A killer place to make friends
The Valley-Chapter 5
Jimmy Colton steered the old tow truck off of Kittridge onto Laurel Canyon. Chuy and Bucky rode in the cab beside him.
“ I don't know about this shit, Bucky.” he said as they approached the entrance to the supermarket parking lot.” I mean, shouldn't we wait until later? It ain't even eleven o'clock yet.”
“ Cracker, now you gonna get cold feet? “ snapped Bucky, squeezed in the middle seat.” It's too late now! “
Chuy shook his head.
“ Naw, it's cool, son. It's late enough. Parking lot's empty. We do this quick? No problem at all. Comprende? “
“ I com-prend that I will leave your Mexican ass behind if I even smell Five-o. I don't need the money that bad.” said Jimmy as they rolled onto the vacant parking lot. He pulled a U-turn and began to slowly back up towards the newly installed ATM machine at the corner of the parking lot.
A few blocks up, Yamata and Pepper's patrol car turned onto Archwood street.
“ I hate this damned car.” Pepper mumbled as he shifted in the shotgun seat.” There's no room.”
“ Quit yer bitchin'. The car's fine.” Yamata replied, intentionally baiting his partner.” I got plenty of room.”
“ Yeah, on your side bitch.” Pepper growled.” I got the damned MDT and shotgun and radio over here. I don't know what the Department was thinking when they spec'ed these damned Chargers. I mean, a Dodge cop car? What is this? 1973? “
Yamata chuckled.
“ Hey, we should consider ourselves lucky that we get to test this thing out. We're special, right? And anyway, it handles like a dream.“
“ Well if we're so lucky and special, pull over and let me drive for a while.”
“ Ha! Up yours, partner.”
XXXXXX
Chuy pulled the heavy chain down from the tow truck's boom and he and Bucky quickly wrapped it around the ATM machine.
“ You sure this is gonna work? “ asked Bucky.
“ Stop asking questions, ese! “ Chuy responded as he waved at Jimmy.” Go man! Go! “
Jimmy dropped the truck into gear and pulled forward. The chain stretched taut, but the ATM refused to move. The truck's tires squealed as they spun in place, raising two clouds of white smoke.
Pepper glanced over at the scene ahead of them in the parking lot.
“ What the hell is that? “
“ Oh you're kiddin' me.” Yamata replied as he flipped on the light bar.
“ 15A-29, we have a 211 in progress Archwood and Laurel Canyon ” Pepper called into the mic.” Two suspects, one male Hispanic and one male black. Looks like they're trying to steal an ATM machine with a tow truck.”
“ SHIT! COPS! “ Bucky shouted as he ran for the truck.
“ Hey wait! “ Chuy shouted back.
Jimmy gunned the truck's engine. The ATM machine began to creak. Suddenly, the old, rusty chain snapped and the truck peeled off across the parking lot with the passenger side door open and Chuy in pursuit.
Pepper blasted the siren as the black and white sped into the parking lot.
“ North Hollywood units, Any North Hollywood units,” the female dispatcher called.” 15A-29 has a 211 in progress, Archwood and Laurel Canyon. one male black and one male Hispanic attempting to steal an ATM machine with a tow truck. North Hollywood units to handle identify.”
A few blocks away, Estrada glanced over at her young partner who was staring at the radio with a confused look.
“ See Clayton? Anything can happen out here. Put us on the call.”
“ Yes ma'am.” Clayton replied as he reached for the microphone.” 15X-31 show us on the call.”
“ 15A-45, show us backing, too.” Reyes' voice called over the radio.
Chuy's futile pursuit ended when he stumbled over a parking pylon. The tow truck sped out of the parking lot.
Yamata and Pepper quickly emerged from their unit with guns drawn.
“ Get on the ground now! “ Pepper shouted as he leveled his Glock at the suspect.” All the way down! On your stomach! “
“ 15A-29, we've got one at gunpoint in the Ralph's parking lot.” Yamata called into his shoulder mike.” Suspect vehicle is a white, 70's model tow truck, last seen southbound on Laurel Canyon, then east on Kittridge. Driver is a male white, passenger is a male black.”
15X-27 was headed north down Radford, having just cleared a call for a residential burglar alarm that was accidentally set off by the elderly owner.
“ Stop at the corner.” said Mossier as he picked up the microphone and waited. Sure enough, the tow truck sped past.
“ Nice work, Batman.” Bond said as she guided the patrol car onto Kittridge and her partner called in the information.
