Collin would never understand politics, but what he did understand was that based upon the climate of the city right then, if a riot broke out, it just might burn down.
Unwilling to take any chances, he brought his department-issued weapon with him, looking out for any familiar faces that might be imbedded in the crowd to start the ruckus.
When he got to the packed courtyard, he saw his father standing near the front of the large crowd of dignitaries facing the crowd in full uniform. Headed up to him, he also saw a man pushing Ferris in a wheelchair towards the podium. Avoiding even looking Ferris’ way, he made his way to his father and shook Amway’s hand.
“Director,” Collin said nodding.
“How are you holding up, Collin?” Amway asked concerned.
Collin shrugged. “We’ve all seen better days.”
Deputy Magnelli locked eyes with his son as soon as he said the words. Forcing himself to seem civil, he moved to the side. “Come and stand by me, Collin.” When he saw Ferris, he leaned into Amway. “I know you and I had our words today, but you can’t let that son of a bitch speak at my daughter’s memorial.”
Without flinching, Amway agreed. “I had no intention of it,” he said, cutting his eyes at Ferris while he shook hands with the oblivious participants soaking in his bullshit. There was no question in Amway’s mind that he didn’t like Magnelli. He was a closet bigot and hypocrite who had been exposed over the years as being biased and preferential. But the man had never pretended to be anymore than what he was. However, Ferris was a different type of monster. He cloaked himself with flowery words and promises that he never intended to keep all while advancing his own personal agenda.
The golden, yellow sun was starting to set on the nearly seven hundred people who had come downtown to show their respects. It was a mix of races, ages and sexes all peacefully gathering near the trolley line all the way up to the front door of city hall. Musicians played their saxophones and guitars, singing songs of loss. Others held up homemade signs.
In the backdrop of the Mississippi River, surrounded by riot police and lowered flags, the program began.
Bishop Hall, head of the local Catholic Dioceses, walked up to the podium, placed right beside a large photo of the fallen officer and began his prayer, a heartfelt dedication to the passing of Carmen Magnelli. People bowed their head in silence, wiping their eyes and holding hands. Officers hugged each other and wiped the sweat from their brow. And even despite the sweltering heat, people didn’t complain like normal. Their sorrow was overwhelming.
Collin looked around and finally felt the full brevity of what he had done. All of these people could not have been wrong. He plucked down a future leader of this city and pillar in his family, the only child of his stepmother and the only daughter of his father all because he wanted something that he could not earn on his own. His own greed and jealousy had caused this and there was nothing he could do to fix it.
As he listened to the speakers, Collin began to wipe tears from his own eyes welding up in the corners of his eyes. Remembering her face, her smile, their many years together growing up in the house together, serving on the department together, laughing and debating at his father’s house all washed over him like a river of guilt. Suddenly, he began to buckle.
He glanced over at his father, who had not shed a tear and knew that something was wrong. The man stood with a scowl on his face, so angry until the lines in his cheek seemed etched. His gaze was locked on Ferris and he was willing to bet that he hadn’t heard anything that the speakers were saying.
Was it possible that his father knew? How could he?
Just a few blocks over at the police headquarters on Poplar Avenue, riot police were moving against a now hostile crowd. They gave orders over their loud speakers and pushed the masses away from the front of the police station as they held up signs demanding justice for the four murdered children and demanding Agosto and Johnson’s arrest for DeMario Washington’s death and Councilman Ferris’ attack.
News cameras snuck behind the lines to get a better view of the crowd. The shouting and screaming was deafening in what seemed like minutes what was a peaceful group had turned into a mob. People pushed and shoved against the police, trying to get to the doors of the station. Others stood across the street holding up signs and cursing at the police, refusing to move.
“Disperse immediately or you will be arrested,” the officer said over the loud speaker.
“Fuck you!” one of the white men towards the front of the crowd screamed. “You pigs can’t keep us from a peaceful protest!”
Standing behind their riot gear, the police pushed the crowd, prepared with their less than lethal weapons to begin arrests.
The lieutenant running the operation gave the word and officers slipped their gas masks over their heads. Tear gas bombs were released into the crowd and the officers lined up and advanced against the front line of protests.
Other officers grabbed those who had begun to throw bottles and arrest them.
However, in the middle of the crowd, a group of young men were not there to protest but to wreak havoc. Sent by Cane, they embedded themselves in the center of the crowd of people with their backpacks and hoodies. They had been waiting for the tear gas, waiting to be masked by the coughing and wheezing masses to pull out their Molotov cocktails. Pulling down their ski masks, they pulled out the bottles, lit them and began to throw them toward the front of the police line and towards the buildings on the opposite side of the street. As soon as the fire bombs hit the ground and the shield of the police, they exploded. The bombs that were thrown through the windows of the bail bonds businesses and law offices on the other side of the street exploded as well creating a large plume of smoke that could be seen over city hall.
Mass hysteria broke out immediately not only at the riot occurring at the police station but also at city hall. Seeing the smoke and hearing the hundreds of people only a short walk away caused panic in the crowd.
