Tempted by the Badge

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  Mingus nodded into the receiver. “I have to run, but I’ll call you as soon as I’m finished here. But call Ellington, okay?”

  “I will. As soon as we hang up.”

  “Love you!”

  “I love you, too!”

  * * *

  Joanna’s conversation with Ellington was short and sweet. He extended his congratulations but advised her to sit tight until her paperwork was processed. He was also demanding a formal apology and a complete retraction of the allegations from the Chicago police department, the school board and the DA’s office. He also needed to arrange for the monitor to be removed and her bail money to be refunded.

  “There will be a press conference tomorrow to clear up any misunderstandings. There’s been so much negative press, I want to make sure you get an opportunity to finally see a positive spin on your side of the story.”

  “Do I have to be there?”

  “Only if you’re comfortable. Don’t you want to finally get a say?”

  “Only if I can give everyone who didn’t believe me a resounding middle finger wave!”

  Ellington laughed. “Okay, it’s official. My brother is a bad influence on you because that is something he would say.”

  Joanna laughed with him.

  “Have you thought about whether or not you want to return to your job, Joanna? Because if you do, I need to negotiate the terms of your return. You’re owed something for your pain and suffering.”

  “I haven’t even thought about it. I’m still shocked!”

  “Well, you don’t have to make a decision right now. We can even revisit it next week sometime and decide then.”

  “Thank you for all your help, Ellington. If it weren’t for you and Mingus...”

  “I have to give all the credit to Mingus. But he’s not done yet. He’s still pursuing a lead to figure out why this happened and who might be responsible for putting David Locklear up to doing what he did. Trust me, he has no plans to let this go.”

  “I’m just glad it’s over and that I can have my life back.”

  “We’re all happy for you, Joanna!”

  Mingus had given strict orders for the surveillance detail to stay on David Locklear once he left police custody. He wanted to know where he went and who the kid saw and talked to. He wasn’t naive enough to think this was over. David Locklear’s admission that he had lied wasn’t going to sit well with someone. Mingus needed to know who, imagining that this put a serious crimp in someone’s plans for Joanna.

  He’d provided Danni and her crew over at Vice with enough information to shut down Rourke. Danni had promised to pick him and Alicia up for questioning. He had no doubts that if anyone could get any answers from the dynamic duo, she could. If nothing else, he’d acquired enough dirt on the pimp’s operations to take him off the streets for a few months. Mingus vowed to make it hard for the man to make a comeback if ever he tried.

  * * *

  Bob Marley was vibrating out of the club’s speakers. One of the dancers was doing a sensuous side-to-side gyration to “Redemption Song.” Her performance was equally awkward and mesmerizing, the entire room focused on her song choice and her assets. The man at the door had pointed Mingus in with a nod and he had taken a seat at a table near the door.

  Just a few hours earlier the Vice squad had arrested Alicia after she’d propositioned an undercover police officer. Mingus had sat back and watched as she’d been handcuffed and taken away. Rourke had watched, as well, sitting low in the driver’s seat of his Ford Crown Vic until the cops were finished and everyone on the corner had gone back to business as usual. Rourke had driven straight to the nightclub then, Mingus following.

  Now he was throwing back shots like his life depended on it. He’d made two calls, one before entering the club and the other since he’d been sitting on the bar stool. Both had left him in a mood, more animated than usual, as he snarled at everyone in his path.

  Frank Sumpter arrived first. He still looked like a fish out of water, but he didn’t seem as nervous to be there like that first time. His conversation with Rourke was brief, Sumpter appearing to hiss at his friend between clenched teeth. John Talley arrived as Sumpter was preparing to leave. Their conversation was even more contentious. But few in the club noticed, all eyes lost on the beauty sliding down a pole to the beat of Marley’s “Kinky Reggae.”

  Knowing how to follow the money trail had been the first lesson Mingus had learned as a private investigator. Tapping into his father’s connections, he had discovered that the operating budget for the Tower Group had dried up substantially since Sumpter had been hired. Mingus found the man’s name was tied to a few shell companies, multiple off-shore accounts, a half-dozen trusts and a homestead in Florida.

  The business was faltering and Sumpter wasn’t delivering as well as his predecessors, despite all the checks with the many zeros written by men like Mingus’s father, who had found significant success with the first two projects.

  When Sumpter stormed out, leaving his two friends behind, Mingus followed, no longer bothering to maintain his cover. Sumpter needed to know he was being watched. Mingus didn’t want him to be comfortable with his situation. He wanted him unnerved. As the man drove off, Mingus climbed into his car and followed. Six blocks and four turns later, Mingus veered off in the opposite direction, leaving the man to wonder.

  Chapter 19

  Joanna had left him a text message that she’d gone back to her house to meet her parents. Their mood was congratulatory, everyone wanting to wish her well. When Mingus arrived, his father, Ellington, Simone, Danni, Armstrong and Angel were already there, as well. The party-like atmosphere made him smile.

  “It’s about time,” Simone scolded. “We were beginning to think you were going to miss all the fun!”

