by D. Camille
Khalil greeted Mac then went to Brandon. “Thanks for picking him up and looking after him.”
“You know it’s no problem.” They gave each other a manshake.
Khalil turned to his son. “Ready?”
With his bag on his back, Kyros said goodbye to Mac and Brandon then headed out of the door with his father. Inside the car, Khalil began to drive them home.
“How was school?” he asked Kyros who was deep in thought in the back seat.
The boy leaned forward. “Hey Daddy?”
Khalil glanced back. “What’s up son?”
“Can we go to Africa?”
Khalil looked surprised. “You want to go to Africa?”
“Not to live, but I want to see it.”
“You know what, I want to see it too.” Khalil told him.
Kyros smiled. “Uncle Brandon said that all the history of who we are is there.”
Khalil nodded. “He’s right son.”
Chapter 11
Mac walked into the interrogation room and took the seat across from Tremaine. The young man looked scared and she felt his fear.
“Hello Tremaine,” she said looking over at him.
“How’s my family Chief?” he asked. “No one has been to visit me.”
Mac tried to reassure him. “They’ve all been at the hospital.”
Tremaine lowered his head and closed his eyes as Mac continued. “Your aunt may not make it but your cousins are stable.”
“I was just trying to protect them,” he said sadly. “I still am.”
“Even if you can prove self-defense, you’re still going to have a weapons charge,” Mac told him. “And if I don’t find that gun, you may face attempted murder.”
Tremaine looked at her. “I didn’t shoot anybody!” he pleaded.
“I need to prove that Tremaine. Where is the gun?” Mac questioned. “My officers have searched everywhere around where you told me you dropped it and it’s not there. Are you sure that you threw it down?”
She pinned him with a look. “I can’t help you, if you don’t help me.”
Tremaine looked away and Mac knew he was hiding something.
“Who the hell are you protecting?” She demanded. “This is your life boy!”
“I ain’t no snitch,” he said quietly.
Mac looked at him confused. If she had a dollar for every time a young black boy who was incarcerated had said those words to her, she would be a billionaire like Orion.
“You ain’t no snitch?” she questioned. “So you’d rather go to prison and become somebody’s bitch?”
Tremaine looked fearful. “I’d rather go to jail than be another hashtag.”
Mac stood. “What are you talking about?”
Tremaine looked towards the door quickly, then back at Mac. Mac looked at the officer standing outside the door.
“What are you trying to tell me?” Mac asked.
He then glanced at the camera on the wall then Mac walked to the door and opened it. “Get me a pad and pen!” she ordered.
A few minutes later, the officer returned with the items she’d requested. Mac closed the door behind her and went back to the table placing the items in front of Tremaine.
“Write me a story…”
******
Brandon sat in his office across from his campaign manager. Derek had a relieved look on his face as he watched his candidate.
“Well it seems that damage control wasn’t really necessary,” he told Brandon.
“And why is that?”
Derek smiled. “It seems that most people in the city already thought you two were a couple anyway.”
Brandon laughed. “I guess we were the last to know.”
“Now I can spin this in your favor. It’s easier to promote a candidate who’s in a stable relationship and since she’s the Chief of Police, you two are a fairy tale couple,” Derek informed him.
“Then I’m glad me being involved with Mackenzie helps your campaign,” Brandon said sarcastically.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re glad or not. This puts you in the driver’s seat and ahead in the polls. Women voters swooned when you professed your love for Chief Green. I couldn’t have written a better speech.”
“Add in how she protected you when asked about your abilities. Cha-ching! Lotto!” Derek exclaimed. “This race is now in the bag. Falling in love with her was the best thing you could’ve done.”
Brandon frowned. “I’m not using my relationship with Mackenzie to boost my platform. I don’t want our business on display that way.”
Derek raised a hand. “Relax, I know that. I’m just saying that when people see you two as a couple, it humanizes you more.”
“I’m not human?” Brandon questioned and Derek smiled.
“You’re the best at what you do and the best candidate in this race, but you’re pretty staunch. Chief Green brings some warmth to you.”
Brandon smiled. “I told her the exact same thing.”
“I’m glad you got ahead of Patrice’s game by announcing that you’ve already considered having someone else prosecute if necessary. That showed you were on top of your game,” Derek said impressed. “Patrice is definitely on her heels now.”
“She’s not done. I know her too well.”
“She can bring her best shot.” Derek sat back. “What’s your schedule like for later tonight?”
“I’m having dinner with Mackenzie and her parents,” Brandon informed him.
Derek sat up. “Meeting the parents huh?”
“I’ve known the doctors for quite some time.”
“Doctors?”
Brandon nodded. “Both of Mackenzie’s parents are well known physicians.”
“And she became the police chief?” Derek asked confused.
“Yes, it’s a long story.”
Derek nodded and stood. “Well if you decide to propose, do it on election night.”
“Why is that?”
“People love happy endings. The newly elected mayor asks the police chief to marry him and become the greatest power couple the city has even seen…can you imagine the headlines?”
“Is that all you think about?” Brandon asked.