” Oh man! Oh man! “ Jimmy moaned as he saw the following patrol car in the rear view mirror.” I'll just pull over. I have to! ”
Bucky pulled a pistol from under his shirt.
“ Whiteboy, you better floor it or I will cap you right now! ”
Mossier hit the siren and lights as the truck began to speed away from them.
“ 15X-27 show us in pursuit, eastbound Kittridge approaching Lankershim and get us an airship.”
“ All units on all frequencies, standby, 15X-27 is now in pursuit of a white, 70's model tow truck, eastbound Kittridge approaching Lankershim. Any air unit, come in on North Hollywood frequency for a pursuit of a 211 vehicle.”
As Estrada and Clayton approached the intersection, the tow truck sped in front of them and turned north onto Lankershim followed closely by Mossier and Bond's screaming black and white.
“ Okay, we're the second car, so we call the pursuit until the airship gets here. Which means you give the TRO the streets we cross and the rate of speed. Got it? “ said Estrada.
“ Yes ma'am.” came Clayton's pat response.
“ So call it then, Boot.”
Clayton squinted at the next street sign as he keyed the mike.
“ 15X-31, show us northbound Lankershim, approaching Archwood. 70 miles an hour.”
“ You're doin' good Roy.“ said Estrada as she followed the unit in front of them.” Be ready to go after 'em in case they bail.”
“ Damn these guys! Damn them! “ Bond cracked as she kept pace with the tow truck.” We're gonna have to stay past the end of watch doing paperwork because of these little shits! “
“ Clear on the right! “ Mossier called.
The tow truck turned right onto Van Owen street as an LAPD helicopter roared overhead. A white light shone down from above, illuminating the tow truck as it raced along the street.
Hubbard and Reyes approached the pursuit from the opposite direction. As soon as Jimmy saw the patrol car headed towards them, he made a hard right turn onto a side street.
The tow truck raced down the residential street, now being pursued by three patrol cars, all with lights flashing and sirens wailing.
A pickup truck began to back down a driveway into the street, forcing Jimmy to slam on the brakes.
“ What are you doin'?! “ Bucky shouted.
“ I can't hit the guy! “ Jimmy shouted back.
“ To hell with this! “ Bucky opened his door and leaped from the tow truck.
“ Take the driver! ” Mossier called as Bond stopped their patrol car behind the tow truck and Estrada and Clayton pulled past them.
Jimmy opened his door and headed for the open driveway gate of a small one story house.
“ Police! Freeze! Now! “ Bond shouted as she emerged from their unit with her gun drawn.
Jimmy stopped and turned to face them with his hands in the air. The officers' silhouettes were framed by rapidly flashing red and blue lights.
“ Turn around! Get on your knees! “ Mossier ordered.
Bucky ran as fast as he could down what had been a quiet street two minutes ago. Estrada and Clayton ran after him, with the rookie ahead of his training officer.
Bucky ran across a brown and green patched lawn and darted between two houses. Clayton had begun to close in on him.
“ Hold up! Clayton! “ Estrada shouted, straining to be heard over the helicopter that circled above the neighborhood.” Stop goddammit! “
The young officer stopped near the driveway and turned to face his partner, giving her a look as if to say: 'Why? He'll get away!'.
“ I don't want you running in there half cocked, Boot.” Estrada said as she stepped past him.” I don't ever want you to run into a situation like this by yourself. Let's go. Cover my six.”
“ Yes ma'am.”
Estrada made her way alongside the house with her Glock trained ahead of her. Clayton followed with his pistol drawn as well.
“ 15X-31 to AIR-11, do you have a visual on the suspect? ” Estrada called into her shoulder mike.
“ Air-11, negative, X-31,” the helicopter's observer replied from above.” We lost 'im when he ran under that tree. He should still be in the yard.”
The two officers carefully stepped into the back yard of the home. The copter's NightSun bathed the yard in white light, casting long, angular shadows as it circled overhead.
Straight ahead, in the left rear corner of the yard behind the oak tree, was a metal tool shed. On the ground in front of that was a small, overturned rowboat. A rusted patio set stood just off of the rear porch.
“ Los Angeles Police Department! “ Estrada shouted.” Come out now with your hands in the air! “
The officers inched forward, still unsure of the suspect's location. Clayton could hear his heart pounding in his ears. His pulse raced. He was having a hard time holding his pistol steady.