  Mingus gave her an eye-roll as he kissed Joanna’s cheek. Mr. Barnes stepped forward to shake his hand. “We’re told you’re responsible for this good news. I want to thank you. You literally saved my daughter’s life.”

  “Your daughter is very special to me, sir.”

  Her father studied him intently. “She’s very special to her mother and me, as well, son.”

  Behind him, Joanna’s mother eyed both men with interest, clearly enjoying how her husband was sizing up their daughter’s friend. She winked at her only child then reached for her glass and took a sip of her wine. Joanna waited for the matriarch to say something, but she didn’t, holding her tongue.

  “So what’s wrong with your mother?” Angel asked.

  “I was going to ask the same thing,” said Simone.

  Joanna shrugged. “Beats me,” she whispered back. “But don’t say anything. I don’t want us to jinx it!”

  Joanna’s parents shook hands with Mingus one last time and then excused themselves, wishing everyone a good night.

  Mingus eased his way over to his father’s side. “Did you get my message?”

  The patriarch nodded. “I did. There will be a surprise IRS audit of the Tower Group in the morning.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing for you to be sorry about, son. You didn’t mismanage that company. We’ve never had a problem until recently. And we would not have known about the problem if you hadn’t brought it to our attention.”

  “I hate that you might have lost your money.”

  “It won’t be the first time, and I doubt that it will be the last. It’s the risk you sometimes take. It’s only money. Hopefully we are early enough in the project to be able to recoup any losses and still move forward.”

  Mingus gave his father a smile. “Does Mom know yet?”

  His father laughed. “In due time. No point in opening that can of worms before it’s necessary. Let’s just see what the audit turns up first.”

  Armstrong suddenly joined the conversation. “Hey, how are you two doing?”

 
Mingus gave his brother a nod. “No complaints here.”

  “I understand your investigation has ruffled a few feathers.” Armstrong and his father exchanged a look.

  Mingus shook his head and shrugged. “Really? I hadn’t heard.”

  “The original detectives on the case didn’t take kindly to you undermining their case.”

  “The original detectives didn’t have a case. They had a witch hunt.”

  “Maybe, but the word is out that Internal Affairs may have some questions.”

  Mingus shrugged his shoulders a second time. “I don’t answer to Internal Affairs, so I really don’t care what they may have.”

  “Let it go,” Jerome interjected. “Internal Affairs doesn’t have a case. A few officers got their feelings hurt, felt like their toes had been stepped on, and now they want to make some noise. You boys got the job done.”

  “With a little help,” Armstrong boasted as he pulled Danni into his arms and kissed her cheek. “I hear my girl did a great job.”

  “Your girl did a fantastic job,” Mingus said. “She’s got great instincts. I’m trying to get her to come work with me.”

  Danni laughed. “I really like my job, Mingus. I don’t know that I’m interested in making a move right now. Once I get through this wedding, I might change my mind. You never know.”

  “Speaking of,” Armstrong interjected, “you never returned your reply card. You are coming to my wedding, aren’t you?”

  “Of course, he’s coming to your wedding!” Simone said. “Why would your brother not come to your wedding?”

  Mingus shook his head. “Sorry about that, but I think I lost that little card thing in that mess on my desk. That and I have had a lot on my mind lately.”

  “I actually found it,” Joanna said with a light laugh. “I put it in the little box with the Urgent label that you have.”

  “And we hope to see you there, as well, Joanna,” Danni added.

  Joanna smiled as Mingus reached for her hand and kissed the back of her fingers.

  “She’ll be there, too! She’s my plus one!”

  After one last round of drinks, family and friends wished them both a good night. The house was suddenly quiet and Joanna began clearing away the dirty dishes and putting them into the dishwasher. As she stood at the counter, staring out into space, Mingus eased his body up to hers and wrapped his arms around her torso. He pulled her back against his broad chest.

  “You okay?” He pressed a damp kiss to the curve of her neck.

  “I am. I just thought I would get this major epiphany and things would be different. But they really aren’t. Does that make sense?”

  “It does. You’ve endured a trauma. Now you have to recover. It’s going to take some time before things feel normal again.”

  “Your brother asked me about doing a press conference tomorrow, but I don’t think I want to.”

  “Then don’t do it. You don’t owe anyone anything, Joanna.”

  “He also asked if I wanted to go back to my job. I never imagined myself doing anything else but teaching, but I’m not sure I can go back to a classroom right now.”

  “Baby, take all the time you need to do what you need to do for you. You’re on no one else’s schedule.” He hugged her closer.

  “What about you? Do you just go on to a new case now?”

  “I’m still working this case. I still don’t know why Locklear lied about you. And there’re some leads I still have to follow up on. I’m not done with it just yet!”

  “Well, if there’s anything I can do to help, you know I’m here for you just like you were here for me.”

  “I do.”

  Mingus helped her clear away the last of the dishes. When they were done, he moved into the living room and sat. Minutes later, Joanna joined him.

  * * *

  The sound of gunshots pulled Mingus from a sound sleep. Three rounds echoed loudly in the late-night air. Tangled in a cotton blanket, he rolled forward off the sofa. His heart was racing as his eyes darted back and forth, searching for Joanna. At the end of the hallway, the bedroom door flung open, her own sleep-filled stare wide with fright.

