James Book 2: The Spirited One, #2

By Brenda Colbath

Lieutenant James MacDonald's family needs him! The Task Force trying to convict Senator Allen and his son needs him! He only wants to crawl into a hole and die! Jack takes him for a wild ride to knock sense into his head and maybe his body! It works until his life is inundated with bombings, shootings, rapes, and murders. How much pain can one person bear?

The Spirited One can protect him from bodily harm, but he will need a little help to heal his overwhelming need for revenge against those who took Jena from him. It's one thing right after another! The rape kit disappears from the evidence room, and without Jena to testify, the Task Force is looking at an uphill battle to convict.

Mama Celeste, his family's restaurant, blows up with his family and Task Force team inside! James is mad as hell!

James realizes there is a mole in the precinct, and she is good at her job! Sending Young Aiden to find out who she works for might backfire, and it does!

Senator Allen and his son must pay for their involvement in ruining the lives of many young women! His determination to see the Senator and son in prison becomes an obsession bordering on Cowboy Justice! Let's hope the Spirited One has something up his sleeve to stop James before he heads down that road of no return!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brenda Colbath
• Release date: Aug 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223394419

Brenda Colbath

Creating worlds and characters and wielding power like a madwoman makes my characters happy, sad, angry, and have no redeeming qualities. I laugh aloud when writing a scene, and I have been known to cry when one of my favorites dies. I am a left-handed Gemini; what do you expect?

Book preview

Chapter 2 The task force is up and running.

James arrived at the precinct at 10:00; ducking most of the sorry for your loss, handshaking, back-slapping, and welcoming him back, he headed for the task force office.

Captain Edward Alonzo arrived minutes later, supposedly looking for coffee. The team disappeared.

James, are you sure you are ready to take this on?

Thanks, but I have taken more than enough time feeling sorry for myself. I need to get the bastards responsible for Jena’s death!

He was angry at himself, but more at the people that murdered his Jena! He heard the Spirited One say, "James, are you ready to allow me to help you!"

James answered, Yes, was it your idea to use Jack to shake the shit out of me?

In a manner of speaking, yes.

Alonzo was taken aback when James tipped his head back and laughed out loud.

Sorry, Boss, I just realized Jena would kick my ass and tell me to get the bastards that killed her and Tom! Alonzo was grateful to see James in a good mood but concerned.

Well, uh, okay, I will get out of your hair and let you do that. Opening the door, he said, By the way, you have two new recruits reporting to you today." Alonzo scooted out the door. Within minutes the guys appeared, picking their favorite flavor of coffee and snack, which Aiden thoughtfully provided. 

I want to thank you for giving me time to come to terms with the loss of Jena, James said. Looking directly at Jack, he said, I have accepted that Jena is now reunited with Tom. I am making this promise to you and her; we will make those bastards pay! There will be no leaks from this investigation! No one will enter this room unless authorized. The door will be locked at all times! We will review the evidence until we can recite it by heart. Aiden will distribute the folders for your review again. As you read them, pass them on to the next person.

There was a chorus of, Glad to have you back, Boss! 

A file cabinet will be delivered this afternoon, and the files will be locked. Guard your keys with your life!

Pausing when there was a knock. Aiden opened the door, and two fresh-faced recruits entered, unsure of themselves.

James said, This is the last time anyone will gain entrance to this room without using their key! Who are you, and what business do you have in the task force room?

"Sir, I am Ted Alburten, and this is Jessie Johnson; we just graduated from the police academy, and Captain Alonzo told us to report to you. 

Introduce yourselves to the crew, and have some coffee and a snack. I will be right back.  James said and stalked out, shutting and locking the door.

He opened the captain’s door and walked in. Captain Alonzo was expecting him and set his cup down, motioning him to sit.

I see you have met our new recruits. They are anxious to work on this case and asked to be assigned to you.

Captain, having raw recruits working on a high-profile case may jeopardize our progress. And they did go along with the rapists who murdered Tom, left Jena to die, and only chickened out at the last minute!

