Justice Black: The Game Never Ends Read online

  There was a deadly silence in the room. At age seventeen, James fathered Cutter with his sixteen-year-old first cousin. His mother raised him and Cutter as brothers.

  “You think about that.” Justice walked away, leaving James standing in the middle of the room.

  Tevis had been arguing with Justice for nearly an hour. He was livid with Justice’s cancellation of the large festival and the vendors. To show his disapproval, he’d summoned his limo for the hasty ride to Justice’s office to personally confront him. He had too much riding on this festival. The city had borrowed over a quarter of a million dollars plus interest for the events. He knew the financial numbers well; no one would interrupt the Halloween festival.

  “Dr. Black, you shouldn’t have warned the public about some nonsense threat. Tourists are afraid to come here, and hotels are upset at the number of cancellations. I have had crews working overtime cleaning up the city. You can’t do this. I won’t have it.”

  The mayor simmered for a moment with heated thoughts. There was no need to stir the fire with Dr. Black. He’d heard about that temper of his. The sheriff having those two idiots arrest him was a damn fool.

  “Listen,” he pleaded, “the mistaken identity accident shouldn’t have happened.” Tevis was beside himself. After Justice’s arrest and that media fiasco, that son of a bitch Pentium Solomon called and threatened everyone. “I’ve made sure a large picture of you is posted in every damn sheriff’s office. But this matter, Dr. Black, you don’t quite understand. After all, you’re new to this game. You need to see my side of things.”

  “Mayor Tevis, you deliberately went over my head and rescheduled the festival. It’s done now. Take it or leave it.”

  Justice gave credit to Mayor Tevis’s work. He had made a name for himself, and the town had benefited from the multimillion-dollar contract with the computer company that he’d convinced to locate to the area. That brought a boon for new housing developments and jobs and boosted the city’s economy. The trouble was that salaries and health-care benefits didn’t come with it, but crime did. Almost weekly complaints about the chemical runoff into the nearby streams flooded across his desk. Tevis and the city council also had plans to use land on the outskirts of town for a racetrack; they’d managed to get much of the land through shady eminent domain and delinquent property tax auctions.

  “That was my aide’s fault,” Tevis said. “I fired her. But each year the town counts on that festival.” He leaned toward Justice’s desk. “Surely you can see it my way. A lot of money was put into this festival.”

  “Tevis, you’re telling me you’d sacrifice safety for a bunch of masqueraders and dancing jokers?”

  “No. Safety first, of course. My most important concern is the citizens’ safety.” Tevis thought, A few phone calls, and things will work out. “Dr. Black, I’m at your disposal. Again, please accept my apology for that arrest fiasco.”

  Justice thumped his pen on the desk. “Sure, Mayor. No problem.”

  Tevis left, but Justice was certain the mayor would call his political henchmen.

  It was almost dark. He had to make one stop before going home. The barbershop was busy with the usual patrons. The white pit bull chained to a bike rack growled as he walked by.

  “Hi, JT,” his barber greeted him. “I don’t have you down for today, do I?”

  “I didn’t come for a haircut. I’m looking for Tate.”

  The barber nodded to the back room. “They’re here. Is everything OK?”

  “It will be.”

  The small room was nearly packed. Old-school music played in the background, and some men played pool while others played poker. Everyone quieted when Justice walked in. He searched the crowd and saw Tate and his brother, Sterling, sitting in the far right corner.

  “I need to talk to both of you.”

  Tate’s back was to Justice. He never took his eyes off his cards. Sterling leaned back in his chair and said, “Who’s stopping you? It’s a free country.”

  “Tate, on Sterling’s say-so, you had Dr. Joseph followed. You need to tell me why.”

  “He ain’t got to tell you dick.” Sterling dismissed Justice with a condescending tone.

  Justice wasn’t concerned with Sterling; he was more talk than bite.

  “Tate, tell your brother if he wants that mouth of his, he’d better walk unless he has something I need to hear. The community wants you and your family gone. Who knows, maybe it’ll happen. Stalking is a serious crime.”

