Lifer

Lifer

The parking lot was empty. Except for dry weeds squeezing up through cracks in the asphalt; except for the deserted rusting basketball hoop on one end; except for rustling leaves skittering across fading parking spaces in the gathering dusk; except for oil spots shimmering with rainbow colors after a recent sprinkling, the parking lot was empty. And, because fate is resourceful, a steady gloomy rain started falling blurring any hope of discovering the mysterious body called in by an anonymous tip.

“What's in the corner by that dilapidated chain link fence?” my partner, Andy, asked.

“Looks like piles of garbage bags being buried by soggy leaves from here.” I answered. “I'll circle around for a closer look.”

“I detect movement. Do dead bodies move?”

“Nah, just rats crawling all over.”

“Better get out and take a good look. Bummer the rain is getting worse and the wind is picking up turning this into a chilly miserable autumn evening. Not even a sliver of a moon. Why is that always the way when a body shows up?” Andy complained. “Can't we simply call the coroner's office to come claim the neatly wrapped package?”

“They would love that and have our badges if it turned out to be nothing more than trash. We gotta confirm whatever it is. Sorry. Get your slicker on and take your flashlight. I'll be ready to call it in.”

I pulled the squad car up as close as I could as he prepared to exit. Suddenly, lightening flashed, thunder pealed as a hail of bullets pounded the passenger side. Andy fell back inside his head exploding and pouring gray matter all over me and the upholstery.

Reacting instinctively, I spun out of the lot laying new rubber on the old asphalt and bumping over the crumbling center meridian at the same time trying to figure from which gaping windows in the four story abandoned factory building the bullets were spewing.

Cursing under my breath, 'F—ing prank call! How can this be happening?'. Collecting my scrambled wits I squealed a U-y about half a block away and paused on the side of the street looking back at the front of the building. Like rats abandoning a sinking ship, perps were scurrying out of doors carrying backpacks and rolled up bedding. They appeared homeless but any of them were potential suspects and they were all getting away along with the weapons while I was on the horn to Central. Like a crazy man possessed I ground into gear and plowed ahead showering taser rays from my weapon aiming at legs to slow them down. So what if I hit a few with my bumper? We would need witnesses.

'Officer down. Send armored SWAT'. Was all I remember shouting into the mike.

I sped out of retaliation range and waited for back-up not knowing if any would be available. All I wanted to do was hold what was left of my friend and partner. An eighteen-year veteran of the force he was already looking forward to retiring and spending more time with his beautiful wife, Jolene, and his teen-aged sons, Andrew Jr. and Joshua. I remember watching those boys grow up.

How am I ever going to face them? As the senior officer, I'm the one who was supposed to be protecting him. Instead I delivered him into a hail of bullets. We let our guard down, Dear Boy. I don't have anyone waiting at home for me. Why couldn't it have been me with a new hole in the head. It can't even be an opened casket. No mortician can put the pieces back together.

Bleak rain continued to fall into the chill autumn night highlighted by blue and red strobing lights and streaking lightning punctuated by thunder. By the time the Captain and Lieutenant got there I know I looked like a blubbering idiot, shivering and quaking. More squads and a special weapons van soon arrived.

“D-Don't go in there without armor and shields. I-I think it was a deliberate ambush set up to kill as many police as they could. Got a fake tip about a body being found. But we were supposed to deliver the bodies. I'd say the bullets were coming from the second and third floor broken windows but so many people scrambled out of the building you may not find any evidence. Still someone could be waiting to claim more victims. I put a few down out front. Gotta go find some more. Bet those 'de-fund the police' activists are happy with this carnage. Force is already down to bare bones. Slim odds we'll be able to round up all 'em.”

“Easy, Cooper, look at yourself. You hit at all? You've done all you're going to do tonight. Lieutenant Kramer and I will handle it from here. Someone will assess how you're doing while we assess the situation.” Captain Crane commanded.

Soon ambulances were on the scene with emergency medical technicians attending to those witnesses I hit and myself. Bloody headless Andy was scooped into a body bag and our pock-marked unit was hauled in for evidence. Ignoring all my protesting I was delivered to the hospital and examined for holes. Hard to determine what was me and what was pieces of Andy.

“Really, Doc. I'm still in one piece. Only need to clean the gore off. I'll b-be alright.”

“You're shaking like a leaf ready to fall. When I'm done with you I'll assign a trauma evaluator before you crash and burn. Losing a partner like that will have long-term effects if left unaddressed. Doctor's orders. Time off while you see a therapist.”

“I'll have the support of all the guys in the precinct. I'm not sure about a shrink but I promise you I'm gonna be someone's worse nightmare once I get back on the street to find the monsters that riddled us. They don't understand what they've created. I'll never retire. I'm a lifer now. You can bet, gonna rain long-term regrets down on 'em.”