Hood Math (HDLY#4)

Prologue

Special Agent in Charge Jeremiah Pratt looked at what he wrote on his notecards and sighed. He looked at the Deputy Director in charge of the New York field office Hernandez Ortiz who was still in front of the podium sweating from all the cameras that was flashing in front of Ortiz's face as Ortiz spoke into the microphone.

Pratt couldn't believe that he was about to be speaking to a press conference of this magnitude but this situation was serious. Pratt wiped the sweat that was forming on his brow as well. He hated giving big speeches especially about fuck-ups.

Pratt just waited until Ortiz finished the dog and pony show and hand the microphone over to him so he could slaughtered.

"Now, the person approaching will be Special Agent in Charge of this case, Jeremiah Pratt," Ortiz announced turning his body sideways to face Pratt and extended his hand. "Who will have a few words and then any questions you may have you can briefly ask after the speech in a five minute increment."

Pratt wiped another bead of sweat threatening to run down his forehead. If he wasn't already pale, he would be white as a ghost right now. His cheek was puffy red and he knew he couldn't hide them

His suit was clinging to his body as sweat had built up in his back as he approached the podium relieving Ortiz with a smile. He knew he wasn't going to get an applause or a standing ovation for this podium stance. This was to deliver bad news and the messenger was always the first one to get killed.

Pratt took a deep breath and blinked hard as cameras flashed in front of his eyes almost causing him temporary blindness. Pratt forced a smile, cleared his throat and glanced at his notecards one last time.

He leaned into the microphone and spoke. "Hello, my name is Special Agent Jeremiah Pratt of the New York office. The reason why I am here today as Mister Deputy Director has mentioned is to inform you about a fugitive at large. His name is Darren Rufus Bishop, goes by the name of Train. He is wanted for a numerous of offenses including murder, blackmail and illegal drug sales. During a federal transport to a secure maximum security federal prison from an Upstate state penitentiary facility, Mister Bishop, as well as three other men, that were later caught by authorities, were in a transport vehicle that was ambushed and in the process several law officials are severely injured. Mister Bishop was able to escape along with three other men, Hector Chavez, Lucas Waters, and Neil Patton, with the aid of highly trained men with heavy weaponry and deadly tactics. The other three men in question were later obtained in a town nearby but Mister Bishop's whereabouts are still unknown."

Pratt took another deep breath. He heard a lot about this Train character especially after the book that came out about written some urban author named Ashon Thadon. His agents had questioned Thadon too and came up with no answers. The three men that Train escaped with also were no help since they were left there after Train was taken.

Pratt knew about all the fan mail Train received in state prison before he was about to be transferred. Pratt knew Train should have been in Federal custody under their judicial jail system but something keep jamming up the works and Train had to be sent to a state penitentiary until the matter was cleared up. Pratt never understood the reasoning of how his agency could have fumbled the ball so hard but yet here they were.

"Needless to say that Mister Bishop is a very dangerous man," Pratt continued.
"He is not the man that is portrayed in the books and movies you have seen or read about. He is a dangerous criminal and a murderer. He is a murderer of federal agents as well as city and state officials. He is Public Enemy number one as far as my office is concerned and we will waste no resource to make sure this man is brought to justice and held accountable for the crimes he has committed. Do not think for one minute this is a personal vendetta between Mister Bishop and the law officers sworn to protect the freedoms of all citizens. No, this is a message that crime will not be tolerated, murdering of our law enforcement will not be cast aside because the killer has personality. This is about justice that we intend to make sure Mister Darren Bishop faces for the crimes he has really committed. The past fiasco between Mister Bishop and the New York Police Department does not shed any light into this matter. Mister Bishop is a sworn murderer and he will be brought to justice. Any question?"

The news reporter want frantic with questions and trying to get a good sound byte. Pratt glanced at Ortiz who looked beyond fuming. Pratt had crossed the line with his last statement but he didn't care. Darren Bishop to him was a menace and Bishop deserved nothing more than the needle for killing his fellow agents. Pratt was going to make sure of that. Especially after the note he left on the windshield of the transport bus. A note Ortiz nor any other agent was supposed to ever leak to the press because it was of straight disrespect and a deadly taunt that would really fall bad on the ones that uphold the law with a badge.

The note simply read: This is Train, bitch, do your Hood Math on me.