The Mourning Missed Read online

  She paused for a moment as if confused. “I think it might have been an Econoline? One of my first boyfriends had an old Econoline he had carpeted on every surface; the floor, walls, and ceiling,” she rattled on inanely. Shaking herself, she returned to the topic at hand.

  “Two black males, dressed in Bloods colors, stepped out of the front doors and opened fire with TEC-9s. After they...” she choked, her focus threatening to dissolve into sobbing fits again.

  Taking a deep breath, she continued. “After Sergeant Bacchus was hit several times, they advance on the vehicle, continuing to fire. I left the vehicle, using it for cover, and ran into the underbrush. I managed to evade them as they attempted to follow me and circled back to the vehicle. I drove here as fast as possible and told the gate I needed to see you right away.”

  “Where were you coming from?” Hollister asked. “I’ve been trying to reach Marty for two days but he hasn’t been on campus.”

  “We were pursuing an investigation on the criminal organizations within the MCPD and city employees; it’s pretty extensive,” she volunteered as an afterthought.

  “Yes, I know a little about that from Sergeants Andersen and Aiko,” he confirmed. “Can you bring me up to speed on where you are in the investigation? Should I be concerned about any possible repercussions against the Academy?”

  At his last question, Lilly’s head snapped up, her eyes going wide. “I hadn’t considered the possibility of a threat against the Academy,” she breathed. “I suppose if they’re willing to lie in wait right outside the gate and kill an officer in broad daylight, then there’s really no telling what they might be capable of doing.”

  “I’m putting the campus on high alert,” he said, stepping to his desk and reaching inside the knee hole. Immediately, the calm of the room was shattered by an ear-splitting wail as a klaxon began stridently bleating. “Are you still armed?” he called over the noise.

  Nodding, she rose from the chair as he beckoned her toward a door in the wall behind his desk. When it opened, Lilly coughed a short laugh.

  “What, did you think just because I’m an old man I wouldn’t be prepared to defend my command?” Colonel Hollister grinned as Lilly took in the ready room beyond the door. A rifle rack held four AR-15s and there were a dozen different sizes and types of modern hand guns. Isolated apart from the semi-auto pistols, a stainless steel Smith and Wesson model 66 hung glittering in the fluorescents.

  Taking a tooled leather belt holster from a peg on the wall, the Commandant strapped it around his lean hips. Lovingly lifting the revolver from its cradle, he swung the cylinder open to check the load. Satisfied, he gently closed the wheel, turning it until it clicked into place on the rotation notch in the cylinder. “Still my favorite weapon,” he smiled, holstering the .357.

  Several sizes of ballistic vests hung on hangers along the back wall and Lilly took down the smallest one she saw. Reaching for the one with eagles on the shoulders, she handed it to Hollister.

  As soon as they were both strapped in, Lilly took one of the ARs off the rack and ejected the magazine. Confirming the 30 round mag was full, she inserted it back into the well, slapping in into place with the palm of her hand. Picking up three more magazines, she slid them into the pockets built into the front of the vest and smoothed the Velcro retaining straps into place.

  “Let’s go kick some ass,” the Colonel grinned.

  “Shit,” Lilly exclaimed in sudden epiphany. “Before we go sir, I need to contact ADA Samuels immediately. He’s eyeball deep in all this and probably in equal danger.”

  Hollister pointed at the phone on his desk.

  Picking up the receiver, she dialed nine for an outside line. Once she heard the different dial tone, she dialed Phillip’s seven digit mobile phone number from memory. It rang eight times before his voice came on saying who he was, his position, and for the caller to leave a message with a phone number.

  At the tone, Lilly began speaking in a trembling voice. “Phillip, Marty is dead. Bloods ambushed us on the road to the Academy. There’s so much we learned at the cabin, I really need to see you right away. Pemberton is dirty; he’s the third boss. Call the Academy or, better yet, get out here as soon as possible. We’re in full lock down.”

  Hanging up the phone, she turned to face a startled Commandant. “Jason Pemberton, Chief County Judge, is one of the crime bosses?” He asked in complete disbelief.

