Erotica Harem

Please don’t ‘read between the lines’ with my comments. I say what I think free of insinuations. I am a retired martial artist and retired police officer, thus I look at things differently.

I dislike the rating system. If required to do so to submit a review, be advised that I rate conservatively. I am direct but always respectful.

This is one person’s opinion. Keep writing and always have fun!


Title: Pretty Boy Dead

Chapter: 42

Author: Jon M

Plot: Detective Parker and his partner argue and then fight; Parker is outed; go to Lt. office, Parker put on leave and leaves.

Style & Voice: 3rd person via diff. parties, properly done

Referencing: consistent

Scene/Setting: PD

Characterization: Gooood. See commments.

Grammar: Good w/ suggestions.

Just My Personal Opinion: Jon, what about the HEA, HAPPY ever after? I think it would be hot if another cop saw Parker outside and siddled up to him and said he just heard Parker is gay, the stare at each other, and the other cop, who just happens to be sexy and Parker's type, says, "me too." Just my opinion.


Kendall Parker pleaded with Perelli. "Vince, please," he saidnot needed, u just described it as 'pleaded', steeling his voice, ignoring those looking on. “Give me a chance to explain, but not here."



"I’ve been blind,” Perelli decried, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Michael…Michael wasn't just a good friend to you, was he ole’ buddy," he accused in mocking contempt, reminiscent of a grade school taunt. "That’s it. That’s why you've been so damned consumed with this North’s case.” His partner’s face flushed. “Jesus Ken, you must take me for a fucking idiot."



"Vince, listen to me. You don’t know what you’re about to do. Say we get outta here, go sit down and discuss this over cup of coffee and talk,not needed, u just wrote 'discuss' huh?"



His partner wouldn’t hear of it. "We've been best buddies for years, you and I," Perelli wailed, anger settling in his features. "We’ve collard thugs and celebrated together, gotten drunk and fought together, hell…we've even bawled together. Haven’t we, ole buddy?"



"Vince, please. Don’t do this."



"Goddammit, Ken, I trusted you." Perelli cried, slamming his fist atop the desk and knocking the telephone receiver from its cradle.



"You still can, Vince. Nothing's changed." Parker felt helpless and vulnerable among his colleagues, similar to a scrawny kid changing into gym clothes among older boys in the high school locker room. "Would you just hear me out?”



“You’re one of them, aren’t you?” Perelli glanced up and wiped at his running nose. He looked lost, bewildered. “"Five years, Ken. Five fucking years and all of it a big fucking lie.” He stood suddenly. “I won't listen to your lies anymore.”



"Fine,” Parker snapped, shooting out of his chair. “While you’re at it, why don’t you go ahead and blame me for your incompetence, too?" Perelli drew back. Parker had hit a nerve and he aimed to squeeze even harder. “Where were you, Vince? That night when I chased the suspect into the alley and got ambushed? Where were you?”



Perelli glared at Parker, confounded.



“You were supposed to have my back buddy,” Parker yelled. “I could've been killed."



"I was coming as fast as I could,” Perelli implored, noticeably irritated at the accusation. “I didn't have time to get there before you were attacked.”



"You were too slow, ole’ buddy," Parker said, gaining the upper hand. "You fucked up, Perelli. You didn’t have my back." The next words out of Parker’s mouth made him regret them before he finished. "Just like you weren't there that night for Pete, Vince. Your partner never had a chance."



The pain etched across the detective’s face proved unforgiving. “Fuck you.” Perelli snapped, then swung a hard left at Parker’s gut and missed. Parker caught Perelli’s thick arm and tried to subdue him. Their scuffle gained a greater audience.



"Get your pervert hands off me." Perelli shouted, struggling to wrestle free. "Get away from me, you faggot."



Lieutenant Hornsby stepped between them with a scowl. "What the hell's going on here?"



"It's okay, lieutenant," Parker explained, drawing back and trying to catch his breath. "A slight misunderstanding, that's all."



Perelli started to speak, but was silenced by Hornsby. "The two of you get in my office right now.”