I beg the differ; they didn’t chicken out. They were willing to scare a couple of kids, but when they realized what those guys were planning, they tried to stop it! They were not from privileged families, and as I recall, they were beaten so bad they spent time in the hospital. And they were told that if they told a living soul, the group would visit every member of their families.

It may bite us in the ass having two guys who say they didn’t participate without Jena to testify. A case could be made that they could have or did participate. We‘ve  got to have a rock-solid case if we intend to put a State Senator and his son in prison!

James, do me a favor and see how your crew feels. Ted and Jessie will make first-class officers; they graduated at the top of their police academy class. They remind me of you, they have guts, and I like them!.

James realized he had lost that round and was being dismissed.

When he returned to the Task Room, he unlocked the door and saw Ted and Jessie sitting quietly at the end of the table and the crew digging into the files.

They stood up; Ted Alburten, the taller and stockier of the two, would have had dark wavy hair if it hadn’t been cut so short. Jessie’s short black afro was set off by his light chocolate complexion and would have a big smile; if he wasn’t so worried, they might be kicked out any minute. Sir, we didn’t touch any files. He said. He resisted saluting, kept his hands at his sides, and stood at attention.

Did you boys introduce yourselves to the crew?

Yes, sir, we did. They both said at the same time.

James addressed his team. Captain Alonzo has assigned Ted and Jessie to me for training and to work on the Allens case. I suggested they might be a liability to our case because they went along with the Jocks until they realized what they had planned. Since Jena cannot testify, the defense will cast doubt on their innocence.

Boss, Ted, and Jessie told us about the incident. We discussed it and agreed they should have told someone. But they were young, and those jocks would have been intimidating. They have evidence of their families being threatened and hospital records of injuries from the beating they took. If it is okay with you, we want them to stay. Jack said.

Are you all in agreement? Seeing all the heads nod, he said, Okay! 

Is there any record of who did the beating?James asked.

Ted said, Yes, sir, there were witnesses if we can get them to testify. We will supply your team with names and addresses.

All right! Ted, Jessie, I over-ruled Captain Alonzo from promoting you to detective because of your record with the Jag office. You will wear your officer uniform unless I specifically tell you differently. Understood?

They both saluted and said together, Yes, sir!

By the way, this is not the Marines; you do not have to salute. There were smiles and low giggles from the crew.

How familiar are you with the case we were building about the murder of Tom Adams and the rape and attempted murder of Jena Andrews?

Sorry, we only know what was in the papers, but we will be up to speed as soon as we are allowed to study the files. 

You not only are allowed, but that is an order! Aiden started laying stacks of files on the long table. 

Before you start reading, Jack will briefly outline what is in those files.

Tony Allen, the son of our esteemed State Senator and soon-to-be Washington Senator, was the gang leader of football jocks. These Jocks are guilty of drugging and gang-raping dozens of girls in the Party House" owned by Tony Allen Jr.

Mary took over the narrative, adding, The drugged girls usually only remembered bits and pieces of their time in the Party House. They were threatened with their lives if they complained. Many quit school and moved away!  We want the name of the butchers that performed the forced abortions on these girls. We have statements from some of the girls, but we need more! We are close to discovering the doctor or doctors who did the dirty work. Because of their butchery, many can never have children.

"Oh, My God! Do we know how many girls were raped and forced into abortions? Ted said.

"I understand why they kept silent when the Jocks threatened to kill their families.

They did ours! We are not making excuses; it was what it was!" Jessie added.

Aiden continued, We do not know how many, but one was too many! I personally understand how the threats worked. We were threatened when Mary and I did undercover work at the school. I would have also ended up in the hospital if Mary hadn’t intervened.

Jessie and Ted hung their heads, and Ted said, with tears forming, We are so sorry we were not brave enough to stay and fight for Tom and Jena!

