'Righteous Nights' - Chapter 14

Ok, today is Friday, September 18th…it’s approximately 15:24 hours. My name is Officer Patrick Pearson, I am assigned to the Big City Detective Unit. Alongside me in the room we have Officer Tapley, also of the Big City Detective Unit, and Officer Brigstock, part of the Big City Technicians Team. You know how this works, Malcolm. Please state your full name for the purposes of the interview.

Can I get something to drink first?

I’m afraid not, Malcolm.

Fine…cutbacks again, is it?

I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you right now. Please proceed with your name and rank. 

Ok, ok…my name is Malcolm Maxwell McBride. The 'Malcolm' comes from my father, he shares the same name as me. 'Maxwell', on the other hand, is something my mother came up with. Don't ask me why, or how...the old girl never did have great taste. That’s why she ended up with my father. Anyway, I am currently serving an eighteen month suspension from the Big City Patrol Squad as a result of my actions on September 3rd of this year. 

Thank you. And Malcolm, could you please confirm your date of birth for me?

It’s all there in the records, Pat…

Fine. I’m going to read you your rights at this point. You are not under arrest of course, so you are technically free to leave any time you please. But this interview is being recorded. Anything you do say may be…

Enough already, Pat. I’ve heard it all before. Plus, the wife wants me back home before long…she's conjured up her famous beef casserole and I'll sure as hell be sleeping on the sofa tonight if I'm late for dinner. So, let’s just get a move on, shall we?  

Ok. We can begin right away then. Yourself and ************** were partners together during your time among the Big City Patrol Squad, is this correct?

Absolutely.

And, as a pair, neither of you had ever run into any trouble like this before?

None whatsoever. ************** always acted as an exemplary police officer the whole time I knew him. It was a pleasure to call the guy my partner for the short time we worked together.

I see. In your own words, please run us through the events that took place in the early hours of September 3rd.

It was around 1 o’clock in the morning. Myself and ************** were stationed on the corner of Cecil Street and Rosewood Drive. The two of us were undertaking our usual procedure as part of the ten hour patrol shift that evening. 

But you weren’t simply there by accident were you?

You’re a smart one aren’t you, Pat? If you want the truth, we received a tip-off. We were told that all six members of a well known local crime family were to be hauled up in one of those downtown apartment blocks in the inner city. Building 2, Apartment no. 24…to be exact. We had been tailing them for quite some time...

And who placed this call? This tip-off as you call it? 

A concerned neighbour, let’s say. They didn’t exactly leave their name and address.

Very well. What happened next?

My partner and I sought the immediate assistance of two local patrolmen stationed in the area, Officers Paul Penfold and Martin McCrea. From there we scouted the nearby vicinity for any sign of danger, the same way we always do, securing the area and making sure that all nearby civilians would be out of harm's way.

How did that go?

It was quiet out there, understandably, so it didn’t take long. After that, myself and ************** proceeded towards Building 2 and quietly made our way up the stairs.

I want to backtrack for one moment, if you don’t mind?

Go ahead. 

You didn’t make any attempts to fact-check the call beforehand? An experienced officer of the law, such as yourself, would have surely known the risks of proceeding inside the building without taking due care?  

You’re right. The tip-off could have been phoney. It could have been just plain wrong, or worse…we could have found ourselves walking headfirst into a trap. Which is what happened in the end, I guess.

So, I repeat Malcolm, why didn’t you fact-check the call?

Listen Pat, it was a mistake ok? But I don’t expect you to understand. It’s easy to have that tone when you’re sat behind your desk for nine tenths of the year. None of you boys in here know what it's like out there. Sometimes you have to think on your feet. The Big City Task Force had been chasing the Redwoods for months and months. Endless days and countless weeks of making calls and trawling through evidence just to get them all in one place. And now, suddenly we had them. Right under our noses...

I heard you, but...

We are talking about killers and thieves, Pat. Killers and thieves! We couldn’t just let them get away, could we?

Ok. Yet you understand that both yourself and ************** were operating against our strict code of conduct at this stage?

That I accept, yes. 

