This story is part of an ongoing series.
The chronological order of my stories is listed in WifeWatchman's biography.
Feedback and
constructive
criticism is very much appreciated, and I encourage feedback for ideas.
This story contains graphic scenes, language and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racism, racial language, violence, rape or violence against women, and any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above.
***
Dedicated to the memory of Herman Cain, a great American.
Part 8 - The Enemy Gambit (continued)
"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Channel Two News!" said the redheaded MILF reporterette at 7:00am, Wednesday, October 14th, from the anchor desk in KXTC's studios. "Dr. Lionel Carmela accuses Commander Donald Troy and the TCPD of Police brutality against Dr. Carmela's students..."
After the hard-charging music intro, Bettina began: "Dr. Lionel Carmela, Head of the University's Political Science Department, previously filed complaints with the University Ethics Board and the State Medical Board, accusing Dr. Laura Fredricson, Head of the University's Psychology Department, of running a male prostitution ring out of her office."
Bettina: "The State Medical Board has unreasonably refused to consider these
credible
charges, but Channel Two News has learned that the University Ethics Board will be considering them. Now Dr. Carmela is accusing Dr. Fredricson's husband, Police Commander Donald Troy, of using tactics of intimidation and harassment against Dr. Carmela's students in an effort to stop the investigation of Dr. Fredricson. Let's go to
trusted
reporter Amber Harris for more on this fast-breaking story. Amber!"
"
That's right,
Bettina!" said the short, athletic blonde Amber Harris as she came onto the screen, reporting from the roof of the building at Riverside and College, with Police Headquarters in the background. "We have an exclusive interview with Dr. Carmela and one of his students, whose face and identity we are concealing for her protection, and just calling her 'Tamara'."
Amber: "Tamara is coming forward with
credible
allegations that Commander Donald Troy intimidated and harassed her with an illegal interrogation. She says that Commander Troy and other Officers she did not know held her against her will and interrogated her without legal representation despite her repeated requests for an attorney. She also claimed that she was not read her Constitutional rights. Roll tape."
Tape rolled, showing Amber in the light that was behind Tamara, creating a blackout of Tamara's face. Additionally, the video blurred out Tamara's face. Dr. Carmela was sitting next to her, in relative darkness but identifiable.
Amber led Tamara through her story with very softball questions. Tamara was saying things like "They surrounded me", "they were talking over my shoulder to intimidate me", "they threatened me with arrest", "the FBI Agent in the room threatened to 'disappear' me, to rendition me", "no, they never read me my rights", "I repeatedly asked for a lawyer and was denied legal representation", and so on and so forth.
Amber never once asked what the Police were interrogating Tamara about, why they would possibly be interested in her, if she had any proof or witnesses of her claims, nor even where the interrogation took place. But she did ask: "Dr. Carmela, why is Commander Troy harassing your student?"
"Because he knows the allegations against Dr. Fredricson are true," said Carmela, "and he's desperate and will do anything, even illegal things like using Police power to browbeat innocent people, to try and stop the truth about his wife and her crimes from being exposed. But rest assured, Amber, it is my foremost mission to expose Dr. Fredricson's crimes, and have her removed from the University Faculty as well as fired by University Hospital, and I will not rest until that is accomplished."
Back to Bettina live: "Thank you for that explosive story, Amber! Commander Donald Troy has not responded to repeated requests by KXTC for comment on these
credible
allegations! And now let's go to reporter Carl Lemay for more on the Town Assembly and the Budget process. Carl!"
"
That's right,
Bettina!" said the handsome black reporter Carl Lemay from the roof of the building at Riverside and College, with City Hall in the background. The same camera used by Amber was now being used by Lemay. "The Public Safety Budget presentation to the Town Assembly is tomorrow morning at 9:00am at City Hall...
again, that's tomorrow morning at 9:00am at City Hall
... and promises to be very controversial. Assemblywomen Coretta K. Scott and Cori Bowman have vowed to do
whatever it takes
to
defund the Police.
