Sitting on the side of the bed, I zipped up my boots, hating that I had to go to work today of all days and deal with Brandon’s bullshit, again. Twisting around, I pictured Ariel lying in that same position in twenty years, and the way her red hair would look waving across the pillows.

Days like today, when I knew it was going to be a clusterfuck before I even got there, I needed something to focus on, something that reminded me that life wasn’t all just cleaning up one mess after another. I had a feeling Ariel had just become that thing for me. She was the reason I became a deputy. I didn’t know it back then, but it was her, and I would do anything to keep her safe.

“Hey sweet, can you wake for just a second?” I whispered against her neck as I kissed her creamy back.

“Mm-hm.”

“Will you do me a favor and stay home today? I’m not sure what Brandon is up to, but I suspect it is going to be a crazy day. I’ll probably be late.”

“Be safe.” Her voice was muffled against the pillows.

“Always.” I kissed her, and with one final look back at her stretched out in bed, I shut the door softly behind me.

A few minutes later, I was downstairs and on my bike reporting to shift.

All of us that worked patrol on Alpha shift and a few deputies from other shifts were called in for a briefing of today’s expected events. Unfortunately, none of us had a good feeling about Brandon or what was cooking with the DA’s office. The statement sent over from the state attorney’s office assured us that the press conference today was focusing on Erskine Sello and his upcoming trial. Before leaving, we were grouped into teams of three, two motors and one squad car. Piper, Carter, and I paired off into one team. We were each issued extra OC spray and Piper stored two additional sets of full riot gear in her trunk. Walking out of the station, we faced a barrage of flashing cameras, and people jumped out of their cars with signs, shouting, and tossing cans.

“What the hell is this?” Carter asked.

“Brandon,” Piper and I said in stereo.

“Lock up the cops,” voices chanted. I was okay with the signs and with people shouting. I was even okay with them acting like idiots when they didn’t know the facts, but throwing shit at me was going too far. Speaking into my radio, I informed dispatch that the first riot of the day had broken out at the edge of our parking lot, and within milliseconds, the entire area was lit up like Wrigley Field. Spotlights broke every surface, and I slid my sunglasses over my eyes.

I turned on my mic, let it make a loud squeal for a second to get their attention, and then shouted, “Listen up. Get back in your vehicles and move along. This is not a peaceful protest. Throwing cans is an assault on a deputy. You are obstructing us from our job. Get back into your vehicles. NOW!” I counted to three and didn’t see anyone moving. So, I took a different approach. “Call for backup. Arrest everyone in sight for failure to follow the command of law enforcement, gathering without a permit, and obstruction.” With my final words, the crowd started to disperse.

“Please don’t tell me that this is foreshadowing,” I said once I released the button on my mic.

“Fuck, it better not be,” Carter said. “This can’t all be because you’re dating Ariel, can it?”

“Honestly, I have no fucking clue. The man has lost it. He has to realize that once this is over that his career is ruined.”

“That’s what scares me for you and her.” Carter locked eyes with me as he strapped on his helmet. “People who have nothing to lose do stupid things.”

Backup arrived and cleared a path for Carter and me to exit and head over to the courthouse with Piper following close behind. We still had three hours until the press conference, but media trucks were already lined up along both sides of the street. People, grown ass adults, had camped in tents overnight. The thought of citizens sleeping in this area of Orlando when I wouldn’t even come there without my sidearm shocked the hell out of me.

I pulled up protest signs that had been staked in the ground but couldn’t help admiring the creativity from some of the artists. Graphic drawings of a hangman’s noose but with a police officer swinging and catch phrases with “Let Go Say-Low.” Thank God for phonetics; I guess someone found it difficult to spell “Sello.” I was just in awe of the ignorance of some people, what do they think would happen if he were let loose? He killed three cops, his girlfriend, and his two-year-old daughter. At what point does the public wake up and realize that some people are just downright evil?

“Let’s find out whose signs these are and make a deal with them. If Sello is let loose, we will personally drive him to their home,” Carter said.

People always support freeing criminals until we have to notify them that a sex offender has moved into their neighborhood. Or worse, knock on their door in the middle of the night to tell them that their loved one was never coming home again. Then they were outraged that law enforcement and the justice system didn’t do their jobs. Funny how people only worried about someone else’s rights when it wasn’t hindering their own.

“I’d support an island with the survival of the fittest motto.” Piper had held Vivian’s hand during the funeral and saw first hand how this directly affected someone’s life. “Let them build their own village so no one else gets hurt.”

Following protocol, I unlatched my windshield from my bike but left it in place. When tempers were high in situations like this one, we had to expect the unexpected, and part of that was to be ready for riots. In angry mobs, our motorcycle windshields became part of our riot gear. I took sentry duty at the right front quadrant of the building, which placed me in perfect sight of the podium. Carter and Piper were stationed to my side.

