ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND (51 page)

Among Fernando’s records relating to this case are the various moves made by Gary to find Isabel. His visits to Wallis’s place were noted, so was his contacts with Carissa and then Freddy, plus his short romance with Suzy.

Gary was somewhere in the Caribbean Islands for the first time when the news of Isabel and Wallis arrest hit him so hard and knocked off all the essence of his holidaying with his wife and three kids. And once he received the call of his recall from a man of Officer Fernando caliber, he had a quick change of plan to his wife’s constellations and hurried back to LA. And by his presence at the office that day those who knew him well enough could tell he was completely out of rhythm.

After all the efforts he had to put to it, Gary eventually joined an ongoing meeting much later. That didn’t really matter since he was expected to come in at any point because he was not working a usual schedule. And the moment he walked into the room, all eyes shifted in his direction. He took to a seat, remained sober and less talkative as the meeting went on but answered all questions directed to him with some sort of self-propelled boldness.

Fernando was now reading out the names of officers assigned to work with Isabel. There were four names in this list but the last captured most attention and that was when Gary Hanford was named a team leader. Gary himself was puzzled by that gesture yet he never opened his mouth in protest. Fernando also, went ahead to appoint another group of four men under the leadership of Officer Pablo to work with Wallis, while two more men were assigned as coordinators.

The gun! That was the first thing that called to Gary’s mind the moment he sat down on a round table discussion with his team on how best to approach Isabel but being a mind thing he dealt with it in his own way and continued with the matter at hand.

The group under him worked long hours trying to find the best approach to adopt and get the results they desired and Gary tried so hard to focus his attention while the gathering lasted. Once it was over, the issue of the gun returned to hunt him. How is he going to handle that? Give it back to Isabel or turn it over to the LAPD? This present development took him completely unaware since the last thing on his mind while he was holidaying with his family was Isabel’s issues. To make matters worse, he wasn’t in a position to discuss his problem with anybody, not even his wife. This is his game, he thought, a hard one at that, yet he couldn’t decide how to proceed but feared greatly the outcome which he could almost predict. Turning over the gun to the LAPD could prove disastrous. That means he has been concealing a weapon used in a crime all these years he served in the Police force and this in itself is a crime to which he is as guilty as the person who used the gun. Throw the gun away? No! That is unthinkable! Not now that eyes are focused on him from the same force he is trying to hide from. Someone must be watching his every move, he contended, therefore such a slip could be his last outside the jail wards. Yet, no matter what, the gun issue will definitely surface one way or another at some point in the whole investigation. Anyway knowing very well the kind of force he is dealing with, he discarded the idea of ditching the gun and worked on some other plans he conceived. At a point, unable to resolve this peculiar issue quick enough, he asked for extra two days before scheduling for an interview with Isabel and the permission was granted.

Those two days turned out some of the hardest days Gary ever had to face. But then, after hours spent trying to work out how best to deal with Isabel and particularly her gun, an idea finally called to his mind and he put out a call for Fernando. Sir this is Officer Gary Hanford.

Yes Officer! How can I help you? Fernando responded.

I’ll need a search warrant for Code A++ case.

That’s not a bad idea so go ahead and get one. Fernando granted.

I’m also planning a short private pre meeting with the suspect to brush her up on what to expect. What do you say to that sir?

Fine! You can also do that! Fernando approved.

Thank you sir! Gary said. His idea is that during the pre-meeting with Isabel, he’ll hand over the gun to her with a certain craft he is yet to perfect. The possibility of a hidden camera or one or more burgs in the room did not escape him, so he is also working on how to manage those. Ultimately, he is counting on Isabel’s cooperation for the entire plan to fit in place but he is still left with some elements of doubts. Let’s face it, it’s been many years Isabel and Gary had anything to do with each other and by Gary’s estimate, a lot has happened to thin down the cleavage considerably. Yet left with no alternative, he chose to stick with his idea and worked on it until the moment he came face to face with Isabel.

Up till the moment of their departure for their assignment, Gary and his team had no hint on the whereabouts of Isabel. All he was told is that she was being held somewhere but where in particular, he has no clue. The team is in their last moment of preparations and right now taking final briefing from their boss so Gary listened with rapt attention again as Fernando spoke.

Gentlemen, he began, you guys are about to set out on the most crucial aspect of the entire investigation on this case and it could well be the conclusion we all hoped for. Here is the whole thing. First, there are speculations that the lady you will be meeting with today who we address as Isabel Diamond was born Nicole Fish bump. Even though this is purely a Paparazzi concoction, yet we can’t say they are wrong until we prove otherwise. But I want you to have this in mind when you approach her. Remember, what we want is result and her full cooperation is the only way to guarantee that. Secondly, I think I should also bring it to the attention of you guys that this lady is very ill. She is HIV positive and in the early stages of the full blown thing. Remember, you can’ t get the disease by handshakes, hugging or sharing things like a seat for instance and I’m sure none of you is going in there for a deep mouth kissing. Other officer but Gary chuckled at that and Fernando noticed. Thirdly, right now, she is very irritable with the Police. Actually she has refused to talk to any officer since her arrest so all we have on hand right now is cloaked in a body of theory, period! What that means is we need a constructive chart with her, get all the information we can that will help figure the puzzle and crack the case. This is our duty as officers of the law and the reason you guys are here right now. The goal of your mission therefore is to make her talk. Without taking your time further, here is the address to the hospital where she is being held. And he read out a hospital address before he handed the paper to Gary. Officer Eliot who is in charge of the lady’s safety commission will be there waiting for you guys. Now gentlemen, go out there and get what we are looking for.