"
Lemay: "Other Democrats are also promising to deny the Police any funds unless and until they fire Commander Donald Troy, citing the sheer brutality of his actions in suppressing peaceful protests by Blacks over the summer, for Troy working with D.A. Miriam Walters to destroy Breonna Bryant's life by charging her with Felony Murder just for peacefully demonstrating, and for recent raids targeting the Hispanic Community. Assemblywomen Scott and Bowman are asking the Black Community to
rise up
and make their voices heard on these issues..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
There had been no coffee klatch, so Teresa Croyle and I were sitting in my office and drinking coffee as we watched.
I said "Carl Lemay kept repeating the time and location of the presentation to the Town Assembly. The reason why is obvious: the Press is trying to gin up protests, maybe even violence. Do you have our people ready?"
"I sure do." Teresa replied. "And I need to tell you that the Chief directly asked me and Lieutenant Mary Milton for a threat assessment and our plans. He didn't say anything, but I think he's worried... either about the continued use of force against black protesters, or the optics the Press is making out of all of it, especially during Election season."
I nodded. "Well, it can't be helped. I'm hoping our show of force will be more of a deterrent, and there won't be any escalation to violence."
Teresa nodded, then said "Sir, what do you think about that interview with Carmela and that little snot Tamara?"
"It was quite instructive, wouldn't you say?" I asked, glancing at the Iron Wolf out of the corner of my eye.
Teresa said "I don't understand why they did it. Tamara can't prove a damn thing, and she really does face the possibility of arrest. So why poke at us with a stick like that, and rile us up?"
"It's a gambit on Carmela's part, for sure." I said, leaning back a bit in my comfortable Command Chair, grateful for the lumbar support. "I think Carmela is hoping we don't push it, but I'm about to redirect his suppositions on that. He may be challenging us to respond, because if we don't respond correctly, it will give validity to their otherwise untenable story. And last but not least, he knows that the truth doesn't matter; with the Press giving him air time, and likely ginning up the story on his behalf, it's worth it for him to do it."
Teresa said "And Amber would be a very, very willing helper in that. We need to recruit her for our Women's Intramural Softball team, as a pitcher."
I chuckled then said "It was the questions she didn't ask that bothered me. Didn't ask where the so-called interrogation took place. Didn't ask why we would be interested in talking to her. Didn't ask what Tamara's major was, and who her Grad School sponsor was... which is Laura. Yeah, that was hatchet job carefully orchestrated by Carmela and the deeply corrupt Mainstream Media."
I then dialed Cindy's office on my landline phone without picking up the transceiver, which caused the conversation to be on speaker. To our surprise, Tanya Muscone answered.
"Yes sir, I'm in here with Commander Ross." said Tanya. "She's showing me the ropes."
"Good!" I said with mock joviality. "And to get you started on those duties: have Captain Thompson call a Press Conference for 9:00am in the Press Room here at Headquarters. And would you call your husband and ask him to come see us? or would you rather me do it------ oh, never mind, he just walked in."
Indeed, FBI Special Agent In Charge Jack Muscone had knocked on my door and then opened it and come on in. I had him sit down and said "Here's what I want to do..."
Part 9 - Verbal Combat
9:00am, Wednesday, October 14th. The Press Room was packed full of propagandists that called themselves 'journalists'. It was standing room only, and reporters were jostling for positions.
"It's being carried live," I heard in my earbud as we approached the Press Room. "KXTC, KSB, KFXU, and Fox Midtown are all showing it."
"Roger that." I said, then said "I'm going off-radio." I took the earbud out of my ear, as it was attached to a wire with a microphone, and was visible. I turned to Captain Damien Thompson, the Public Relations Officer, and said "We are 'go'."
Thompson led a procession into the room from the door in back, and along the space next to the left wall roped off by those velvet ropes like those in movie theaters. The others in the line were Police Chief Sean Moynahan, Your Iron Crowbar, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jack Muscone.
Captain Thompson went to the podium and said "Ladies and gentlemen, the Town & County Police Chief and Police Commander." Chief Moynahan went to the podium, and the reporters began shouting questions, showing no restraint nor respect.