The door to the lieutenant’s office slammed shut after the detectives.It sounds like the door slammed itself...someone had to do it. Hornsby’s anger had him enraged enough to misjudge his chair behind his desk as he reached out and set it spinning. He kicked the chair away, choosing instead to stand. "You assholes have really done it," he snorted, nostrils flaring. "My wakeup call this morning was the Captain. I've had to put off the Mayor's office, and the goddamn ACLU is threatening a lawsuit." Yea, so? the fucking ACLU will sue if you sneeze wrong, it its opinion.



Parker opened his mouth to speak, but Hornsby’s hand silenced him. "And you, Perelli-" Hornsby glared at the impudent detective-"I should kick your fat ass down Peachtree Street for your actions."



The lieutenant rounded the corner of the desk and leaned within inches of Perelli's reddening face. "What you did was stupid, plain and simple. It’s going to cost this department a great deal of embarrassment and headache, which I don’t need right now." Stepping back, he wiped sweat from his face with a white handkerchief baring his initials. Don't need the initials, cuz who'd notice in an angry environment? "Why is it always hot in this damn place?” He asked.need a stronger word than asked, maybe demanded of no one, or howled,.....maybe he's going thru menopause. SMIRK.



"Lieutenant…” Parker started, but was again silenced.



"I'm not finished," Hornsby snipped. The large man glared at them behind the mammoth desk. "The situation has gotten worse," he said, glancing away. "Internal Affairs wants to speak to both of you. O'Connor, your suspect…died over an hour ago."



Parker feigned a punch at Perelli. “You bastard.” I don't get the feigned punch. That seems humor betw/ buds, but these guys are mad.



"Sit your asses down," Hornsby demanded. He gripped the edge of the desk, peered down an oleaginous nose. "The kid was a goner away, a matter of time, I’m told. You may have done him a favor, saved him from a lot of suffering.”



Parker recoiled at his commander’s narrow mindedness. He wanted to reach across the desk and pound some sense into the man, but held firm. His penchant for violence of late frightened him.



“What’s important is that we’re on the same page and get the facts straight in the report. We’ve got to substantiate the boy's incarceration,” Hornsby said, cupping his round chin with his hand. “I’ll release a statement the department intended to charge O’Connor with three counts of aggravated assault, two against APD officers, the other and Emory surgeon I don't understand 'the other and Emory surgeon' before he subsumed this is the wrong word for here to a preexisting condition while in custody."



The pounding in Parker’s ears matched the heart against his chest. Perelli sat silent, shell-shocked by the news. Hornsby added, "We've got to explain how the hell O’Connor died in our detention."



Parker quivered. "Perelli beat him to death." I just don't see one partner fronting out his partner that way to a supervisor, who can't be trusted.



Perelli glowered at Parker, showing no sign of backing down.



"O’Connor was a suspect in one, perhaps two deaths," Hornsby said, pushing his bulk away from the desk. “Least, he was a material witness. We had every right to detain him, no question. I.A. will put us through shit, but we know what happened,” he said, locking eyes with Parker. “Until then, this department did nothing wrong."



"What?" Parker demanded. He sensed a cover-up. "I saw the boy's injuries, Lieutenant. O’Connor was handcuffed and shackled, face down in a pool of his own urine." He caught his breath. "The suspect needed medical attention, lieutenant. No way he could have resisted arrest, much less defend his self as my partner claims."



"I wouldn't repeat those words," Hornsby warned. "None of this is for you to decide." He shot a look of disdain at Perelli then looked back to Parker. "Is what Perelli said out there true?"



A hand reached through Parker’s chest and clutched his heart.I think best to say it seemed this happened His throat thickened, became dry. He felt suffocated standing in a room full of air. "My life outside these doors is my business."



"I've heard enough." Hornsby flicked his hand. "You've left me choice.” His eyes narrowed. “I'm reassigning the case."



Parker shot up in protest. "You can't do this. It’s our case, lieutenant. We've done all the legwork, conducted the interviews. We’re close to capping this one, I know it.” He brought his hands together in pleading gesture.I don't see any cop doing this, esp. in the south. “We’ve worked hard to collect what we’ve got so far without much support."



Hornsby’s steel eyes bored into Parker. "Forget it. You're on a desk until further notice."



"What?" The end of his career flashed before Parker’s eyes. “Why? I’m not the one who beat the crap out of O'Conner, my distinguished partner did."



Perelli stood suddenly. "That's right, blame me again for what’s wrong with your fucked up life."



