Book Five - Part Nine - Raging Evil: Chapter Four
Tuesday – October 30th
The Squad Room – 8:36 a.m.
“One last thing before you take off. My ever-studious husband handed me a hundred tickets to this weekend’s game between the Pythoners and Brimford. He is of the opinion Montie will win and that Stanhouse will crumble against Palymera, which gives Montie the Divisional Championship. The tickets is his gift to any of you who isn’t working then, that want to see the game.”
“You know what?” Charlie Banyard said. “If I wasn’t already married, I’d take Ed away from you.”
The room broke into a roar of laughter.
“Charlie, nothing personal, but if you tried, I’d have to shoot you in a place that would require you to sit down the rest of your life to pee, which would really upset your wife.”
Charlie grabbed his crotch and winced.
“You been talking to my wife? She’s said that to me a time or two herself.”
Baker grinned.
“Those of you who want to go, pick up a ticket before the game. They’ll be down at the front desk. Just ask Spinelli for one.
“And if there aren’t any questions, get out there and stay safe and keep our streets safe.”
Baker went into the break room and saw two chocolate glazed dough nuts left from this morning’s delivery. She picked them up and along with her machine-oiled coffee, took them back to her office.
“Eat your heart out, Ed, these puppies are mine.”
With her computer at the ready. She decided to see what if anything interesting was going on in Freddy’s world.
She did a practiced search continent by continent of recent murders, and found fifty-seven hits, but the most recent ones were three and five days apart, but she still went through all of them. By 12:30, counting the two most recent, she narrowed down at least seven victims that could have fallen from Freddy’s handiwork. Three for certain as the details explained the cutthroat and open chest wounds. The other four were victims shot in either the back of the head or into the front of the brain.
Now and then, Baker will click on a foreign newspaper to see what news they carried. She read a blurb in the Ankara Turkish newspaper. No, she can’t read Turkish, Kurdish or Arabic, but the power of the Internet can transform any page to English with a mouse click
.
Seems there had been an American at the scene of a recent murder of one, Halib al’ Arimenia. The person who was questioned, and later released by authorities was Lee Austin. He was escorted to a city bus back to Sofia, Bulgaria. He claimed he was there only as a tourist which couldn’t be proven a truth or lie.
“Austin? Couldn’t be.”
Even though she hadn’t really looked for him, she hadn’t seen him around much either. Fact was, even his Ford Bronco wasn’t around his apartment either.
Baker made it a point to stop by Jack and Peggy Mavern’s home and ask when they last saw Lee. She had a gut reaction that Lee was trying to hunt down Freddy with the intent to kill him, but she didn’t have any proof. Yet.
The death of Halib though, didn’t go into any detail other than to say he was a common merchant. She ruled out a professional hit. They did mention a savage butchery. This could have been Freddy’s work. There were no other telling details.
Baker sent off an email to Turkish authorities in hopes they could send her anything she could use. Once she hit send, she finished the last bite of the second doughnut and stared out her solitary office window.
With Lee Austin and Freddy forgotten for the moment, she thought back to another good day when she looked at the clock on the wall. 1:35.
She almost lost track of time. Her court date for adoption proceedings was 2:00.
As she made her way there, only a block away, she thought back about the phone call she received from Lynette Odell Mason. She called a week after Leon went into Protective Services.
This be that Lieutenant lady who wants to adopt my nephew, Leon?
Oh, hello, Mrs. Mason. I wasn’t expecting you to call.
What? You think I forgot what you’re doin’ to me?
I beg your pardon.
Beg me all you want, missy. By you havin’ him in that proactive program up there,
You mean Protective Services?
Don’cha interrupt me when I’m talkin! But with him there, there’s no way I can get into that boy’s account.
Why do you feel you need to?
Because, well, I … it’s just that I needs that money to take care of him, and he’ll need money to come back here.
Baker remembered the frustration and nervousness in the woman’s voice, as well as the deceit.
Mrs. Mason, let me ask you a direct and simple question, and I want a simple and direct answer back.
What question?
Since you are so concerned over Leon’s money, I am willing and able to compensate you for your apparent grief and financial troubles. I am willing to give you $100,000 providing you sign a legal document stating you relinquish your guardianship and give your permission allowing me to adopt Leon.
You say a-hunnert-thousand’ dollars?
I did.
“How soon?
It can be Federal Expressed to you within 24-36 hours. Once I receive the signed document from you, and after it has been turned into the court, I will contact you, and you will receive your money.”
Hold on, now! I want my money first!
Mrs. Mason, you will receive a check outright for ten thousand. Once I receive the signed statement and have it filed with the court here, you will receive the balance.
