News with curves, p.2
News With Curves, page 2
As the crowd dispersed, Rachel watched as Lisa made a bee-line to the new owner.
"Looks like a new sheriff is in town," Betty Ann whispered. "I wonder where that leaves Jerry."
Rachel stood. "At this point I really don't give a flying..." she looked at Betty Ann- "you know what. The question is on what side of the law will the new sheriff fall." She put her purse on her shoulder. "I have a lead to follow on a story I'm working on."
"So you are going to stay?" Betty Ann questioned.
Rachel glanced at the new owner talking with Lisa then sighed. "For now. We'll see how the new sheriff plays his hand."
Chapter
2
She was in handcuffs. Not the cute, plastic, wrist tie kind. Oh no. Rachel was sporting the good old-fashioned Smith and Wesson metal cuffs. Accompanied by a Deputy Barnie Fife look alike on her arm. How in the hell did she end up in cuffs? Her father was going to have a fit when he got wind of her latest escapade.
"I've told you several times now that I am an investigative reporter with Cahill Broadcasting...." Then she caught herself. She had to remember to get the new name right. "Tyson Broadcasting. WRGN, channel 7. You are detaining me, therefore stomping all over my fifth amendment rights."
"Tell it to the judge," the officer replied as he stopped in front of the Sergeant's desk. "Book her on disturbing the peace and assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon."
"Assault with a deadly weapon? What are you talking about? I do not have any weapons."
"Your mouth," the officer yelled in her face, "is a deadly weapon. If it's not, I’m going to petition the court to declare it one."
Rachel yelled back, "Do you even know how to spell the word petition?"
“Hello, Rachel,” the man behind the desk acknowledged her.
“Hi, Sarg."
"Do you want me to call your father?" the Sergeant asked as he keyed the information into the computer.
"No, thanks, Sarg."
"You know this mouth, Sarg?" surprise clear in his tone as the officer asked the question.
"I do and so do you." The Sergeant laughed. "This is Judge Fontaine's little girl.”
"Chief Judge Fontaine?"
The Sergeant nodded as he continued to key information into the computer. "This is his baby girl, Rachel."
"Can we dispense with the introductions," Rachel cut in. "This officer, and I use the term lightly, doesn't know people can congregate as long as they are not disturbing the peace or impeding on any other person’s rights to usage of said corner."
"When an officer asks you to disperse, you disperse,” the officer replied back.
"When a citizen asks you what's the problem, the response should not be, put your hands behind your back."
The Sergeant’s whistle caught everyone’s attention in the lobby, including Rachel's and the officer’s, bringing their back and forth hostility to an end. "If you would be so kind as to escort Ms. Fontaine to holding cell C, I would be appreciative."
"You know Sarg, you could have shortened that to take her to the cell," Rachel teased.
The officer took her by the arm, then pulled her through the closing door as she spoke.
"I would have never taken you for Judge Fontaine's daughter." The officer shook his head from side to side.
"What? You wouldn't have stomped on my constitutional rights if you had known?"
"No, I still would have arrested you. But I would have called him first. Maybe he would have talked some sense into you."
"I wouldn't bet on that," Rachel laughed as the officer closed the door to the cell. "My father would be the first to tell you I have my own sense of right and wrong. In fact, he encourages it."
“Really?" The officer stood outside the bars. "So tell me, why didn't you want the Sarg to call him?"
Rachel sighed, then sat on the bench inside the holding cell.
"No response? Hmm, I don't think your father would be too pleased with your actions this evening. For all that mouth you have. I think you know that too." The officer smirked then walked away.
Rachel looked around. They had her in a cell to herself. "Wouldn't Daddy be proud?" she said to herself. She sat back and sighed. The outcome of tonight did not turn out the way she planned. She needed to find out what happened to Chad Perkins. He was a sixteen-year-old Black male taken in for shoplifting, a misdemeanor. Which according to his mother wasn't shoplifting at all.
The kid went to the drugstore to pick up a prescription for his mother. The mother had paid for it online. Chad picked up the prescription and was walking out of the door when the pharmacy's computer system went down. The door scanner read the prescription as unpaid and sounded. The manager insisted the boy be arrested and the officer complied. The officer told Chad's mother not to worry about it too much. He told her to take the copy of the online transaction to court and he was sure the charges would be dropped. Judge Paula Reid did not see the incident as a computer error, stating the mother could have falsified the document. Chad was sentenced to the maximum, 12 months in jail and a $2500 fine. Chad's cousin Nisey Wright knew Rachel was a reporter and asked her to look into it.
As she did with all her assignments, Rachel began investigating the story. She spoke with the manager at the drugstore who’d called in the robbery, his words not hers. He refused to answer any of her questions or explain why he simply did not check the computer once they came back up. Next she spoke with the arresting officer, who indicated he did not want to make the arrest, for it seemed like a simple computer error to him. However, once the store manager insisted on moving forward, he had no choice. The officer seemed very surprised when the Judge imposed the sentence of a year in jail. In fact, he stated, he had a similar case where a young man was charged with a simple misdemeanor and received a harsh sentence from the same judge. It was at that point Rachel decided to look into the sentencing practices of Judge Paula Reid.