"Quiet, the both of you." Hornsby held out his hand to Perelli. "Give me your badge, detective. You’re suspended pending full investigation.”



"But I thought…" Perelli brandished his shield, rubbing the engraved surface before relinquishing the badge. "Come on, Lieutenant. I've put my life on the line on these streets for over twenty years, longer than you’ve been a cop. This is the thanks I get?"



"It’s not my decision." Hornsby said. “Word came from upstairs." The lieutenant lowered his eyes toward the detective. "The press has stirred a lot of anger in this town, Perelli. The people are demanding justice and they’ve put pressure on the right people. You know routine." He grimaced, putting Perelli’s shield away. "Citizens have demanded action and their getting it, which means you two have to step aside. It’s out of my hands now."



Hornsby stood and squeezed into a blazer a few sizes too small,AND is missing. and really, he put on a jacket a few sizes too small. Not believable. straightened his patterned tie. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go out there and tell the crowd camped outside that our suspect has died."



"What about me?" Parker demanded. "Whose decision was it to stick me at a desk?”



“Mine.” Hornsby glared at Parker. “You're tired detective, and you look like hell. Go home, get some rest. I’d be lying if I said you've been yourself these past few months. Your work is sloppy and unfocused, your cases backlogged. I’m getting complaints from the files department.” The lieutenant moved from behind his desk. “Your head is not in the job, Parker. You’re a danger to yourself and anyone around you. I’ve got plenty to worry about around here without your poor judgment.”



Hornsby softened his tone and moved toward the door. “Look, your pals won’t tell you this, but it’s my job to. You returned to work too soon after the accident.” He reached for doorknob and turned back. “You’ve been through a lot, Parker. You should seriously consider a leave of absence. Take the rest of the afternoon to think about it.” Hornsby opened the door. “Check in with me later."



"How much leave?"



"As long as you like, take a month, maybe two. At least until this shit blows over and you get your wits about you. It’ll get fucking ugly around here, no thanks to you two.” Hornsby cleared his thick throat and eyed Parker. “The press is merciless. You of all people know. Best for you and the department if you disappeared awhile."



"The truth.” Parker demanded, anger lacing his words. He wasn’t buying Hornsby’s feigned interest in his welfare and it made him suspicious. "What…you don’t want me near the press, do you, lieutenant? Afraid I might say something to embarrass the department, or that some hotshot reporter might learn you have a faggot among the ranks?"



“Don’t test me, Parker.” Hornsby snapped, visibly irritated. “You know how the system works, detective. I’m following protocol, that’s all.” He stepped closer to Parker. “It’s not always about you, Ken. Talk to your union rep if you have a problem.”



"You don't know what to do with me.” Parker fired back as Hornsby turned to flee. "We’re not done here."



Hornsby rushed from the basement with Perelli not far behind. Angry and needing to get the hell out of there, Parker rushed to his desk, collected the North and Crater case files, along with his notebooks and a couple flash drives. He snatched his blazer from the rack, retraced his steps and tossed the material onto Hornsby's desk before leaving the building for what he sensed might be the last time.



[]



The temperature outside had sweltered, the humidity thick and stifling, a typical sultry morning in the South. A stream of bloated clouds drifted across a pale blue sky, partially shielding the sun's rays. Parker wiped at the sweet on his forehead and slipped on his shades. He watched from the far corner of the brick building as a ring of reporters stood before Lieutenant Hornsby, television and still cameras recording the impromptu news conference at Police Headquarters.



“...An internal investigation will determine what happened, where the department missed an opportunity and what can be done to prevent this kind of thing from ever happening again." Parker listened as the stoic man answered questions. Asked if results would be made public, Hornsby stated, "I can assure you the findings of this investigation will be made public, however any resulting disciplinary actions are confidential and will be treated as an internal matter."



A frenzy erupted from the mass, reporters demanding answers, shouting speculation or resorting to blame as the lieutenant made a quick retreat after the press conference and disappeared inside the precinct.



No one asked to hear Parker’s side of the story. Nobody cared how he felt betrayed and abandoned by the union he’d grown to love, an pseudo-adoptive family of men and women in uniform he had accepted as his own.



Once again Parker felt alone. He turned and slipped away unnoticed.