So, let’s move on. Did you notice anything peculiar about your partner that night…regarding his mental state of mind? 

Come on, what is this? I’m not here to gossip or serve up wild speculation I’m not qualified to give…

Just answer the question, Malcolm. 

If you’re asking me if I sensed anything wrong with my partner back then, the answer is no. Looking back, it’s a quite different story of course…but right then? No.  

Fair enough. In your case notes you told us that ************** proceeded towards Apartment no.24 alone whilst you waited two and a half flights below in the stairwell? Is this correct?

Yes…it’s correct

Please explain this decision for the benefit of the record. 

Look, a lot of mistakes were made that day. I’m not denying that fact. That’s why you boys are sitting opposite me asking the questions, and I’m currently on suspension. We made the choice for ************** to go alone so as not to arouse too much suspicion. I waited downstairs in the stairwell, in order to keep the area clear of anyone who might have wandered in. I know as licensed officers of the law we are not supposed to separate like that. But it’s what happened…take it or leave it. 

What about Officers Penfold and McRae?

They stayed outside by the door, doing the same thing.

Ok. Describe the scene inside Building 2. What did you feel as you ventured inside? 

It was a mess in there. A real mess. It was rundown, shabby…it looked like the inside of an old pressure cooker. Not a pretty sight.  

And then? What came next?

You don’t mind if I light a smoke in here, do you Pat?

Go ahead…

Thanks a bunch…what happened next was a lot to take in. My memory is a little fuzzy, I’m sure you'll understand…but I heard shouting, raised voices. I heard ************** state his presence as a police officer before opening the door. That much I remember clear as day. Then my partner told them to put down their weapons… 

How did you respond? 

I didn’t think, to tell you the truth. I just went straight up there after him.

And…?

And then came the gunshots...too many to remember. It could have only lasted a handful of seconds, but I heard bullets flying everywhere. Once I made my way up to the sixth floor I saw several bullet holes out in the corridor. Big ones, in fact. The wall opposite had been blasted to pieces. There was no sign of my partner, so I went inside and…

And what, Malcolm?

And…

Take your time.

And the bodies. I saw all the bodies. Five of them in total, four male, one female. All of which were already known to the authorities as high profile members of the infamous Redwood crime family. I’d…I…well, I had never seen anything quite like it before in all honesty.

Did you recognise any of their faces?

Certainly. I saw Raymond first…Raymond Redwood, his body was sort of perched upright in his chair facing opposite the front door. He had a weapon in his lap, I don’t remember which kind…and next to him, on the floor, was Riley. He was the youngest member of the Redwood clan. Poor kid had been left in the same state as his old man pretty much. I still remember the blood pouring out of the back of his head…

That must have been difficult for you, Malcolm.

It was. Another two bodies could be seen at the far end of the room. Roman Redwood, eldest son and second in command among the Redwood hierarchy, and Tyrone Thompson, long-term friend of the Redwoods and loyal servant among the criminal organisation. Their bodies were resting over a big crate of white powder at the back of the room…

You’re referring to the cocaine that was found on site?

That’s for the experts to decipher Pat, not me. 

What about the sisters? Rosalie and Ruby Redwood?

Ruby was the only one not there. I don’t know where she was.

And Rosalie?

Ah Rosalie. She was the one who scared me the most before all this happened. A cold-blooded, killer of a woman. Wanted for a triple homicide don’t you know?

Please Malcolm, stay on topic.

Alright. She was dead too…of course. I guessed then and there that she had been the one to instigate the firefight. Judging by the presence of that sawn-off shotgun lying beside her body...and not to mention the mighty big hole out in the corridor where my partner would have been standing. Next to her was the baby crib, and…my god, I never would have…I just couldn’t believe…

It’s ok. The baby was unharmed. We don’t need to go into that for now.

Thank god…truly, I thank god every day that no harm came to that poor child. 

What about your partner? Where was he once all the shooting had ceased?

He was standing by the window, white as a ghost. The Redwoods had been using that apartment as a temporary base of operations it seemed…with shipments of drugs packaged up and cast all around the room. In terms of evidence, it was ripe for the picking. I suppose my partner was just trying to take it all in…as difficult as it was in there. It’s a miracle he survived the whole ordeal. I don’t think he could say a single word to me at first, he was so shocked. 

