The Aftermath Read online

  “No,” Chief Judge Fontaine replied. “In fact, we believe, he may eventually become a target.”

  “A target for who?”

  “That is what we do not know,” Assistant AG Haskell acknowledged.

  Judge Regan sat forward. “During Nate’s investigation, he was able to locate the murderer of the informant. That man, Chambers, was a high-level executive at the private prison organization called Peaceful Intervention Emergence.”

  “That is an odd name for a prison organization,” Skylar noted.

  “I agree,” Assistant AG Haskell added. “According to Detective Reigns’ notes on this case, he had a gut feeling that the organization was a dangerous entity.”

  “Dangerous how?” Skylar asked.

  “Reigns could not explain it further, other than it was a feeling,” Assistant AG Haskell stated. “This is where we came in. Chief Judge Fontaine contacted my office with the information he had and the informant he was doing his best to protect.”

  “She is one of my judges, I have no choice but to protect her,” Chief Judge Fontaine said.

  “It’s a good thing he did because I believe had Judge Reid not been placed in protective custody, she would be dead also,” Assistant AG Haskell declared. “When Clayton brought the information to me, I launched a soft investigation into Peaceful Intervention Emergence. As it turns out, it is a conglomerate that owns private prisons across the United States. There has also been detection of covert activities within the organization. We have not been able to uncover more facts. Since there was only one complaint from Virginia, my scope was limited to this area. Working with the governor, we issued subpoenas for all documents pertaining to the operations of Peaceful Intervention Emergence, specifically anything related to Centerville Correctional Facility and Peace Reliance Correctional Facility. As we dug deeper, the investigation was shut down by powerful members of Congress,” Assistant AG Haskell stated.

  “But you are continuing the investigation?” Skylar nodded.

  “Yes, that is where you come in,” Assistant AG Haskell replied then nodded at Judge Regan. “Our hands at the federal level within the DOJ are tied. However, the case with Detective Reigns gives us an opportunity to investigate from a different perspective.”

  Judge Regan chimed in. “There is a question that kept nagging at me with Nate’s investigation, and I never received an answer. Where are the girls? We were able to determine what the prison facilities were doing with the males, but we were unable to get any information on the girls until now.”

  “We believe the prison system is providing women to traffickers. Your case verified that for us.”

  “When did we verify that fact for you?” Skylar asked.

  “The chip discovered on the woman found in Burnett’s bed has identification information on it. She was a defendant sentenced to the Centerville Correctional Facility by Judge Reid a little over a year ago. The records on the facility indicate she was released six months ago. We checked with her family, and they indicated she was still in the facility.”

  Questions were swirling in Skylar’s mind. How did Assistant AG Haskell know about the chips? Who found the identification information, and why was she just hearing about this?

  “We believe this scheme is being duplicated in many facilities across the country. What we do not know is who is fueling this action.”

  “Believing and proving are two different animals.” Skylar advised. “This is as interesting as it is disturbing, but I am not clear on what you need from me.”

  “Reigns was able to bring down one of the members of this organization before. He may be able to give some insight into their philosophy. With the identification of the woman, you now can look closer at the Centerville Correctional Facility. If we are lucky, it may lead to the second facility and the purpose behind all of this,” Assistant AG Haskell clarified.

  “You mean, other than greed,” Skylar offered. “The prison systems are being compensated on all fronts it seems to me. The state who pays for their services, the criminal elements who are paying probably twice as much…”

  “And the families,” Judge Regan stated. “One of the things we discovered from the young man I was assisting was quite disturbing. It seems the facility was using certain prisoners as hired help for wealthy families. The way it was explained to me was simple. Each inmate has what is referred to as room and board fees.”

  “Has what?” Skylar frowned.

  “Room and board fees.” Judge Regan repeated. “Each inmate had a daily cost for room and board, just as they have in a college dorm. They had to earn a certain amount outside of the facility to pay said ‘room and board’ before gaining their freedom by the release date imposed by the court. Once their debt to society was met, they still had to remain in custody until the ‘room and board’ debt was paid.”

  “Since it is a daily fee, it would continuously add up every day they remained in custody.” Chief Judge Fontaine added, “If they worked outside of the facility and earned enough to pay the room and board fee, then they would be released. It is a vicious circle that makes it almost impossible to get out. Only those who are able to earn top wages are released on time.”

  “To add insult to injury,” Judge Regan continued, “every inmate signs a non-disclosure document stating, if they discuss this with anyone, including an attorney, it would be considered a violation of their probation and they would be returned to custody.”

  “This is the craziest shit I have ever heard!” Skylar exclaimed. “Excuse my French. Why haven’t we closed them down?”

  “As you said,” AG Haskell exhaled. “It is one thing to know it’s happening, but another to prove it.”

  “There is an element crazier than the fees,” Judge Regan sat forward. “I believe that is not the tip of the iceberg. It is a means to reach an overall goal.”

  “What is the goal?” Skylar asked.

  “It is my belief this Peaceful Intervention Emergence is a front for White Supremacists.” Judge Regan replied.

  Skylar sat back with a huff. “How soon can I speak with this Judge?”

