Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

I’m Lieutenant Deviled Yeggs.  I work homicide in the big city of Tracy.  Working for me are my old partners: Detective Sgt. Jim Wednesday and Detective Poached Yeggs, my nephew who is slowly becoming a good detective.  But then again, I have all the detectives in the big city of Tracy reporting to me.  Even so, I HELP them when they need help, but I WORK homicide.

My cellphone rang.  It was about the time that the high schoolers got out of school.  The ID said that it was from Sophia.  She had my car, going straight to the Snazzy Taz after school.

“Daddy?”

I said, “Sweetie, we discussed this.  ‘Daddy’ is what you say when you do not have someone else who you run to in times of trouble.  I will always be your Dad.”

Then, I could hear sobs and the tears over the phone, “Daddy, I need you, Daddy.  There’s been an accident.”

I gasped, “A car accident? Is anyone hurt?”

Sophie said, “Yes, a car accident.  The car is a mess.  They used the jaws of life to get me out.  But I don’t think anyone is hurt from the car I was driving.  Menzie and Samuel are walking up, and they are smiling, so I’m thinking they are okay.  Yeah, they nodded.  But when the ambulance left with the first victim in the other vehicle, or vehicle that started it, they never turned on the lights or siren on the ambulance.  They did for the young kid in the backseat. The traffic police are interviewing the driver of the other car.”  Then she started sobbing.  Then, Emmett was on the phone.  “She says you need to teach me bear hugs.  Mine are not calming her down.  Please, Lt. Yeggs, please.”

Since I had the phone on speaker, Gisele and Al were in my office when the call ended.

Gisele was saying that I could take the rest of the day off.  But then Captain Hart interrupted, “No, this is official business.  I got a text from the head of traffic police.  One victim was deceased at the scene.  They suspect vehicular homicide.  Driver of the other vehicle is possibly under the influence, drugs.  The breathalyzer was negative for alcohol, but this kid is not feeling any pain.  His friend went through the windshield and his little brother fell against the back of the front seat and collapsed onto the floor.  They got a few words out of the little brother before he left in the ambulance.  The driver thinks it’s all a joke.  Take Jim and Poached.  No, you take your car and Jim and Poached can take the official sedan.  I have a report that Polly and Ruthie were witnesses.”

It was then that I realized that Sophia had borrowed my car.  I rode with Jim and Poached, but I called Lily the Pink.  They were going to send a pink ‘something’ to the scene so that the kids had a ride to the Snazzy Taz, after they gave statements.  I could replace it with a rental vehicle tomorrow.

When I arrived on scene, Sophia ran into my arms.  I gave her my best bear hug.

Emmett walked up behind her. “Sir, I tried to console her, but she says my bear hugs stink.  She says my romantic hugs are the best ever, although I have no idea who she is comparing those hugs to, but she says I just don’t have the bear hug in me.  She says a bear hug is not too hard to knock the wind out of you, but it is not so soft that you could escape easily.  It’s enough to feel all warm inside so that all your cares melt away…”

Finally, Sophie interrupted, “Shut up, Em.  Watch and learn.”

While I continued the hug, Jim flagged Polly and Ruthie over.

Polly said, “The other car was overtaking the Lieutenant’s car.  It wasn’t until after the accident happened that we realized Sophia was driving.  Then suddenly, with no signal, no apparent reason to swerve, he drove into Sophia’s lane.  He hit her driver’s door, shoving the car off the road and it hit some signposts, but Sophie was on the brake.  Meanwhile, the other driver veered back across the lane Ruthie and I were in and he kept going to the left.  He hit a car coming from the opposite direction.  I was driving.  No siren.  No lights.  Other than the fact that the boy was driving over the speed limit, everything else happened so fast that we had no time to react.  Ruthie was estimating his speed.”

I asked, “Ruthie?”  She seemed distracted.

