Brothers And Madness

By Russel Ison

An African American man dies while under police custody. America is once again in turmoil as demonstrations, arsons and looting rule many American streets. Two brothers from an African American family will be involved in this conflict. One brother is a peace loving man intent on keeping race relations peaceful. The other brother has other plans. He wants to profit from all the turmoil that is happening in America. Their lives will take separate paths but will eventually intersect. Everyone in fact will be involved. Their family, the people they love, the media and just about everyone interested in the death of a black man while in police custody. It seems the death of one man is enough to cause madness in anyone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Russel Ison
• Release date: May 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201835576

Russel Ison

My pen name is Russel Ison. I write about novels which I think people would like but I especially like. I am semi-retired and spend most of my time researching all sorts of subjects. From Science, History, Mythology, Crime, Music, Movies, Saving Money, Romantic Comedies, my list goes on and on. I am however mainly interested in writing for people.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Man Is Killed

Ben nearly dropped the coffee he was drinking in his office when he saw the news on television. A black man has just been killed allegedly by the police. His anger boiled when he saw the videotape of a police kneeling against the body of the black man, Peter Williams. According to the news television anchor, the police knelt too long against the neck of Peter Williams that it resulted in him being killed. 

According to the news report also, Peter Williams was arrested by the police for allegedly paying a convenience store employee with a counterfeit $20 bill.

Ben slumped in his office chair inside the offices of CAO (Californians Against Oppression). He was the CEO of the not for profit organization. Together with three employees and six volunteers, they run the organization in a cramped office space in a small and old office building in Peterson Street. The old office building has small shops in its ground level which could be noisy at times.

But Ben didn’t mind. The old building has rustic appeal. It has a community vibe in it. But most of all, it made Ben’s organization fly under the radar of critics who would like to bring down civic organizations who have too much funding. This suited Ben. He was a good man at heart and really wanted to champion the rights of the minorities in his area. He hated talks about money. That is why he left the running of the financial matters of the organization to his girlfriend, Alicia. 

He rubbed his forehead with his fingers.

He was thinking, A brother killed over 20 dollars? That’s not right, no life is worth 20 dollars.

He stopped the office work he was doing and turned on the television volume just enough so that he can clearly hear what the news anchors was talking about.

Then he saw Alicia coming towards him. Ben smiled as he remembered their date last night. Alicia with her model like body was an eye turner to anyone that saw her. Her ebony colored skin glistened under the lights of the fancy restaurant they ate in last night.

Besides her model like body and glistening ebony skin, what Ben is proud of her is her afro hair. She was proud to show her natural hair. It was a proof to her that she is proud of her ancestry. And she carried her hair with style so that whenever she goes, she is noticed.

He scratched his head when she was in front of his desk. He knows that she was angry based on the looks on her face.

He faked a smile, What is it, Alicia?

She sighed, I see you’re watching it, Ben.

What?

The Peter Williams killing in Minneapolis...

Oh, you know it too? Does everyone in the office know about it, Alicia?

Yes, Ben, we’ve being flooded with calls. Everyone’s asking what we are we going to do with the man’s death.

Ben sighed, We’ll issue a standard notice saying how we detest the police brutality and offer condolences to the family.

Alicia frowned, Is that all, Ben?

Yes, that’s all, Alicia, we don’t want to sensationalize the issue.

Alicia planted her palm violently at Ben’s desk, You don’t realize it do you, Ben?

Ben was startled, Alicia, honey, take it easy....

Don’t you understand it, Ben? It’s one of these crimes again.

What do you mean, honey?

Ben, please don’t call me honey when there’s people around. Not when I’m angry.

Okay Alicia, what’s wrong?

Don’t you realize that this would be a repeat of the madness that would happen in the entire country?

I don’t get you.

Alicia sighed, What happens whenever a black man is killed by the police?

Ben half smiled, We’ll, the country goes ballistic and starts blaming the police, the government and all white people.

Alicia smiled, Precisely. I have a feeling that this would be one of these cases.

What made you think that, Alicia?

It’s everywhere. It’s all over the television, online. It’s all that’s being talked about in the streets!

Ben smiled, Then it’s good news to us, Alicia. More people are now knowing how the minorities, especially the blacks are being treated in this goddam country.

Alicia frowned, But not this way, Ben. The media and the politicians are just using this black man’s death to further their own agendas.

But honey, sorry I didn’t meant to say that. Alicia, this is the way the world works. Everyone has their own agendas.

What’s your agenda, Ben? Do you have an agenda as well?

My agenda is to serve the minorities of California. That is my only objective.

Alicia smiled, That’s what I like about you, Ted. Please don’t change.

I won’t change, Alicia. Not for you, and certainly not for anyone, you can bet on that.

Alicia reached out and kissed him, You’re sexy when you say that.

They were interrupted when a thin young man approached them. He was wearing a beanie bonnet and an earring in one ear. He also has a lot of tattoos in both his arms. His thin arms are a sharp contrast to his fierce tattoos. It seems that he wanted to look tough but his thin arms sends an altogether different message.

Ben smiled at him, KP, what’s up, man?

KP smiled, Nothing wrong, Ben. It’s just that it’s been chaos all day. Our supporters kept calling us about the brother that was killed by the pig police in Minneapolis. They want us to do something about it and we’re running out of things to say.

Ben sighed, Tell the others to tell anyone who calls us about the incident in Minneapolis that we are issuing a standard protest letter to the police of Minneapolis.

KP was puzzled, Aren’t we going to tell the police of California to F themselves as well?

Alicia shook her head, Now, KP, what did I tell you about using the F word?

KP sighed, Yes, Ms. Alicia. I remember what you said. Don’t use any swear words. We’re a peaceful organization.

Very good, KP, said Alicia.

KP was flushed, But I don’t understand how the two of you could be so calm about it. The black man has the same skin as you. He’s a brother.

Ben touched his afro hair and then the bottom of his clean shaven face. He was clearly irritated with KP, What did I say about using the word ‘brother,’ KP?

Brother does not only mean dark colored people, but applies to all skin colors, said KP.

Ben calmed down, Don’t you forget that, KP. This organization serves all minorities who are all our brothers.

Alicia smiled, We don’t only serve minorities, KP. We also help anyone irrespective of their skin color. Don’t you forget that.

KP sighed, Even Mr. Chengg, that stingy Chinese?

Ben smiled, Yes, KP, even Chengg, the stingy Chinese.

Alicia frowned, Aren’t you embarrassed with yourselves? Chengg is a perfectly nice old man. He works hard and is a very peaceful man.

KP laughed, Not when you ask him for bigger food servings. He’s a cheat. Every one of them are just like that.

KP, that is just how the old man serves food. It has nothing to do with their race, said Alicia angrily.

Ben interrupted, KP, better get back to your desk. I’ll talk to you later.

When KP has left, Alicia frowned at Ben, I don’t know why you keep that young man, Ben. He’s still so immature. He can’t handle working for our organization.

Ben sighed, But he’s a volunteer. He’s young so what? He’ll soon mature after a few more months.

Alicia frowned, "I know that KP is a young man and