  “I will call you with the arrangements.” Chief Judge Fontaine replied.

  “Do I have the freedom to offer a deal if needed?” Skylar asked Assistant AG Haskell.

  “You do. Let me know the outcome,” He replied.

  “You may want to include Nate in this meeting,” Judge Regan suggested.

  34

  Rachel Fontaine was easy to find at 6 am. She was the morning anchor for WRGN News. Nate watched from the green room as she completed her segment.

  “How are you holding up, Nate?” she asked the minute she walked into the room.

  “Still trying to process it all.” He hugged her then held her at arm’s length. “How about you?”

  Shaking her head, she sighed. “Regan is pissed, and I still can’t believe it. Do you have any leads?”

  “Depends on what you tell me.”

  “Me? I don’t know anything more than we have reported.”

  “That’s what I thought, until last night.” Nate took her elbow to guide her away from the door. “Do you remember the Chambers case?”

  “Do I remember?” She chuckled. “It’s pretty hard to forget a shootout in the middle of Broad Street, Nate.”

  Nate nodded. “I know. Do you remember the building we went to?”

  “With the blond hair, blue-eyed Barbie clones, yes, I remember that too. Do you think they have something to do with Alex’s death?”

  “Some information came my way yesterday and two names came up. Centerville Correctional and Peaceful Reliance.”

  “The prisons’ scam I was investigating?”

  “Right. What ever happened to the third judge in that case?”

  “Whew, Nate,” she cleared her throat as she glanced around. “Dangerous territory.”

  “Why?” Nate did not understand her hesitation. “Hey, it’s me. The one you shared this crazy case with.”


  She shrugged. “It’s just that Regan made a visit to that judge last night, and as it turns out, what I stumbled into may be something bigger than we originally thought.”

  Nate could not help but notice her voice lowered when she spoke. “Should we meet later to talk?”

  “Look, Nate. Remember my father was Chief Judge over the region and those judges fell under his jurisdiction. I can’t say for certain, but I believe he turned it over to the DOJ.”

  Nate raised an eyebrow. “I know he did. Any idea who he would have contacted there?”

  “Assistant AG Haskell, of course.”

  “Of course,” Nate nodded.

  “You know all you have to do is ask your mother. She will have him in Richmond before the day is out to answer any questions you may have.”

  Nate grimaced. “My mother?”

  “Yes, your mother,” Rachel nodded.

  “I have no idea what my mother would have to do with Haskell, but I’d rather not get her involved in a case I’m working on.”

  “Tell me what you have.” Rachel nodded in understanding.

  “Tell a reporter what I have on a case,” Nate chuckled then kissed her cheek. “You gave me what I needed, but that was a good try.” He walked towards the door.

  “You can’t blame a girl for trying.” Rachel smiled. “But why not ask Chief Williams? He and Alex continued doing some work on that case after the murder investigation was closed.”

  Nate stopped then turned back to her. “How do you know that?”

  “He met with Regan a few times, trying to get a line on the girls.” She walked over to him then whispered. “Regan believes this may have something to do with White supremacy.”

  “I don’t think she is far off, but what’s her reasoning?”

  Rachel glanced around. “Last night the judge said something about hanging parties and Regan’s mind went off. Should I be looking at that crazy organization again?”

  “The Barbies.” Nate smiled. “My gut is telling me the same thing it told me before. There is some underlying crap happening in that place.”

  “It was so much fun the first time you stopped by to pick me up. I would love to see the blond hair, blue-eyed brigade again.”

  “The superior beings filled with pure evil is more like it.” Nate chuckled at the memory. If I find a story there, I’ll give you a heads up.”

  “Yes, do that. I haven’t had a good run in with a racist since then. I’m good for another round.”

  “I bet you are,” Nate laughed remembering how outraged Rachel was the last time they visited that building. “If they are connected to Alex’s death, they are more dangerous than I thought before. Stay away from them until you hear from me.”

  Nate left the building. Getting into his car memories of the first time he and Tony walked into Peaceful Intervention Emergence filled his mind.

  Entering the lobby, Nate had an unexplainable feeling of danger. Naturally he reached for his holster, unclipping the latch that held his weapon in place.

  “What is it?” Tony asked.

  “You don’t feel that?”

  “What?”

  “The hatred seeping out of every corner of this building,” Nate replied as he approached the front desk.

  A blond, blue-eyed woman looked up. Nate caught the startled look in her eyes before she was able to conceal it. “May I help you?” she said more to Tony than to him.

  Tony must have noticed the reaction too, he pointed to Nate without saying anything at all to the woman. The woman did any and everything she could not to look at him. Her actions almost caused Nate to laugh.

  “Excuse me,” Nate said attempting to catch her eye. “My name is Nathan Reigns. I’m a detective with the Major Crimes Division of the Richmond Police Department. I was wondering if I could have a moment of Mr. Wyatt Chambers’ time?”

  Without checking a computer or making any calls, the woman looked up at Tony. “Mr. Chambers is not available.”

  Tony again pointed to Nate without saying a word. The woman again avoided eye contact. Nate and Tony exchanged a glance.

  “I don’t think I caught your name.” Nate put on his brightest smile. But the woman never looked up to catch the gesture.