He heard a door open behind them and he swung around, leveling his gun at an elderly woman who stood in the doorway. He stopped a split second before slipping his finger over the trigger.
The woman clutched her bathrobe to her chest and stared at him with wide eyes, her mouth agape.
“ Ma'am, please go back inside.” he said breathlessly.
She nodded and quietly closed the door.
Estrada looked back at Clayton to see what had happened. Over her shoulder, he saw the overturned boat move a bit.
“ Freeze! Get out of that boat now! “ Clayton shouted as he moved forward.
Hubbard and Reyes rushed into the yard. Reyes had his pistol out followed by Hubbard with a raised shotgun.
Estrada pointed at the boat. Hubbard nodded and stepped past her and pointed the shotgun at the boat.
Reyes leaned down and slipped one hand under the back of the boat and nodded to Clayton who had a hand on the front of the boat.
Reyes mouthed the words: “ One...two...three.”
The two men flipped over the boat to see a young black man curled into the fetal position, covering his head with his elbows.
“ Get on your stomach! Now! “, Reyes shouted.” Spread your arms and legs! “
Bucky complied without a word.
The three other officers kept their weapons trained on the suspect as the rookie knelt and searched the boy.
He pulled a .38 revolver from under Bucky's waistband and offered it up to his partner, carefully holding it by the bottom of the grip.
Clayton then pinned his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. Reyes holstered his weapon and helped pull the suspect to his feet.
Hubbard lowered the shotgun and held up four fingers to the helicopter above.
“ 15A-45, show Code-4, two in custody.” he called into the mike on his chest.
The spotlight swept along between the houses, then shut off as the copter flew off, leaving the backyard in darkness, save for the dim yellow light of the back porch light. The neighborhood fell relatively silent.
Estrada watched as her young partner and Reyes stepped past her, leading the suspect towards the street.
“ Nice job, Jump Street.” said Reyes.” You almost look like a policeman.”
Estrada holstered her gun and held the confiscated weapon to her side. Hubbard stepped past her and looked back as he rested the shotgun on his shoulder.
“ I think ya got a keeper there, Deb.”
She shrugged and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
“ We'll see.” she smirked.
“ You're a real hard ass, you know that? “
“ Hey, I'm an FTO, Rich.” she laughed.” That's my job.”
Reyes and Clayton led Bucky down the sidewalk to a waiting patrol car. The street was lit up with flashing lights.
“ Ain't this some shit.” Bucky sneered.” A brutha puttin' another brutha in jail. I guess Obama ain't changed shit. This right here, this why I don't vote.”
“ Don't hand me that shit, son.” Clayton replied as he opened the rear door of their black and white.” You did wrong and you know it.”
Bucky sucked his teeth.
“ Man, kiss my ass.”
Reyes shoved him into the back of the car and slammed the door.
“ Don't sweat it, bro.” he said, slapping Clayton on the back.
Clayton smiled back at him, then crossed the lawn towards the front door.
Bond rested her arm on the opened door of the patrol car.
“ Look at this shit.” she said, holding up her watch.” Watch is over in ten minutes.”
“ Geez, what's your hurry? “ asked Mossier as he bumped fists with a passing officer.
“ I had a date. I guess that's out the window now.”
“ So I'll take the paper on this.” he replied.” Write up your part and I'll take care of the rest.”
“ Really? “
“ Hey, what are partners for, right? “
She smiled and punched him in the shoulder.
“ Thanks, Mossier. I appreciate it.”
“ It's all good.”
Bond sighed as she walked around the front of the patrol car. Now she really felt guilty for not liking him at the beginning of their shift.
“ Hey, Rey. Where's my boot? “ asked Estrada.
Reyes leaned against the patrol car with his arms folded. He nodded to the house. Clayton was standing on the front porch.
The front door opened and the elderly woman peered out, still clutching her robe to her chest.
“ Ma'am, I just wanted to apologize if I scared you back there.” said Clayton.” You startled me a bit.”
“ Well, you startled me too, son.” the woman said in an Hispanic accent.
“ Yes ma'am, I'm very sorry.”
The woman reached out and placed a small, cold hand on his arm.
“ It's okay, mijo. Thank you for coming to speak with me. Did you catch the bad man? “
“ Yes ma'am. We caught him.”
“ Good. What's your name, son? “
“ Officer Clayton, ma'am.”
She patted his arm.
“ Gracias, Officer Clayton. I will mention you in my prayers tonight.”