  “Mingus!”

  “Stay down!” he called out as he pulled at the covers she’d apparently draped over his body while he slumbered. He paused, listening intently, for sounds and movement.

  Joanna dropped to the floor, meeting his stare. Fear danced in her eyes, resolve in his. He held up a hand then pulled his index finger to his lips, stalling her next comment. She held her breath and waited for him to advise her, unsure what she needed to do next.

  Mingus moved swiftly to the back of the couch and the sofa table where he’d hidden his weapon. He wrapped his hand around the polymer grip of his Glock 26 and disengaged the safety. He moved to the front door and peered through the sidelights. A woman suddenly screamed and a dog barked excitedly. Flinging the door open, Mingus moved outside, his weapon raised as he searched out any potential threat.

  At the sight of him, with his gun in hand, Joanna’s neighbor screamed again; the older woman was out walking her poodle past the home. The piercing shriek vibrated through the air. She yanked her dog’s leash, pulling the animal hurriedly as she tore down the street. Joanna rushed out the door behind Mingus, her gaze sweeping across the landscape.

  Both saw a boy’s body lying facedown in the middle of the driveway. Blood pooled on the ground beneath him, his bright white Jordan sneakers spattered red. He clutched a torn piece of notebook paper in his hand.

  Still moving cautiously Mingus bent to check the body for a pulse. He and Joanna exchanged a look as he shook his head. He stood, sliding his gun into the back waistband of his pants. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed for backup. Sirens sounded in the distance, drawing closer with each passing second. Joanna started to cry, gasping for air as she tightened her arms around her body. David Locklear was dead.

  * * *

  Mingus had answered all the questions he intended to answer. Detectives had been hammering at him and Joanna for hours. The same questions being repeated once, twice, multiple times.

  “Why was David Locklear there?”

  “Was Joanna still involved with the young man?”

  “Did he know about the relationship between Joanna and the boy?”

  “Did you see the shooting?”

  “Who else might have seen the shooting?”

  “Did you touch the body?”

  “Did David say anything before he was shot?”

  “Did Joanna invite him?”

  “Do you have a permit for this gun?”

  “What is your relationship to Ms. Barnes?”

  There was nothing more they could tell them that hadn’t already been said a dozen times over. His brother Parker could see that he and Joanna both had reached their limits. Joanna was curled up in a small ball in the corner of the sofa. Tears still rained down her face. It was a fifth officer asking her again about the alleged sexual relationship with the teenager that was the last straw. Mingus pushed past everyone in his way to get to where she lay broken.

  “Enough!” he snapped, sounding like his father. “We’ve both told you everything we know. If you want us to answer any more questions, we’ll do it down at the station tomorrow with our lawyer.”

  The officer hovering over Joanna bristled, a hint of anger intense in his bright blue eyes. “It’ll be enough when we say—” he started.

  Parker stepped forward, shutting the officer down and sending him out the door. He turned to Mingus, his tone professional. “You and Ms. Barnes are free to go. If we have any further questions, we’ll be in touch.” The two men exchanged a look.

  Mingus whispered into Joanna’s ear, “Go throw some clothes into a bag. We can’t stay here.”

  Joanna nodded. He held her hand and pulled her to her feet
, moving with her down the hallway to the bedroom. After she was safely inside, behind the closed door, he moved back to stand beside his brother.

  “You got anything that can help us catch the shooter?” Parker asked, his voice dropping to a loud whisper.

  Mingus shrugged. “Not sure. I had one of my guys tailing him, but we haven’t spoken. I waved him off before your guys got here.”

  “Let me know what he tells you. And I mean it, Mingus.” Parker cut his eye toward his brother.

  The two exchanged another look but Mingus didn’t bother to reply. He moved back down the hallway to the bedroom. Inside, Joanna was sitting on the edge of the bed, still visibly shaken.

  “Who would do this, Mingus? He was just a kid!”

  Mingus shook his head. “We’ll figure it out. But right now, let’s just get out of here. Did you pack?”

  Joanna pointed to her overnight bag. She stood and slipped on her shoes. She stepped into his arms as he reached for her, holding her tightly in a warm embrace. Understanding swept between them. Even in the midst of chaos, they would be each other’s haven.

  Chapter 20

  Joanna found Mingus in his home office the next morning. He had risen early and had been on the phone for over an hour asking questions about David Locklear. He’d spoken to his brothers, the coroner’s office and two of his investigators. She dropped into the chair that sat at the corner of the desk and waited for his attention.

  “Good morning,” he said as he disconnected his last call. “How’d you sleep?”

  “Not well,” she answered. “I think I’m still in shock. Have they found out anything yet?”

  Mingus sighed. “No.”

  There was an awkward pause that passed between them. Joanna shifted forward in the seat. She twisted her hands nervously together. Mingus sensed a rise of anxiety beginning to bubble within her. He knew she had questions that he would debate whether to answer.

  “Last night they asked if we had touched the body.”