False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [67]
CHAPTER 21
Jude put on his dark glasses as the sun cleared the top of the tree line on the east side of the park. It was going to be another cloudless scorcher. He turned to Gil Marcel and caught him in the middle of a yawn.
“Sorry, Sheriff,” Gil said. “It’s been a long night.”
“Have some more coffee. We’re just getting started. Tell your people on the east and west sides of the perimeter to search the woods again. The sun’s high enough now that they should have sufficient light. Chief Norman’s officers will sweep the park grounds. I want this shooter in custody or we’ll have to keep the park closed and deal with hundreds of disappointed and angry folks who made plans to come here.”
“Yes, sir. We’re on it.”
Jude heard Casey on the phone, telling his officer in charge to begin a thorough search of the park property and facilities.
Stone Castille got out of his squad car and walked over to Jude. “Deshawn Macey’s out of recovery, but he’s still critical. The surgeon said if he pulls through, he’s going to need more surgeries and extensive rehab. It’s too soon to know if he’ll regain the use of his leg.”
“He’s lucky he didn’t bleed out at the scene.”
Stone looked down at the ground and moved a rock with his boot. “Sir, we have a bigger problem. A couple dozen African-Americans are marching in front of Hargrave Medical Center, carrying placards and claiming Deshawn Macey was targeted by whites in retaliation for the lynching of Remy Jarvis.”
“We don’t know that.”
“These folks aren’t exactly in the mood to listen. It’s getting ugly.”
“I don’t blame them for being upset.” Jude tore a paper towel off the roll and wiped the sweat off his forehead. “But we need to put a stop to the speculation before it gets out of hand. I’m putting you in charge, Stone. Organize a team and get over there. Manage the crowd and tell them exactly what we know. Assure them that we’re on their side and want the shooter caught and brought to justice. See that the situation doesn’t escalate.”
“What should I do about the teenagers we didn’t arrest? I’m having them brought back over here so we can release them to their parents.”
“I’ll have someone else take care of it. I want you at the medical center. Find a way to keep the peace. I’ll go to the media again. I’ll assure people that justice will be done and convince them that they need to show restraint.”
Zoe sat at the kitchen table, picking at a half-eaten bagel, studying Pierce’s demeanor, trying to decide which emotion seemed more pronounced: anger or fear.
“Have you thought any more about what we should do?” she said.
“You think I could stop thinking about it?”
“I guess not. I sure haven’t. I’ve been racking my brain, trying to figure out a way to talk to Jude without Shapiro finding out.”
“Well, save your brainpower,” Pierce said. “You can’t get to Jude anyhow. A black kid was shot at Roux River Park last night. That’s where Jude and most law-enforcement personnel are right now. Looks like they might be there for some time. They’ve closed the park and a search is underway.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“It’s all over the news.”
Zoe felt her neck muscles tighten. What were they going to do? She didn’t feel safe confiding in a deputy.
There was a knock at the door.
“Stay put.” Pierce got up and looked out the peephole. “It’s Ethan and Vanessa.” He opened the door. “I’m surprised you’re still speaking to us.”
“Of course we’re speaking to you,” Ethan said. “May we come in?”
Pierce held open the door and let them pass. “Where’s Carter?”
“We arranged for him to stay with a friend from his preschool,” Vanessa said.
“You two really shouldn’t get involved. This Shapiro’s dangerous.”
“We’re already involved.” Ethan put his hand on Pierce’s shoulder. “Let’s put our heads together. There has to be a solution.”
“I can’t think of one.”
“Come out to the kitchen,” Zoe said.
Vanessa and Ethan walked into the kitchen and sat across from her at the table. Pierce remained standing.
“I’m so sorry,” Zoe said. “If I thought I could get away from Shapiro without putting