“ Well thank you, ma'am.”
She smiled and closed the door. He turned and headed back down the walkway. Estrada was waiting for him.
“ Did you get her number? “
He laughed and rolled his eyes.
“ Come on, Boot.”, she said as they headed for their car.” We got reports to write.”
XXXXXX
Yamata walked out of the locker room and into the hallway in street clothes.
“ Who wants a beer? “ he called to the other officers who also left the locker room.
“ Hell if you're buying, Tommy.” said Reyes, pulling on his jacket.
“ Good.” said Yamata.” Hub, you coming? “
“ Nope. I'd better not.” Hubbard sighed.” I live out in Ventura, remember? Long drive and if I get home sometime before dawn, I might get lucky with the missus.”
“ I'll have a drink before I head home.” said Pepper.” Just one. Somehow Connie can smell it on my breath or something when I've had more.”
Hubbard shook Pepper's hand.
“ Welcome back, Tony.” he said, heading down the hall.
“ Glad to be back.” said Pepper, not sure if he really meant it.
Clayton rounded the corner wearing jeans and a black polo shirt.
“ Boot, you're comin' with us.” Yamata ordered.
“ Uh...where? “ asked the rookie.
“ We're havin' a few beers.” said Reyes.” Wait. You're old enough to drink, right? “
“ My fake I.D. Says so.” Clayton deadpanned.
“ Good enough.” said Yamata.” Let's roll.”
He paused to knock on the plexiglass window of the report writing room where Mossier was still in uniform. He sat at a computer terminal, filling out a report.
“ Hey, we're going for a few drinks. You wanna come? “
Mossier looked up and pointed at the keyboard before him.
“ Sorry, Tom. Gonna be here a while.”
“ You're a workaholic, Andy.”
Mossier threw a hand at him and went back to typing noisily.
The others headed off down the hallway, passing the bulletin board where someone had already tacked up the picture of Clayton wearing a cowboy hat, standing next to the pony.
XXXXXX
Estrada dropped her bag and closed the door. The living room was lit by the glow of David Letterman's face on the television. Her mother stepped from the kitchen.
“ Debra, did you eat? “
“ I had a little something. How's Pete? “
“ He tried to wait up for you, but he fell asleep. I put him in bed.”
“ Thanks Mom.” Estrada sighed as she hung up her jacket.
“ You're late.”
“ Couldn't be helped, Mom.”
The plump woman walked up to her and placed a hand aside her cheek.
“ You know what I'm going to say, don't you? “
She pulled away and leaned against the couch as she kicked off her shoes.
“ Yes and I'm not going to have this argument again.”
“ If you won't find a different job, at least see if you can get a desk job or something. Something that's not so dangerous.”
“ Mom, didn't I just say that I'm not having this conversation? “
“ Fine.” her mother slipped on her sweater and grabbed her keys.” You're just as hard headed as your father.”
“ That's a compliment.”
Estrada's mother kissed her cheek.
“ I love you, mija. I left you some dinner in the Tupperwares.”
“ Bye, Mom.”
After her mother left, Estrada grabbed one of the plastic containers and a fork and headed down the hall to her son's room.
She peeked in to see the small lump of cuteness that was her seven year old curled up under his L.A. Dodgers bedspread.
She glanced down at the desk that she had bought at IKEA and that had taken her two hours to put together last summer. On a sheet of paper, she saw a crayon drawing of a woman in a blue dress wearing a large oval badge with the word MOM scrawled underneath it.
She smiled and sat down on the floor of her son's bedroom. She opened the container and began to eat luke warm paella as she watched her little boy snore peacefully in his bed.
XXXXXX
Mossier downed his second cup of coffee and popped his knuckles. Damn, he hated filling out reports.
Bond appeared at the door with her hair down, wearing an old Van Halen T-shirt.
“ Not done yet? “
“ Uh...nope.” he started pecking at the keys again.” What about your date? “
“ The bastard canceled on me anyway.”
He looked up.
“ Sorry to hear that.”
She shrugged and sat down at the table. She placed a plastic sandwich container from the vending machine in front of him.
“ Thought you might be hungry. I know I am. Hope you like turkey.”
She leaned back in her chair as she took a bite of what she hoped was a fresh sandwich.
“ Yeah. Thanks, Willie.” he said, opening the package and taking a bite.” I appreciate it.”
