Detective Badass

Muhammad Carters (2)

"On the charge of assault in the second degree, how do you plead?"
"Not guilty, your honor," the boy's lawyer looked smug.
"The people request remand. The two young men have assaulted a young African American boy. They have probable cause for a hate crime," Barba argued.
"Save it for the trial. Bail set at five thousand for each boy."

"Now we wait for the trial," I relayed this for Muhammad.
"I don't think they'll be charged," he looked at his mom and dad when he said this.
"Don't say that, son," his dad looked over at us.
"You have a great representative," Liv added.
Muhammad stood up then and walked to his room.
"Would you like me to talk to him?," I asked the parents.
"Please," the mother looked worried for her son.

"Hey. You ok with all of this?," I began when I entered his room.
He had his back to me, he was at his desk. His room had drawings, paintings, and a bunch of art supplies covering every inch of the place. All of his famous works up on the walls and out in the living room as well. His parents were very proud of their son and they showed it. When he didn't answer me I walked a little closer.
"This one is my favorite," I pointed at the drawing of this biker chick with tattoos. "I'm saving up money to get it tattooed on my arm."
He looked up at me then. "Really?"
"Hell yeah! Your work is amazing!"
He laughed. "Thanks."
I sat on the edge of his bed. "So are you ok, Muhammad?"
"Just scared, I guess. I don't want this to happen again. What if they don't get convicted?"
"There are a lot of solutions. You could get a restraining order. They could get expelled. You never know."
This seemed to put him at ease but not entirely.
"Hey, if there's anything you need or just wanna talk," I pulled out my card. "Call me, any time. Ok?"
He smiled. "Thanks. You're a good cop, not a lot of those lately."
I got up then when Liv called me. "See you tomorrow, Muhammad?"
"Yeah."
I was walking out with Liv when Muhammad stopped me. "Detective Garcia?"
I turned. "Yeah?"
"I made this for you," he handed me a sleeve with two blank sheets inside and the artwork in the middle, to protect the drawing.
"Aw, you didn't have to."
He shrugged. "You inspired me."
I went up to him and hugged him. "Thank you, Muhammad."

"Can I see it?," Liv asked in the car.
I smiled close to tears and nodded. It was a drawing of me with my whole motorcycle gear on, my helmet in one hand. I had sunglasses on and my hair blowing in the wind. He signed it at the bottom:
Stay strong, Detective Badass
-MaC

"That is so sick!," Fin said in awe.
"Right!"
"Where ya gonna put it?," Rollins asked me.
"I'm gonna get it framed and put it in my room probably."
"Nice kid," Sonny added.

I hung up the masterpiece in my room as I said I would. As a reminder of why I go to work everyday. For kids like Muhammad.