  “Yeah, we kidnapped one of their mercenaries from a bar on the east side and took him to a cabin near Texarkana where I interrogated him,” Lilly supplied matter-of-factly. “We took him to the Texas welcome center on I-20 afterward. He fully cooperated and we gave him $86 dollars in exchange for him telling me the price on my head is 20 grand.”

  “There’s a bounty on you?” Hollister exclaimed.

  “Apparently so, which makes me wonder if the bangers were after me and Sarge just got in the way,” she mused softly. “There’s going to be a reckoning.”

  “You’re damned right there is,” he confirmed, walking to his desk. Opening a desk drawer, he reached in and came out with a microphone. Keying it, he spoke and his voice issued out of the same speakers from which the klaxon had sound for 30 seconds.

  “This is the Commandant; full attention,” he commanded. “Master Sergeant Martin Bacchus was gunned down this morning on the road to this compound. He was headed here with DDAI Lilly Jackson. Many of you know her, or know of her. Whatever you’ve heard, it is not an exaggeration; she’s one of our best.”

  His face turned scarlet and he visibly struggled to contain himself. “She has just informed me the bastards who murdered Bacchus were Bloods. She also tells me someone in the criminal organization which has infiltrated all levels of government in Montrose City has placed a 20 thousand dollar bounty on her head. We may not even be able to trust our own brotherhood. It has been estimated that as much as 20 percent of the MCPD force is part of that same criminal organization.”

  His ire was up now and his tone took on one of righteous indignation. “As you may have heard, certain elements of the gang population have acquired TEC-9s. Be extremely cautious when approaching any unknown situation. This is real, people, and it could get very deadly. Be prepared for anything, question everything, be brave and resourceful. Hollister out.”

  Twenty-Eight

  “I CAN’T EAT,” BOB THE Bailiff told his wife as they sat over lunch at a diner near the county courthouse. He had called to invite her out after jailing Samuels.

  “What’s the matter, honey?” She said, reaching across the table to take his hand.

  “I was ordered by Judge P to put ADA Samuels in custody this morning. Without a hearing, without charges except for contempt of court, and without a phone call, Miranda, or visitors.” He sighed heavily. “It’s wrong, but he threatened my job if I didn’t do it.”

  “Is what he did illegal?” She asked quietly. Bob nodded. “Can it blow back on you? I mean, is it criminal, as in you could go to jail?”

  “I think it might be,” he answered fretfully.

  “Then you need to call the DA right away,” she suggested. “Bob, you can get another job. You can’t get another life. Too many people in prison know you, and not in a good way.”

  “I REALLY NEED TO GET into the city and check on Phillip,” Lilly said as they walked into the basement Command Post.

  “I’m not letting you leave here unless there’s no other alternative,” the Colonel retorted. “Not with a price on your head. Especially not when I know there are gang-bangers gunning for you. Is there anyone you can call at the DA’s office?”

  “I’m just not thinking. Of course, I should call the DA. Hopefully, he’s not involved with the bad guys,” she answered, shaking her head at her lack of focus.

  “I saw him nearly crucify a 12-year veteran, decorated officer for taking a bribe two years ago,” Hollister shared. “Hard to imagine him being on that side. Use that phone,” he said, pointing to one setting on a counter next to a b
ank of portable radios.

  “I don’t know the number,” Lilly said aloud.

  “Do you know Samuels’ desk number?” Hollister asked.

  When she nodded, he smiled. “Just dial the first five digits and then two zeros; it’ll get you to the switchboard. Let me speak to them first and I’ll get you straight to him.”

  As soon as she dialed, Lilly handed the phone to him. “This is Colonel Duane Hollister. I need to speak with the DA right away. Tell him it’s mission critical.”

  Handing the receiver back to her, he smiled. “Code.”

  “Duane, what’s going on?” The DA asked when he came on the line.

  “This is DDAI Jackson, sir. Colonel Hollister used his influence to get me straight to you,” she explained.