Derek shrugged. “Hey, that’s why I get paid the big bucks.”
“Speaking of, don’t forget your fundraising dinner next week.” Derek reminded him. “And lose the shadow please when you bring the chief, the three of you look very weird together.”
Brandon nodded. “Already taken care of.”
“Good, let’s meet back up tomorrow.”
Derek left the office and Brandon decided to call his father. The judge had been acting strange lately and Brandon wondered if this case was affecting him as well.
“Hey Dad,” Brandon greeted when his father answered.
“Brandon, how are you son?”
Brandon smiled. “I’m good, calling to check on you.”
“On me? Why?” his father asked.
“I don’t know. You’ve been different lately. I was wondering if this case is making you think of Mom.”
Benjamin gave a soft laugh. “I think of Ann every day. I don’t need a case to remind me of her.”
“Is there something else going on?” Brandon asked.
“I’m fine son. How are things since you let the world know that you’re involved with Chief Green?”
Brandon laughed. “Good. I’m actually relieved that I can see Mackenzie without reservations.”
“I wondered how long you’d be able to do it. I know once you make up your mind about something, how determined you are.”
“Patrice was lurking and I knew she would try to create a firestorm, so I beat her to the punch.”
“Good job.”
Brandon sat back. “I’m having dinner with the doctors Green tonight.”
Benjamin lifted a brow. “That should be interesting. I’m glad Mac was able to reconcile with them after the trial.”
“She’s their only daughter, so they di
dn’t want to lose her completely. They’re still not as close as they were before the incident,” Brandon informed him.
“They say time heals all wounds…” Benjamin said distractedly and Brandon frowned.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, son. You need to focus on these cases and your campaign. I’ll see you at the fundraising dinner.”
Brandon hesitated. “Okay, I’ll see you then. Take care Dad.”
“I will. You too.”
Brandon stared at the phone long after his father had disconnected. Something was definitely on his father’s mind, but he’d wait until he was ready to reveal it.
******
Benjamin Williams looked at the dark screen of his phone. His only son was very perceptive in addition to being stubborn. He knew Brandon wouldn’t go too long without questioning him again. It was the attorney in him that had been cultivated since day one.
Benjamin looked at the card in his hand. When it had come in the mail, he’d had no idea who it was from or what it contained but once he’d read it, his world had shifted. The information contained inside both warmed and broken his heart.
He knew who he needed to talk to and when his schedule was clear, he’d make a visit to the one person who could help him because this couldn’t wait another day…
******
Fifteen minutes later, Tremaine finished writing and slid the pad across the table to Mac. Taking it, she began reading slowly. At one point her eyes went back to his then grew angry before she returned to the writing.
When Mac was done, she turned the pad over and looked at him. “Is this true?”
He nodded slowly. “I swear,” he said quietly.
Mac stood then exited the room silently, with the pad in her hand. Outside the door, she turned to the officer. “No one goes in there. Understand me?”
He agreed and Mac walked down a long hall to the administrative desk of the jail. The officer at the desk greeted her.
“Hello chief,”
Mac nodded. “Suspect Tremaine Meyers, currently in Room 2. I want him moved,” She grabbed a chart on the desk. “I want him in a single cell and only these officers are allowed to monitor him.” Mac jotted a short list of officer’s names on the clipboard.
“I want to be notified of any visitors he has and the names of all the officers who have been in contact with him since he’s been here,” she ordered.
“Yes, chief.”
Mac looked at the officer. “This information is only for me. No one else is to see or know about this.”
“I got it ma’am.”
Heading back to her office, Mac was filled with anger. If what Tremaine had told her was true, she had a mess on her hands. First she had to confirm his story, then she needed to speak with the Head Prosecutor.
Mac picked up the phone and called in the detectives working on the case. They arrived and were shown into her office.
Mac wasted no time. “I want to know everything you’ve done on this case.”
“We’ve turned in our reports,” one of them answered.
She nodded. “I’ve read them and since I’ve asked you to come here, that means something’s missing.”
They looked at one another. “We don’t know what you’re saying chief.”
Mac flipped open the file on her desk. “Then let me make it clear.”
“Tell me about when you apprehended Tremaine Meyers,” she requested. “Where’d you find him?”
“Like the reports says, it was a suspected drug house.”
Mac nodded. “One that was on your radar?” she asked lifting a brow.
“There was suspected activity previously,” one detective answered.
“In your report, you stated that you entered the home and found Tremaine hiding in one of the bedrooms?” Mac pointed out.
They both nodded.
“How did you know he was there? A lead? A tip?”
The other detective cleared his throat. “Yes, a lead.”
Mac smiled. “Just good police work huh?” She closed the file and studied both men.
“Thank you for coming in gentlemen.”
“Is that it?” one of them asked confused.
“Did you have something else?” Mac asked innocently.
When they both shook their heads, Mac stood. “Be safe out there.”
Mac watched as they left her office. Picking up the phone, she dialed a number.
“This is Chief Green. The red hat that I picked up at the scene of the park shooting, I need you to run some DNA to see who it belongs to.”