“ What's a partner for, Andy? “
They began to discuss the report over cold sandwiches. Meanwhile, the officers of the next shift headed out to the streets as another LAPD watch began.
END
“ I don't know about this shit, Bucky.” he said as they approached the entrance to the supermarket parking lot.” I mean, shouldn't we wait until later? It ain't even eleven o'clock yet.”
“ Cracker, now you gonna get cold feet? “ snapped Bucky, squeezed in the middle seat.” It's too late now! “
Chuy shook his head.
“ Naw, it's cool, son. It's late enough. Parking lot's empty. We do this quick? No problem at all. Comprende? “
“ I com-prend that I will leave your Mexican ass behind if I even smell Five-o. I don't need the money that bad.” said Jimmy as they rolled onto the vacant parking lot. He pulled a U-turn and began to slowly back up towards the newly installed ATM machine at the corner of the parking lot.
A few blocks up, Yamata and Pepper's patrol car turned onto Archwood street.
“ I hate this damned car.” Pepper mumbled as he shifted in the shotgun seat.” There's no room.”
“ Quit yer bitchin'. The car's fine.” Yamata replied, intentionally baiting his partner.” I got plenty of room.”
“ Yeah, on your side bitch.” Pepper growled.” I got the damned MDT and shotgun and radio over here. I don't know what the Department was thinking when they spec'ed these damned Chargers. I mean, a Dodge cop car? What is this? 1973? “
Yamata chuckled.
“ Hey, we should consider ourselves lucky that we get to test this thing out. We're special, right? And anyway, it handles like a dream.“
“ Well if we're so lucky and special, pull over and let me drive for a while.”
“ Ha! Up yours, partner.”
XXXXXX
Chuy pulled the heavy chain down from the tow truck's boom and he and Bucky quickly wrapped it around the ATM machine.
“ You sure this is gonna work? “ asked Bucky.
“ Stop asking questions, ese! “ Chuy responded as he waved at Jimmy.” Go man! Go! “
Jimmy dropped the truck into gear and pulled forward. The chain stretched taut, but the ATM refused to move. The truck's tires squealed as they spun in place, raising two clouds of white smoke.
Pepper glanced over at the scene ahead of them in the parking lot.
“ What the hell is that? “
“ Oh you're kiddin' me.” Yamata replied as he flipped on the light bar.
“ 15A-29, we have a 211 in progress Archwood and Laurel Canyon ” Pepper called into the mic.” Two suspects, one male Hispanic and one male black. Looks like they're trying to steal an ATM machine with a tow truck.”
“ SHIT! COPS! “ Bucky shouted as he ran for the truck.
“ Hey wait! “ Chuy shouted back.
Jimmy gunned the truck's engine. The ATM machine began to creak. Suddenly, the old, rusty chain snapped and the truck peeled off across the parking lot with the passenger side door open and Chuy in pursuit.
Pepper blasted the siren as the black and white sped into the parking lot.
“ North Hollywood units, Any North Hollywood units,” the female dispatcher called.” 15A-29 has a 211 in progress, Archwood and Laurel Canyon. one male black and one male Hispanic attempting to steal an ATM machine with a tow truck. North Hollywood units to handle identify.”
A few blocks away, Estrada glanced over at her young partner who was staring at the radio with a confused look.
“ See Clayton? Anything can happen out here. Put us on the call.”
“ Yes ma'am.” Clayton replied as he reached for the microphone.” 15X-31 show us on the call.”
“ 15A-45, show us backing, too.” Reyes' voice called over the radio.
Chuy's futile pursuit ended when he stumbled over a parking pylon. The tow truck sped out of the parking lot.
Yamata and Pepper quickly emerged from their unit with guns drawn.
“ Get on the ground now! “ Pepper shouted as he leveled his Glock at the suspect.” All the way down! On your stomach! “
“ 15A-29, we've got one at gunpoint in the Ralph's parking lot.” Yamata called into his shoulder mike.” Suspect vehicle is a white, 70's model tow truck, last seen southbound on Laurel Canyon, then east on Kittridge. Driver is a male white, passenger is a male black.”
15X-27 was headed north down Radford, having just cleared a call for a residential burglar alarm that was accidentally set off by the elderly owner.
“ Stop at the corner.” said Mossier as he picked up the microphone and waited. Sure enough, the tow truck sped past.
“ Nice work, Batman.” Bond said as she guided the patrol car onto Kittridge and her partner called in the information.
