3737 Grim Avenue: A Detective Tommie Lane Mystery, #2

Also by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant

Novels

My Daughter’s Keeper (out of print)

Circumstances (Yolanda M. Johnson)

Revelations (Yolanda M. Johnson)

27 Flagship Cove (Yolanda M. Johnson)

Anthologies

Crimes of Passion: The Anthology

When Women Become Business Owners:

Solid Business and Faith-Based Advice from

Real Female Entrepreneurs

She Has a Big ‘But’!: Get Past Your Excuses & Realize Your Dream

Crimes of Passion: The Anthology

3737 GRIM AVENUE

YOLANDA M. JOHNSON

LW MEDIA GROUP

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

LW! Media Group

1585 Yanceyville Street

Suite #13727

Greensboro, NC 27405

www.lwmediagroup.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2016 by Yolanda M. Johnson

All rights reserved, including the rights to reproduce this book or portions therefore in any form whatsoever. For information address LW Media Group, PO BOX 13727, Greensboro, NC 27405.

For more information on how to bring this author to your event or bookclub, contact Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant at (336)525-1850 or visit yolandamjohnsonbryant.com.

Design by Bryant Consulting.

Manufactured in the United States of America.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016909246

ISBN 978-0-9770403-4-6 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-0-9770403-6-0 (Ebook)

For Delina

My Mini-Mini Me

I never knew the real love of a child

until I had grandchildren

You brighten each day

and

I thank God for you.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,

unless she’s a man . . .

with a deep dark secret.

3737 GRIM AVENUE

Chapter One

It was a windy November morning and the weatherman had reported a beautiful sixty-three degrees for Greensboro, North Carolina. It was a far cry from the light dusting of snow and thirty-one degrees it had been the week before.

Even though there was a slight breeze, the sun more than made up for the chill. The leaves that once graced trees in beautiful hues of rusts, reds and yellows, had made their transition and now lay brittle, burnt, and brown on the ground below the naked trees.

Gardeners had covered their flowerbeds and shrubs in cloth and plastic, in an effort to protect them from the elements.

Detective Tommie Lane sat in Captain Hardy T. Randall’s office in the District Three building of the Greensboro Police Department. The flat screen television that hung from a wall in the Captain’s office had captured both their attention. Captain Randall adjusted the volume with the remote.

Guilty on all counts, the female reporter announced. The large crowd behind her cheered.

You’ve heard it here on WXIX13 News. The jury has just returned a verdict of guilty on all counts in the case against former Greensboro Detective, John Sykes.

John Sykes, Detective Lane’s former partner, was a good cop turned bad. He and Tommie had grown close and had built an adoring and trusting partnership and friendship.

When Tommie’s stepfather, Lucien Guillory, was released from the Colorado Department of Corrections on a technicality, he wanted revenge. He had nearly rotted for the murder of Tommie’s mother years earlier, and now he was working his way towards Tommie, but not before playing a little game of cat and mouse.

When Lucien reached out and offered John Sykes some much needed cash, the former detective couldn’t refuse. He was struggling financially and really needed the hundreds of thousands of dollars he was being offered.

After much thought and a little persuading, he decided to help Lucien with his plan to kill Tommie, her friends and the judge and jury that had put him in prison.

Lucien Guillory had attacked Tommie in the basement of her church, and left John Sykes to finish the job. Detective Sykes was supposed to kill her, and he thought he had, but he hadn’t counted on Detective Lane’s strong will, nor did he count on the homeless man that no one knew was living in the basement.

The news footage switched from the reporter to a prerecorded video of the jury’s verdict. The scene played out in the courtroom as the judge silently read the verdicts and handed them back to the court clerk.

The court clerk then read aloud the ruling on all seventeen counts, which included murder, attempted murder, assault, embezzlement, kidnapping, conspiracy, and domestic terrorism.

The news footage panned and zoomed in on the former detective. He was dressed in a black suit with a black tie and white shirt. His once rotund appearance, was a bit frail and his hair was thinning.

John Sykes closed his eyes and hung his head when he heard the first guilty response. Weeping and cheering from family members, on both sides, could be heard off camera. By the time the last ruling was read, John had collapsed in his chair, sobbing uncontrollably.

The judge accepted the verdict and announced that sentencing would take place in the coming weeks.

The former detective could face the death penalty and it’s expected that the judge will not be lenient when it comes to this case, the reporter said. Stay tuned to WXIX13 as we follow breaking developments in this high profile case.

Captain Randall switched the television off and sat back in his chair, his hands folded behind his head.