The deeper she dug the more a pattern seemed to take shape. Judge Reid was handing out harsh sentences, but the facility these young men ended up in was the real story. Rachel knew there was something under the surface. However, she had more investigating to do before she could tie it all together. Her skin crawled every time a new piece of the puzzle came into place. This could be the story that would show the new executives at the network that she was reporter material, regardless of what Jerry, who she referred to as the ass, had to say.
That morning Jerry had broken her spirit but that would not deter her from completing her story. The events from the morning played in her mind. She wondered if Jerry was still her boss. Tyson Broadcasting had affiliates all over the world. The stories she did now were no longer local, but had the potential to go national.
What a hell of an impression to make on the new boss, Rachel thought as she sat in a jail cell with what she knew could be the story of the year. She may not be the one in front of the camera reporting it, but just knowing she was the one who broke the story would be satisfying enough. Not to mention revealing the injustice on the Chad Perkins case.
Rachel looked up as the Sergeant approached her cell.
"You want to take care of your phone call now, Rachel?" he asked, handing her the phone.
Rachel thought for a moment. Who could she call? Her father would want to know details. Since she wasn't ready to release those, she would have to lie to him. Nope, she shook her head as she thought through her dilemma. He would know she was lying....he always did. Since this involved his profession, if Rachel told him about the research she was doing, he would want to know her findings and the investigation was not complete. She couldn't call her mother because sure as the piss she took every morning her mother would tell her father. That left her perfect sisters. Regan, the attorney, would preach on the importance of keeping her record clean and Riley, the darling of the political world would strategize on the impact on her upcoming campaign. No, family was out of the question. Then it hit her. The station has a contingency fund for reporters’ bail or other incidentals. She would call the station.
"Yes, Sarg, I'll make that call now."
Rachel dialed the number to the station.
"WRGN, the station that puts community first. How may I help you?"
"Callie, its Rachel. I need you to contact the on-call executive."
"No can do, Rach.... strict orders. Only call in case of an emergency," Callie explained.
"This is an emergency, Callie. I was arrested while covering a story."
"You are not on the assignment board," the production assistant replied back.
"It's an under-cover assignment it wouldn't be on the board. Look," Rachel was about to lose her cool.
"More bees with honey, than with venom." Sarg said raising an eyebrow at her.
Rachel sighed and spoke in a calmer voice. "Callie, I know it's not there. We did not want anyone to know what we were working on. I would really appreciate it if you would take care of this for me. I just don't know who else to call. I don't want to be here over night. It's scary."
The Sergeant rolled his eyes, as Rachel smiled as she told the little white lie.
“Oh, honey, don't be afraid." Rachel heard a new concern in the woman's voice. "I will get you out. Don't you worry. We will have you out of there in no time."
"Thank you, Callie."
"Don't you worry now. Give me one hour. You stay away from those strange women. I watch Orange and Black. I know what type of things can happen in there. You just stay in a corner by yourself. Don't talk to anyone." Rachel heard Callie calling out to someone as the phone disconnected.
Rachel frowned. "Orange and Black?"
"The television show, Orange is the New Black," The Sergeant explained, shaking his head as he took the phone.
"Oh," Rachel laughed. "Well thank you to the cast for scaring Callie shitless."
"You could have just called your father. We would have released you on OR."
"I know," she exhaled. "But then I would have to see the disappointed look on his face today. My ego already received its beat down for the week."
Chapter
3
Wade Tyson walked into the Richmond Police Department wondering what happened to his quiet night on the patio, by the fire pit with a cold beer or two. That was his plan for the weekend. He had just unpacked the last box in his home office when the station called. It was his weekend on call, however, it was his understanding, the only time a call came through was if there was a breaking news story. This was not the case tonight. As it turns out one of his reporters had been arrested while investigating a breaking story. Well, he certainly was not going to let one of his people spend the night in jail for doing their job.
Armed with his law degree and his oldest brother Monty's number on speed dial, he walked up to the Sergeant's Desk.
"Excuse me," he spoke in a quiet, commanding voice. "I am Wade Tyson, owner of Tyson's Broadcasting Network. I understand you are detaining one of my reporters, Rachel Fontaine."
"You're here for Fontaine?" The Sergeant raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Wade stared at the man for a moment. He wasn't sure if it was laughter or criticism he saw in the man' eyes, but either way he wasn't pleased. He took a moment, then decided to follow his brother, Drake's advice to curb his first reaction to statements, since they tended to be on the rude side.
"Yes, Sergeant. What are the charges against Ms. Fontaine?"
"Disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and assault with a deadly weapon," the Sergeant replied without looking up as he pulled the paper work and pushed it across the desk to him.
Wade looked up from the papers. "Deadly weapon?" he questioned.
“Yes.” The Sergeant looked up. "Her mouth.” He smiled. "She shared a bit of her opinion of one of my officer's actions in clear, concise words. He didn't appreciate it too much."
Wade smiled, displaying deep dimples in his golden brown skin, warm brown eyes and a smile he knew could charm any woman.
"It seems Ms. Fontaine is not a shy woman."