” Oh man! Oh man! “ Jimmy moaned as he saw the following patrol car in the rear view mirror.” I'll just pull over. I have to! ”
Bucky pulled a pistol from under his shirt.
“ Whiteboy, you better floor it or I will cap you right now! ”
Mossier hit the siren and lights as the truck began to speed away from them.
“ 15X-27 show us in pursuit, eastbound Kittridge approaching Lankershim and get us an airship.”
“ All units on all frequencies, standby, 15X-27 is now in pursuit of a white, 70's model tow truck, eastbound Kittridge approaching Lankershim. Any air unit, come in on North Hollywood frequency for a pursuit of a 211 vehicle.”
As Estrada and Clayton approached the intersection, the tow truck sped in front of them and turned north onto Lankershim followed closely by Mossier and Bond's screaming black and white.
“ Okay, we're the second car, so we call the pursuit until the airship gets here. Which means you give the TRO the streets we cross and the rate of speed. Got it? “ said Estrada.
“ Yes ma'am.” came Clayton's pat response.
“ So call it then, Boot.”
Clayton squinted at the next street sign as he keyed the mike.
“ 15X-31, show us northbound Lankershim, approaching Archwood. 70 miles an hour.”
“ You're doin' good Roy.“ said Estrada as she followed the unit in front of them.” Be ready to go after 'em in case they bail.”
“ Damn these guys! Damn them! “ Bond cracked as she kept pace with the tow truck.” We're gonna have to stay past the end of watch doing paperwork because of these little shits! “
“ Clear on the right! “ Mossier called.
The tow truck turned right onto Van Owen street as an LAPD helicopter roared overhead. A white light shone down from above, illuminating the tow truck as it raced along the street.
Hubbard and Reyes approached the pursuit from the opposite direction. As soon as Jimmy saw the patrol car headed towards them, he made a hard right turn onto a side street.
The tow truck raced down the residential street, now being pursued by three patrol cars, all with lights flashing and sirens wailing.
A pickup truck began to back down a driveway into the street, forcing Jimmy to slam on the brakes.
“ What are you doin'?! “ Bucky shouted.
“ I can't hit the guy! “ Jimmy shouted back.
“ To hell with this! “ Bucky opened his door and leaped from the tow truck.
“ Take the driver! ” Mossier called as Bond stopped their patrol car behind the tow truck and Estrada and Clayton pulled past them.
Jimmy opened his door and headed for the open driveway gate of a small one story house.
“ Police! Freeze! Now! “ Bond shouted as she emerged from their unit with her gun drawn.
Jimmy stopped and turned to face them with his hands in the air. The officers' silhouettes were framed by rapidly flashing red and blue lights.
“ Turn around! Get on your knees! “ Mossier ordered.
Bucky ran as fast as he could down what had been a quiet street two minutes ago. Estrada and Clayton ran after him, with the rookie ahead of his training officer.
Bucky ran across a brown and green patched lawn and darted between two houses. Clayton had begun to close in on him.
“ Hold up! Clayton! “ Estrada shouted, straining to be heard over the helicopter that circled above the neighborhood.” Stop goddammit! “
The young officer stopped near the driveway and turned to face his partner, giving her a look as if to say: 'Why? He'll get away!'.
“ I don't want you running in there half cocked, Boot.” Estrada said as she stepped past him.” I don't ever want you to run into a situation like this by yourself. Let's go. Cover my six.”
“ Yes ma'am.”
Estrada made her way alongside the house with her Glock trained ahead of her. Clayton followed with his pistol drawn as well.
“ 15X-31 to AIR-11, do you have a visual on the suspect? ” Estrada called into her shoulder mike.
“ Air-11, negative, X-31,” the helicopter's observer replied from above.” We lost 'im when he ran under that tree. He should still be in the yard.”
The two officers carefully stepped into the back yard of the home. The copter's NightSun bathed the yard in white light, casting long, angular shadows as it circled overhead.
Straight ahead, in the left rear corner of the yard behind the oak tree, was a metal tool shed. On the ground in front of that was a small, overturned rowboat. A rusted patio set stood just off of the rear porch.
“ Los Angeles Police Department! “ Estrada shouted.” Come out now with your hands in the air! “
The officers inched forward, still unsure of the suspect's location. Clayton could hear his heart pounding in his ears. His pulse raced. He was having a hard time holding his pistol steady.
He heard a door open behind them and he swung around, leveling his gun at an elderly woman who stood in the doorway. He stopped a split second before slipping his finger over the trigger.
