Page 22 of Justice for JoElla

“Yes, sir, I can. You’re standing in front of an officer of the law who has a black child and you’re using hate speech. I can consider that a threat. I can also consider it domestic terrorism. So I can most certainly arrest you.”Probably won’t stick, but he doesn’t have to know that, she told herself.

“Look, look, I’m sorry, ‘kay? I’m just all worked up ‘cause that nig… um,black personkilt my grandson.”

“Sir, at this point, we don’t know if he’s the person who killed your grandson. We don’t have enough evidence, and we’re trying to get some information that could help us. Could youpleasetalk to us in a civil fashion?”

“’Kay, whatcha wanna know?”

“How long had she been seeing Warmuth?”

“Uh, ‘bout six months, I think. He was bad news, that one.”

Mick had gone back to the car, so JoElla knew she was on her own and had better not forget to ask something she’d intended to. “How so?”

“Beat her up a couple-a times. Throwed her ‘gainst a wall. Derek tried to stand up to him and he broke the kid’s arm.”

That was information they hadn’t had before. “When was this?”

“Right after Christmas.”

JoElla thought back. Yes, she remembered seeing the boy in a sling and thinking how at least he’d be healed up before soccer season. “Was that reported, sir?”

“I wanted to report it, but I didn’t have no proof. I tol’ her to report it, but she wudn’t. Said it was a accident. I knowed it weren’t no accident. That feller was bad news. She needed to get away from him, but she wudn’t.”

“Do you know anything about him? Did you ever meet any of his family?”

“No. Never. Don’t know nothing ‘bout him ‘cept what I saw, and that weren’t nothin’ but bad.”

Because he was bad or because he was black?she wanted to ask, but at least she was getting somewhere with the ignorant racist. “Did she ever tell you about them fighting, or what they were fighting about?”

“Nah. She didn’t like to talk to her mama or me ‘cause we always tol’ her to get away from him, but she wudn’t. Hard-headed girl.”

“When was the last time you spoke with her?”

“Two days afore they found Derek dead. Said she needed some money.” He snorted. “I tol’ her, go ask that deadbeat nig… black boyfriend of yourn for some money. We ain’t helpin’ ya.”

“And she didn’t say they’d been having any kind of problems?”

“No. Just wanted money.” He hesitated for a few seconds before he mumbled, “Just like always.”

JoElla saw the pattern, and it was a sad one that was far too common. A woman got involved with an abuser and just about the time she got the courage to walk away, she realized she didn’t have the money for what she needed. Instead of leaving, she tried to work it out, and things only escalated from that point. And if there were children involved, it got even trickier. A domestic abuse victim might go hungry just to get away, but they weren’t anxious to let their children do without. That was most certainly what had gone through Josie’s head. She’d gladly be hungry and homeless to get out of a violent situation, but the idea of leaving and Derek sitting at an empty table in the same room with an empty refrigerator was intolerable. “Sir, I’m so sorry. We’re doing everything we can to find Josie.”

The man stood there for a minute, mute, and looked up into JoElla’s face with pain-filled eyes. “I’m sorry too. I’m just so… That’s my baby girl, and look whut’s happent to my family. I juss dunno… Thank you. Please, tell yore friend there that I didn’t mean him no disrespect, okay?”

“I will. And we’re very sorry for your loss, sir. Please call me if you think of anything that might help us.” JoElla handed the man her card and headed back to the car.

When she slid into the passenger seat, she turned and found Mick sitting there, staring out the windshield. She was about to speak when he said, “You know, I got in here and shut the door, and I found myself hoping we never find his daughter because he’s an ignorant bastard. And then I realized it’s not his daughter’s fault he’s an ignorant bastard. It wasn’t his grandson’s fault either. I can’t let the way he behaves affect the way I do my job.”

“Spoken like a true professional. I didn’t learn much, but let’s go back to the office and I’ll tell you everything he said. And let’s stop for a milkshake on the way. My treat.”

Mick turned and smiled at JoElla. “Thanks.”

“Hey, don’t thank me. I’m getting a milkshake too!”

“No. I mean for…” He stopped and sighed. “For standing up for me and my son out there.”

“You’re the closest thing I have to a partner, Mick, but I would’ve done it for you if I didn’t know you from Adam. I hate that kind of shit, and I just won’t tolerate it from anybody. The fact that you’re a cop only made it easier for me to come up with something to threaten him with. Your son has a great dad, one he looks up to. Don’t give this asshat another thought. Now, let’s go get that milkshake.”

Mick laughed and started the car. “Yeah. Let’s do that!”

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