Jack said, If you had stayed, in all probability, all you would have accomplished is delaying those bastards and getting yourselves killed!  I am surprised they didn’t kill you, anyway!

Ted was in ICU for a week, and I am ashamed to admit I hid until he was released. We agreed to get the hell out of town! We hitchhiked to Phoenix, living on the streets until hunger forced us to seek help. We were headed to a shelter to get a meal when a Marine recruiter called us into his office. He promised us food and training. We agreed to sign if we could be on the train the next day for boot camp. It was the smartest thing we ever did!

Jessie added, We were lucky to get the chance to work in the Jag legal office. Hopefully, our paralegal training will be useful.

James realized it was nearly time for dinner. Look, guys, this is a good start for today; let’s break for dinner. I invite you and your significant others to the best spaghetti dinner in town! At Mama Celeste’s! My treat! 

There was a chorus of Yays from everyone. Ted, Jesse, if you don’t have wheels, you can ride with me.

Thanks, but we do have wheels and know of Mama Celeste’s. Our wives will be thrilled if there is dancing after dinner. 

There is, and we will meet at 7:00; I will call ahead and have tables set up for us. James wasn’t surprised to see the room empty fast.

Jack was last, and he asked, Are we okay, Boss?

Yes, we are! I am grateful that you shook the shit out of me. I was so far down that damned rabbit hole I couldn’t see the tunnel! Did you take a lot of shit from Jammie? As a therapist, I am sure that was not her first recommendation, He said with a shit-eating grin shaking Jack’s hand. 

Oh, yeah! I will be paying for that little episode for months.

Come on, buddy, let’s go home and dress to impress, James said as he locked the cabinet and the door.

James called the Restaurant. Papa, is tonight okay to bring my whole crew and their significant others for dinner and dancing?

Papa said, "Of course?

Tell Thomas I will get there early to help set up. He heard Thomas yell in the background, No way, we can’t afford the broken dishes!" 

Tell him, as soon as I get my strength back, we will have a meeting of the minds and fists! He said, laughing.

Oh! And by the way, it is my treat!

James sang at the top of his lungs all the way home, something he hadn’t done since Jena’s funeral.

Chapter 3 Dinner at Mama Celeste’s.

James arrived before any of his crew, pushed through the swinging doors to the kitchen, and found his family preparing for their usual busy evening. 

Everyone stopped what they were doing, and hugs were exchanged between all except Thomas. He gave and received a slug on the arm, his and James' usual greeting, followed by a big hug.

We are glad to see you looking so chipper, bro! What got you out of the bowels of depression? Whoever did the deed, Chianti is on the house! Thomas said. 

It is on the house for everyone, anyway! Although special consideration goes to Jack; he took me for a ride and threatened to beat me to a pulp!

Good! If you go off the deep end again, I will join him in that workout! Thomas said, adding another slug for emphasis.

To put Senator Allen and his brat in prison, we will be working long hours! So be nice and not your usual bumbling self! James said as he turned to sprint for the dining room door!

Just for you, I won’t do my impression of you waiting tables; now, scoot and let us professionals impress your team, Thomas said.

Son, we are so happy to have you back!  Mama Celeste and Papa Heraldo got between the brothers, hugging and kissing James'. Now, go and let us know if we did okay with the arrangements. 

I already saw them, and they are perfect as usual! Cloe, you did a great job with the decorations; they are beautiful, thanks, He said as he hugged and kissed his sister, a perfect younger version of Mama Celeste.

Papa Heraldo was dressed in his best suit, and his beautiful silver mustache was groomed to perfection. Mama Celeste’s curly dark hair sparkling with silver matched her beautiful silver earrings shining like her eyes.

Before going through the door, he glanced back at his family and was glad he was back in their lives and not in that black hole of grief!

Walking out to the terrace, James turned on the twinkling lights. He closed his eyes, dreaming of dancing with his Jena again, until he felt a punch on his arm. Thomas threw his arms around him, saying, Glad to have you back, bro!

