This story is part of an ongoing series.
The chronological order of my stories is now 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, 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.
Part 16 - Surrendering To The Authorities
"Well," I said, "stop standing there staring at me. Call the Sheriff. Tell him to accept the bastard's terms."
"I'll call the Sheriff now." said Chief Moynahan, who left for his office.
It was the late morning of December 26th, and Thomas P. Cook had just offered to turn himself in as long as he was protected from me. I told everyone in MCD to carry on, and I went back to my office. In Christmas colors tradition, Green Crowbar followed Red Crowbar into the office.
"What about Hardwood?" asked Cindy as we sat down.
"I suspect he might be with Cook," I said, "saying he's recording Cook's 'journey' to the very end. Even with the video evidence we have, nailing him to the wall is going to be tricky."
Cindy was peering at me. "You don't think this is legit. You think Cook is up to something."
"He's up to no good, that's for sure." I said. "But no, I'm not seeing his game plan at the moment..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Here's the deal." Sheriff Allgood said at 12:20pm. He was in the Main Conference Room with Chief Moynahan, me, Cindy, Lt. Hugh Hewitt, PCpt. Thompson, Lt. Irwin, and the FBI's Muscone and Nash. "Cook will drive into the County in a chauffeured limousine. He says he'll cross into our jurisdiction at 2:00pm. We can have Patrol cruisers lead him and follow him."
"He's going to take the route up University Highway, then across MLK Jr. Avenue to Riverside Drive," continued Allgood, "then up Riverside to Police Headquarters, maybe past it to the intersection with College Avenue at the southwest corner of Courthouse Square."
"Once they're in the County," Cindy said, "we can force him to change his route to one we want."
"Except for one thing." said Allgood. "I've agreed to these terms, and we will follow them. I don't know if he has a bomb in the car or what other devices or measures to keep himself from being ambushed by us, but we're going to keep our side of it. We are going to do things his way."
"Commander," asked Chief Moynahan, "anything to say about that?"
I shook my head. "No." I said. "We should insist he stop at the County Line and let us eyeball him to make sure he's in the car. Other than that, surround him, put a tracker on his car, follow him with drones as well as patrol cruisers, and let him turn himself in."
"What's the threat assessment?" asked Muscone. "What if his car is packed with plastic explosives? He's shown he's been in possession of blasting caps."
"Evacuate the route." I said. "Clear University Avenue, MLK Jr. Avenue, and Riverside Drive."
"Can we do that?" asked Lt. Hewitt. "Pretty busy time of day."
"We did it on Christmas Eve." I said. "The whole County saw Cook's message if they had televisions on. They'll know... and understand."
"I don't like how he implicated Commander Troy." said Martin Nash. "Kept saying the Commander would try to murder him. I'm concerned he's trying to set something up that will implicate the Commander."
"The Commander," said Sheriff Allgood, "is going to be nowhere near the route. He will be at County Jail."
"No, that won't work." I said. "I have to be visible to the television cameras. People have to see me
not
murdering Cook. My best, maybe only alibi in this, is for hundreds of people to believe their lying eyes as they watch television today..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Fox Two News!" shouted the lovely redheaded MILF reporterette at 1:45pm. "We have breaking news from the Courthouse! Let's go to Amber Harris for the details. Amber!"
"Thank you, Bettina!" said the athletic blonde. "Billy Russell, son of U.S. Senator Samuel Russell, had his preliminary hearing just moments ago! Mr. Russell is charged with DUI, felony resisting arrest, felony assaulting a Police Officer, and causing the accident that put several orphan girls in the Hospital!"
"Mr. Russell and his attorneys did not waive their rights to preliminary hearings," continued Amber, "and the Defense Counsel made several motions regarding the evidence. Judge Rodney K. Watts, to whom this case was assigned, has denied bail for Billy Russell, saying he is an extreme flight risk. Russell will remain in County Jail until the first hearings early in January, but Defense lawyers have demanded an expedited hearing for their client."
"Thank you, Amber!" said Bettina. "And we're waiting here at Courthouse Square for Thomas P. Cook, former Town & County Councilman, to turn himself in to authorities on charges that culminate in attempted murder with aggravating circumstances..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Paulina Patterson walked into 'Rhythms & Rap', T-Square's swankiest nightclub. "I want to see my brother. Now." she ordered the two men at the bar.
"Lady, you don't walk in here and demand to see the Big Guy like that---"
"I said NOW!" shouted Paulina. "Unless my brother wants to sit out the rest of this year in a prison cell---"
"Okay, sister." said T-Square, coming out of the back room. "It must be a big deal, for you to come in like you just did."
"Let's talk." said Paulina. She led the way to T-Square's office.
Once inside, he sat down but did not offer her a chair. "So... what is it?" he asked, watching her through his trademark sunglasses.
"You will