Marrying the quarterback

Chapter Two

It was dark outside by the time we concluded our debriefing when the call came through that shot a shivering chill up my spine. We’ve had some serious cases involving brutal crimes, but shooting a world-renowned quarterback of Ohio was nonsensical. It’s something I’ve never witnessed since joining the force.

“Burgess! Dawson!”

I stood up from my desk and looked at the lieutenant who was calling us to his office.

“Seems like we are the head detectives in this case,” Kurt murmured, sharing a knowing look with me.

The lieutenant was seated behind his desk, rubbing his hand up and down his bald head highlighting the importance of this case. We were going to have reporters and the commissioner all over our backs until this is sorted out.

“We have a celebrity case on our hand,” Lieutenant Steel began, empathizing how important this case was going to be.

“I want you and Kurt on this case,” He instructed.

“Isn’t this usually when the FBI steps in?” I questioned feeling that this was their jurisdiction.

“It’s not a federal offence, yet,” He explained. “We all know what kind of man Maxwell Johnson is and how he gets involved with women who are either married or in a steady relationship,”

Maxwell Johnson is the bachelor and playboy of Ohio. Also, a highly paid, first-string Quarterback for the Black and Gold kings. NFL MVP, Superbowl champion and I carry on with all of his accomplishments but I saw him as a tool. He made his way through women as an average person goes through toilet paper a day.

“Are you saying that it can be one of the husbands or jealous boyfriends?” I asked, feeling they can be our number one suspects.

“I don’t know at this stage but I was given this case to find out. The shooter is still on the loose and can finish the job at the hospital,”

“I want you and Kurt to place the crime scene on lockdown and find me answers,” He ordered.

“Yes, lieutenant,”

“I know you just finished up with the De Lucas case and are craving a night of sleep but I need my two best detectives on this case,” Captain Steele noted with a firm, warning look.

“Aren’t you afraid I will be starstruck when I meet the “most handsome, quarterback of Ohio?” I asked with a smug smile.

“I am entrusting you with this case because I know you will make it a priority to find the shooter,” He said determinedly.

“Maybe that doesn’t seem fit since I don’t care if he never returns back to the field,” Maxwell Johnson was an overrated quarterback who only cares about himself and forgot about the love for the game.

Lieutenant Steele smiled. “You believe in your oath of protecting this city and that’s why you are a detective. You’ve given a lot to get out on top, Burgess. Don’t forget why you are wearing that badge today,”

“Yes, sir,”

Kurt and I got ready to leave when he spoke up again. “And please, don’t crucify the poor man, he already suffered an injury that is putting him on the bench,”

“I am not making any promises,” I suppressed a grin when I walked away.

###

Kurt and I arrived at the crime scene where the media have finally left only to camp outside the hospital for any kind of news on Maxwell’s health.

We greeted the LAPD officers passing them while heading inside the stadium of the Black and Gold Kings football team of Cincinnati, Ohio.

LAPD officers guided us over to the crime scene, giving us notes of everything that went down, including testimonies of Maxwell’s teammates.

So, far there weren’t any witnesses or explanations of what went down.

I found a puddle of blood on the locker room floor beside the bath. “Which one is his locker?” I asked.

The officer pointed at the locker room. I slipped on my gloves and went through his things finding his helmet, shoulder and knee pads. Including his dirty jersey and knickerbocker pants. Maxwell was shot while he was either undressing or coming back from his shower. The shooter could have been waiting for him and caught him by surprise. Someone must have seen something. Nobody can enter this locker room without being given entry.

“Do we have any leads so far?” I asked.

“Nobody saw anything, they only heard the shot and found Maxwell sprawled on the floor lying in his blood,” The officer explained.

It didn’t make any sense because all of his teammates would have been here with him in this locker room after the game.

“We also found a bullet casing of a round that is been fired.” He handed over an evidence bag.

I took a closer look at the scene in front of me trying to figure out what could have happened or who would have shot him.

“His sins were bound to catch up to him, screwing every girl who is either married, engaged or in a steady relationship. It’s not a surprise that some guy green with envy will react,” I observed.

“How is our guy doing anyway?” I asked, kneeling and taking a closer look at the blood trail.

“He got shot in the left shoulder, he is going to be fine. Just a lot of physical therapy lying ahead of him.” Kurt explained.

“Do we know from what side the bullet entered?” I asked, pushing back to my feet.

“Back to front,” He showed me the notes.

“He was facing his assailant,” I noted, murmuring.

“What’s our next move?” Kurt asked.

“Start with the long list of girls he has been seeing and start interviewing their spouses and boyfriends, but first let’s make a round at the hospital to see if your quarterback saw anything that will help solve this case,”