  “Then get right to it, Jackson,” he directed.

  “Sir, I believe ADA Samuels is in grave danger,” she began without preamble. “An attempt was made on my life this morning. I’ve learned I have a 20 thousand dollar bounty on my head. Master Sergeant Bacchus was with me during the attempt and he was slain by two Bloods with automatic weapons.”

  “Bacchus and I are working with Phillip on a deep-cover assignment attempting to discover the source or sources of leadership in the criminal organizations in Montrose City.” Pausing before taking the leap, she took a deep breath and continued. “Sir, you may find this hard to believe, but at least three such organizations have been identified. They’re being lead by First Sergeant Henry Mitchell of Central Division, the Police Commissioner himself, and Chief Justice Jason Pemberton.”

  For a moment, Lilly thought she had lost the connection, and was about to speak again when he did. “Jackson, these are incredibly serious allegations you’re reporting. Do you have incontrovertible evidence proving any of this?”

  “I’d love to tell you we do, sir, but much of it is hearsay. Bacchus and I questioned one of the mercenaries who, until recently, worked for the organizations. He is no longer in the state and would have to be subpoenaed. Another source, one which is highly reliable, witnessed conversations between the PC and Mitchell confirming their ties to the organizations.” Pausing to take a breath, Lilly continued.

  “What we do have, what ADA Samuels has, is confirmation of the drivers who transported 10 thousand pound of drugs and automatic weapons in city vans two days ago from a tractor-trailer within the city warehouse. At least three of them have given up names of members within the organizational structure, if not senior leadership. They have since been sequestered in county jail for safe-keeping and should be in Federal custody this morning, if not already.”

  “Well, now I have some disturbing news for you, Lilly,” he said, using her first name to soften the blow. “Parties unknown entered the county solitary confinement facility sometime between six pm last night and eight am this morning and murdered two DAIs assigned to guard the five. The witnesses are gone and no one knows where. ADA Samuels went personally to see Judge Pemberton at 8:30 this morning and I haven’t heard from him since.”

  “I have to get down there, now,” she said urgently.

  “I have to disagree,” the DA replied. “If what you say is true about a bounty, you need to stay out of sight as much as possible. Give me an hour to find Phillip. If I can’t, I’ll call you back and we’ll formulate a game plan. Wait one, my assistant just walked in.”

  Muffled conversation could be heard as he placed his hand over the mouthpiece.

  “Change of plan. How soon can you and as many officers as you can muster meet me at the county courthouse holding cells? I’ve just received a call from Pemberton’s bailiff, who informs me the judge ordered Phillip jailed this morning for contempt of court. But here’s the odd part. The judge ordered no bail hearing, no charges filed, no phone call, and no visitors. That’s tantamount to kidnapping. If this is as bad as you say, his life is definitely in jeopardy.”

  “I NEED TO SPEAK WITH Special Agent Brimmer,” the DA announced when the call went through. “This is District Attorney Diamente. Tell him I have critical information regarding the Parsons case.” A moment later the line picked up.

  “This is Special-Agent-in-Charge Brimmer, how can I help you?”

  “I’ll fill you in on the details, but we’re about to blow Montrose City wide open,” Diamente started straight out. “We have reason to believe, and evidence to support it, that the crime organizations distributing narcotics and automatic weapons in Montrose City involve the Police Commissioner, the Chief County Judge, and many members of the MCPD. Furthermore, and more to the point, my ADA went to confront the judge this morning and was jailed on contempt of court charges.”

  “The first part might interest our organized crime unit, but how does any of this relate to the Parsons case?” Brimmer asked brusquely.

  “Because witnesses testified that Parsons was kidnapped by that organization and allowed to die without life support by orders from the PC himself,” the DA explained. “Additionally, Samuels is being held without bail, without charges being filed, and without being given access to legal counsel, or even the prerequisite phone call. Also, the chief bailiff was ordered to hold him without record or visitors, and without Miranda rights. Isn’t that about the same as kidnapping?”