You know Tommie, I’m losing my touch.

What do you mean Captain? Tommie looked at him curiously.

I remember the day old Sykes came aboard. Even then, something about him just didn’t sit right with me. And ever since, I’ve had this uneasy feeling about him, but I could never put my finger on it. I mean, there wasn’t a big red flag, but there was always something. I’m usually good when it comes to reading people. Never in a million years would I have guessed that he would have been capable of this.

You can’t blame yourself, Captain. I can’t believe it either, and I worked close to him. We worked side-by-side for years, for days in a week and hours in a day. We knew intimate details about each other’s lives, about each other’s families. I’ve been to his house for dinner, and his family has been to mine. And I didn’t see it until the end. Actually, I think in the beginning old Sykes was really a good cop. I just think that Lucien made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. After all, he was in debt, and to top it off, he needed money to send his kid to college. And, I’m sure Lucien wasn’t taking no for an answer.

The money, the Captain said.

Not just the money. John was a weak link for Lucien. I don’t know how he chose, or even knew to choose Sykes. But I’m sure after he did, had he said no to him, Lucien would have surely killed him. Somehow, Lucien knew that Sykes needed that money. Regardless, when Lucien came into contact with him, it was downhill from there. So, please don’t think any of this was your fault, because it wasn’t.

Normally, it was the Captain giving Tommie advice. He had been her father figure since her real father had died. Now, here she was giving him advice and trying to console him. The Captain was one of the best and it was one of the many reasons he and Tommie worked so well together.

I know, but I would have suspected him of dirty side work, soliciting prostitutes, maybe a little drug activity, but never this. The Captain rolled two iron stress balls between his fingers.

Well, I’m glad we caught him, and I’m glad that I didn’t die in the process. I thought I was a goner in that basement.

He almost succeeded, the Captain snorted.

But he didn’t. And, I’m glad I finally got justice for my mother’s murder. I just wish my father was here to witness Lucien get what he deserved.

I know he’d be proud of you. The Captain beamed at her. I’m so glad this is nearly over.

It’s not over until I see that man buried under the jail house. Even though John Sykes was facing the death penalty, Tommie thought that would be too easy. She didn’t believe in the death penalty. She did believe in an eye for an eye, short of death. If a man raped a woman, she felt he should rot in jail and be raped every day of his natural life. If a man killed another, he should be tortured to the brink of death, brought back to life, and have the situation repeat itself. Many thought it was cynical, but she begged to differ.

The Captain leaned in closer to Tommie and spoke in a low voice, I shouldn’t be saying this as your Captain, but as your friend, you just might get your wish.

What do you mean? Tommie asked.

Well, they’ve been holding old Sykes in the hole, but he’s due to be released to gen pop.

You might be right. They just may get him before he’s sentenced. He’s done a lot of people wrong. I don’t know if he became corrupt when he met Lucien or before. I’m willing to bet some very unhappy people are looking for a little payback.

Only time will tell. The Captain changed the subject, So, your friend, the homeless guy. What’s his name?

Thomas Schaefer.

I sure hate what happened to him, but at the same time, I’m glad he was in the right place at the right time.

You and me both. I owe my life to that man.

Well, I’m sure he knows how much you appreciate him. And, I’m sure that reward from Lucien’s capture didn’t hurt either.

He deserves so much more than that if you ask me. But I’m sure he’ll be just fine. It wasn’t like he was broke in the first place. Even though he chose to be homeless, Mr. Schaeffer had money stored away for a rainy day.

Well I’m sure he’ll be okay. As long as he has friends like Detective Tommie Lane watching his back, the Captain teased. They both laughed.

The Captain stood up and walked around his desk to his office door. He opened it, looked at Tommie, and pointed outward. Get out of my office Detective Lane. I believe your plane leaves in a few hours. And, trust me when I say that I do not want to see you back here for at least two weeks.

Tommie stood and gathered the paperwork she had brought in. You do know I’m only going to be in San Diego for a week, right?

Well, I don’t care where you go. Your vacation is for two weeks and you better not set foot in this precinct for another two weeks. Oh, and don’t forget to go visit your father before you head out. Tell him about the good job his little girl has done. The streets are much safer.

Headed there on my way to the airport. It was time for girl’s weekend, and this time, Tommie and her friends would be spending Thanksgiving in San Diego.

Good, now get out.

I’m starting to feel unwanted here, Captain. Are you trying to replace me?

I wouldn’t trade you for all the detectives in the world. But after all you’ve been through, you need this time like Lucien needed that hole in his head.