Ruthie blinked, “Oo!  Oo!  The estimated speed was about 60-65mph in a 35mph zone.  Polly, did you notice how dreamy Trevor is?  You know, the traffic cop?”

I huffed, “Ruthie, eyes and mind on the task.  Report!”

Ruthie said, “It was just like Polly said.  But we have some weird witness accounts.  The driver of the reckless vehicle says that a German Shepherd came off the median, and he swerved to avoid it, and Sophia was in his blind spot.  I mean the vehicle that Sophie was driving.  It turns out they are in the same grade in school.  A couple of classes together.”

Sophie said, “He was passing me.  He hit my car door with the front fender of his car.  That’s no blind spot I ever heard of.  Unless he was just blind.”

Polly nodded, “Yeah, and his little brother who was taken in for observation woke up in time to ask the EMT if his brother had a chance to meet Menzie.  And I was right behind him.  Sure, I was too busy trying to not get caught up in the accident, but I saw no German Shepherd and the dash cam does not see one either.”

Menzie said, “What?!  This jerk hits us and could have killed us because he wanted to see me?  He’s a year ahead of me in school, but I’m in the school all the time.  Why wreck our car?  Excuse me, your car, Lt. Yeggs.”

I asked, “Sophie did not explain this morning.  She just said that the four of you were going straight to the Taz and she needed the car.  Glyce dropped me off on her way to her new office.  Why were you going so early?”

Samuel spoke up, “Menzie and I have a new dance number to Louis Jordan’s Big Bess.  Bea and Bro think we might be good enough to enter a swing competition, but since we are not professionals, they are having a tough time finding one that takes amateur entries.  But we just wanted some practice time with the band.  We’ve only been using a recording to practice.”

After interviewing the suspect, Poached walked up and said, “The driver sticks to the dog story.  He says he never saw your car, Lieutenant.  He was dodging lanes to avoid the dog.  Then, Officer Trevor asked if he knew someone named Menzie.  This kid said he had heard of her, and he had tickets to go see her at the Taz tonight.”

I asked, “Emmett, they sell tickets now?  I thought it was first in the door until you hit the limit.”

Emmett nodded, “Yeah, on non-band nights, they don’t charge anything.  They play recorded music, and they make up the difference in drinks.  There is a drink minimum, and the wait staff keep a tab.  To afford the band, they apply a cover charge, plus the same drink minimum.  But when Menz and I are added to the entertainment, they triple the cover charge and the price for the drinks goes up.  That covers the additional security, Soap’s people.  Same drink minimum.  And the reservation cost for the private party areas triples.  Of course, they charge extra if you want a bra or jock strap tossed onto the stage using the T-Shirt cannon.  That has become the big thing lately.  The employees with the cannon are the only ones that load it.  They allow a slip of paper inside the article of clothing.  The article of clothing must be clean.  And the staff helps aim the cannon so that you don’t hit somebody in the back of the head.  So, yeah, in a way you have a ticket.  But it gets you in the door.  There is no seating assignments and if you are on our naughty list and facial recognition picks you up, then you don’t get in even with a ticket.”

I asked, “And what about our driver this afternoon?”

Sophie said, still hugging me back, not wanting to be let go, “I took a cellphone picture of the driver when I heard him say something about the Taz.  I sent it to the entry security staff.  This guy would not be able to get in tonight on my say so.  He is underage.  He must have a false ID.”

Poached said, “Yeah, he got bent out of shape when I walked away with his wallet, but he handed me the wallet rather than handing me his driver’s license.  And here it is.”  His driver’s license said he was sixteen, but the fake ID, which looked the same, said he was 22.  And it had a slightly different photo.  He posed for both.  Poached said, “He says that the other ID was not him.  He did not go to get it.  It was delivered in the mail.  He says his Dad bought it for him.”

Jim asked, “What about the drug use angle?”

Polly said, “I was there when the EMT said he needed a blood sample.  The driver allowed him to take the blood and the EMT turned it over to the very dreamy officer Trevor.”