The woman clutched her bathrobe to her chest and stared at him with wide eyes, her mouth agape.
“ Ma'am, please go back inside.” he said breathlessly.
She nodded and quietly closed the door.
Estrada looked back at Clayton to see what had happened. Over her shoulder, he saw the overturned boat move a bit.
“ Freeze! Get out of that boat now! “ Clayton shouted as he moved forward.
Hubbard and Reyes rushed into the yard. Reyes had his pistol out followed by Hubbard with a raised shotgun.
Estrada pointed at the boat. Hubbard nodded and stepped past her and pointed the shotgun at the boat.
Reyes leaned down and slipped one hand under the back of the boat and nodded to Clayton who had a hand on the front of the boat.
Reyes mouthed the words: “ One...two...three.”
The two men flipped over the boat to see a young black man curled into the fetal position, covering his head with his elbows.
“ Get on your stomach! Now! “, Reyes shouted.” Spread your arms and legs! “
Bucky complied without a word.
The three other officers kept their weapons trained on the suspect as the rookie knelt and searched the boy.
He pulled a .38 revolver from under Bucky's waistband and offered it up to his partner, carefully holding it by the bottom of the grip.
Clayton then pinned his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. Reyes holstered his weapon and helped pull the suspect to his feet.
Hubbard lowered the shotgun and held up four fingers to the helicopter above.
“ 15A-45, show Code-4, two in custody.” he called into the mike on his chest.
The spotlight swept along between the houses, then shut off as the copter flew off, leaving the backyard in darkness, save for the dim yellow light of the back porch light. The neighborhood fell relatively silent.
Estrada watched as her young partner and Reyes stepped past her, leading the suspect towards the street.
“ Nice job, Jump Street.” said Reyes.” You almost look like a policeman.”
Estrada holstered her gun and held the confiscated weapon to her side. Hubbard stepped past her and looked back as he rested the shotgun on his shoulder.
“ I think ya got a keeper there, Deb.”
She shrugged and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
“ We'll see.” she smirked.
“ You're a real hard ass, you know that? “
“ Hey, I'm an FTO, Rich.” she laughed.” That's my job.”
Reyes and Clayton led Bucky down the sidewalk to a waiting patrol car. The street was lit up with flashing lights.
“ Ain't this some shit.” Bucky sneered.” A brutha puttin' another brutha in jail. I guess Obama ain't changed shit. This right here, this why I don't vote.”
“ Don't hand me that shit, son.” Clayton replied as he opened the rear door of their black and white.” You did wrong and you know it.”
Bucky sucked his teeth.
“ Man, kiss my ass.”
Reyes shoved him into the back of the car and slammed the door.
“ Don't sweat it, bro.” he said, slapping Clayton on the back.
Clayton smiled back at him, then crossed the lawn towards the front door.
Bond rested her arm on the opened door of the patrol car.
“ Look at this shit.” she said, holding up her watch.” Watch is over in ten minutes.”
“ Geez, what's your hurry? “ asked Mossier as he bumped fists with a passing officer.
“ I had a date. I guess that's out the window now.”
“ So I'll take the paper on this.” he replied.” Write up your part and I'll take care of the rest.”
“ Really? “
“ Hey, what are partners for, right? “
She smiled and punched him in the shoulder.
“ Thanks, Mossier. I appreciate it.”
“ It's all good.”
Bond sighed as she walked around the front of the patrol car. Now she really felt guilty for not liking him at the beginning of their shift.
“ Hey, Rey. Where's my boot? “ asked Estrada.
Reyes leaned against the patrol car with his arms folded. He nodded to the house. Clayton was standing on the front porch.
The front door opened and the elderly woman peered out, still clutching her robe to her chest.
“ Ma'am, I just wanted to apologize if I scared you back there.” said Clayton.” You startled me a bit.”
“ Well, you startled me too, son.” the woman said in an Hispanic accent.
“ Yes ma'am, I'm very sorry.”
The woman reached out and placed a small, cold hand on his arm.
“ It's okay, mijo. Thank you for coming to speak with me. Did you catch the bad man? “
“ Yes ma'am. We caught him.”
“ Good. What's your name, son? “
“ Officer Clayton, ma'am.”
She patted his arm.
“ Gracias, Officer Clayton. I will mention you in my prayers tonight.”
“ Well thank you, ma'am.”
She smiled and closed the door. He turned and headed back down the walkway. Estrada was waiting for him.
