Accused (25 page)

41

After Jeff’s funeral and the FBI’s press conference, Carly found herself at the center of another media firestorm. Although unlike the one that surrounded her shooting, the attention now was positive. Trejo wrote a brilliant exclusive on the corruption, and Carly was the star of the moment. Everyone wanted to know how she and Jeff had brought Galen Burke down.

“Is there any way out of this place without going through a crowd of press?” Carly anxiously chewed on a thumbnail. She was at the front desk studying the station’s outdoor monitors. Reporters and cameras blocked all exits.

Gary, the front-desk officer, laughed and patted her on the back. “Hey, you’re the hero right now. They want their pictures and their statements so you can be plastered all over cable.”

“I’m not cut out for this. I just want to work graveyard patrol.”

Gary laughed. “Tell them that. Maybe the powers that be will hear.”

“I can hope.” She smiled and stepped out into the feeding frenzy. It took nearly thirty minutes to get from the front door to her car half a block away. She fielded question after question as best she could, always certain to make Jeff the story’s star. Once in the driver’s seat, she smiled, secure in the knowledge that if she had anything to say about it, no one would forget Jeff or overlook what he’d done.

As she drove to the hospital, she thought back over the past few days. They’d been the craziest days of her entire life. Burke, Tucker, Drake, and Guest were behind bars, and the entire city council was under investigation. The only body missing was Mario Correa. He’d disappeared into thin air after millions of dollars’ worth of stolen merchandise from all over the country and thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics were recovered in his warehouses.

While it was satisfying bringing killers and crooked cops to justice, Carly’s thoughts centered on her own vindication. Garrison couldn’t ignore the fact that she’d been right while his own trusted investigators were leading him astray. With her badge back and those she cared about safe, she decided she could be patient about returning to patrol. It was enough for the time being that Garrison couldn’t consider her a broken cop any longer, even if he didn’t release her from juvenile.

Carly hummed happily as she pulled into the hospital parking lot. So much good had come out of the past few dark days, including a second chance with Nick. After his release from the hospital, she looked forward to exploring a future with him again.
Yeah, what a difference a week makes.

“Hey there, are you done being lazy yet?” she asked as she entered Nick’s room.

He smiled at her from the bed, his casted right leg elevated. “Nope, I’m going to milk this vacation as long as I can.” He clicked off the television set and gave her his full attention.

“Here, I brought you a present.” She stepped close to the bed and handed him a package.

He regarded her warily. On his nightstand was a collection of gag gifts from fellow officers, gifts only a law enforcement mentality would consider remotely amusing. “What is this?”

“Just open it.” She watched, struggling to suppress a grin as he tore the wrapping off. “I missed giving this to you last Christmas,” she said as he opened the box. Inside was the silver star, the antique badge she’d buried in her closet, the one that completed his collection. “I figure better late than never.”

“Whoa, thanks.” Nick turned the star around in his hand, his eyes wide with astonishment . . . and something else. “I was afraid I’d never complete the set. I hate leaving things half-finished. Thanks, Carly.” He held out his hand, and she took it.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad the set is complete.” Carly sat on the side of the bed, keeping a tight grip on his hand.

“I can think of one other thing we need to complete.” Nick looked in her eyes, and she knew what he meant. She blushed.

“We need to go slow. There are still a lot of things I have to get straight in my head.”

“I won’t push. I’m just glad you’re giving me another chance.” He squeezed her hand, and their eyes held until the door burst open.

“I’m glad I caught you two together!” Alex Trejo bounced in, his face still bearing fading black-and-blue spots where Drake’s fists had landed. He held a copy of the
Las Playas Messenger
.

“I am, today, the bearer of good news.” He opened the paper so they could read the headline.

Six Las Playas Conspirators Now in Federal Custody

“Case closed and headed for court.” He grinned triumphantly.

Carly took the paper from him and read the story.

“Great news, Alex. Drake and Tucker were the only cops, right?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, if you don’t count Guest as a cop. The two just arrested were city council members. Of course the total number of crooks is seven, counting Mario Correa. He held the purse strings and was the ringleader. But he’s long gone. Some people think he fled to Mexico. He’ll get caught eventually.” He cast a glance at Carly. “Why so somber, Edwards? This is a happy day.”

“I was just thinking about Jeff. I guess I’ll be sad about his loss for a while.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry I never got to meet him. But if you finish the story, you’ll notice I made sure to give him and you your just notices.”

“Jeff is in heaven, Carly,” Nick said. “We can rejoice in that, at least.”

“I know. I talked to Pastor Rawlings about that yesterday. This feeling of hope is intoxicating.” She smiled at Nick’s raised eyebrows before their attention was drawn back to Alex.

“I also have good news about your friend Londy Akins,” Trejo said. “All charges have been dropped except for driving without a license. He’s been given credit for time served and he’ll be released sometime today. His mom is very happy.”

Carly gave a hearty
woohoo
. “That’s great. I never thought I’d say it, but he wasn’t such a bad kid after all, and I think he truly learned his lesson about the company he keeps.”

Joe King poked his head in the door. “Is this a private party, or can anyone join?”

