Rama – Blackshaft 1-03 – Takedown part 1

Rama – Blackshaft 1-03 – Takedown part 1
(Adults Only. Copyright@Rama. 2013)


Now

Eglin Police Department. Roof. Night.

“Four banks so far.” Jane Gregg said, feeling the wind around her on the rooftop. “They go in, they grab as much as they can and they get out. They seem to have inside information. They always hit just after a delivery.” She turned and saw the dark, leather-clad female vigilante looking across the city. She seemed to be distracted. “Hey,” Jane told Scarlet Queen. “I’m not standing here for my health.”
Scarlet didn’t turn, just kept looking at the streets and the lit windows.
Jane sighed, feeling the anger rise up inside her. Now was as good a time as any. “Look, we have a problem.” she said simply, feeling the night wind whip around her body and send the long camel-coloured overcoat blowing. “One that you need to address.” Jane added. Scarlet Queen had said nothing during the whole meeting. She had barely looked at Gregg even. Jane marched up to the leather-clad vigilante. “Are you listening?” she demanded.
“What?” Scarlet asked.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Jane shook her head. “What the fuck is wrong with you!”
“Nothing.”
Jane sighed. “What did I tell you at the start of all this? Don’t lie to me. I don’t know what it is, but something is up. You’re losing your shine. Those three thieves you jumped on weren’t more than fourteen years old! Two of them’ll never fucking walk again, the other one will be pissing blood for the next year!”
Scarlet simply shrugged. “Life’s shit sometimes.” she said.
Jane stepped back. “And that mugger you ‘caught’. His arms and legs are in casts. You fractured his skull.”
“He shouldn’t have been doing what he was doing then.” Scarlet replied flatly.
“This is not you.” Jane said. “This is crossing the fucking line! And where the hell were you for the past week? I’ve got lawyers threatening legal action, unless I bring you in!”
Scarlet turned suddenly and Jane saw her presenting her wrists. “Go on.” the vigilante said. “Arrest me!”
“Oh…” Jane looked at Scarlet. “Just fuck off!” She marched to the door that led into the building. “And get you fucking head in order!”
Scarlet watched her ally storm into the police building.

*

Eglin Police Department. Interview Room 06.

Stephanie Geller looked at herself in the mirror glass of the interview room and wondered who, if anyone was on the other side. It’d been an hour since they had left her here. Something about her statement needing a few more details. She went over it in her mind again for the what seemed the millionth time. She knew she had twelve witnesses to back her up. What details could they be meaning?
The door opened and the younger of the two detectives walked in. “Miss Geller.” Detective Mike Watts said and smiled as he sat down opposite her, putting the laptop on the table next to the wall.
“Detective Watts,” Stephanie said, seeing the folder in his other hand.
“How you feeling?” the young white cop asked.
“Better.”
“Good. Can I get you anything?”
“No. Thanks.” she shook her head. “I was told you wanted to talk about my statement?”
Watts sat back, and nodded. “Yes.” he said hesitantly. “Are you sure you’re up for talking about this?”
Stephanie Watts nodded. “I’m told it’s good to talk about… It.”
The door opened again and his partner, Detective Jessica Moors, walked in. “We’re sorry for asking you in at this time, but…”
“Just doing your job. I know.” Stephanie smiled softly at the black woman.
“Just to recap,” Watts said. “Your name is Stephanie Geller,” She nodded. “You are the deputy manager of Wayling Bank, on Wilson?” he asked and Stephanie nodded again. “Good. It’s been a few days. Can you remember any more details about what happened?”
“Just what I told you.” Stephanie told them.
“Five black males forced they’re way in before closing and held you and the staff hostage?” Moors asked.
“Yes,” Stephanie said quietly.
“Forced you to open the safe.” Watts said.
“Yes.”
“And, in the office,” Jessica Moors tone was gentle. “They assaulted you.”
“You can say it.” Stephanie told her.
“They raped you.” the female detective said.
“Yes.” Stephanie sniffed.



One Month Ago…

Manager’s Office. Wayling Bank. Day.

“A TRANSFER!” Stephanie yelled. Allan Wrightson, the bank’s manager and her boss, stood there unmoved. “You son of a bitch!”
Allan sighed and looked at the door of his office. “Keep your voice down, Stephanie.” he told her.
“Scared Emma finds out?” Stephanie taunted him.
“Steph–” he said.
“You think I can be just tossed aside in a transfer!”
“It’s more complicated-”
“Bullshit.” she spat.
“Emma’s pregnant.” he told her.
Stephanie fell silent as looked at him as she took the news in… Pregnant… Pregnant? Stephanie slowly shook her head. “You said,” she started, “You said you and her weren’t…”
“She’s fucking pregnant!” he told her again.
Stephanie slowly stepped back and smiled. “Congratulations,” she sneered. “Who’s the father?”
“Fuck you,”
“Ain’t that a fact!”
He balled his fists. “Just…”
“Go on. Beat me up. We’ll see how you’re precious Emma feels when I have the cops turn up on your door then.”
Allan lent on the desktop. “Of course I was fucking her. She’s my wife.”
Stephanie pushed her face towards him. “You were the one pleading how she didn’t understand you, and how she had kicked you out of the bedroom, you lying sack of shit!”
“Keep pushing, bitch.” he said back. “I’m offering you a way out here. Make trouble and you will regret the day you spread those legs open.”
Stephanie leant on the desk, pushing her face up to his. “You don’t think I know who owns this bank, who owns your ass?” she smiled. “And it ain’t fucking Emma!”
He lifted an open hand but stopped it in mid-air. “Get the hell out.” Allan told her after a few seconds. “You work your months’ notice and then you are out of here! And if you know who owns this ‘my ass’ be grateful I’m letting you alive!”



Now



Eglin Police Department. Interview Room 06.

Mike Watts looked through the folder. “You are aware your bank is reputed to be mob owned?” he asked, not looking up.
Stephanie blinked and looked up. “Mob owned?” she repeated. “You mean like ‘sleeping with the fishes’, Don Corleone, tht mob?”
Moors nodded. “Yes,” she said.
“No.” Stephanie said. “There’s nothing illegal going on.”
“Nothing yet.” Watt said, and looked up finally.
“But what’s this got to do with… what happened.”
“Motive?” Detective Moors offered.
“I never saw anything.” Stephanie shook her head.
“Allan Wrightson was arrested three hours,” Detective Watts told her. “It seems he had a sudden holiday planned.”
Stephanie sat back, shocked.