“ Did you get her number? “
He laughed and rolled his eyes.
“ Come on, Boot.”, she said as they headed for their car.” We got reports to write.”
XXXXXX
Yamata walked out of the locker room and into the hallway in street clothes.
“ Who wants a beer? “ he called to the other officers who also left the locker room.
“ Hell if you're buying, Tommy.” said Reyes, pulling on his jacket.
“ Good.” said Yamata.” Hub, you coming? “
“ Nope. I'd better not.” Hubbard sighed.” I live out in Ventura, remember? Long drive and if I get home sometime before dawn, I might get lucky with the missus.”
“ I'll have a drink before I head home.” said Pepper.” Just one. Somehow Connie can smell it on my breath or something when I've had more.”
Hubbard shook Pepper's hand.
“ Welcome back, Tony.” he said, heading down the hall.
“ Glad to be back.” said Pepper, not sure if he really meant it.
Clayton rounded the corner wearing jeans and a black polo shirt.
“ Boot, you're comin' with us.” Yamata ordered.
“ Uh...where? “ asked the rookie.
“ We're havin' a few beers.” said Reyes.” Wait. You're old enough to drink, right? “
“ My fake I.D. Says so.” Clayton deadpanned.
“ Good enough.” said Yamata.” Let's roll.”
He paused to knock on the plexiglass window of the report writing room where Mossier was still in uniform. He sat at a computer terminal, filling out a report.
“ Hey, we're going for a few drinks. You wanna come? “
Mossier looked up and pointed at the keyboard before him.
“ Sorry, Tom. Gonna be here a while.”
“ You're a workaholic, Andy.”
Mossier threw a hand at him and went back to typing noisily.
The others headed off down the hallway, passing the bulletin board where someone had already tacked up the picture of Clayton wearing a cowboy hat, standing next to the pony.
XXXXXX
Estrada dropped her bag and closed the door. The living room was lit by the glow of David Letterman's face on the television. Her mother stepped from the kitchen.
“ Debra, did you eat? “
“ I had a little something. How's Pete? “
“ He tried to wait up for you, but he fell asleep. I put him in bed.”
“ Thanks Mom.” Estrada sighed as she hung up her jacket.
“ You're late.”
“ Couldn't be helped, Mom.”
The plump woman walked up to her and placed a hand aside her cheek.
“ You know what I'm going to say, don't you? “
She pulled away and leaned against the couch as she kicked off her shoes.
“ Yes and I'm not going to have this argument again.”
“ If you won't find a different job, at least see if you can get a desk job or something. Something that's not so dangerous.”
“ Mom, didn't I just say that I'm not having this conversation? “
“ Fine.” her mother slipped on her sweater and grabbed her keys.” You're just as hard headed as your father.”
“ That's a compliment.”
Estrada's mother kissed her cheek.
“ I love you, mija. I left you some dinner in the Tupperwares.”
“ Bye, Mom.”
After her mother left, Estrada grabbed one of the plastic containers and a fork and headed down the hall to her son's room.
She peeked in to see the small lump of cuteness that was her seven year old curled up under his L.A. Dodgers bedspread.
She glanced down at the desk that she had bought at IKEA and that had taken her two hours to put together last summer. On a sheet of paper, she saw a crayon drawing of a woman in a blue dress wearing a large oval badge with the word MOM scrawled underneath it.
She smiled and sat down on the floor of her son's bedroom. She opened the container and began to eat luke warm paella as she watched her little boy snore peacefully in his bed.
XXXXXX
Mossier downed his second cup of coffee and popped his knuckles. Damn, he hated filling out reports.
Bond appeared at the door with her hair down, wearing an old Van Halen T-shirt.
“ Not done yet? “
“ Uh...nope.” he started pecking at the keys again.” What about your date? “
“ The bastard canceled on me anyway.”
He looked up.
“ Sorry to hear that.”
She shrugged and sat down at the table. She placed a plastic sandwich container from the vending machine in front of him.
“ Thought you might be hungry. I know I am. Hope you like turkey.”
She leaned back in her chair as she took a bite of what she hoped was a fresh sandwich.
“ Yeah. Thanks, Willie.” he said, opening the package and taking a bite.” I appreciate it.”
“ What's a partner for, Andy? “
They began to discuss the report over cold sandwiches. Meanwhile, the officers of the next shift headed out to the streets as another LAPD watch began.
END
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