I had to come back so I could torture you!

The only way you could torture me is to wait tables or help in the kitchen! Hey, I have been thinking of coming with you to lessons at the dojo?  I would like to learn some of those moves.  He laughed as he mimicked some of the moves he had seen James practicing.

I’m not sure they have gi’s big enough for your ego! Although having you to make fun of might take some of the stress out of stepping through those doors again, he said. 

Okay, bro, it is a date! Just let me know when and we can ride together.  No worries if you catch a case and have to bail; we can practice at home. Thomas disappeared behind the swinging doors into the kitchen.

Jack and Jammie arrived, and Jammie hugged James and said, This looks wonderful!  Are your folks planning on having it be a private party?

Not exactly, but we hope the private party sign outside will discourage all but the die-hard spaghetti fans.

I want to apologize to both of you for my knucklehead behavior! Jammie, I am so sorry for pushing you so hard; you could have been hurt if Jack hadn’t been there. 

He hung his head until he heard her say, James, Jena was my friend and patient. I do private practice because my clients become personal to me.  You were in such pain; I understand and forgive you, She said, smiling.

James hugged her and said, Thank you!

Then looking at Jack, he said, I probably would have stayed in that black hole forever. Your therapy session did the trick! Glancing at Jammie, he continued, I know you will pay dearly for that episode with someone we both know and love!

She slugged him in the chest, saying, Dammit, you deserved it!  He doesn’t need forgiveness for loving you enough to take the bull by the horns and help you in the only way he knew! She put her arms around both of them, hugging them tight! 

Ted and Jessie arrived and introduced their wives. Jessie said, This beautiful lady is my wife, Alexia. And James agreed she was truly beautiful with her dark short Afro and mesmerizing dark brown eyes framed with long black lashes. Her pale yellow dress set off her well-toned body showing hours at the gym.

James took her hand and said, Very nice to meet you, and I hope you like Mama Celeste’s.  Enjoy spaghetti or order off the menu.

Ted stepped up and said, We have been looking forward to coming back for the spaghetti! Boss, this lovely lady is my wife, Janis. Janis barely came to Ted’s shoulder and reminded James of a dark-haired Mary Hartley. Janis said, Spaghetti is my downfall, and I hope the lights indicate there will be dancing." 

I promise there will be dancing!

We hope so because we are starved for spaghetti and love to dance.  As if on cue, the music started playing a smooth waltz.

Janis took Ted’s arm and led him to the dance floor; she barely came up to his shoulder, even with six-inch heels. Ted wrapped his arms around his wife, and they glided across the dance floor, lost in each other and the music. Janis was 5 feet nothing, and the silver off-the-shoulder dress with barely a flare at the hem accented her shapely legs.

Jessie made excuses as he took Alexia in his arms, and they, too, danced away. Alexia was nearly as tall as Jessie in her heels and followed his moves so well they looked attached.  Her single-shoulder dress fit her perfect figure like it was made for her.

James said, Well, it looks like the dancing will be a success. Why don’t you two try the dance floor, too? 

Jack put his arm around Jammie and said, Thanks, Boss, I think that is a great idea; what do you say, Jammie? I will try not to step on your feet more than once.

She moved into his arms, and they glided onto the dance floor, leaving James smiling. He enjoyed seeing Jack happier than he had been for such a long time. Jack had a recent haircut, and it appeared he had invested in a new suit looking quite dapper!  Jammie’s bright blue hair parted in the middle nearly matched her simple blue dress, short enough to show her long shapely legs. 

James enjoyed watching the couples dancing and remembered dancing with Jena. He didn’t have time to reminisce because the crew would start arriving.  And right on cue, Captain Alonzo and his wife Maria arrived, interrupting James' thoughts. 

Shaking hands with James and smiling, he said, It looks like your crew loves to dance. You have met my wife, Maria, haven’t you? 

"Yes, I have. So glad you could make it tonight. It will mean a lot