“Hey.” Carly got up and gave her partner a hug. “This is a surprise. After the funeral, you said you were going to spend the rest of your vacation with Baby King. What gives?”

“I took a chance and left while A. J. was napping. I wanted to check up on Nick, and—” he looked at Carly—“I have some news for you, partner.” Joe glanced from Nick to Trejo and back to Carly. “I think Nick will agree with me when I say this, but you need some serious retraining.” He put his hands on his hips and looked at her soberly. She almost missed the wink at Nick.

“Retraining? For what?” Carly’s brows furrowed.

“I forgot to mention that we both feel your investigative skills are sorely lacking.” Nick jumped in, reaching out to tug on Carly’s shirt.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She glanced from one man to the other while Trejo tried to keep a straight face.

“Running out of here without telling anyone where you were going.” Nick raised his eyebrows and looked at Joe.

“Bad officer safety,” Joe chided playfully.

“Rookie Lone Ranger stuff is what it was,” Nick continued.

“Hey, the case is closed; the bad guys are in jail. Doesn’t that count for something?” Carly asked.

“Maybe you should stay safely tucked away in night juvenile and, you know, practice your investigative skills more.” She could see Nick fighting a smile.

“Oh, that’s a low blow. If you weren’t in a cast, I’d put you in one!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Carly looked around her, bemused. “What’s so funny? You know I hate that job.”

“What’s funny is, we know something you don’t know.” Joe pulled an envelope from his back pocket. “I just told the captain anyone who would make her partner do a reverse phone lookup to find her needed retraining, and that can’t happen if you work night juvenile.” He handed her the envelope.

Carly tore it open and saw a change-of-assignment sheet. In one week she was scheduled to go back to Adam patrol, to work her old graveyard beat with Joe. She nearly leaped out of her shoes.

“Now, our contract says changes of assignment require two weeks’ notice, so if you want to holler and wait an extra week . . . ,” Joe teased.

“No way! I’m coming back, and this time I’m not leaving until I’m good and ready!”

“Good for you, Edwards. I for one will feel safer with you back on the streets.” Trejo smiled. “And I can’t thank you enough for saving my life. You taught me a lesson about cops. I promise never to paint with a broad brush again. Read tomorrow’s
Messenger
. I think you’ll like it.” He accepted a hug and was gone.

“I have to run along too. I’m sure the baby is awake now, and Christy needs a break every so often.” Joe shook Nick’s hand and turned to wag an index finger at Carly. “You be sure you’re ready to go in a week!”

“I will be. You can count on it.”

“Bye, all!”

The room empty but for the two of them, Carly turned to Nick. “I better get going too. I have church tonight.”

“Church, conversations with Pastor Rawlings . . . you’re jumping in with both feet.” Nick smiled.

“And why not? I’ve never done anything halfway.” Carly stood and put her hands on her hips. “And I truly did have a life-changing experience swimming in the ocean that night.”

“I know, and I’m happy for you.”

They looked at each other. Carly wasn’t yet ready to step forward and give him a hug.

“Get out of this place in a hurry, and then we can go to church together,” she said finally, moving nervously toward the door.

“Count on it.”

Carly opened the door.

“Carly?” Nick stopped her before she was out in the hall.

“Yeah?”

“I was really afraid I’d lost you permanently. I didn’t like the feeling.” His eyes were blazing with warmth she hadn’t seen in a long time.

I’ve missed those eyes.
She could feel her face redden. “I know the feeling, Nick.”

“Can I say again how truly sorry I am?”

“For what?” Carly feigned innocence. “I think I remember hearing that Christians were new creations. I may not know much, but I know that. The past is forgotten . . . and forgiven.” She smiled.

“Thanks. Thanks.”

Carly left the hospital light on her feet, ready to begin a whole new life. The sharks at her heels stopped for good.

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for
Cop and Christ
and
Today’s Christian Woman
before tackling novels. A few years ago, she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, where she lives with two Labrador retrievers, Jake and Maggie.

Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.
Accused
is the first book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes
The Kevlar Heart
and
The Heart of Justice
.

Visit Janice’s website at
www.janicecantore.com
and connect with her on
Facebook
.

After more than two decades of police work, how did you make the transition to novelist? What challenges did you face along the way?


I’ve always wanted to write. When I hit the streets with my first training officer, I started a journal. Working the front lines of the Rodney King riots in 1992 made me want to write stories for others to read. I began by writing stories about things that happened at work, and I was influenced by writers like Joseph Wambaugh and Raymond Chandler. But it was Francine Rivers’s work that made me want to write stories with a spiritual message. In the 1990s I read everything she wrote and then knew that was what I wanted to do—spread the hope of the gospel through stories about what I had experienced. That’s a long answer to say the transition was not difficult. I knew in the nineties I wanted to write books and that it would take hard work to write a good book. I didn’t realize then that I’d retire so young, but when I did retire, I was ready to write full-time.

I think I faced all of the challenges anyone who wants to write for publication faces. I was used to writing first-person, facts-only police reports. I had to learn to tell a story and tell it in a way that would make people keep turning pages. I had to learn that rejection was normal and not to take it to heart, and I had to learn to keep trying, keep polishing, and keep abiding in the Lord because ultimately it was his will I wanted for my life.