Poached asked, “You are about to get married.  What is this very dreamy bit?”

Polly snickered, “Ruthie has not had a date since her mouth was wired shut.  It has been months since everything was fixed.  The plastic surgeons did a great job, but Ruthie thinks something is wrong, but officer Trevor gave her the once over.  They even swapped phone numbers.”

Ruthie said, “Oo!  Oo!  I am about to lose the rookie tag.  Maybe I can go to Trevor’s precinct.”

I laughed, “No, Ruthie, you are just starting to fit in with detectives.  We need you where you are.”

Ruthie was not pleased with my answer.

The other driver walked up, with officer Trevor tagging along.

Colby Trent said, “Can I get my wallet back?”

Poached said, “Remember that you handed me the wallet.  I found something illegal in the wallet.  I am keeping this fake ID as evidence.”

Colby said, “Aw, man.  I’m going to the Taz tonight and I can’t get in without it.”

I moaned, “I do not think you are going anywhere tonight.  Maybe not for a while.  Besides, you do not have a car anymore.”

Colby nodded, “Oh, yeah, there is that, but why am I not going anywhere?  Do I just sit here in the middle of the street?”

Trevor suggested, “He’s been belligerent and evasive.  He had no registration.  No proof of insurance.  Car is registered to an uncle.  The uncle claims he did not give him permission to borrow the car.  That means the uncle’s insurance will not cover the accident.  This kid is in trouble with dear old Dad unless the uncle files that the car was stolen.”

Colby said, “Naw, I been driving my uncle’s car for three years.”

Jim laughed, “And he has only had a driver’s license for two months.  Interesting.”

I asked Trevor, “His friend did not have his seatbelt buckled.  What can we charge the driver with?”

Trevor said, “A minimum of reckless endangerment.  But since his friend was killed, that bumps the charge up to vehicular homicide.”

I turned to Colby and said, “Guess what kind of detectives Jim, Poached, and I are, Colby.”

Colby shrugged.  We all three flipped our badges out so that he could read “Homicide.”  “Hey, man.  I never killed nobody!”

I smiled, “Nice double negative.  Now we have you admitting that you killed your friend.”

Colby tried to take a swing at me.  I was still hugging Sophie.  I could feel the tension diminish, but she was not ready to let go.  Jim blocked the swing and applied cuffs.  Colby protested, “You know what I meant, man!”

I sighed, “Colby, it is state law that the driver is guilty of reckless endangerment if you put the car in gear with anyone in the car not wearing a seatbelt or strapped in with another acceptable safety device, like a five-point harness like my son uses with his job, or a car seat for a baby.  But then, with the endangerment of a passenger, if the passenger dies in an accident, you led to that person’s death by being reckless.  That makes it homicide.”

I called Georges, “Don’t leave, Georges.  We have a vehicular homicide suspect coming in with a fake ID to get into the Taz tonight.  The fake ID is professional grade.  When the father comes in, interview him too.  We might have these two become witnesses against the Rotten Apples.  That might lessen the multiple years in prison when we try Colby as an adult.”

Colby said, “You ain’t got nothing on me that is worth a night in jail.  No way that you can make this stick as an adult!”

Jim groaned, “Kid, soon, we are going to know what keeps your eyes dilated on a sunny day.  That gives us driving under the influence.  Ruthie Toody has you going at least thirty miles over the speed limit.  Reckless driving by swerving for no reason.  There was no dog.  You were trying to get a look at the singer that you were going to see tonight anyway – but not anymore.  Then the aforementioned vehicular homicide.  And you know how cops go all out when a cop is killed.  Guess whose car you wrecked?”  Colby shrugged.  I raised my hand.  “And you are sixteen, so we can try you as an adult, but if there is any question, we might get a judge to confirm.  Do we have anyone around here that knows a judge?”  Samuel said that his dad was a district judge.  Jim continued, “We would throw the book at you even if you did not hit the worst car you could choose to hit, with the worst passengers that you could imagine.  You are either unlucky or stupid.  You choose.”