The Sergeant grimaced. "Shy? Rachel." He shook his head then stared at the man. "Have you ever met her?"
"Not really." Wade replied as he pulled out his credit card. "Is there a fine associated with her arrest?"
"You new to Richmond?"
"Yes, but I fail to see what that has to do with Ms. Fontaine."
"Nothing at all. It explains a few things. No fine." He called behind him, "Mosley, Fontaine is free to go. Take the gentleman down to release." He turned back to Wade. "Until the next time Mr. Tyson."
"I'm certain there will not be a next time."
The Sergeant laughed. "Then you don't know Rachel Fontaine."
The man he assumed was Officer Mosley appeared at a door to his left. Wade paused at the door looking back over his shoulder at the Sergeant having a good laugh on his dime. The laugh reminded him of his brother Dane, who acted as if he always knew something no one else knew.
His cell phone chimed playing the tune Who Let The Dogs Out.
"Yes, Monty," he said after pushing the answer button on his earpiece.
"Did everything work out?"
"Didn't think I could handle a simple release?"
"I was certain you would gain the employee's release. The question is if you still have your freedom."
The concern in his oldest brother's voice came through loud and clear. From the day he joined the Tyson family, Monty had been the one most concerned with Wade's acclimation to the clan called Tyson. That's how the five adopted brothers were identified. Dan Tyson promised his daughter Marie on her dying bed that he would take care of each of the boys she died rescuing from an abusive foster home. He kept his promise as, one by one, he adopted each of the boys. Wade was the last and most difficult case.
Wade's parents were both incarcerated. While his mother was willing to sign over parental rights, his father, who was serving life for multiple murders, wanted certain concessions in return for his signature. While Dan was a loving man and could afford any price for the boys, he was not a push over. He took the case to court and was granted full custody of Wade. A year later he officially adopted the young boy. When all was said and done the blended family consisted of, the oldest, Montel, who they all called Monty, African-American, 16 at the time of adoption, was now 36, holding the position of Vice-President of Tyson Industries; Dane, Caucasian, 15 at the time, now 35 in the position as Marketing Director of Tyson Industries; Wade, mixed heritage from an African American father and Cherokee Indian mother, 14 when adopted, now 34 in the position as Executive Producer, News Division; Ross, Caucasian (Irish - Italian mix) was 13, now 33, holding the position of Executive Producer of the Sports Division; Drake, African American, 12 when adopted, now 32 holding the position of Executive Producer of the Entertainment Division. All were extremely intelligent with street smarts and boardroom decorum, close and protective of each other.
They tended to be overprotective when it came to Wade due to his oversensitive nature, as Dane would put it. He was constantly getting into fights when people called him out of his name. The extent of his inner anger did not appear until one crucial day in high school. On that day, Monty, who was in charge of the boys because Dan was away on business, was called to the high school regarding Wade. When he arrived, the principal indicated Wade had assaulted several boys. The boys’ parents were insisting the police be called and charges pressed. However, when the police were told what had happened, they insisted Wade's parents be present.
"What happened?" Monty, all of eighteen at the time, asked.
"Well, I'll let one of the students tell you. JB, would you step inside?” She asked from the doorway. She held the door as the young boy stepped in. "Would you tell Mr. Tyson what you told the police?"
The young boy with red hair and freckles on his face looked up at Monty and smiled. "Man, he went the hell off."
“JB!" The principal scowled.
"Sorry ma'am," JB said then turned to Monty. "We were in class and Big T started in on Wade, like he does every day. See Big T's girl, Tarnisha likes Wade, but Wade won't give her no play. So she told Big T that Wade made a play for her, but he didn't and I know he didn't cause I was there, right. So like always Big T started calling Wade names like half-breed, mixed-breed, mutt and then he said, 'Yo Mama was a junk yard hoe.' and our teacher, Mrs. Scott, didn't say anything. So I stood up and told Big T Tarnisha was the junk yard hoe. I know it was wrong, but so was what he said to Wade. And then Big T knocked the desk over and grabbed me.” He shook his head. "All hell broke out. Man, Wade picked up the chair and popped Big T in the face with it. When Big T's boys jumped on Wade's back. Wade grabbed Cliff and threw him across the room, then he kicked Lil Mike in the balls and went hog wild on Big T. Then he took his belt and put it around Big T's neck and tied him to the furnace just like a dog. Then you know what he did?"
"What?" Monty, asked.
JB just shook his head. "He put all the desks back in place. Put everybody's stuff back on the right desks and sat back down in his seat like nothing ever happened. And told Mrs. Scott, "You may continue with class now.”"
The Principal thanked JB, then excused him and turned to Monty.
"Mr. Tyson, while Wade was provoked, there are consequences for his actions. What concerns me more than his punishment is the underlying anger he has inside. This is not the first time we have received reports of Big T bullying Wade. But it wasn't until Big T attacked someone Wade considered a friend that he struck back. Mrs. Scott stated it was as if another person appeared for a few minutes, then Wade was back."
On the way home Monty glanced over at Wade as he drove and said, "You tied him to the furnace."
"He needed to be tamed."