Amway put his hand on the mayor’s shoulder as he spoke and interrupted. “You have to go inside,” he whispered into his ear.
The mayor at first resisted. There was no way that he was going to let common thugs and rabble-rousers make him flee his own podium. Looking out at the crowd, who was torn between listening to the mayor for direction and looking at the burning streets behind them, he pulled the microphone closer. “We can’t let them win,” he said, forgetting his speech. “Right now, you need to leave and get to your cars and then to your homes safely but make no doubt about it, we cannot and will not let them win. This is our city. Memphis is our home, and we can’t give it up to those who would simply use it as their criminal playground.” He looked over at Ferris and snarled. “Or to push their own agenda.”
Amway stepped in. “You have to go now,” he said forcefully as officers flanked the mayor and pulled him back into the safety of the building. While the city dignitaries were escorted inside the glass doors, Amway spoke with his men to get situational report.
Sirens erupted as officers dealt with chaotic crowd control. Firefighters rushed to the scene to put out the building directly across from the police station while ambulances rushed to help officers and protesters who were burned by the small handheld bombs.
Carmen’s memorial had been thoroughly ruined.
Amidst the crowds moving and the police locking down downtown, Ferris took the opportunity to get his five minutes of fame. Having supposed to have been placed on the program and then abruptly taken off, but still a member of the city council, he too was taken into city hall along with several cameras and reporters who slipped in to get response about the riots from public officials.
“Councilman Ferris,” a female reporter asked, walking towards him. The cameraman followed her. “Do you have any comment regarding the attack on you earlier today by Detective Luke Johnson?” She shoved her microphone into his face.
Ferris could barely repress his smile. He looked out of the glass at the people run
ning and screaming, police shoving the masses away from the doors and shook his head. The entire city was falling apart and the hottest story was still him. He couldn’t have planned it better.
“I was attacked today by an officer who obviously is out of his league when it comes to the Baby Boys investigation. I have been encouraging the community to come together and share any possible leads in an effort to help the police department, who has obviously dropped the ball not only on this case but also on keeping the people of this city safe. He was enraged about not only that but my own desire to get to the bottom of the Agosto’s case. Seeking revenge, he stabbed me in my hand and shot me in the knee.”
“Shouldn’t you be recovering right now instead of out here at the memorial?” she asked, loving every minute of the prime time interview.
“I have always put this city first. I have pushed for better schools, better pay of our government workers, better upkeep of our community centers and better care for our elderly. The Baby Boys case has been a major priority in my life because some of the children were once students at my afterschool and preschool programs. When I found this out, it just broke my heart to know what had happened to them. The parents deserve answers and justice.” He moved closer to the mic. “And you know this all is a reflection of our city leadership. The mayor has not done a good job of leading our departments or our efforts to keep our citizens safe.”
“So what do you suggest that we do?” she asked, seeing other reporters come up to join in the discussion.
Ferris relished in the attention. He waited for the two other reporters to get in position first. With all the lights on him, he looked into the cameras and spoke to the people. “I’m going to run for mayor in the upcoming election, because I know I have what it takes to lead our city out this despair that we’ve been knee deep in for many years.”
Amway watched from across the room in disgust. He knew it. This entire show was about Ferris getting what he wanted. Mayor Thompson watched on as well. Stepping closer to Amway, he leaned into his ear. “Get him out of here,” he said, nostrils flaring.
Deputy Director Magnelli having watched from afar as the entire situation unfolded saw the golden opportunity that he was waiting for. “Stay here,” he told Collin, who stood beside him. He made his way over to the mayor and Amway. “We’ve got TACT guys who can move these people out of the general area. The unmarks are parked down in the garage. I say that we start to get them in cars and get them to their homes out of this mess.”
The mayor couldn’t agree more. “He’s right. We should get them out of the area.”
Amway didn’t agree. “The safest place for them is in here,” he said, looking on outside at the grounds covered in tear gas and smoke. The police were pushing hard against the crowds and slowly they began to disperse.
Mayor Thompson looked over at Ferris, still talking to the cameras. “We have enough officers in here to drive the council and commissioners to safety. We need to do that,” he urged, voice straining.
“I’ll have to agree with him,” Magnelli said, turning his back to Ferris. “We have to do something. They shouldn’t just be here like sitting ducks.”
Amway paused. Everything in him told him that this was wrong, however, he had the mayor at his back urging otherwise.
“Fine, but I don’t want you anywhere near Ferris, especially after that stunt earlier today that Johnson pulled. You just take a car and get you and Collin to safety. Take the rest of the day to just get some rest and be with your family. You’re on leave; you shouldn’t be working.” Amway looked at Magnelli’s tired eyes and felt sorrow for him. “Get some rest.”
Magnelli nodded. “I appreciate it. I will,” he said, signaling for Collin. “But first, I’ll make sure the men know what to do.”
“We are truly sorry for your loss,” Mayor Thompson said, offering his hand. “We’ll do everything in our power not only solve this crime, but also to comfort your family.”