Tommie looked at her Captain in disbelief.

And if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it, Captain Randall assured her. Plus. . . . he hesitated.

Tommie knew there was something her captain was not telling her. Out with it Captain.

The Captain sighed, wiped his brow, and shifted his weight to the right side.

Your new partner arrives next week. He hung his head. He knew his impending news wouldn’t go over well with his best detective, so he decided to wait until the last minute to tell her.

You’re kidding right?

Wish I was.

Male or female?

Female, the Captain confirmed.

Tommie rolled her eyes. She worked well alone. She didn’t want a female partner who was so hard that she felt she had something to prove—or one that was so soft that she didn’t want to ruin her fresh manicure. But, then again, she did not want another John Sykes repeat. Tommie was a team player, but everyone knew she was in charge.

If it makes you feel any better, we actually have three new heads coming in.

Why three?

Should have been four of you all along, but with prior changes, cuts and processing of paperwork, it just didn’t happen. The powers-that-be finally realized that if we had a full crew in place, you wouldn’t have nearly been killed and Lucien’s capture would have been initiated sooner and with less loss of life. Not to mention, Sykes could have been weeded out before it had gotten this far.

I suppose you’re right, but then again, they would have just been in my way.

You’re stubborn TL. Just like your father. He was a stubborn son of a gun, but he was the best.

I know, Tommie beamed. He was a Lane. The Captain smiled back. Do you have their jackets? she asked him.

I do, but you’re going on vacation. I don’t want you doing any work until you get back.

I’ll be sitting on a beach most of the time. I’d like to at least get myself up to speed on the new recruits so I’m prepared when I return. Can you at least email me summaries?

I can do that. I’ll get them to you in a few, but in the meantime, I want you to get out of my office and get out of my town. That’s an order! the Captain roared. By the way, tell Tiffany Big Daddy says hello!

You’re something else. With that Tommie, left the Captain’s office. She stopped by her desk to make sure her computer was shut down and that other security measures were in place. She took paperwork from the top of her desk and locked it in her filing cabinet. She looked around one last time, picked up her bag, and headed out of the precinct.

When she got outside, traffic was zooming down Freeman Mill Road and people were walking to and fro with their purses and briefcases, chatting on their cell phones.

The weather had warmed up a notch, but Tommie couldn’t wait to get to the balmy seventy-three degrees of sunny San Diego. She walked across the parking lot and unarmed the alarm to her SUV.

Chapter Two

Tommie threw her backpack into the backseat of her SUV, pulled out her cell phone, and dialed Tiffany’s number.

Hey beautiful, she sang when Tiffany answered.

Hey Foxy Brown, where are you?

Leaving the station.

You’re supposed to be at home packing! Tiffany huffed.

I packed a few days ago. Besides, we’re going to San Diego, how much do I really need to sit on the beach?

We’re going to do more than just sit on the beach lady. Kim has a lot planned for us. We have Jillian’s memorial. I want to go to the zoo and . . .

Absolutely not! Tommie stopped her. I do not want to see another zoo in my lifetime. Come on Tiffany, do you really need to see more animals? We have a zoo right here. Why do you need to go to another state to visit a zoo?

Tommie threw up her hands in disgust as if her friend could see her. It’s Thanksgiving for crying out loud! I don’t want to spend it with Bo-Bo the elephant and his friends. And it’s certainly not what I expected from you Ms. Hoity-toity.

Tiffany explained that the San Diego Zoo was unlike any other. Tommie had visited San Diego many times but had no desire to visit the world famous zoo. In addition, it was certainly not something she wanted to do on her Thanksgiving vacation.

Okay, okay. We don’t have to go to the zoo if you don’t want. But we are going to Disneyland. Tiffany made sure she was very clear.

Now Minnie and Mickey, I can deal with. Even though she had given in, Tommie wondered what adult in their right mind would want to spend Thanksgiving in an amusement park. What was more surprising to her was the fact that Tiffany, of all people, was the one who wanted to do such a thing.

She figured that Tiffany had to have an ulterior motive for wanting to go to Disneyland. Beverly Hills was only another forty miles up the 5 freeway. There would be no way she would get that close and miss out on an opportunity to go shopping at the luxury boutiques and expensive shops that lined the busy streets.

Tiffany explained that they would also be taking part in ziplining, water skiing and other activities, all of which Tommie enjoyed.

Tiffany chuckled. Hurry up! We need to get to the airport. Whose idea was it to fly out of Charlotte anyway? She was a bit irritated.

