Fearing for the kid’s safety my heart was pumping as if it were going to burst out of my chest as we crashed through the bushes in a frantic search for the source of the disturbance. The sight that met our eyes caused my head to swim. A half-naked African-American girl, covered in blood, was tied to a tree. What remained of her clothes was torn to shreds, hanging loosely from her battered and abused body. Two young guys were lying on the ground. The kid, a horizontal gash across his cheek and blood trickling from the wound, was surveying the scene.
With a piece of tissue that I took from my pocket I picked up a hand gun close to one of the semi-conscious youths, who I could see was about eighteen years old with more metal hanging from his face than a gaoler has keys. His jaw was hanging limply, clearly broken, mouth gaping open. I looked at the other one groaning on the ground who was in no better shape. Max rang the law while Ray and I released the girl. The sight of her caused me to retch. She had been violated and abused. Her hair had been torn out in handfuls, her face, which I imagine had once been delicate and even pretty, was now a grotesque mask of beaten pulp. Without a word, Josh picked up the rope that had been used to tie the girl to the tree, cut it into two pieces and tossed a length in my direction. He tied the hands of the most conscious suspects and I did the same with the other one.
After a few minutes two cops and a medic appeared. One of the cops, his face as white as bed linen, dropped to his knees with a sob and vomited into a bush.
His buddy turned to me. “OK, what happened?”
I told him what I could, and then referred him to the kid. “As we were running along the road,” Josh said, “I heard a faint whimper and decided to investigate. As I pushed through the bushes I saw those two, over there,” he indicated with a nod of his head, “tormenting the girl tied to the tree. Almost immediately one of them took out a gun and fired at me. So I had to take care of the situation.”
The officer surveyed the scene, mouth slightly open. “And who caused all the injuries to these two?” After thinking for a moment, he continued, “I suppose the four of you?”
Josh looked at me, not knowing quite what to say. “Umm, ah, no, it was me officer, my friends didn’t know what was going on.”
“Are you kidding me? You took these guys out on your own? Come on!”
I felt I ought to say something but didn’t know what. I couldn’t agree or disagree with the kid as, it was true, I wasn’t there. I thought it best if I kept my mouth shut and waited for developments. Ray was still with the girl, who was sobbing and trying to talk through swollen lips as she was being gingerly helped onto a stretcher. I looked in admiration at the medics. These guys were saints in disguise. I wondered if they could sleep at nights with all the horrors and sights they must witness on a daily basis.
“OK,” continued the officer after an exaggerated pause and looking at us suspiciously, “have it your way, but you’ll have to come up with something better than that when you make your statements to Riley.” he said turning his head and looking in the direction of another car that had just drawn up.
Ray held the girl’s hand until she was in the ambulance then returned to us with a solemn face. “Those bastards,” he said with passion, “and their lawyer will probably spring them in a couple of hours.” It was the first time I’d ever heard him swear.
That’s democracy, I suppose. In order for the majority to enjoy freedom of speech, as well as freedom of movement, the criminal elements are entitled to the same privileges. ‘Innocent until proven guilty’. The problem is the law is so stacked in favour of the criminal that the guilty often get away to sin again and again, before being caught, then the cycle continues.
The police loaded the suspects, who had now recovered enough to walk, into two separate vehicles before being driven away.
“I’m Detective Riley,” said a smart, neatly dressed, plain clothes guy of about thirty five, as he approached us. Having already stopped on the way for a brief word with the officer he said. “I’d like some statements from you guys, so I’d appreciate it if you’d come downtown with me to the precinct.” It was at that point that he recognised Ray. “Wow, what are you doing out this early jogging round the park, making a comeback?” Ray smiled good-naturedly at the officer’s impertinence and shrugged his broad shoulders.
“No, I’m not making a comeback, just keeping fit. Ah, is it OK if we continue with our run and come to the station later officer?”
“Sure, but come as soon as you can,” Riley said, then turned and walked towards the scene of the crime. “Enjoy the rest of your run,” he called before disappearing behind the trees.
After a bit of stretching we pushed through the small crowd that had gathered on the roadway, and recommenced our jog.
None of us spoke for several minutes but, not able to concentrate any longer I said. “Would you guys mind if I cut out, my mind’s not on the job?” Ray put his hand out and grabbed my shoulder bringing me to a stop.
“I was about to say the same thing, Jack. Is it OK with you two if we call it a day?” He looked at Max and Josh, who needed no further encouragement and readily agreed.
We turned and ran back to where we had started. Ray’s limo was still parked with his driver reading a newspaper. “Can I drop you two off at the gym, it’s on my way?” said Ray, raising his eyebrows.
“Thanks,” I said, “I guess we’ll call at the precinct later in the day to make our statements. I think I can remember where it is.” As we got into Ray’s limo, a depressing silence reigned, and a dark cloud seemed to hang over us. No one said a word for the entire journey. On arrival at the gym I turned to Ray. “Thanks for the ride, Ray. Will we be seeing you again?”
“I sure hope so, but not on this trip I’m afraid,” he replied, then, turning to the kid. “Josh I don’t know what your plans are for the future but I can tell you, you’re one hell of a talent, and a nice kid, and if I can help you in any way I’d deem it a compliment if you asked me.”
“Thanks Ray,” Josh responded quietly no doubt still thinking of the girl and the events of the last hour or so. “And thanks for helping me yesterday. Jim will be impressed when I tell him.”