Law School Murders: Almost

“What is with you? Can you go anywhere and not be associated with murders?” Her uncle asked Kim. He was a cop too. Retired, thirty-five years on the force. He held a sly grin and toasted his niece with a glass of whiskey.

She grinned right back and downed her share of the brown liquid.

“I guess that’s why we’re cops. If you didn’t start the fire, you’ve at least got to arrest the people standing around putting smoke in the air.”

Her uncle was Darren McFair. He was well-built for being sixty-seven years old. He had a small mustache and a close cropped Afro. Kim’s aunt, Chloe, had passed away twelve years ago. McFair never remarried.

“So, I’m sitting there and the guy pulls up to me with blood literally on his hands and he says ‘Don’t look at me! I didn’t do it!’ I swear the days of homicide were a trip.” He lived all by himself in a five bedroom minimansion. He hired help to dust and vacuum but he still insisted on cutting his own grass. He achieved the rank of deputy police chief in Wilmington. He’s seen his fair share, that’s for certain.

“But what about you, Kim-Co? You’re a celebrity. Shouldn’t you be on game shows or something?” They both shared a laugh. A much needed one in both their cases.

“I just want to be on the right side of the law and still be engaged with the system.”

“You could write books….” McFair suggested. “Hell, I wrote two. ‘Law and Disarray: Wilmington Delaware’s High Murder Rate. Oh and—”

“Delaware Deaths: The Killings in Wilmington,” Kim completed his sentence.

“You must’ve been the third person to read that one. I never really hit my stride as a writer. I didn’t want to fish all day. Golfing was out of the picture. Now, I’m doing photography across the state. Delaware’s got some great natural beauty. It’s what makes this land of America so great. Once you get out there with nature, all of your past the busts, the court system, the pay grade, all that melts away and you’re just out there with ladybugs!” He topped off his niece’s glass and splashed some in his own.

“I have to say though, you were almost chief. You could be a consultant out in Hollywood.”

“Yeah, almost. I could spread my expertise snd make a ton of money on TV and movie projects. I’m well-taken care of due to my pension. I’m not hurting for cash and I’m probably going to downsize from this semimonstosity. After the girls left went off to college and got married, I knew would have to see life from a different perspective.”

“Jesus, how are all of them doing. Kanisha, Jocelyn, Kamera….”

“They’re settled in their careers and family life. I’ve got three grandsons. I guess the place isn’t so bad. They have a place to play. They’re getting big, though.”

Kim sipped and noticed the room. The space looked like a pool hall with a classic green table and dart board on the wall. The bar was well stocked with top shelf liquors.

“You want more?”

Kim shook her head.

“Did you know that the highest point of police deaths—”

“Was during Prohibition.”

“Nothing gets past you, huh?”

“I was the one to implement the legal use of all narcotics in the city when I was head of that department. It obviously didn't go through but if it did….” he made a motion with his fist punching the air.

“I just never understood why there had to be a ban on something that is a service and if you didn’t harm anyone else, what the hell is the big deal?”