How a cop like you have that kin’a money?
The lottery. Do we have a deal or not.
Within six days, it was signed, sealed, and delivered.
As far as Lynetta Odell Mason was concerned, her name wouldn’t come up again for twenty-eight years, but Leon never attended her funeral.
County Courthouse
Civil Court – Room 103 – 2:00 p.m.
“All rise,” said the bailiff.
“Presiding in and for Johnson County, the Honorable Judge Marie Evans Longstreet.”
Judge Longstreet entered from her chamber door, her black robe flowing as if gathered up by a gentle breeze, and then she sat behind her bench.
“You may be seated.”
In the courtroom sat Baker, another Assistant D.A. named Oliver, and Ed, who sat to her right in one of the seats behind her, the bailiff, stenographer, and of course, the judge.
The bailiff spoke again.
“Let it be known that Case Docket 21167-C, is hereby brought before this court today, October 30, 2012.”
The judge looked over the findings in the report before her, as well as other documents laid before her. After nearly two minutes of deafening silence, she looked out onto the courtroom and spoke.
“This is a judgement in the case of the defendant, Lieutenant Janis Lorraine Baker-Manning, to have sole and full custody of one Leon Hargrove.
“I also have before me, a sworn statement signed by the boy’s aunt, who, so it appears, voluntarily has given up her legal right and guardianship as it is so addressed with her signature.
“Lieutenant Baker, please tell the court, how you, a police officer, can offer Leon Hargrave a safe and stable family upbringing, especially with your line of work.”
Baker stood and cleared her throat.
“Your Honor, in the nearly last three years, many changes have affected my life and the lives of my family. I lived through my son’s anguish and pain over the loss of his father, only to watch him rise above this and grow into the young man he is now and the man he will become.
“Where I once thought I would never marry again, that also changed. With that change, the three of us became a unified family, a single unit, if you will. They know and understand what I do. My husband used to be a police officer and I’m sure everyone here knows his story.
“Yes, I am a police officer sworn to uphold the law. But I am also a mother as well as a wife, and one day I want another child. I want grand kids. I want to be able to give my kids the best life possible even if that means my life may one day be forfeit.
“I will give Leon no less than love and support as I would my own son. Every child deserves the chance to grow up and have a good, if not great life.
“That’s it, Your Honor. I have nothing more to say.”
“Well put, Lieutenant, and this court is well aware of your exemplary courage, and also that of your husband.”
Judge Longstreet reached to her right and picked up a third stack of papers.
“These are letters that were sent to me on your behalf. Over a hundred letters from co-workers, neighbors, and friends. Each letter speaks highly of you and each one recommends that this court grant permission to allow you to begin adoption proceedings.
“Before I grant said permission, for a period of six months, someone from Social Services will check on you, Leon, and your family. They will also look into his school to see how he adapts. If, after six months, reports to this court are favorable, I see no reason why adoption proceedings cannot be finalized at that time. This court will notify you by mail, email, and by phone. If there are any changes during that six-month period, again, you will be notified. Until that time, I hereby grant you temporary custody of Leon Hargrove.”
Looking to her right, Judge Longstreet she said, “Bailiff, have Irene James come into the courtroom.”
Baker was relieved. She looked back at Ed; whose smile was as broad as her own.
The doors opened to the courtroom and in walked Irene James and to her left, Leon. He broke free of Irene’s hand and ran right up to Baker. He wrapped his small arms around her waist.
“Leon, for the time being, we are going home.”
Judge Longstreet spoke again.
“This court is adjourned.”
“All rise.”
Once Judge Longstreet disappeared, Baker, and Ed, left the courthouse with Leon between them.
Montie High – 3:16 p.m.
Baker’s red Hummer pulled up alongside Stevie’s car.
“Stevie! Stevie!” yelled Leon.
“Hey, buddy! You’re back with us?” He looked at his mom and she nodded.
“This is awesome. You want to go home with me, then?”
Leon looked at Baker.
“Can I, momma?”
A flash of a tear glistened in her right eye. She looked past Leon to Stevie.
“You make sure you come straight home from practice. No stopping off anywhere to show off your new brother.”
“No problem, mom. Ellie just left with her mom. They went shopping. Practice is only an hour. We’ll be home in no time.”
Leon hugged Baker again and said, “Thank you for wanting me.” Then he turned and hopped out of the Hummer, ran up to Stevie, did a high-five, and bumped fists.
Today turned out to be a good day after all.
Tonight, she would explain how she wouldn’t be able to adopt Leon until at least March, but as long as things went smoothly, it would happen.
Ed reinforced her words. “Can do. Will do.”