The Death Of Jackson Harris

Chapter 20

I always promised myself to not get attached to my partners. When you team up in this workforce, you have to come to terms with the fact that you are supposed to be there for your partner and they are supposed to be there for you. It's more than a friendship, it's a bond that'll tear your heart if something happens. 

My heart was heavy and my palms were sweaty as I sped to Kenneth's third and final location. My car screeched and threw me forward with my harsh stop. Kenneth knew I was here already but I wanted him to focus on me and forget about Grace to let her get away. My gun was in my hand and I entered through the back door, thanking God that it was open. I made my movements as quietly as possible, my eyes searching for either Grace or Kenneth. My breath stopped when I saw blood droplets on the floor, the drops leading toward a room with a closed door.

Grace.

I had to prepare myself for what I was going to witness when I opened the door. My heart felt heavier if possible and I had to take a deep breath before opening the door. A gasp immediately left my lips, my hand going up and shooting while I jumped out of the way as well. Kenneth cursed loudly and a second later I heard a door open and close. I took the chance to peek in the room to see him gone, only his blood droplets in the room. There was another door in the back to the left side that led to another room. One thing for sure, Kenneth was injured and I had to take advantage. I chased after him, my legs suddenly not feeling shaky but steady. A new wave of determination hit me and I knew, Kenneth was mine. Kenneth was running through the halls and I took my aim, shooting and cursing when he opened another door to escape. I quickly followed, ignoring the sound of another car pulling up. My mind was only filled with only Kenneth. 

"I know about you, Henry!" he suddenly called out, his face popping out from behind a wall and shooting in my direction.

I ducked behind a wall and waited for him to stop his shooting. 

"You think you're some great detective? You're just as dirty as I am."

I took the opportunity to shoot when he looked my way again. He ducked and ran across the room, opening a door that led to the roof. He was looking to escape. I chased after him, running up the stairs and shooting whenever I saw him. He yelped when one of my bullets got his leg, making him fall. He didn't let it stop him, getting back up and limping as fast as he could, shooting my way to slow me down in the process. I heard sirens in the distance and knew that even if Kenneth made it to the roof, he'd be surrounded. He wasn't going to make it out. I heard the door at the top open and I forced my burning legs to go faster, tackling Kenneth down right when he turned to close the door. We tumbled on the roof and I groaned when Kenneth shoved me off. I quickly stood up and we both aimed at each other right at the same time.

"Even if you shoot me, Henry, I'll shoot you too and take you with me."

"Fine by me," I said and right when I was about to pull the trigger, a shot rang through my ears and my eyes widened when Kenneth's body immediately dropped to the floor, a bullet hole right between his eyes.

What confused me more was the fact that the bullet came right by my head, right behind me. I turned around and stood frozen. A tall, muscular, rugged man stood before me. My mind said it before I could speak it. Something told me it was him. 

Jackson Harris.

His intimidating gaze held me in place, making me unable to move or talk. My mind yelled at me to put my gun up, but I couldn't lift it even when he pointed the gun at me. He stared at me for a second longer before he turned and saw all the cop cars in the distance that were closing in. He didn't spare me another glance, instead, he grabbed hold of some rope that was on the side of the roof and quickly went down. He was quick with his movements because, in one quick second, he was in his car and zooming off, leaving no trace that he was there. The cop cars finally pulled up when the engine of Harris's car could no longer be heard. He was gone.

"Miller! Do you have Kenneth?" my captain yelled from the bottom, other detectives rushing into the building. 

"He's dead," was all I could mumble.

Detectives finally made it to the top and one of them rushed to catch me when my legs gave out and I fell to my knees. Others went to Kenneth's body and ordered the medical team to rush up and get him. They helped me to my feet and I allowed them to take me all the way out until we were standing outside of the building doors. I could finally move on my own when I saw Grace's body lying on a gurney.

"Grace!" I yelled and ran to her bed, my heart dropping for the thousandth time that day.

"She's okay, she just fell asleep. We need to take her to treat her wound, but it doesn't seem life-threatening."

"I'm coming with you," I demanded.

"Captain wants a word with today's hero," Elizabeth said, walking up from behind me. "Listen to them. Grace will be okay. Captain wants to talk to you now, though."

Elizabeth had to grab my arm to pull me away from Grace but I kept my eyes on them as they loaded her into the car and drove off. She must've been exhausted from both pain and tiredness to not have woken up with all the noise. But she was going to make it. That's all that matters. 

"Listen, even though I didn't get what I wanted, the favor is still finished. There was no way you could've told me that this was going to be the location. I do have one question, though."

"What?"

"Kenneth's bullet hole was perfectly aimed right between his eyes, not an inch closer to the right or left eye. How did you get your aim so perfect?"

I shrugged my shoulders, blaming it on the adrenaline and that it was a lucky shot. If I saw Jackson Harris tonight, Elizabeth would absolutely be the last person I would've told. I couldn't even say that it was him, I have no evidence. Not footprints or fingerprints. He took everything with him, down to the rope that he used to leave. 

"I have to go talk to the Captain," I said and walked away, ignoring her stare because I knew that she had a feeling I wasn't the one who shot down Kenneth.

I couldn't process anything right now. I thought once I had him, I'd feel happy, excited, and relieved that I finally solved one of the many cases. And while I did technically solve the case because I had more than enough evidence, I still couldn't find it within myself to be even somewhat happy. My partner was shot and I came face to face with a man who I thought was Jackson Harris. I imagined our confrontation a million times in my head. But not once did I think he would make me freeze up the way he did. 

I knew that my job just got a lot harder and because of that, I had no room to feel relieved.