Walk On Hot Coals

By K. Brehm

First Through the Door:

Justine, a transgender female narcotics detective, faces hostility in the police department. Her male cousin, who is also a member of the narcotics squad, is kidnapped. To gain his release, Justine must find the person killing other transgender people in her city.

Lynched:

As a white veteran FBI agent, Jen Lynch thought that justice was blind. However, the shooting death of her unarmed Black brother-in-law by a white male police officer challenges that viewpoint and causes her to take action.

Mission Abort:

Early in her unwanted pregnancy, Eve is abducted by a group who support a woman's right to choose. After ending her pregnancy and joining them, she is involved in the kidnapping of a young woman who insists on giving birth. Eve must decide whether to follow the group or help the new abductee.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667896038

Book preview

FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR

1

Justin is an experienced cop, working narcotics, who is conflicted about his sexuality and has long desired to be a woman. Only his closest family members, including his cousin Samuel, who is also a narcotics detective, are aware that he is pursuing a gender change. Although Samuel acts supportive, he is concerned about the effect on their close relationship as well as on Justin’s career as a police officer.

As Justin starts the medical transition process, the number of transgender persons being murdered in the city happens to escalate. The deaths are going unsolved, and some police officers privately express a dislike of trans people and suggest their murders should be ignored. Justin is aware of this situation, and despite Samuel requesting he not go through with the gender affirmation procedure, Justin forges ahead with hormone therapy and laser hair removal.

A few weeks into that process, he participates in a raid on a major drug lab thought to be operated by Tommy Boy, a notorious kingpin the police have been seeking but whose actual identity and face remain unknown. Despite feeling some nausea and breast tenderness from the estrogen treatments, Justin volunteers to be the first one to enter the building. He is aware of the adage The first one through the door takes all the bullets, but he feels a strong urge to prove his courage before completing the gender change. 

When the police burst in, Justin leads the way. He is shot and returns fire, killing two suspects and wounding a third. Although he prevents his colleagues from being hurt, he is injured in the left shoulder and right thigh. The raid nets a large quantity of drugs and several weapons, but Tommy Boy is not present. None of the suspects arrested are willing to provide any information about Tommy Boy. 

Justin is hospitalized, and a few days later receives a commendation from the mayor for his bravery, along with local press coverage making him out to be a hero. While recovering from his wounds, he goes forward with the medical transition procedure. This involves a bilateral orchiectomy to remove both testicles, leaving the scrotum for use in a vaginoplasty to be scheduled later. He also meets with another surgeon about the possibility of a breast augmentation. 

To conceal the existence of the transition, Samuel agrees to lie to the police chief by stating that Justin is slow to heal from his wounds and that his discharge has been delayed. This dishonesty troubles Samuel even more because he still opposes the sex change while trying to be supportive.

Once the orchiectomy is completed, and Justin can be released, the family comes to the hospital. He informs them that since he is now a woman, she wants to go by the name Justine and will file for a legal name change. This will allow her to begin her new identity while remaining connected to her past. She also announces that she will take on the appearance of a woman by her clothing and use of a wig.

Justine then states her decision to continue her career as a police officer. This upsets Samuel. He warns her that she will face hostility and isolation since she will be the first transgender person on the force. He asks her to reconsider, mentioning that even cops who were born a woman are harassed and mistreated. Justine is not dissuaded, exclaiming that she will not give up her dream of being a police officer just because she has switched gender.

2

After returning home to complete her recovery, Justine is visited by the chief of police, who is accompanied by Samuel. With her permission, Samuel informed the chief about Justine’s gender change and her fervent desire to remain on the force. Although he is cordial, the chief expresses concern that Justine might not fit in and would be a target of resentment or even hatred. He also mentions there might be physical limitations on her ability to perform well. 

This angers Justine and she responds she can do the job as well as a man and can pass any tests they require. The chief apologizes for any slight but adds that, to convince others, she will need to successfully complete a few basic evaluations before returning as a woman.

A week later, Samuel escorts her to the police gym and then the firing range, identifying her as a recruit but without mentioning her name. She is not recognized by any of the personnel she encounters, despite there being no meaningful change in her facial appearance. Justine passes the physical requirements with high marks and her shooting scores are near the top of the chart. Samuel is confident she will perform well on duty but still prefers she not return. He keeps that feeling to himself and passes on the results to the chief, recommending she be accepted back.

Before making a final decision, the chief decides to confer with the mayor. The critical issue for the mayor, who is a woman, is simply whether Justine has the skills to do the job well. The chief is quick to acknowledge that all the test results were excellent, and that Justine has the physical and mental ability to do an excellent job. However, he adds that he is worried about the response and actions of other officers since there has never been a transgender person in the department. 

The mayor had been elected two years earlier in a close race, with strong backing from the LGBTQ community, and feels she needs to support their issues. She tells the chief that Justine must return to work and that other cops need to accept her presence. The chief is annoyed and states he will place Justine in an administrative position, rather than in the field, to allow for a period of transition.

His decision upsets the mayor, who recalls that she had personally given a commendation for heroism to Justine, when still Justin, who was seriously wounded in a big drug raid. She tells the chief that a menial assignment will send the wrong message and might cause legal and political problems. She pauses a moment, then asks if there is a way to minimize the danger to Justine when placed on the street. The chief responds that she has an older cousin, Samuel, an experienced cop who is also in the narcotics unit. The mayor directs the chief to arrange for Samuel to be attached to all cases that Justine works. 

