Deadly Assets (Badge of Honor 12)

“Our neighbors over in Fairhill and other areas where people are coming to live from other countries, they are easy targets. They are getting robbed and raped in their own homes, but they don’t report it because they’re afraid to go to the police.

“And so every day four folks get shot. Every day! It’s a Wild Wild West culture.”

He then grasped the lectern with both hands, leaned into the microphone.

He evenly added, “And, as I said for the last four years serving on the Citizens Police Oversight Committee, that Wild Wild West culture must stop! The police department must set the tone, make an example. And today I say that must be done now, beginning with the one we have come to associate with that Wild Wild West culture”—he pointed to the front of the lectern, to the poster that had been attached there—“Public Enemy Number One, Sergeant Matt Payne, the so-called Wyatt Earp of the Main Line!”

The crowd roared.

After a long moment, Cross motioned with his hands to quiet the crowd, then went on: “And to show my dedication to our cause, I am resigning from CPOC! I will not be part of the problem. I want to be part of the solution that we . . . Stop Killadelphia!”

The crowd roared again.

Just then, Tyrone Hooks jumped back onstage with his microphone—the crowd roaring even louder—earning him a glare from Josiah Cross.

“Yo, Yo, Yo! Payne Must Go!” Hooks shouted into the mic, playing to the crowd, pumping his left arm in rhythm and encouraging them to join in.

“Yo, Yo, Yo! Payne Must Go!” a few in the crowd chimed in.

“King Two-One-Five, sisters and brothers!” Cross said, trying to mask his displeasure while at the same time sharing in the applause, dramatically sweeping an arm toward him.

“Yo, Yo, Yo! Payne Must Go!” Hooks shouted again, fist pumping.

There was applause, then the crowd enthusiastically pumped fists in the air and more began chanting, “Yo, Yo, Yo! Payne Must Go!”

Cross went over to Hooks and again reached up and took his outstretched hand in his.

And then there suddenly came from somewhere in the crowd the popping sound of actual gunfire.

Both Cross and Hooks went down, crumpling to the deck of the stage.

People screamed and then began shouting as the crowd started fleeing in all directions.

Hands reached up and quickly pulled Cross and Hooks from the stage. They then disappeared with a small crowd through the red door of the ministry.

[ TWO ]

Philly News Now

Center City, Philadelphia

Saturday, December 15, 6:15 P.M.

Michael J. O’Hara was sitting at his office desk, his fingers flying over the computer keyboard.

He stopped for a moment, hit the keys that would save what he’d just written, then put his hands together as if in prayer and tapped his fingertips as he reread it:

HOT HOT HOT—Proofread for typos only then IMMEDIATELY CROSSPOST on website and TV newscast!!! –O’Hara

Breaking News . . . Posted [[ insert timestamp ]]

Double Murder in University City

Police Report: Young Couple Brutally Killed This Morning

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15th — A husband and wife in their early twenties were found murdered in their home in the 3000 block of Powelton Avenue early this morning, according to a Philadelphia Police Department spokesman. Names are being withheld by police as the criminal investigation continues.

Based upon initial eyewitness reports, an anonymous police source said, a pest control company’s truck was seen parked at the address this morning, and detectives have determined that the assailants had gained entry to the home after stealing that vehicle and workmen’s clothing from Pete’s Pest Control. The vehicle was found abandoned a half-mile from the crime scene. It contained what is believed to be the weapons used to commit the crime as well as the stolen workmens’ jackets, all of which had been bloodied.