QR Code Murders: Clean Sneakers

“Where’s our Zapruder?” Captain Haymar asked.

“She’s in the interview room, sir,” Kim answered.

“And the footage?”

“It’s with the deputy. She’s going over it now.”

Kim walked to where Yawquisha sat.

“Did you want a soda? A donut? Some chips?”

“No, thank you.”

“We’re going to give you your gear back,” Kim reassured.

“I just want to know if it can be used as evidence,” Yawquisha replied.

“We’re looking into that at this moment,” Kim said.

“I just want to make sure justice is served mainly for the police involved. If they did something nefarious, then they should be prosecuted.”

“The suspect had a gun.”

“Not when he was shot…in the back. Those files are my property. You know better than anyone else that this is a violation of my individual rights. I’m just glad I still have my phone.”

“You recorded on your phone, too?” Kim queried.

“I did.”

“Did you post it anywhere?”

“Oh, the Daily Delaware Channel 30, social media sites. I’ve gotten over two million views on the video platform.”

“That footage could do a lot of damage to good cops. I told you that, Yawuisha!”

“I know what is right and I did the right thing so unless you can pin a crime on me, I would like to leave this facility with my equipment.”

Kim rolled her eyes. She motioned for the corporal to open the door.

“If this is how it has to be then it will be this way.”

“I’m not asking that we be buddy buddy. I’m demanding that justice be served.”

Yawquisha rose to her feet and walked out of the room as Kim followed. The corporal shut the door. Once Yawquisha received her camera and gear (in tact) she burst out into the sunlight. The air seemed fresher and the sky a sharper cerulean. A few clouds skidded across the sky like scuff marks on clean sneakers. She saw Kim head towards the driver side of the car.

“I’m taking you home.”

“I just want to know…will the right thing happen? Will those police officers answer for this?”

Kim sighed. “There’ll be a trial and—” she started as she turned the ignition.

“I know the process. What is going to happen to them? When will I see them in handcuffs?”

“There will be an inquiry…you already know this stuff. The short answer is I don’t know. I’m sure you know that this could spark demonstrations in the streets. Riots.”

“This won’t be the first riot Wilmington has ever seen. I’m sure you have information on that.”

“I know,” Kim acknowledged. They drove through the city enroute to Yawquisha’s place.

“So how much of We the Living did you get through?” Yawquisha asked.

“I finished it.”

“What a dramatic ending, right?” Yawquisha chimed.

“Yawquisha, the books were great.”

“You read Anthem?”

“In a night.”

“Don’t you see the parallels of what this case is like and the books?”

“You’re not going to tie the works with reality. This isn’t high school.”

“You can’t miss the glaring similarities; the oppressive government bearing down on citizens; the total lack of respect for technology and those who know how to employ it; everything just adds up. I didn’t think the books would tie to the world in which I live. Maybe the Fountainhead or AS. But some claim the ones you read are her lesser works. Maybe by comparison with the latter books but they stand on their own.”

Kim looked out the window. Some sunlight glimmered off of a puddle and shone in her eyes. She swerved, nearly hitting a boy on a bike.