Trevor and his partner had directed traffic, investigated the vehicular evidence, with skid marks that confirmed roughly 65mph, cleared the scene of debris, and ensured everyone involved from all three cars were okay or sent to the hospital, only the driver from the oncoming car and he had to go to the hospital also.  Traffic was again flowing.  That was good, being in rush hour by the time the investigation was over.

A pink van arrived.  Since we had statements from those going to the Taz, we let them go.  It was only then that Sophie loosened her grip, kissed me on the cheek, and thanked me for the bear hug.  She didn’t need to be at the Taz until her security team showed up, but she had planned to be there anyway.  Watching them practice would take her mind off the accident.

Georges and Jim handled the interrogations of Colby Trent and his father.  Individually, after Jim read the statutes that said his son would be interrogated as an adult, and with the court’s approval, tried as an adult.  And although we used Samuel as a scare tactic, Judge Farquharson would recuse himself just as Poached and I had done for the interviews.

Trevor, the dreamy traffic cop, got the result of the blood sample that our driver was on cocaine and amphetamine.  Why he mixed them, I have no idea.  But when his father learned that he was high, his father blurted out, “Idiot, I told you not until you got home!”

With that, and a few more slips of the tongue, we were putting charges together for both father and son.  Georges told them both that we could be lenient if they gave us information on the Rotten Apple fake ID operation.  That’s when they lawyered up.  We had Sgt. Guy Weiss arrange for a city “limo” to take them to the jail.  It would be better accommodations than our short term lockup at the precinct for those awaiting their turn in interrogation.

Mr. Trent also made a statement about his younger son.  “He ain’t my boy.  He’s a foster kid.  I do it for the money and since he gave evidence against my boy, he can find somewhere else to live, that is, if he’s still alive.”

But while Georges and Jim were doing their thing, I got a call.  Everyone in the family was supposed to be at the Snazzy Taz.  It was a last minute surprise.  Even Georges and Jochebed would be there.  Since Arabella was coming, she invited all the Caseys in order for Michael to be there.  The Taz had reserved for us the two large private party areas, the ones with the highest price tags.  All anyone knew was that there would be something special after the performance.  I was thinking that the kids might talk about the accident and how it could be avoided.  Anything else might be too much stress added to the stress they were already trying to process.

This was the only time my wife and I had been to the Taz to watch them perform.  Menzie was in full voice.  Emmett was great.  And the Menzie and Samuel dance had Menzie and Samuel doing flips, and Samuel spun her around over his head, like a ragdoll.

But then, after Menzie got her breath and went back to the band for a few encore songs, the announcer came onto the stage.

The announcer said, “I hope everyone enjoyed the show tonight.  We have a request from a couple of the performers.  As a result, we have the families in the party area for this little celebration.  But for this to be complete, Sophia Yeggs, will you come up on stage, please.”

I heard Sophie say, “Poached, you have the helm.”  The security people shuffled around since one of their own had to go on stage.

The announcer chuckled, “For those who heard that, Sophia Yeggs is in charge of event security.  We had people get a little too excited, coming on stage, and such.  Sophie runs the security team and does a great job.  But one person on the team must be in contact with the Taz’s perimeter security in case a fight breaks out.  But of the four on stage, they are all from Flintheart high school.  Samuel Farquharson is a senior, and he is the son of Judge Farquharson, who is here tonight.  Emmett Dalton is our featured additional saxophonist.  He arranges music when he is not performing with the band.  He and Sophia Yeggs are juniors.  Emmett’s parents work at Lily the Pink.  They own and run the County Line Farm, and they sold their original farm to T.R.U.S.T. for what is now the P.L.A.Y. house and P.L.A.Y. ground south east of the downtown area.  The P.L.A.Y. of the house and grounds are the initials of a major donor, Pink Lady Apple Yeggs.  All the Daltons and Yeggs are here.  And the faculty dean of the P.L.A.Y. house, Naomi Yeggs and her husband, Lt. Deviled Yeggs, of the Tracy detectives, are here also.  They are Sophia Yeggs’ parents.  And lastly, our star singer, Menzie MacDougall is a sophomore and her parents are here.  Angus MacDougall is a professor at T.R.U.S.T. and the pipe major for the university pipe and drum corps.  Missy MacDougall is chief of security at Lily the Pink.  And I think I got a glimpse of Amy G. Dala and her husband, Ralph E. Newman wandering around.  I suppose, all one big family.  Boys, it’s all yours.”