  Everyone walked out of the room, careful not to witness anything concerning the Washington brothers.

  Tate turned to face Justice. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “That was your plan, Sterling, wasn’t it? Hang your brother out to dry?” He turned back to Tate. “Tate, let me tell you something. Sterling is going to get you killed. He’s a coward but knows you aren’t. When you fall, he’ll talk big, pretend he’ll get revenge, but he won’t. Ask him.”

  Sterling looked away. He couldn’t face his brother.

  Tate didn’t need to ask Sterling. He’d lie about it anyway. Sterling had only told him a friend of his was interested in dating the new doctor in town and needed some detail.

  “Tate,” Justice demanded, “talk to me now.”

  chapter

  FORTY-NINE

  Early that morning Ed had stormed out of the house in a panic, pulling Eunice along. He hadn’t been able to locate Tansy. It was not like her to not contact him.

  “Drive!” Ed yelled. “Do the route as I said. Don’t you screw this up.”

  Eunice soon became agitated, weak, and nauseated but still managed to drive down the empty street. Her heart. Something was wrong with her heart. She pressed her chest. Her vision blurred, but not before she saw Ed jump from the car. She felt the rumble and vaguely heard the thundering sound before complete darkness took her.

  “Get those people back,” Dan Williams yelled as he directed his crew. As three more emergency units arrived, Dan silently prayed that none of the crew were hurt during this madness.

  The explosion happened at five in the morning. Justice thanked God there were only a few vendors and homeless people on the normally busy streets. Otherwise it would have been a different scene. So far one person had died, and two were injured, including a firefighter. He sent Caldwell and a team throughout the neighborhood to search for information.

  Carla wiped tears from her eyes as she helped the injured to the waiting ambulance. This was her first day.

  “Carla, are you OK?” Dan yelled.

  Carla nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good.” Dan joined Detective Lane as they surveyed the area. Dan said aloud what everyone thought: “Whatever subhuman is responsible for this should burn in hell.”

  Both men turned to Justice. They thought with everything else on his plate, this had to be taking a toll on him, yet he looked undaunted.

  The gray trash receptacles stood out. The city had stopped using gray containers a year ago. “Caldwell,” Justice said, “secure those trash cans.”

  “C’mon, guys.” Dan joined his team. “Let’s clean this mess up.”

  Two young officers approached Justice, breathless, their eyes filled with shock.

  “Sir, we have those joggers over there. They pulled the lady out of the car before it completely burned.”

  Before Justice could speak, Gwen Marcus called his name. He shouted to his men to keep the press back. Several officers immediately flanked them.

  “Don’t let her cross that line,” Justice ordered.

  Lane glared at Gwen. “Lord, we don’t need her crap now.”

  “You deal with her, Lane. The last thing I need is Gwen misinforming the public.”

  Justice shook his head. This explosion was too damn close to the school and Serenity Place.

  “Justice Black,
you can’t do this!” Gwen shouted.

  “Yes, he can and did,” Lane answered. “You and these boys get out of here now.” He motioned for the officers to move Gwen. “You know the rules.”

  “Come on, Lane.” Gwen pushed. “The public has a right to know whether this is the work of terrorists. Is Dr. Joseph in any way connected with this? Is BrightTown safe under Justice Black?”

  Lane swore Gwen turned into the devil that very moment.

  “Gwen, you get your ass in a sling with bad information again, that daddy of yours can’t save you.”

  Ron Castleman stood in shock, listening to Gwen, and although he needed this job, he certainly wasn’t willing to go down with her.

  Gwen led the evening news with a story that as a result of Dr. Joseph tampering with the fire investigation, she no longer was involved in the case. For extra weight she questioned whether this morning’s explosion had anything to do with Dr. Joseph and whether Justice Black was the right man for the job of overseeing the American people’s safety, as recent polls showed a lack of confidence. Gwen assured her new boss this story would be a boost for the station.

  chapter

  FIFTY

  Doctors worked tirelessly saving the life of the woman responsible for the explosion. Someone gave her photo and room number to Gwen Marcus, who ran it in the late news broadcast. There was no end to Justice’s fury when a crowd swarmed the hospital.