  “Not about; that is in effect, kidnapping,” Brimmer confirmed. “And where do we believe he’s being held?”

  “In the court’s holding cells,” Diamente replied. “Also know this; the organization has put a 20 thousand dollar bounty on DDAI Jackson. Yes, that Lilly Jackson. The other member of their investigating team was Master Sergeant Martin Bacchus of the MCPD Police Academy. He was murdered this morning by two members of the Bloods street gang.”

  “We need to get to Samuels right away,” Brimmer said heatedly. “It sounds like someone is cleaning house. I’ll have FBI SWAT meet us at the county courthouse in ten minutes.”

  “We’ll be there with however much support we can marshal,” Diamente assured him.

  “I’M MEETING BRIMMER and FBI SWAT at the county courthouse in ten minutes,” the DA informed the duty sergeant in the Academy command post. “How many officers can you have there for support?”

  “The Commandant, his Deputy, the Rangemaster, the Armorer, DDAI Jackson and six officers are enroute in three vehicles. ETA is seven minutes.”

  “Good, let them know to meet me out front.”

  “ARREST AUTHORITY ABIDES in the Federal agency, we are here for support only,” Diamente informed the gathered group of officers. “You’re all sworn peace officers, so just follow their lead.”

  “I need a perimeter set up surrounding this building,” Brimmer ordered. “No one in or out until I approve it. Colonel, can your squad handle that?” Hollister just nodded and the eleven officers from the Academy began to move off.

  “I’ll need Jackson with me,” Brimmer called after them. Surprised, Lilly returned to the breach briefing. “If what you tell me is true, Pemberton may think you’re dead. I want you to walk into his chambers just as soon as I’ve Mirandized him. Maybe we can startle him up into telling us something.”

  “MAY I HELP YOU?” THE clerk asked as Brimmer walked into her office and strode purposefully to the desk.

  “You can quietly get up and walk out into the hallway, where a police officer will escort you off the premises,” he told her. “You are not in any trouble, nor will you be as long as you do exactly as I say, right now.” Darla blanched, and for a moment, Brimmer thought she might faint. But he watched as she mentally collected herself after a moment and reached to open her bottom desk drawer. Pulling her purse from inside, she rose stiffly to walk into the hall.

  “Take us in,” he said quietly to the SWAT leader as soon as he approached.

  Hand signals directed the team and four members approached the door. Two others hustled down the hall to cover the private entrance and the access into the courtroom. The door was locked and Brimmer knocked politely.

  When there was no answer, he motioned to the leader, who
signaled a large man standing slightly to the rear. Swinging a battering ram from where it was strapped across his back, the man took three steps toward the door, cocking the ram behind him as he did. He reached the door in unison with the ram, and his shoulder slammed it forward just as the ram shattered the door frame around the knob.

  “FBI,” at least four voices echoed the required announcement as the team poured through the breach.

  Judge Pemberton squealed like a stuck pig at the sudden explosion of noise and dove beneath his desk. He came up over the edge with one eye and a Detective’s Special revolver in his right hand. “I have a weapon and will use it,” he cried.

  “FBI,” Brimmer shouted at him, pointing his service pistol directly at the judge’s face.

  “FBI?” Pemberton cried. “What right do you have to break into my office? All you had to do was ask my clerk to see you in. I’ll have your badge for this before we’re through,” he blustered. His bluff was belied by the presence of two wheeled suitcases standing near the private hallway entrance.

  “Jason Pemberton, you’re under arrest for suspicion of kidnapping, racketeering, and Federal Organized Crime violations. You have the right to remain...” Brimmer began.

  “You young pup, don’t even think you can bully me in my own office,” the judge said, drawing himself up to his full height. “I’m a county judge and therefore the highest law enforcement authority in this parish. You better have ironclad evidence of these claims, because otherwise, you’ll be the one under arrest.”

  “...to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you...” Brimmer continued where he’d been interrupted.

  “I’m aware of the Miranda code. I don’t need you to read me my rights,” Pemberton interrupted again.