Warren Hammond: Kop

Maggie was having a hard time picking the right side in this fight. I knew what side I was on. Paul was my friend.

The door opened-Gilkyson. He saw the broken chair and stepped out, coming back in a minute later with two well-built uniforms.

I turned on the smug. “What’s wrong, Karl? You afraid of something?”

Gilkyson set a box on the table then sat in the short chair. What a dumb shit, sitting in that chair. When we’d grill somebody, we’d sit him in the short chair. It was a chair just like the others, but the legs were cut down by a few centimeters-made the suspect feel inferior having to look up at the interrogators.

He looked like a kid doing his homework at the kitchen table as he stretched uncomfortably to read a report he’d pulled out of his box. I draped my arms over the table, claiming its surface as my territory. Gilkyson was forced to stay back-out of my reach.

“Hello, Mr. Mozambe,” he said.

“That’s Detective Mozambe.”

“Not anymore. You’ve been fired-effective immediately.”

“On what grounds?”

“You’ve been fired for engaging in police corruption.”

“You don’t have the authority.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” He turned the report around for me. “Here is your termination report, signed by acting Chief of Police Banks. Paul Chang was removed from his position as chief of police. The mayor has appointed Diego Banks in his absence.”

I told myself not to worry. Paul would figure out a way to get his job back. “You won’t get away with this, Karl.”

“We already have. He was escorted from the building a half hour ago.

Gilkyson pulled more goodies from his box. “Now Mr. Mozambe, I have some propositions to discuss with you. I think you’ll be interested in what I have to say.”

I wanted to kick his self-righteous ass. “Talk.”

“We’ve built a case against you. We know you take kickbacks from whorehouses and gambling dens.”

“That’s not true.”

“I thought you might be resistant.”

He started a vid. Holos of Bensaid and me at Bensaid’s bar. Bensaid handed me a wad of money. We started arguing. Bensaid slammed his glass on the table. I walked out.

Next vid: Bensaid testifying against me.

Next vid: Me taking an envelope from a streetwalker in fishnets.

Next vid: Me taking a cut of the pool at a basement card game.

Next vid: Me shaking down a dope dealer, scoring some painkillers for Niki.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! “You can’t do this!” I was up out of my chair, my finger in his face. The pair of uniforms lowered me into my seat.

Gilkyson talked over my head to the uniforms. “If he gets up again, cuff him.” He lowered his gaze to me. “Please spare me your famous temper.”

“What do you want?”

“I want your testimony.”

“You expect me to testify against myself?”

“No. We want you to testify against Paul Chang.”

This was why I was still alive. Simba let me live so they could use me to prosecute Paul. I wished he’d killed me. “No. I won’t do it. I don’t know anything.”

“You were his partner twenty-five years ago. You’re his best friend. You can’t tell me you don’t know anything about his activities.”

“I don’t know anything.”

“You were there when he made his first big busts. In fact, you made them together. You know how he managed to rise so fast through KOP. You know all about his dealings with Ram Bandur and his son Ben. You know everything.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Paul Chang is a great cop.”

“You’ll tell us everything, or else…”

“I won’t do it.”

“…we’ll prosecute you. You’ll go to jail. How long do cops survive in jail?”

“I can’t testify against Paul. Do what you want to me. I’m no rat.”

“Your misguided loyalty is almost touching, Mr. Mozambe. You leave us no option but to go after…let me see…” He checked his notes. “Natasha…is that her name? I understand she goes by Niki.”

I couldn’t speak.

“Her father was a drug dealer; right? She picked up some bad habits from him. I have a warrant here to search your home. Do you think we might find some illegal substances? If we find her in possession of anything illegal, it will carry a mandatory sentence, you know. Two to four years. How will she fare in prison?”

“The pills are mine. You’ve seen my hand. I need them for the pain.”

“The warrant includes blood tests, Mr. Mozambe.”

I lunged over the table. The cops responded with vice-grip holds on my arms. They had me back in my seat before I could touch him.

Gilkyson leaned back in his chair as he set a form in front of me, careful not to get too close. He marked an X. “This form is a testimony agreement. It states that you will testify against defendant Paul Chang in the case of the People vs. Paul Chang on the charges of racketeering, corruption, conspiracy, and participating in a criminal enterprise.”

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!! My body shook. Paul’s my friend. I can’t do it. I can’t. “You kicked him out of KOP. That’s enough. You don’t need to prosecute him.”

“I’m afraid we do.”

“After all he’s done for Lagarto, you’re going to treat him like this?”

“The man conspires with the most vile criminals in Lagartan history.”

“I can’t do it.” My mouth was bone dry. I needed a drink.

“What’s your answer, Mr. Mozambe?”

Sweat soaked my underarms. I felt sick. I had to piss. I can’t sign.

“Mr. Mozambe?”

We were so close. I held that vid in my hand. What can I do, Paul? I can’t let Niki go to prison. I just can’t. I banged my head on the table…

I’m sorry, Paul. “W-what do I get for signing?”

“I always knew you were more reasonable than your reputation. I will bury the evidence against you. I will let you tear up the warrant to search your home right now.”

“You promise to leave me and Niki alone?”

“I promise. All we want is Paul Chang.”

“I get my pension.”

“That can be arranged. We’ll let you retire instead of being fired. How does that sound?”

What can I do, Paul? “Do you have a pen?”

Gilkyson had to hold my hand still while I moved my fingers and signed by the X. He ran his scanner-hand over my signature, uploading it into the system.

They kept me locked up for another thirty minutes. I spent the time formulating a long-shot plan to save Paul. I had to redeem myself. They unlocked the door and ushered me out of the building before the silent stares of my former workmates. I was weaponless and badgeless. I wasn’t a cop anymore.

I hit the street and was instantly drubbed by pouring rain. I called Paul. His holo materialized on the street, falling rain making his image blur. “Hold on, Juno.” His holo froze on hold. Damn!

I made for the car, Paul’s frozen holo floating alongside. I called Maggie. Her holo appeared on my other side, the three of us moving through the downpour. I blurted, “Where are you, Maggie?”

“I’m at the station. Where are you?”

“They just let me go. I’m on my way to the car.”

“What happened? They wouldn’t tell me anything. All I know is Chief Chang is out as chief, and C of D Banks is in charge. Nobody knows why.”

“They’re forcing me to testify against Paul.”

“You agreed?”

“They have me dead to rights. They were going to arrest Niki.”

“Niki? What for?”

“Never mind that. We can still pull this off, Maggie. I’m going to organize a raid of the spaceport.”

“You’re not a cop anymore, Juno.”

“Paul and I still have loyal friends in KOP. They’re not all rats. We’ll find somebody to do it.”