  Gwen refused to give the name of the person responsible for providing her the information. Caldwell was angry as hell with Gwen. He thought of the many things he could do to the conceited woman who sat behind her overpriced glass desk.

  “Mr. Adams, you can get out of here with your useless threats. I’m not afraid of you. Obviously you have no idea who you are dealing with.” Gwen hesitated, but still she held steadfast with her own threats. “I’ll have you thrown out.”

  “You know, Miss Marcus, spoiled, entitled, selfish people such as you should be tarred, feathered, and run out of town or worse.” Caldwell leaned a hairsbreadth closer and said, “Lady, I’m not playing with you. We both know you don’t give a damn about that woman or the people who were murdered, which you should. You should have gotten that message growing up. Sue your parents for that. You ran that bullshit story out of pure jealousy. Now here’s your story. You’re going to tell me something I want to hear before I leave. I can promise you that. Now who gave you that information and that damn photo?”

  Twenty minutes later, Caldwell left Gwen’s office partially pleased because Gwen had given him a name. It was one of their own men. “Damn it to hell. Justice won’t be pleased.”

  Justice arrested the staff. He had been with the unit for nearly ten years. No excuse he gave was enough to change Justice’s mind. He needed to be able to count on the members of his team. When that was no longer possible, it meant the death of the team. After Justice and the head of the hospital reassigned selected staff to Eunice’s care, Justice held the entire hospital staff, including his own security, for questioning for three hours, and fingerprints were redone. A lab technician admitted he was paid one hundred dollars for the photo and was arrested after prints showed an outstanding warrant for drug possession and burglary.

  It was hard for Justice. Pen knew that, but he was matter-of-fact about the news and the arrest. He trusted Justice’s instincts. They never steered him wrong.

  “Son, I’ve been through worse. I’ve even been called anti-American and a communist after I had four staff arrested for selling security documents.”

  “I can handle the news.”

  “I’ll handle the department. Let me know what you need, and by the way, the hearing smells good. I also have some digging to do. Kane Warren Wray will go to hell after all. By the way, I see what you mean by Tevis Mitchell. I don’t know how you remain diplomatic with that son of a bitch.”

  “That’s not easy.” He paused for a moment. “James sent a message he needed to talk. He wants his son saved. Still, I don’t want to predict that outcome. Right now I need to get back to the hospital. By the way, Pen, the day I was arrested and waited in the sheriff’s office for your call, I overheard the coroner and the DA in the next office arguing over John Paul’s Toxicology exam. When the two walked into the sheriff’s office, neither asked why I was there. Someone should look into the coroner’s records.”

  “After that screw-up with Mr. Paul’s lab result, I think you’re right. I’ll talk with you later, Justice.”

  It had been one hell of a day. After spending hours at the hospital doing damage control, he needed a shower and was damn tired.

  He could hear Kaitlyn and her grandmom move around upstairs. Laila had arrived two days ago; he’d met her briefly in the parking lot. There was no question that Kaitlyn’s fighting spirit was definitely inherited. Laila had called perfectionist Marvin reckless for not having replaced several blown lights in several parking stalls and around the complex. They were replaced within hours of her arrival.

  The hot water revived Justice. The parrots were squawking again when he stepped out of the shower.

  Now what? “If Seymour is hanging from that damn cage again, he’s gone.” It wasn’t Seymour. It was a silhouette of someone standing on the patio.

  “Son of a gun,” Justice whispered as he quickly slipped on his pants.

  Slick quietly eased the patio door open, crossed the threshold, and nearly jumped at the parrots’ loud screeches. Although it was dark, with the help of the moonlight, he could see everything.