By nine thirty, the place was a madhouse. There were nearly a thousand people gathered and divided. It was like going to a wedding, on the left was the groom’s family, those that supported law enforcement. On the right was the bride’s family, those that wanted Sello freed. Just before ten, Brandon marched down the center aisle and didn’t bother trying to hide the glare he threw at me. He had a hard line set in his jaw, and if it hadn’t been for that protruding vein on his forehead, I would have bought his I-got-this-in-the-bag cocky demeanor. Instead, he was fuming, and I took pleasure in the fact that I unnerved him.

Brandon was the kind of man who always wanted to prove he had more, done more, and knew more. So, when he was close to where the three of us stood, we all grinned, which made him falter on the last step.

“Deputy, I see you haven’t made sergeant yet. Pity.”

“Asshole, I see you haven’t found a life yet. Pity,” I replied.

Carter and Piper let out loud guffaws at my response.

“How’s Ariel taking your unethical behavior, her trust is very fragile.” Brandon scratched the side of his face, the bastard was fidgeting, he was nervous.

“Fine. She’s more pissed that I have to go through it, though, I really enjoy all the support she’s giving me.”

Brandon turned to Carter. “Your sister is Stella, correct? She enjoys being friends with my Ariel?”

“Your Ariel?” Piper interrupted.

I felt someone’s hands grab me before I decked this prick, and I turned to find Eli, a special agent with the Department of Justice, gripping my elbow.

He should have been more concerned with Carter, who was going to lose it. “Leave my sister the fuck alone.”

“Believe me, I want nothing to do with your sister. I don’t do white trash.” With that last sentence, he looked at Piper, “Unless they are doing me.” Brandon walked away without a backward glance.

“The man is losing it,” I hissed.

“I just want to pull behind him once, just once. God, if you’re listening, please. I know that he will find some sleezebag way to get out of the charges, but to see him in handcuffs for a little bit would be so fucking worth it,” Piper prayed aloud.

“That motherfucker is up to something,” Carter said as Brandon took his spot behind the podium and the crowd fell silent.

“Let me start off by thanking everyone for coming out today. I know how much stress our community has been under lately. Although I do not condone Mr. Sello’s actions, I am also appalled by the way in which our law enforcement has decided to disrespect Mr. Sello’s rights as a human being.”

“What the fuck?” I said under my breath to Carter as I clenched my fists. “We’ve done nothing to Sello. Is he referring to the fact that we broke his arm tackling him?” I asked. “Jesus Christ, Sello had already killed five people. The man wasn’t going down without a fight.”

“All life is precious, and that is something we should never forget. After reviewing the information provided,” Brandon said this last part and then went into a stare down with me. The cameras followed his line of sight, and once again, I was in the spotlight thanks to this asshole. “I have decided not to seek the death penalty in the case against Erskine Sello.”

A roar ripped through the audience.

“What the fuck did he just say?” I asked.

“Oh my God,” Piper stated.

“Dead man walking,” Carter called. “You know some vigilante will take him out. Even though he treats us like shit and is constantly humiliating law enforcement, we are going to have to put our lives on the line to protect his sorry ass.”

“I have no issue protecting people who treat us like garbage. Fuck, we do it every day. But Brandon is intentionally obstructing justice. I have a problem with that.” Carter and Piper both nodded their agreement.

People cheered in support of Brandon’s decision, and at the same time, a large group sneered.

“Get ready. All hell’s gonna break loose.” I warned as I spoke into my radio on the channel reserved for deputies at the courthouse today. Brandon returned his gaze to me then leaned back down into the microphone. “I understand your mixed emotions, believe me, I do. This has weighed heavily on me.”

“Like hell it has.” I was seething.

“But when you have deputies . . .” The fucker looked at me again. He didn’t say my name, but he damn well made everyone think that he was referring to me. “Who care more about socializing than completing the necessary paperwork to prosecute criminals or would rather use their authority to intimidate instead of helping my office, then my hands are tied. I can only build a case based on the facts put in front of me. I’m sorry, deeply sorry for our community.” Brandon waited a few seconds to give photographers ample time to capture my picture before he opened up the podium for questions.

“DA. Haley Loles here, with Channel Nine News, does your office intend to investigate the allegations of abuse of power against the deputy or deputies responsible for forcing your hand in this unprecedented announcement?”

“Yes. We have been in close contact with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and their Office of Internal Affairs,” Brandon said as he smiled into the microphone.

“That is bullshit,” Carter whispered from behind me. “You know damn well that IA won’t discuss anything with the DA unless they believe criminal charges need to be filed. That pompous fucker.”

“One more question, if I may?” Haley asked.

“Proceed.” Brandon granted her as if he held all of the power.

“Is there anything that you suggest we as citizens do to help your office and protect ourselves from being victimized by those that we had wrongfully entrusted?”