That’s understandable. 

It’s why we took to calling him ‘Lucky’…in case you wanted to know. I don’t know how my partner left that room unscathed. There wasn’t a single mark on him.

Really?

Yeah. Lucky bastard...

Ok. So moving forward, I just want to pick up on something you alluded to before. And listen closely Malcolm, because this is a very crucial point within all of this.

I’m all ears, captain.

To the best of your knowledge, who opened fire first?

Come on, Pat. I already told you the answer to that. It certainly wasn’t **************, if that’s what you’re insinuating. No doubt about it. The Redwoods fired first, my partner was only acting in self-defence.

But, hold on...you told us you were waiting downstairs in the stairwell when you initially heard the gunshots. Are you sure that this part of your statement is accurate, Malcolm?

Absolutely, Pat.

Then how can you be certain who fired first?

I know what I heard, alright? ************** told the assailants to put down their weapons, and they responded by opening fire on the guy without remorse. It wasn't the other way around, Pat. My guess is that this whole thing was nothing but a trap. That they were waiting for him. But, I can't be totally sure about that part. All I know is that the Redwoods fired first.

Fine. So your next step was to call for back-up. Why did it take you so long?

Because I wanted to check on my partner’s safety. You boys are going to have to sue me if you have a problem with that.

The back-up team turned up at the wrong address. Can you explain this?

That was my mistake and my mistake only, officers. In the chaos I must have got the numbers in the address mixed up. I’ve apologised for that and won’t hesitate to do so again. There was just so much going on at that point.  

When the back-up team arrived they confirmed that five bodies were pronounced dead on the scene. Several bundles of cocaine were witnessed present in the room alongside several more cases of cash and other narcotics paraphernalia, presumably due to be sold. What was your partner’s take on the situation?

I didn’t exactly press him for answers. A lot had happened, it was hard for all of us. In the end, though, he did tell me. He recalled seeing all five members of the Redwood family brandishing weapons and aiming them at him as soon as he pushed against the door...which had been left open purposefully, I imagine. I think that point is important to remember. 

What else did he say?

It was an ambush Pat, what else is there to say? As soon as he poked his head inside he was almost hit by a 12-gauge shotgun shell, the same one that embedded itself in the wall opposite! So he hid for cover in the corridor, fearing for his life. He fired his weapon back into the apartment and hoped for the best. That’s all any of us would have done in that same situation. My partner was a brave man. A very brave man, indeed.

Is that all?

************** said he saw two men appear from a backroom also brandishing weapons, trying to transport stacks of white powder from one room to another. That must have been Roman and Tyrone. Other than that, I think you have all the details you need.

Ok, you’ve run us through what’s happened. Whilst I’m glad that you’re both alive and well enough to tell your stories, do you nonetheless accept yours and your partner’s culpability within all of this? 

Yes, I do.

You each refused to comply with regular protocol. You took matters into your own hands and handled your investigation with undue haste and recklessness. Not only did you put your own lives in danger, but you endangered the integrity of our case against the Redwoods and, in the process, damaged the reputation of the Big City Police Force. Do you accept this interpretation of your actions?

Once again yes, mistakes were made. I accept this with all my heart. 

Ok, I think we’ve got what we require from you, Malcolm. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Please, there is one thing.

Yes?

I want you to look after ************** from here on out. Under no false pretences or any form of reasonable doubt should my former partner’s mental wellbeing be overlooked as a result of this incident. I strongly recommended he receive immediate counselling and therapy from the relevant experts in the field. Failure to do so would be a big mistake, in my honest opinion.

Fine. We will conclude our interview there. The time is…

I’m serious, Pat. Keep an eye on him won’t you? He’s one of our own after all. I know we didn’t exactly cover ourselves in glory out there, but you can’t just leave our boy Lucky to the wolves like that.

That’s for the judges to decide, Malcolm.

But please…

The time is 15: 56. Interview concluded for all intents and purposes.