  “Damn,” he whispered as he looked around the room. “This place is rich. Think I may take a few things for myself. Those parrots cost a fortune. I’m taking them. C’mon, Cat,” he whispered. “Somebody wants you real bad.”

  “Go ahead,” Justice urged from a dark corner, “touch something.”

  Slick quickly jammed a gold watch into his pocket. At the same time he yelled when Justice grabbed him.

  “What’s your hurry, man? You wanted in.” He jerked Slick backward. The idiot was here to get Kaitlyn.

  Surprised, Slick shouted, “Where the hell you come from?”

  The parrots began an even louder shrieking contest.

  Slick’s swearing became louder as he broke free and scurried around the apartment like a boxed-in rat. In his haste, along with the birdcage, Slick and Justice fell, shattering glass and sending the miniature waterfall to the floor. Justice felt cold wetness on his forehead moments before the sting of the cut.

  “You move one more time, I’ll snap your damn neck like that glass.”

  Neighbors heard the loud noise and were soon yelling his name from outside; among them was Kaitlyn’s distinctive voice.

  “Listen, man. It was a mistake. Please don’t kill me. Please,” Slick begged. “Nobody told me a man lived here.”

  “Justice, are you all right?” Kaitlyn yelled.

  “Stay out. Call nine-one-one.”

  Kaitlyn nervously fumbled with the key, unable to fit it into the lock. She nearly cried when she dropped it. “Justice, are you all right?” she repeated.

  “Someone kick this door down,” Aurora demanded.

  “Aw hell,” Justice said, and with Slick in a tight hold, he managed to reach his own phone.

  Finally Kaitlyn got the key to work. Breathless, Barrett, Genevieve, Garland, and Laila rushed through the door with Kaitlyn holding the key. Garland flipped on the light, surprised to see Justice holding down a very frightened thin man.

  “Good work.” Garland grinned.

  “Hold the bastard, Dr. Black. That’s it, son,” Laila shouted.

  “Beat him,” Barrett ordered.

  “Good, you got the creature, Dr. Black. Snap his thieving neck. He’s no good anyway,” Aurora urged.

  “Aurora!” Genevieve shouted.

  Slick lay cowering, soaking wet, and whimpering underneath Justice and plea
ded, “Man, please don’t snap my neck.”

  In the middle of the chaos, Seymour skittered across Slick’s face and ran up the wall and across the ceiling to the fan. Slick screamed.

  “Nasty Seymour,” one of the parrots shrilled.

  Kaitlyn, obviously in shock, stared at Laila and then slowly down at Justice. “Justice, are you fighting—and bleeding?”

  Everyone stared in disbelief, first at Kaitlyn, then at the parrots and Seymour.

  Justice looked at Kaitlyn in her thigh-high shorts and T-shirt, momentarily dumbfounded by her public reprimand.

  Barrett shifted Cassie and Calvin in her arms. “This is all Gwen Marcus’s fault for printing that filth.”

  Lane and Caldwell arrived tired and half civil to the swelling crowd.

  “Didn’t I just leave this hellish area? What kind of complex is this?” Lane shouted.

  “Serenity Place, and a very nice, quiet place.” Barrett stepped forward, offended by his remark. “That is, until the likes of that man came in uninvited. It’s a good thing Dr. Black was here.”

  Barrett leaned over Slick’s restrained body, careful not to bring Cassie and Calvin in contact. She doubted he’d ever heard the word “vaccination.”

  “Young man, you’ve got some nerve, but you met your match. The idea of you spoiling the goodness of people’s homes is disgusting and uncivilized.”

  “You trespassing fool,” Aurora added. She then loudly thumped Slick’s forehead.

  “This is too much excitement for someone my age,” Genevieve said. “Everyone, I’m going home.”

  Caldwell frowned at Justice. “Boss, you should hate this town too.”

  After everyone left, Justice, exhausted, threw himself onto his bed and stared at the ceiling with a throbbing headache. “What did she expect me to do, invite the man in for a beer?”