Corrupt

by Abel Abyu

“Go check out who that is,” Q hissed to Ace. Ace swiftly crept alongside the dumpsters lining the alley. Just as he reached the last trash bin, the person behind it threw the bin in front of the him and made a run for the opening in the alley way.

“Get back here!” Ace yelled. He grabbed his colt revolver and began shooting towards the already escaping individual.

“Who was that?” Q said, emerging from the corner of the building, wielding his weapon. The moonlight cast an evil glow in Q’s eyes and on the rifle.

“Ace, who was it? If you emptied that many bullets you better had told me there’s a body lying at the end of that alley.” Ace looked terrified as the short man edged towards him.

“He didn’t see my face honestly, he just r-ran, he didn’t se- see my face-” Ace stammered. Q chuckled as he lit a cigarette, placing the rifle under his armpit. “You’ve done messed up now Acey,” Q said smirked. “I believe in action and reaction. Tonight was destined, that’s how this universe works. It was meant to happen, you know? You don’t think so?” Ace shook his head. “No, no well I do. Somebody witnessing us kill Briggs. And now your untimely death.” Before Ace could plea for his life, Q unloaded.

* * * * * * *

“God bless California, and God bless the city of Bayview!” Applause erupted as Mayor Dan Jacobs ended his speech in front of City Hall. Security guards ushered him through the embrace of a loving crowd as he shook hands and posed for photos, flaunting his perfect smile. As his entourage briskly escorted him toward his limousine, a news reporter awaited with questions.

“Mayor Jacobs, the city’s murder rate has plummeted substantially ever since you’ve taken office. How do you plan on maintaining the number of officers on duty with upcoming budget cuts due to the State’s deficit?”

“Well, Chief Waters is doing an excellent job with what few police we have. Each and every officer is committed to serving this city with integrity and honor. My team and I are working on the budget problem and rest assured we will use the tax payer’s money with discretion,” he gently responded. The black limo pulled away from the curb into the rain-slicked streets.

“Such a hard working man, thanks for your time! This is Anna Phuong from City Hall. Back to you, Tim.”

“Jacobs, you are a rock star in this city! Sometimes I find myself asking, how would I solve all my problems without the Mayor of Bayview? And you know what I do? I look at my pistol and there lies my solution!”

Q began to laugh at his own statement, sitting adjacent to a surprised Jacobs.

“Quinn, I didn’t expect to see you so soon. Hasn’t anyone taught you it’s rude to show up unannounced in the Mayor’s limo?” Jacobs replied, wagging a finger jokingly and closing the window separating the driver and the two men.

“Mayor I know your true colors, and they’re bloody red and money green. I’m the only one allergic to the bull you’re feeding this city on prime time television” Q said after the window shut.

“Cut the yapping scumbag. Did you get it done?” Jacobs snapped.

“Easy Mayor, no need for hostility, we’re both civilized men working towards the greater good of this city or whatever bull of that nature. Let’s show some respect.”

“You work for me you understand that? So you show me some respect. I could have you etched out of the equation, you weasel, and I don’t have to show you a thing!”

“I love it when you talk dirty Mayor,” Q cackled. “I know something we both know that would turn this whole city on its head. You see I’m not the one who had an affair with the D.A.; I just cleaned up your mess. Having me kill that Briggs of hers puts blood on your hands too, so I’ll say it again, let’s show each other some respect!” He knocked on the window separating the rear compartment from the driver.

“Hey driver if it’s alright with the Mayor, could you let me off a block before the Police Station? I need a Camel real bad.” Mayor Jacobs applied his professional grin and nodded to the driver, lighting his own tobacco.

The limo came to a stop at the corner of 10^{th St.} and Q stepped out of the car. Before closing the door he leaned in and said, “Briggs is tied up in some stuff down at the Lake and due to circumstances so is Officer Acen Donner. That’s why they couldn’t make it to your pep rally- I mean press conference.” The Mayor’s eyes burned with anger.

“Officer Donner? We’ll have to discuss this some other time. Make sure you stop by my office but give me a call first,” he said through his teeth.

“Sure thing Mayor, have a nice day” Q replied wryly. The Mayor blew smoke into his face as the limo drove off.

“I hate that guy,” Q muttered under his breath, as he walked towards Precinct 4, polishing his detective badge.

* * * * * * *

“I’m telling you I know what I saw! There were two guys in the alley on Grant Street, with the body of the missing fellow in the papers!”

“Sir, don’t waste our time. Lying to a police officer is punishable. Now if you need a place to go we can give you the address of the shelter.”

“I might be homeless but I’m not blind. There was a short one and a taller one and they killed that man… yeah they killed that Biggly guy. I saw it with my own eyes man!” The homeless man gestured towards his eyes with his dirt-covered fingers.

“Wait a minute, do you mean Anthony Briggs?”

“Yeah! Briggs, I read my paper every morning. This city has a great paper I read and read whenever I can-it keeps me occupied but when it rains it’s hard to get a paper-”

“Sir, about Briggs? He was reported missing, this is serious business” the officer interrupted.

“Briggs! Like I was saying, they were dragging his dead body, and I knew he was really dead because I overheard them say so. I was asleep next to some dumpsters and they woke me up. So I follows ‘em behind the alley and I hear one of ‘em say they heard me. That’s when I run back to where I was asleep and the tall guy gets close to where I was hiding. I broke for it man, because this guy had a gun and he starts shooting at me!” As the homeless man finished his story, Q walked in to the Precinct.

“Detective Quinn, this man here claims he saw the murdering of the missing Anthony Briggs.”

Beads of sweat began to form on Q’s forehead as the homeless man turned to face him. Q casually leaned against a desk and rubbed his buzzed haircut.

“Hey… that’s the man! That’s the man! He walked past me dragging the body. It’s him!” the homeless man screamed. Q began to laugh and the officer questioning the homeless man chuckled.

“This guy is outta his freakin’ mind. I’ll escort him out if you want me to Billy”

“Sure, you do that. He must be a nut job.”

Q grabbed the homeless man by the arm and neck roughly, shoving him towards the exit. Outside, Q led him towards his patrol car. He threw him in the backseat and shut the door. Q walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle and got in, turning on the ignition of the car.

“My hat goes off to you. You did the right thing! Just had to do your duty as a citizen, and report a murder. You went and told the cops what you saw. You went, and told the cops!” Q smirked as he held up his badge to the rearview mirror. The homeless man began to cry silently. “I’m a gentleman; I’m not going to beat around the bush. Here’s how your story ends.”

The homeless continued to weep, now shaking.

“This is how the universe works. You see my partner, some rookie they assigned to me, is the guy who should’ve sealed your fate. He failed, and your life would’ve continued if you didn’t do the right thing today. However, the universe did not grant you the privilege to unveil this city’s wicked men. And when some brave soul like yourself comes around, I’ll be ready,” he cocked his pistol. “Sometimes a right decision gets you on the path to a dead end.”

* * * * * * *