“I appreciate it mayor,” Magnelli said humbly. He looked over at Ferris and rolled his eyes. “It’s nice to know that some people here actually give a damn.”
When the officers got word, they quickly began to take the public officials down to the garage in shifts. Loading them up, they quickly exited the gate and headed out into the streets with escorts to get them to safety.
When it was time to escort Ferris, an officer in tactical gear walked up to him and offered his hand. “Hello sir. I’m Cory Hamilton. I’ll be escorting you to your hotel.”
Ferris shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Cory said, straitening up. “I voted for you in the last election. You’re over my district. I was a campaign volunteer.”
“You don’t say,” Ferris said as Cory pushed his wheelchair through the packed lobby to the elevators. “Well, I hope to have your support in my run for mayor next year.” The elevator buzzed and opened.
“Count on it,” Cory said, nodding towards Magnelli as he pushed him inside. When they got inside the elevator, Cory carefully pulled Ferris’ brown leather coach bag off the side of his chair and gave it to the officer standing beside him.
“I just don’t see why we didn’t wait longer to be escorted out. The streets have to be packed.” Ferris huffed. “Just another poorly laid out plan by Amway and Thompson.”
“Hey, I just do what I’m told,” Cory said as the door opened. “But hey, I promise to get you to your destination safely. With the firepower that we’re carrying, it would take an army to pry you out of our possession.”
Ferris laughed. “Well, that’s comforting.”
Cory and two other officers led him to a Black SUV parked near the back of the garage. Loading him in the back of the truck carefully, they put his wheelchair in the trunk area and then prepared to head out into the traffic. In the long processional of cars and bike police, they entered onto Main Street and headed south in the bumper to bumper traffic.
Ferris frowned. “I’m at the Marriott,” he said, looking out of the window. “Why are we going this way?”
“Someone would like to see you first,” Cory explained.
“Who? What is this?” Ferris said, looking for his bag.
The officer sitting beside him raised the bag up and snatched it away. Opening the bag, he fished out Ferris’s phone and passed it to the officer in the front passenger seat.
“Who are you?” Ferris asked, trying to sit up.
Nicola turned around in the seat and smiled. “No introduction is really needed is it?” he asked with a devious grin.
“Agosto?” Ferris said in shock. “What…” He went for the door, but the man beside him pulled a weapon.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Agosto said, turning back around. “You might as well just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
“I’ll have you all arrested!” Ferris protested.
Pulling out a syringe, the officer beside him grabbed the struggling man by his arm and stuck him in his neck. Feeling dizzy instantly, Ferris flung his head back on the seat and passed out.
“Check mate,” Agosto said, smiling at Cory.
32
It took nearly an hour for Cory and Nicola to get out of the heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic of downtown Memphis after the riots began. Blue lights lit up the district; officers chased on foot after troublemakers; riot police locked down entire blocks and pushed traffic away from the streets; families grabbed their children and strollers and bolted back to their cars; pepper spray fogged the littered streets and complete and utter chaos took over what unbelievably, the business district of the city had been set ablaze and firefighters were working to put out many historic buildings that were attacked.
The men drove with their blue lights on and siren blaring for most of the way to their destination, moving through traffic easily and unnoticed with their dark tinted windows. Every radio station in the city was advising listeners not to go out in the streets. Every television station recapped the ev
ent and did live shots of the on-going struggle to get the city back under control. Many local analysts on site at the studios said that the riots could have been worse; the injuries could have been more if only Director Amway had not been ready.
Nicola listened carefully to the reports, waiting for reports that Councilman Ferris had been lost or abducted during the chaos, but no one had noticed yet…or didn’t care.
He looked back at the man still unconscious and felt the sudden overwhelming desire to shoot him.
“Not yet,” he said aloud.
“Not yet, what?” Cory asked. He looked back at Ferris also. “Oh, him.”
Nicola rested back in his seat and looked at his watch. “We’re behind schedule.”
“Yeah, well no one was counting on a fucking riot.” Cory turned off the expressway onto Highway 64 and headed towards Eads, not far from Cane’s horse range.
“Where are we going?” Agosto asked.
“One of the Medlov safe houses,” Cory said, turning off his lights and siren. “We’re meeting Gabriel there.”
Nicola had to ask, although he promised himself that he would not. “Tell me something.”
Cory’s stomach tightened. “Sure. What?”
“Why did you do it? I mean, you were a good cop. Why did you turn?” Nicola needed an answer for his own resolve, although he didn’t feel as though Cory was obligated to answer.
“My mom,” Cory answered with little guilt in his voice. “She was dying and I couldn’t afford the care. Plus, my cover got blown. So, I made a choice to keep my life, save my mother’s and make some money to take care of us both.”
Nicola couldn’t think of a more noble answer, but he still felt betrayed. He had trained Cory, brought him up, watched over him and vouched for him for years. To know that he was reporting back to Dmitry Medlov and his men the entire time felt like the ultimate slap in his face.
The World in Reverse Page 37