My wallet’s, Tommie reminded her. Tickets were $130 cheaper to fly out of Charlotte than Greensboro.

Like that $130 was going to hurt your pocketbook.

Says the woman who took her ex for a mini-fortune.

Yes, and had you got married when I advised you to, you’d be an ex with a mini-fortune too.

You’re a trip. Let me swing by my place and secure things and I’ll be there in a few.

Oh, pack your camera. I left mine at the office and I don’t want to have to go get it.

Okay, Tommie agreed.

Love you, Tiffany said.

Love you, too, darling’. The ladies ended their call and Tommie closed the door to her SUV and started the engine.

Tiffany was right. Tommie was a bit frugal. Truth be told, she wasn’t hurting one bit in the financial department. She had saved up a sizable nest egg. She would never want for anything. She was a saver and an avid investor. In addition to her own savings, she had received sizable payouts from her parent’s life insurance, investing them in high yielding money markets, stocks, and diverse mutual funds.

Unlike her best friend, one wouldn’t know by looking at Tommie that she had such financial wealth. In fact, she owned a modest, mortgage free colonial home and drove a modest SUV and car. Although she owned two vehicles, she didn’t have a car payment.

With the exception of her girlfriends, and the Captain, no one knew that she had several investment properties in North Carolina, Colorado, Texas and Florida. She didn’t believe in keeping up with the Joneses. She didn’t buy expensive clothing or flashy jewelry, and if it wasn’t for Tiffany, she wouldn’t have a clue as to whom Jimmy Choo, Alexandre Birman or Valentino were.

Living modestly insured that her financial future would be secure. Throughout her career, she had investigated so many cases where families lived in poverty and on government assistance, without a penny to their name, while their children and other family members spent a dime every time one passed their hands, and were continuing the same generational curse.

They bought frivolous material items like Gucci, Coach and Michael Kors. They had to have Range Rovers, BMWs, and tons of bling. In many cases, some would kill to get what they hadn’t earned.

Then, there were legitimate cases where people did work had for what they had, except they kept themselves in debt trying to live materialistic lives. She thought it was silly that someone who didn’t own a home would pay astronomical monthly payments for an expensive car that sat in the parking lot of an apartment complex.

Tommy always made sure her priorities were in the right place. She didn’t have any children, nor did she plan on having any, but if by chance she were to marry and have them, her children would be well taken care of, provided they worked for it. Nothing was free.

She recalled a conversation she had with her father, the late Captain Euless Lane, many years ago.

Daddy, why did God make white people rich but made black people poor? she had asked.

"Sweetheart, you must understand, not all white folks have money, and not all black folks are poor. Welfare, for example, was originally created for white people during the Great Depression. It is true that it appears that blacks are more susceptible to poverty than whites, and that’s a conversation we’ll have another day. But I want you to know, many people are broke because they want to be. So many people are busy trying to make Gloria Vanderbilt, Calvin Klein and Cadillac rich, knowing good and well they can’t afford them.

These people who buy these material things are thinking short term and not long term. They want it now, whether they need it or not. None of them are putting away money for their retirement, falling deeper into poverty and leaving tax payers to pay for their golden years, because they spent and wasted everything they had. They’re not leaving money for their children’s education, or theirs for that matter. They lack knowledge and wisdom, and have no desire to better themselves. They don’t understand the importance of leaving a legacy for their families. As a people, we have to change our way of thinking and doing things.

That conversation stayed with Tommie until this very day. It was her father who had taught her how to save, invest, even day trade. Tommie was thankful for her father’s wisdom.

Those who knew of Tommie’s hidden wealth frequently asked why she still worked at the Police Department. And, each time, she would tell them because it was her passion. She received satisfaction and felt like a steward when she helped families find peace by solving homicide cases. She was not one to sit home and waste her life just because she had money. It would drive her crazy.

She remembered one of her father’s quotes. You’re not living unless what you’re doing what makes you happy. And being a detective made her happy.

Tommie drove out of the precinct parking lot, turned right, and headed towards Forest Lawn Cemetery. She had so much to share with her father, but even though he had been gone for a while, it was never easy. She wouldn’t get a chance to visit him on Thanksgiving and that made it even harder. She missed him and wished he was here to see her mother’s killer brought to justice.

Captain Lane often blamed himself for Barbara’s murder. Even though they were not together, he felt some sense of responsibility for her. Sure he sent child support payments in a timely manner, adding a little extra each time. But he felt that if he was more involved with