Why did you make your protagonist a female police officer? What makes Carly Edwards unique? Was she inspired by your own career or one of your coworkers?


I followed the cliché—write what you know. This was what I knew. Carly is a composite, made up of qualities I see in a couple of former coworkers I truly admire. These women are still on the job, and in my opinion they are the best examples of police officers: compassionate, hardworking, brave, and professional. I tried to be like them, follow their example, but I’m not sure I was ever as adept at the job as they are. They are both married to fellow officers (no cheaters!), and watching them and their spouses and knowing all the different things they dealt with also influenced my stories.

Why did you choose a fictional city as your setting for the Pacific Coast Justice series rather than a real city? What were the benefits? What were the difficulties?


I wasn’t certain I could write about Long Beach in a way that would ring true. Plus, I didn’t want anyone to think I was writing about them specifically because I wasn’t. I had no ax to grind, had no horrible problems with the department.

The benefit to creating Las Playas was I could make the place into anything I wanted. No one could say, “Hey! Chestnut doesn’t go there!” or “That address is my house.” It wasn’t really difficult; it was limited only by my imagination.

Accused
involves quite a few crooked figures. How widespread is corruption in real life?


In my experience, corruption is not widespread; at least it wasn’t in Long Beach. Corruption is much more sensational in books and movies. Over the years, I’ve known officers who were fired, and usually it was for something stupid like stealing drugs from an evidence locker or lying on police reports, not some involved conspiracy. They were just individuals doing stupid things, and they didn’t think they’d get caught.

How does a Christian cop approach his or her vocation differently than a nonbeliever might? Are there ways that faith in Christ makes it easier to do police work? Are there times when faith makes police work more difficult?


Of the Christian officers I know, I think the big difference is that they really want to make a difference; they want to help people. This isn’t meant to imply that non-Christians don’t want to do these things, but they are more likely to look at the job as just that, a job. And unfortunately, the job can wear you down, change you. I’ve seen that happen to Christians as well as non-Christians. Marriages suffer.

I rededicated my life to Christ shortly after I was hired on the force. I can’t imagine doing the job without faith. I handled suicides at Christmas, child abuse with dead toddlers, car crashes that shattered lives and families, and situations like one where a seven-year-old shot and killed his two-year-old brother. How do you do that without faith in a God who is good in spite of the evil in this world? I couldn’t.

The only time I would say it was difficult for me was once after I had been on the job for about a year, when I was sent to an abortion clinic. They called because there were people—
Christians
—out front singing praise songs, praying, and trying to talk women out of killing their babies. I definitely sided with the Christians, but it was the clinic that called. Thankfully, everything stayed peaceful and no action was needed.

Can you describe a pivotal moment in your career as a police officer? In your career as a writer?


As an officer, the Rodney King riots were pivotal. I was working the day the verdict came in and remember how surreal that day was and how the riots started slow and then exploded when it got dark. The riots I’m referring to happened in Long Beach. We were definitely overshadowed by LA and the riots there, but about fourteen buildings in Long Beach were burned, including the DMV. We had looting and the National Guard also came into our city, so we had our share. I will always remember that night and the ten days that followed.

I’m not sure if this qualifies as a pivotal moment in my writing career, but it was the best thing that happened to me. I was at a writers’ retreat and picked up a flyer about a weeklong writers’ intensive course held at the home of an author who lived in Tehachapi, about a two-hour drive from Long Beach. At that time I had never heard of Lauraine Snelling because I didn’t read much historical fiction. But I went to the intensive and learned a lot. And most of all, I developed friendships that I still maintain with Lauraine and several of the other attendees. In fact, we all get together at Lauraine’s house every June for a reunion. We encourage one another, we pray together, we brainstorm, and we support one another. I could not imagine writing without these friends in my life.

Do all cops prefer patrol over desk work?


No. Some guys might spend their entire career in patrol, but I think most move around. This is based on what I know after working in Long Beach. In some smaller departments, opportunities to move around might be less available. Patrol work can be very demanding, or it can be very boring, but you can go from zero to heart-stopping with the snap of a finger. It is also repetitive. By that I mean every loud music call begins to look like every other. The domestic violence calls, the disputes, become routine and tedious, so normally after about four or five years, officers want to move on. In the academy, one instructor suggested we look for a new assignment every four or five years.

Do most cops truly believe what Carly says early in this novel: “Once a dirtbag, always a dirtbag”? As a former officer, how do you respond to that assessment?


A lot of cops do believe that. But you need a frame of reference. Most crime is committed by repeat offenders. The vast majority of people we would contact doing bad stuff had done bad stuff before. People on probation, parole—odds were good that’s who you needed to find to clear a case. So in one respect, if you had a crime to solve, you needed to look for someone who had done that crime before. Now, I believe Christ can change anyone. And some people do change, but if they change, they’re generally not going to come across your path.

What do you hope readers will take away from Carly’s story in
Accused
?


Just that there is always hope and that Christ can and does change hearts and people.