[In a brightly lit conference room in a police operations house, Chief of Detectives Clyve Robertson leans against a table in front of a white board. In front of him are several police officers in plain clothes siting in folding chairs.]
“According to our inside man, the Bloods are planning something called NDX.”
“NDX? That sounds serious,” said one guy.
“Isn’t that the Nasdaq Stock Market summary?” asked a woman smugly.
“Woooooo,” some of the other sang as she rolled her eyes.
“We’re not sure what it is to them yet. They’re keeping it really close to the vest. Only those at the highest levels know the details. Our asset is just below that level now — given more territory in the projects, but its getting tougher to move up without committing a serious crime.”
“I don’t even want to know what they had to do to get *that* far,” said Detective Sergeant David Thompson — Jet’s father.
“Until we get more solid information, we simply have to use the resources that we have to learn more about the players. We already know they’ve been looking to branch out. We think that’s why they had people in your neighborhood during that incident with your son, David,” Chief Robertson said.
David shook his head. “I guess it was too much to hope that they were just passing through.”
“What do we have working?” asked the Chief.
“We have two homicides from what looks to be blood on blood infighting,” said one detective.
“That’s what I’m hearing in my area, too. With Lotto out of the picture, Rita and Cut are putting down some who want to take over. Rita’s not having it,” said another.
“Has anyone talked to Rita lately?” asked the Chief.
“Not since she got out after her charges got reduced to simple assault,” said David.
Chief Robertson said, “Maybe it’s time we had a chat. Think she’ll meet you, Sarah? Y’all used to run together, right?”
“Yeah… she doesn’t like me much since I busted her cousin, but she respects me — she knows I have a certain level of respect for her,” said a detective.
“Why don’t you take David with you?” The chief nodded in David’s direction.
“Ehhhhh,” she hesitated. “That probably wouldn’t be a good play, since she threatened Josiah.”
“I can handle it.” David spoke up.
Sarah looked at the chief and scoffed. “Puh…” She smiled and said, “Okay, if you think so, Chief.”
“David?”
David nodded his head slowly. “I’m good… No worries.”
“Let’s make it happen.”
“What about Cut?” asked another detective.
“I’ll roll by Cut’s place — have a drink, see if I overhear anything,” said another. “Want to come with?”
“I can do that,” said another.
The chief stood up. “That’ll work. The rest of you, keep working those homicides.
“Eric, why don’t you liaise with Vice about the prostitution connection their department emailed about last week? They thought it might have some Crip connections.
“Any questions?” he said, scanning the room, “No? Good! Let’s stay sharp — stay safe.”
They all filed out of the room, talking. The chief caught David by the shoulder. “Any reservations, ole partner… don’t hesitate…”
“I’m good, Clyve… I got this,” said David.
“My man!” They bro-hugged.
JET (The Hero) 