  “Krystal O’Donnell.”

  “Krystal, that’s a beautiful name. You seem to have special powers. You were able to tell us Mr. Chambers is not available without checking his calendar. How many people do you think work in this building?” he asked Tony.

  “Twenty stories, ten or more rows of windows around the exterior, a few thousand at the least.”

  Nate turned back to Krystal. “With that many people you’re able to keep all their schedules in your brain.” He nodded. “That’s kind of special.”

  The woman stared into his eyes as if he did not exist. “Mr. Chambers is not available for the likes of you. In fact, I believe security needs to be advised of your insolence to a superior being.”

  Nate’s demeanor changed. “Superior? Are you referring to yourself, by any chance?”

  “Any person in this building would be superior to you. Now if you don’t mind, I would like for you to leave.”

  Nate and Tony looked at each other.

  “She would like for you to leave,” Tony repeated to Nate.

  “We recognize those of us who have been manipulated to believe their kind is equal to us,” Krystal said to Tony. “We have the ability to reprogram your thoughts to regain your superiority.”

  “Whoa, Nate, did you hear that? I can be reprogrammed.

  “Look, Krystal.” Nate turned from the grinning Tony. “You have thirty seconds to get Mr. Chambers on the phone. If you do not, the force of the entire Richmond Police Department will be summoned to your door.”

  “Yes, there is a whole force of men and women like me, you can try to reprogram.” Tony nodded.

  “Krystal, is there a problem?” A tall blond man with blue eyes dressed in a navy suit walked from a door behind the receptionist desk.

  “This person is here to see Mr. Chambers,” she explained with a sneer.

  “This person is Detective Nate Reigns with the Major Crimes Division of the Richmond Police Department,” he said as he pulled out his badge. “You have exactly sixteen seconds remaining to produce Mr. Wyatt Chambers, or I will have every available police officer in the city to lock the building down until we find him.”

  The man stepped towards Nate. “I assure you that is not necessary.” He extended his hand. “I am Evan Welch, Mr. Chambers’ assistant.” Nate simply stared at the man’s hand then looked back up at him. Tony shook the man’s hand.

  “Mr. Chambers is having lunch with the Mayor. I believe they are at a campaign fundraiser.”

  “Mr. Chambers is with Mayor Palmer?”

  The man nodded. “Yes, I believe they are associates.”

  “Uh huh,” Nate said in a disbelieving tone. “Where are they dining?”

  “It is an exclusive facility,” Evan stated. “I am certain you would not be privy to the membership there.”

  “You never know,” Nate teased. “We show up in the most unexpected places these days.”

  Evan smirked. “Yes, well, The Carmichael.”

  “The Carmichael?” Nate asked, then reached into his suit jacket to pull out his wallet. He pulled out a black card with gold trimming. “Does he have one of these?”

  Surprise registered in the man’s eyes for a quick moment, then he returned to being expressionless. “I believe he does.”

  “Then I will have no problem getting to him.” Nate glanced at the woman who now stood behind Evan. He extended his hand. “Thank you for your time.” Then turned to walk out with Tony next to him.

  “Excuse me, sir,” Evan called out. “What was your name again?”

  Nate did not bother to turn to answer the question. He continued walking towards the door. “Reigns…Nathan Reigns.”

  Tony looked back to see Evan Welch taking a wipe from the lovely Krystal then w
iping his hands. “What in the hell did we just walk into, Nate?”

  “A building of superior beings according to the lovely Krystal.”

  Nate put it all in context by saying everyone has freedom of speech. What they thought of him never fazed him. Thinking back on the case, he remembered that gut feeling he had when he first walked into the building. The hatred seemed to ooze out of the walls surrounding those who were unwanted with an uneasy feeling of danger. He started his car thinking he would hate to be working beside anyone who had that much hatred hidden inside of them.

  35

  The modest two-story brick home of Frank Williams was on the Northside of Richmond in the established neighborhood of Sherwood Park. The homes gave an immediate feeling of family with tree- lined streets, bicycles in front yards, hopscotch drawings on the sidewalks, and cars parked out front rather than in garages. Standing on the front porch, Nate glanced around admiring the neighborly feel of the area. A stark contrast to his upbringing, but the sounds of smooth jazz coming from the home set his thoughts on common ground. Though they were from two different walks of life, they both wanted to protect what the other had. This was the reason why they served the public. The door opened, assailing his nostrils with the smell of fried potatoes, bacon and he couldn’t believe, homemade biscuits. As tantalizing as the smells were, they were no match for his surprise to see a Secret Service agent at the door.

  “Good morning.”

  Nate hesitated. “Good morning. Is this the home of Chief Williams?”

  “It is,” The agent confirmed.

  “I am Detective Nate Reigns, is the Chief available?”

  “Nate,” Chief Williams called out as he appeared wiping his mouth with a napkin.

  Dressed in a white shirt and tie, with his navy-blue uniform pants on, it was clear Nate had caught him during breakfast.

  “Chief Williams, my apologies for interrupting you at home this time of the morning. May I have a minute of your time before we go into the office?”

  “Of course.” Chief Williams nodded to the agent.