She gave a few more instructions before replacing the phone. The only thing she could do now was wait for the results of the things she’d put in place. Tonight she was having dinner with Brandon and her parents. After their hot tub fiasco, her father had called and stated that he and her mother wanted to meet with the couple.
Mac shook her head, she’d never had dinner with her parents and someone she was seeing, but she was more than seeing Brandon, she was in love with him and he seemed to be thinking long term. Surprisingly, this didn’t scare her as much as she’d thought and she could actually see a future with him. Brandon understood her better than anyone it seemed and they operated on the same frequency, especially what they wanted to do for their city.
Brandon was kind, considerate and a wonderful lover. When he’d first showed her the infamous closet, she’d been a little intimidated, but now it was one of her favorite places to visit. His oh so cool outward exterior still turned her on and his blazing hot bedroom antics set her on fire.
Brandon always gave it to her straight and she appreciated that about him. She could trust him with her life.
Mac made it home to dress and arrive at the restaurant only fifteen minutes late. Brandon was already seated with her parents and stood to greet her.
“Hello Mackenzie.” He kissed her softly and smiled down at her.
“Hello Brandon.” She smiled in return then turned to her parents. “Hello Mommy and Daddy.”
“Mac,” they both said in unison as she took the seat Brandon held out for her.
Mac smiled at them. “Sorry I’m late. I was tied up with work.”
Dr. Harold Green turned to Brandon. “I guess you have to get used to that. Mac gives all her time to the department.”
Brandon heard the censorship in her father’s voice and turned to Mac taking her hand. “I’m proud of Mackenzie and all that she gives as the chief. I’m not in competition with her job.”
Mrs. Green slid a glance to her husband. “We’re proud of Mac as well Brandon.”
“You have every reason to be,” Brandon told her. “She’s beautiful, fearless and brilliant. Mackenzie Green is an amazing woman.”
Mac smiled at him. “Thank you Brandon.”
“Just stating the obvious.” He turned his attention back to her father. “The city and I are both fortunate to have her.”
Harold looked at him. “So Brandon, speaking of the city, how do you think things will turn out for you in the Mayoral race?”
“Things look very good. I hope to see you both at the fundraising dinner next week.”
Mrs. Green smiled. “Oh, we wouldn’t miss that for the world. You have our full support.”
Brandon smiled. “Thank you Mrs. Green.”
“So what made you two decide to become a couple?” her father asked. “It’s the topic of conversation everywhere after your press conference.”
Mac smiled. “I think that would be our mutual attraction.”
Brandon laughed softly at her answer. “I’ve been attracted to Mackenzie since the first time I met her when my father was handling her case.”
Harold frowned. “That was a time we’d like to forget.”
Mac turned to her father. “I don’t want to forget it. It made me who I am today.”
“Not the doctor that you were supposed to be,” he grumbled.
“Please don’t start that,” Mac told him. “W
hen you invited us here, I told you I wouldn’t tolerate that and it’s rude in front of Brandon.”
Harold looked at her. “Do not chastise me young lady. You’re the chief in Detroit, not here.”
Mac humbled. “I wasn’t chastising you but we did discuss this already.”
“I guess it slipped my mind,” he told her.
“Just like how I told you that Mac was using the lake house?” her mother asked.
“Believe me that’s something I wish I could forget,” her father commented.
Mac felt her face flush remembering that night and Brandon squeezed her hand then winked at her.
“I’m sorry about that Daddy,” Mac whispered.
Mrs. Green smiled. “Don’t worry about that Mac. Your father and I never even use that hot tub.”
“I definitely won’t now,” Dr. Green commented under his breath.
“Dr. Green, I’m glad you requested to have dinner with us since I was planning to come and visit you,” Brandon told him and Mac looked at him.
Harold lifted a brow. “Are you sick?”
Brandon shook his head. “No sir. I was coming to see you and Mrs. Green to get your permission to ask your daughter for her hand.”
Mac was sure she hadn’t heard him correctly, but when her father smiled and her mother beamed, she knew she had.
“Brandon…”
He continued. “Mackenzie and I have not been technically dating for long, but I know the woman she is and I don’t want anyone to think that I’m just having my fun with her. My intentions are to make her the first lady of Detroit.”
“Oh my! I’m so happy!” Mac’s mother began to tear up while she sat frozen in her seat.
Harold smiled. “Well now, that’s good to hear son because I was having a lot of problems with what I witnessed at that lake house.”
He turned to Mac. “Do you ever think of giving me any warning?” she asked in complete surprise.
“Then I’d be boring,” he told her reaching into his jacket pocket.
Brandon placed a dark velvet box on the table. “I’m getting ready to ask you to marry me.”
Mac put a hand to her face. “Brandon!”
“There’s your warning,” he said flipping open the box.
He stood and stepped to her chair waiting for her to turn to him. Brandon lifted a brow at her when she didn’t move. Mac tried to contain her racing heart as she turned her seat. Biting her lip, she watched him drop to one knee in front of her.
