” Simone muttered softly. “I didn’t mean...”

  “Yes, you did. But it’s all good.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gave her a warm hug. “Are you okay?”

  “No.” She stepped out of her brother’s grasp and took a breath. “No,” she said again, her head shaking. “I was just on the phone with Danni,” she said, referring to their brother Armstrong’s bride-to-be. “They’re going to formally charge Joanna with sexually assaulting a student.”

  Mingus nodded. “But you knew that was a possibility.”

  “I was praying that it was a horrible mistake. But this also means I can’t represent her. I’ve called Ellington to see if he can take her case. He’s on his way.”

  “Have you talked to your office?” Mingus asked.

  She nodded. “I had to make sure I recused myself. I can support her as a friend, but it’s a conflict of interest with the prosecutor’s office for me to do anything more.”

  Mingus nodded as she continued.

  “I really need you to work your magic, big brother. I don’t know what’s going on, but I do know Joanna is not capable of what she’s being accused of.”

  “No promises, Simone. I know she’s your friend and you say she’s innocent, but that might not be true. We don’t even know what they have on her yet.”

  Simone took another deep breath. “Let’s go find out!”

  * * *

  Joanna couldn’t stop shaking as she wrapped her arms tightly around her torso. She’d been sitting alone in an interrogation room for almost an hour, no one speaking to her until her attorney arrived. She’d called her bestie, Simone Black, because she hadn’t known who else to call. She’d only needed an attorney once before, when she’d purchased her townhome. She doubted highly that the man her parents had recommended, who’d represented her at closing, would be able to help her through this situation.

  Despite knowing she hadn’t done anything wrong, Joanna sensed things were not going to go well for her. For the life of her she couldn’t begin to understand how she’d come to be in this position. Never in her wildest dreams could she have fathomed anyone believing she would take advantage of one of her students. But they did. She’d seen it on the principal’s face, and the detectives were treating her like a pariah. No one was answering her questions and she had dozens she wanted to ask. The room’s door suddenly swung open. She didn’t recognize the man who stepped through the entrance an
d she felt herself tense.

  “Ms. Barnes, my name is Richard Pearce,” he said as he extended his hand to shake hers. “I’m an attorney with the teachers’ union. I’ve been assigned to your case.”

  Joanna gave him a slight nod of her head. Richard Pierce was of average height and slightly overweight. His suit was expensive, a polished black silk partnered with a white dress shirt and red paisley necktie. “Thank you for coming,” she said, her voice a loud whisper. “That was fast.”

  “Actually, it’s your lucky day. I was in the area on another matter when I got the call. Typically, it takes a day or two for us to get to you.”

  “I don’t feel lucky,” Joanna muttered.

  “That’s understandable. Obviously, I’m going to need to get up to speed with the case, but I’m told they have a significant amount of evidence against you. Eventually we may try to plea it out and hope that—”

  “I didn’t do it.”

  The man looked up from a manila folder he’d pulled from a brown leather attaché and had rested on the table. He seemed surprised to be interrupted. “I’m sorry?”

  “I didn’t do it. I did not have a sexual relationship with any student.”

  “Obviously, I’ll need to do some investigating, but the evidence—”

  “I didn’t do it,” Joanna repeated even more adamantly as her tone rose significantly.

  Mr. Pearce stared at her for a quick minute. He leaned back in his seat. “Ms. Barnes, I’m here to represent your best interests. Clearly, we want to do everything we can to minimize the damage to your reputation. I understand that you’re probably still in shock right now, but eventually we will need to discuss your options and pleading this case out may be your best recourse. I’m not sure—”

  Joanna interrupted him a third time. “Am I required to use you, Mr. Pearce? Is it a condition of my union membership?”

  The man bristled, his eyes widening. “No, of course not. You have the option of hiring a private attorney if you’d be more comfortable doing so. But the union is here to protect your interests.”