“Absolutely, I encourage you to pick up your phones, go to your computers, contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Attorney General in Tallahassee and tell them that you demand justice be done. Let them hear your complaints against these deputies,” Brandon said with his open palm pointed toward where Piper, Carter, and I stood. “I’m sorry, but I am out of time.” With those final words, Brandon walked off.

We couldn’t do anything but stand there until someone made the first move. I could fucking feel the eyes of the camera focusing in on my badge to highlight my badge numbers and my last name. FUCK.

Brandon walked off and was back in the courthouse by ten thirty. For the next four hours, I directed traffic, arrested three women for throwing coffee on a protestor, a man for exposing himself, and issued six citations for people who refused to move their vehicles even though they were blocking traffic. If this shit occurred every day, I might seriously consider resigning. It wasn’t until three o’clock that the crowd cleared enough so that the three of us could safely head back. When we got there, however, Captain Getty was waiting for us in his office along with Grace Wickham, the corporal from IA.

“Well, now, who’s having fun?” Corporal Wickham asked. We just scowled. “Needless to say that the DA’s office set you three up to be the scapegoats for every crazy caller out there. We’ve already had a call patched in from a resident in Miami, claiming that she saw the three of you beating up some kid for his lunch money. Christakos has been accused of being in the Panhandle earlier this morning, and Carter Lang, you were sighted in Tampa about twenty minutes ago. Deputy Dupont, it appears that your long lost husband saw you on the television, and he’d like you to phone home, perhaps bring some Reese’s Pieces with you when you go.”

“Where is the hidden camera? This must be a joke.”

“Cool it, Christakos,” Captain shook his head. “This isn’t our first rodeo. IA knows what they’re doing, and they can put two and two together,” he explained. “But the three of you are on paid administrative leave effective immediately.”

All three of us jumped up to argue, but Captain pushed us back into our seats.

“It is for your safety,” Corporal Wickham explained. “What the DA did in a roundabout way was put a bounty on your heads. Christakos and Lang, you are on open motorcycles. DuPont every whacked out man in the state is looking to get his hands on you, consider this a paid vacation. We’re doing this for safety, so stay armed.”

“Wow, that’s scary,” Piper said.

“Yeah? That’s why we’re trying to keep you from being violated or worse,” Grace’s voice softened as she said that last part.

“How long?” I asked.

“Two weeks. For now. We’ll have to see as things die down,” Captain explained. “This was a safety decision, not a disciplinary one, understand the difference.”

All three of us nodded.

“I need the three of you to fill out these papers and make a statement about any interactions you had with the DA’s office on and off television over the last few weeks,” Corporal Wickham said as she handed each of us a folder full of forms. “I need those back within forty-eight hours.”

“Go home,” Captain said as he looked at Piper and Carter.

Great. Just great. There had to be more.

Captain Getty closed his door after Piper, Carter, and Corporal Wickham left so that it was just the two of us.

“No shit. Why does the DA have a hard-on for you?”

Sitting in front of his desk, I propped my elbows on my knees and dropped my head into my hands. “I think he is scared that I am going to figure out that he’s behind the attack on that woman from Mall at Millenia. He used to date her, but she left him. Brandon doesn’t like when people don’t bow at his feet.” I sat up and met Captain Getty’s stare. “Now, she’s involved with an Orange County deputy and Fagan is freaked. He’s freaked because she left him, because she’s moved on, and because someone else has his toy.”

“Do you have any evidence to support this theory?” Getty asked.

“No. But her apartment was broken into the other night and whoever broke in said they were only supposed to scare her. Ariel recognized the voice and those exact words. I think she had a flashback from her attack. It seems to all be linked. How he shows up at random times and random places, wherever she is. The other day he showed up outside some fabric store and just watched her.”

Shaking my head at the scary thought of Brandon turning fatal attraction, which would put Ariel in even more danger, I decided he needed to be stopped.

“Is there anything you can get him on?” Captain Getty asked.

“No.”

“Is there any violence, threats, anything that would help her obtain a restraining order?”

“No, not that I know of, but I’ll ask.”

“You seeing her tonight?”

I nodded.

“Is she safe?”

I nodded.

“You sure?” he clarified.

“She’s living with me.”

Captain Getty let out a long whistle. “Does Fagan know?”

“I’m assuming so. Ariel isn’t at her apartment, and he knows that we’re together.” I waited a few seconds before I said, “I need a favor.”

“Shit. Something tells me that I’m not going to like this,” Captain announced. “What is it?”

“After her apartment was broken into, Piper found a bug planted in her couch cushions. Forensics has it. Can you see if they can expedite that? I’ve asked Eli with DOJ, but if you can help as well. I have a sinking suspicion that Brandon is tied to it.”

“Will do. Now go home. Watch your back. And if you get so much as a whiff of that guy’s cologne, you call me and report it.” Captain opened his office door, and I was dismissed with at least two weeks of paid leave.