Behind the Badge by J.D. Cunegan Page B

She refused to consider the fact that her police department would systemically allow something like this to happen. And yet... it appeared that was exactly what was happening. Well before Devin Buckner, too... to this day, Pedro Mendoza's family was pressuring the BPD to punish the officers allegedly responsible for his death. Now that those officers were apparently involved in yet another death of a black teenage boy, the pressure was mounting again. WJZ had already announced that Pedro's mother would be on their morning show.
    Not to mention the laundry list of names before Pedro. The only reason Pedro's name was still in the news was because his father was a prominent lawyer. Constant threats of legal action against both the BPD and the mayor's office had a way of shining the spotlight on something that otherwise would've long fallen out of the public eye. The protests had died down, but the debate over police brutality and systemic racism never went away. Devin Buckner's death would only stoke the fires once again.
    “The evidence is on mine,” she said, pushing herself off the chair again and grabbing the doorknob. “Underestimate me at your own risk.”

CHAPTER 19
     
     
     
    No sooner did Jill return to her desk, slapping her notepad on the surface in a show of frustration only uncooperative suspects could get out of her, than the phone on her desk rang. Hoping it was one of the other detectives calling with news, or even Juanita with an update on the autopsy, she practically yanked the receiver from its cradle and plopped herself into her chair.
    “Andersen.”
    “ That was quite the display out there tonight ,” a male voice greeted on the other end, and Jill's blood ran cold.
    “What the hell do you want?” Jill spat through clenched teeth.
    “ Now now... put away the sword ,” David Gregor teased. “ I come in peace .”
    “Why don't I believe that?”
    “ Because you are one insufferable little pest ,” the billionaire answered. “ But in this case, that's actually a good thing. ”
    Leaning back in her chair, Jill trapped the phone between her shoulder and ear before folding her arms over her chest. She considered having the call traced, but she knew Gregor wasn't the sort to hide from her. If she really needed to go after him, she knew exactly where he would be. For the thousandth time since she got out of the hospital, Jill wondered why she hadn't done just that. The business card that FBI agent had left her two months ago was still tucked away in her drawer, all but forgotten.
    “Is there a point to this call, or are you just gonna mock me?”
    “ The public is against you on this case ,” Gregor explained, as if Jill didn't already know that. “ Sure, the more socially conscious know what really happened, but as far as anyone else is concerned, a black kid with legal trouble is off the streets. Your little stunt tonight probably won't help matters .”
    “Never mind the fact that they were going to kill a police colonel.”
    “ You know the public narrative won't get that far. Colonel Downs’ name might never make the newspaper. All the people will hear about is the vigilante who beat four cops to a pulp. ”
    Jill rolled her eyes; the last thing she needed was someone else telling her to be careful. Especially someone who probably would rather see her dead. Then again, maybe Gregor had a point. Jill certainly didn’t enjoy throwing down with cops -- even if the cops in question were one level up from scum in her mind.
    “ I can help you. ”
    The laugh burst from Jill's lips before she had a chance to stop herself, because those were the last four words she ever expected to hear from him, and she sat upright again. “You? Help me ?”
    “ This is an epidemic, Detective ,” Gregor said. “ You remember what happened the last time those jackals killed a black kid. Frankly, I'd rather not watch my city burn again. ”
    “Funny, I would've thought police brutality was right up your