Page 79 of Widow Mayker

“The PPD knows how corrupt their office is! They’ve been harassing my brother for months! Lieutenant Vonshae Gunner needs to be investigated! He did this!”

“Hi, this is Kimia Sharp with Channel 5 News. I would like to sit down with you and discuss your recent promotion to lieutenant. I can be reached at the following number.”

“Lieutenant Gunner, this is Kimia Sharp with Channel 5 News. I’m following up on a call I left yesterday. Please, if you have the time, I would love for an exclusive.”

“…Protestors have gathered outside of the PPD, calling for the badge of Lieutenant Vonshae Gunner, whose lack of transparency on the Jemell Franklin murder investigation, has put a sour taste in the mouths of those closest to Jemell…”

“Ignore the media, Son. This is what they do in an attempt to force your hand. This is your investigation. The department will protect you at all costs.”

Walking through the evidence room, I expected to feel guilt. I expected to get cold feet, turn around, and get the fuck out of there. Never in my career did I consider turning my back on a crime or looking the other way while evil did its bidding.

However, this shit was different. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Days had passed, and I hadn’t shaken the feeling resting deep in the pit of my stomach. Something was off and terribly so.

I made it to the bay where Jemell’s evidence box was located. Taking the box from the rack, I carried it back to my office. Slowly, methodically, I went through the box, checking everything. There was no DNA, no surveillance…nothing. The bullet that was retrieved from Jemell’s body laid at the bottom of the box. Blinking down at it, I knew it wouldn’t tie back to the murders in Atlanta. The killer never used the same thirty-eight twice. Still, I removed the tiny baggy from the box and maneuvered it through my fingers.

I prefer a thirty-eight.

Shaking off the ice that sliced my gut, I placed the baggy down and called Lewis. He was supposed to be going through the other files and evidence boxes to ensure we hadn’t missed anything. At least, that was what I’d asked him to do.

“I’ve pulled all the files and evidence for the previous murders,” he stated.

“And?”

“And I gotta say, we don’t have shit, my boy. Not a shred of evidence leading to our killer.”

“You sure?” I’d poured over the evidence countless times, but something inside me needed reassurance.

“Positive. Why? What’s on ya mind?”

Sighing, I closed my eyes and rubbed the frustration from them. “I have a bad-ass feeling, bruh.”

“About what? We both know it’s the same person.”

“Right. I just… Something feels off, and I can’t call it the way I want to.”

“Chances are, ya gut ain’t lyin’ to you. As ya former partner, I can attest to the fact that you got that shit in you.”

That was my fucking problem—my gut was never wrong.

“Since I have you on the phone, I might as well come clean.”

“What is it?” I questioned.

“I put in a transfer request to PPD. It should be coming across ya desk soon enough.”

Surprised, I said, “What the hell? When did this happen?”

“Man, I’m playin’ Russian Roulette with a woman I know is mine. I’m talkin’ ‘bout, I know she’s my wife. I can’t keep playin’ with my life, bruh. It’s just four hours, but the distance is killin’ me. I hate leaving her. I wanna get off work and know I’m goin’ straight home to my shawty. Understand me?”

Grinning, I replied, “Yeah, I understand, man.” That was how I felt about Maja. She was at my house more than Bell Estates these days. I ran out of work quickly, knowing she’d be at my place waiting for me. “Mama comin’ with you?”

“You know it. I’ma get her acquainted with Maddie and Minnie. They’ll be good for her.”

“You know what, I agree. Plus, I know you couldn’t be without me for too long.”

Lewis guffawed. “You a whole lieutenant now. Which means I gotta have some soft-ass new partner to learn.”

“Nah… I worked without one. And anyways, maybe you should consider becoming sergeant. Potter is likely moving into the interim Chief of Police position.”