At that moment, the lights were dimmed and a spotlight shined on Menzie and Sophia.  Samuel and Emmett faced them and dropped to one knee.  I doubt if many people heard her, but Lauren giggled, “What Mommie Daddy doing?!”  A few of the party area folk laughed a little but tried not to ruin the evening.  Sophia squeaked a little.  Menzie mumbled, “Wha?!”

Emmett said, “Sophia” and then he leaned the microphone toward Samuel, “Menzie.”  Then they both said it together, “Will you marry me?”

It took a few seconds, but the two girls nodded and said, “Yes.”

The announcer said, “There was an accident earlier today involving these four and the boys wanted to let everyone know that the ladies were not available, so do not hit the car they might be in just to ask for a date.  They will be planning a double wedding at Lily the Pink after Menzie graduates high school.  Let’s all congratulate the couples.”

There was a roar of applause and cheers from the entire room.  But I don’t know if the four kids in the spotlight heard any of it, they were in each other’s arms, with prolonged kisses.

While everyone in the party areas started partying, Georges asked me to come over to talk to him and Jochebed.  Georges said, “I have asked Jochebed if she would not mind having another mouth to feed.  Mr. Trent said that if I wanted Clarence, I could have him.  He is a foster child.  He still has a mother, but she might let us adopt.  With the attitude that Mr. Trent showed, there is no way child services would trust him.  Lieutenant, I just wanted you to know.  We’ll be going to the hospital to check up on Clarence and meet his mother and the social worker now.  The doctors say he is showing signs of waking up.  I may be late on Monday, but you will have whatever results I can get from the Trents, father and son, on your desk first thing Monday.”

I nodded, “Georges, take all the time you need.  How old is Clarence?”

Georges said, “He has just started at Moon Maid Middle School.  I think he and Sarah Dalton have a class or two together.”

Credits

I set up the other car in this story belonging to an uncle due to an accident that happened on the way home from work when I lived in South Carolina.  We, a carpool of five guys, took a side road to avoid the backup at the main traffic light in town, about 2-3 miles of cars behind an ill-timed traffic light.  In a curve, a car coming the opposite direction was on our side of the road to cut the corner off – due to the driver going over the speed limit.  My friend had major damage to his vehicle, but since the other driver had taken his uncle’s car without permission and the driver had a suspended driver’s license, the insurance company refused to pay for the damages unless we had a court decision regarding who was on the wrong side of the road.  The other driver had “stolen” the car, had no current driver’s license and no insurance, but that meant my friend’s insurance would have to pick up the tab with no chance of getting any of the money back, since the other driver swerved back to his side before the cop showed up, the broken glass should have been enough evidence, but the patrolman was sloppy.  After a few wishy-washy statements, I gave a statement that convinced the judge.  And I watched as the driver and his mother left the courtroom, the driver with the suspended license drove the car away.

Here are Dimitri and Alexsia doing a jitterbug to Big Bess.  And then things get out of hand a bit with each band member wanting to dance with Alexsia.  I picked this video because it was filmed at the Taranto Swing Festival 2024.  I provided some training at a steel mill in Taranto, Italy.  Dimitri and Alexsia are part of the Swing competition team from Italy.