Macky Mason

Chapter 17

a/n nice looooooong chapter for ya! lots happens in this chapter, so buckle up and hang on!

17.

I looked at him dumbfounded for a few seconds. Then I exploded. "What?! That's impossible!"

"I wish I could agree," Chief sighed. "But ballistics records came back. The bullet was fired from Analu's gun. I have no choice but to bring him."

"Chief, you can't do this!" I exclaimed. "He's one of your own men!"

"Macky, I don't have a choice!" Chief replied. "I can't just give him a get-out-of-jail-free card! And he is not one of my men."

"He's a San Francisco Police Department officer," I said slowly and carefully. "You are the San Francisco Police Department chief. I think that qualifies him as one of your men."

"Analu is not in SFPD," Chief said coldly. "He is CCC only."

"That's a lie!" I exclaimed.

"Watch your mouth!" Chief warned. "You're lucky it's me and not another cop."

"Lucky it's you?" I scoffed. "You've done nothing but turn me away. There's been no progress in the investigation, has there? Or are you conveniently letting the daughter of the victim be made unaware of the leads in the case?"

"Is that an accusation?" Chief demanded. "You haven't exactly been on your best behavior. Stowing away on planes, lying just about every chance you get to save your skin, sneaking on boats, who knows what else? Might I also add you're breaking the law too."

"Three weeks ago, a suspect would not open the door, so Mr. Sullivan kicked it open," I recited. "That's breaking and entering. You didn't utter a peep. Why me? My dad's never hurt a hair on your head, neither have anyone in the CCC nor I. You and my father have never had a rift. Why now? What did we do? What did I do? You know what, don't even answer that. I've got more important things to do." I spun on my heel and strode out of the station.

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"Jack we have a situation," I said when he picked up the phone.

"The president's assassination?" Jack inquired.

"Spot on," I muttered. "Did the bullet really come from Analu's gun?"

"Yeah, and I should know, I was the run who ran the tests and broke the news to Chief Hampton," Jack replied.

"Chief really doesn't seem to be on our side," I commented.

"He's just doing his job," Jack reasoned. "I'm not saying I agree with him on whether or not Analu did it, but he does have a justifiable reason to believe it."

"I guess so," I admitted. "Doesn't mean he's my favorite person right now. Hey, is Analu actually a cop?"

"He was at a time before I came," Jack answered. "I don't know what happened between then and now. I know Kai is, but Analu is not."

"Wait, just before Analu left, I was trying to convince him to let me go with him," I explained. "I was saying something like, 'why do you want me to stay behind and handle things here? You've got Chief Hampton a phone call away'. And I don't remember what he said about Chief, but I had never heard anyone talk smack about any other cop, especially the chief of police."

"All I know is the two don't get along very well," Jack replied. "At all. But that's all I know." This puzzled me. Chief got along with everyone in the CCC. What was different about Analu? Did they share different viewpoints of a situation? Had one done something to the other? What was behind this?