3

The next day, the chief calls a meeting of the entire narcotics division, along with the heads of all the other departments. Once all are gathered in a large conference room, he announces that their colleague, Justin, who had been wounded in action protecting fellow officers, had recovered, and was now returning to duty. There is an immediate response of joy and elation as the crowd begins to applaud. The chief quiets them and in a serious tone adds However, there is something new that will require your patience and tolerance.

Just as he finishes that comment, Justine enters in full uniform, accompanied by Samuel. A heavy silence hangs over the room as the audience scrutinizes her. Many seem confused while others begin to stare in disapproval. One senior male officer then blurts out: What the hell is this? A sick joke? Others begin to murmur as they look away from Justine.

The chief raises his hand to regain their attention. Here’s the situation, he states in a commanding tone. The officer standing before you, who we knew as Justin, is now a woman with the name Justine, and is still on the force. She will be working narcotics and is to be treated as any other cop.

The same senior officer calls out: How can that be? This person is an abomination and not fit to be one of us.

Anticipating hostility, the chief quickly responds: I can assure you that Justine is totally fit for service. She recently completed an intense physical evaluation as well as a thorough firearms test at the range, and the results are better than most of you could do. In addition, I reviewed this decision with the mayor, and she gives it her full support and asks that all of us welcome Justine.

Sounds more like a political move to help the mayor get re-elected, the officer responds cynically. You can count me out. Others begin to voice their hostility.

Cutting off the growing dissent, the chief states bluntly: Like it or not, the decision is final. I expect every one of you to let Justine do her job and prove herself in the field. I can’t force you to be her friend, but do not cause her trouble. Now get to work.

Justine and Samuel stay behind with the chief as the crowd exits. She is upset by the harsh response, feeling that she is still the same qualified officer after the gender change. Samuel reminds her that he had warned her of a negative attitude by many of her colleagues. Justine says it’s unfair since she is still a good cop. He replies that she needs to show that every day and some will change their minds. The chief concurs, saying that he cannot promise it will be easy, but if she works hard, he will back her up. 

4

When Justine enters the room of the narcotics division, most of the male detectives turn away, while a few glare at her instead. Even the two female detectives look down to avoid eye contact. She is hurt by how her colleagues, many who had been her friends, now treat her like a pariah, or even worse, a criminal. She finds an empty desk in the far corner with her old name plate sitting on it. She does not take offense at the presence of the outdated item and assumes it is another example of inefficient bureaucracy. Since it no longer reflects who she is, Justine puts it in a drawer and out of sight. 

She endures an uncomfortable silence when she goes to the supply room to obtain some basic office materials. Upon returning to her desk, she finds her captain standing there with several files in his hands. Just as her butt hits her chair, he drops them on her desk. These are some of the open cases, he says icily. Get up to speed so you will be ready to go out tomorrow. Before Justine can comment he storms off. However, she is encouraged by his indication that she will be back in the field the next day. That is music to her ears.

As Justine starts to get settled, the mayor and a small entourage arrive for an unexpected photo opportunity. This sudden intrusion disrupts the squad room and makes Justine uncomfortable. But since she knows the mayor helped with her return to duty, she sucks it up and smiles weakly. The mayor gathers those present together, then hugs Justine and makes some laudatory comments as several camera operators record each precious moment. Just as quickly the mayor and her group depart, like a tornado passing through.

Once a sense of calm has returned, one of the other female detectives, Charlotte, approaches Justine. You have a minute? 

She had never been too friendly to Justin or the men in that squad. Some of the male detectives thought she was a lesbian and referred to her as Charlie behind her back. Justin did not care or pass judgment at that time, since Charlotte was a good cop and Justin was dealing with his/her own gender issue.

Sure. What’s up?

Let’s talk in the bathroom, Charlotte replies. 

Justine stands up and begins to follow her. As Charlotte turns down the hall toward the women’s restroom and away from the men’s room, Justine hesitates. She suddenly realizes she is about to face another example of her new life. This will be the first time she uses the ladies’ room. Although it might not be a major event, she still feels a bit anxious as she crosses the threshold of this foreign environment. 

Charlotte senses this as they enter. This might seem a little strange to you, but don’t worry, she assures her. Your plumbing will get along with the plumbing in here just fine. 

That remark breaks the ice and they both smile. Charlotte approaches one of the mirrors and begins to play with her hair. Thinking that this might be typical female behavior, Justine follows suit. 

After a few moments, Charlotte bluntly states: I am not a lesbian, in case you wondered. 

Justine turns to look at her but does not respond.

I am actually bisexual, which most people don’t seem to understand, Charlotte continues. But with me it’s simple. I am attracted to women and men and have sex with both, although not at the same time.

Thanks for the information, I guess. Justine is a bit surprised by the admission. Is there a reason you’re confiding in me?

I want you to know that I do not judge you or think bad of you, since I am somewhat different as well. She adds: But I also feel sorry for you, since my sexuality is not obvious, whereas your gender change is visible. You will face a lot of hostility that I am able to avoid.

Justine is uncertain how to take this comment. I don’t want or need your sympathy, she snaps back.

Of course not, Charlotte agrees. I just want you to know that I am available if you want to talk. 

Thanks. Justine realizes her response was harsh. I’m still getting used to being female. To lighten the mood, she adds: Glad these rooms have stalls, because it will be strange taking a crap with other women around.