The news that Isabel is down with AIDS came as one big shocker to Gary because like most of the men in the room he was hearing it for the first time. High ranking Officers deliberately kept sealed lips over that issue and succeeded in keeping it off the press and the public so far. Although he already knew through series of physical exams he went through in the process of being made an Officer that he is free from AIDS, yet the fact that a girl he was intimate with at some point is down with the disease bothered him a lot. Now he felt the job at hand is going to be a little more difficult than he thought because the Isabel he used to know may be difficult to deal with sometimes, but she is one of the sweetest girls to be with if you work hard enough to earn her trust. But with this development, he is not expecting to meet with the Isabel from the past but a completely brand new girl. It is in this knowledge and the issue of the gun that he left with his men for the hospital where Isabel was being held, and it is in that state of mind he found himself in her presence to open up yet another chapter in this saga.

Chapter Thirty
 

L
ying on her sick bed in a frill body Isabel waited, not really in anxious mood but anything goes disposition. She was informed ahead of time and prepared for what was to come but was never given the names of the officers she will be meeting with today.

In reality, there is so much in her mind, but only if she could find the right environment to voice it all out and give her spirit enough room to deal with the most pressing matter, her battle with the dilapidating AIDS disease. So as her final preparation began for this all important meeting, she contemplated many options.

Zeroing down to the encounter began with a nurse in her room getting her prepared with the esthetics and from all the efforts she puts to her grooming, Isabel knew the moment she’s been waiting for was near.

A knock came through the door soon after the nurse left and she thought this must be it before Gary walked in. Instantly, she recognized him and a certain kind of emotion she found hard to deal with took over because the years that separated them might have been long, still, in her mind, the bond she shared with Gary never really thinned as Gary thought. Even though she never poured her heart to the guy before that twist in faith snatched her away from his hands, yet her soul remained bound to him so much that while they were separated physically she often felt lost without him. To her, he is the only true male friend she ever had, the only man he ever got close to trusting and the only person to whom she would have given her heart completely but she never gave herself the chance. But in spite of all, she was quick to grasp the reality of change in scene and checkered all her actions. This is not the right time to start relating with Gary in the direction her heart nods, she admits. He is here in his capacity as an Officer of the LAPD and Isabel would not do anything to jeopardize that.

And just like she did, he also understood that the business at hand is what brought both of them together in the present and to that business he will give all his attention at the moment. May be, just maybe, there will be another occasion for Isabel and Gary to be together and pour the true callings of their hearts to each other but that time is not now. Speaking like the cop he is representing, he introduced himself.

My name is Gary Hanford of the LAPD. I’m the leader of a team of four men assigned to work with you in a case. Three members of my team are waiting outside for me to give them the nod to come in but right now, I’m here to solicit your cooperation in what we intend to do and I hope you’ll not deny me that.

I heard what you said, she responded in a frill voice.

Do I have your permission to bring in my men?

Yeah!

Thanks! May I use the rest room? Gary asked and left. Soon after, he returned with a pile of papers he took out of a bag hanging on his shoulder. You must be feeling uncomfortable the way you are lying, he said with a hint of genuine concern, dumped the heap of papers close to the pillows and tried to help.

No! Don’t touch me! Isabel reacted. Is the job of the nurses and they are always here and I’m sure one of them will be coming in any moment.

That’s okay! He said, picked up his pile and left the room. In that short instance he stepped out, a lot went through Isabel’s mind. Presently, circumstances surrounding her are struggling to foist some changes in her personality. There is no doubt that she has been through a whole lot since that incident that landed her where she is now began way back in South Africa. As things turned out at the moment, she has no choice but permit more serious thoughts over the fact that life on earth is not forever, and that if one most die, there is the possibility of another place called heaven which one needs to prepare for before departure due date. Compelled by her thoughts, she took to permitting personality changes however late it might have been ‘cause she may be living on borrowed time, but she also understands that it still holds numerous possibilities. Is for this reason she chose to adopt cooperation rather than defiant in this peculiar event. Besides the way she took the news that Gary leads the team is that he is soliciting her help and this could be that chance of appreciation for all of Gary’s efforts that helped cover a crime at his own peril. I’ll be true to him, she concluded after a long period of thinking! No lies, no hanky punkies, but every single truth told and things done the way they should be. She is already heading the way of the dead she contended and whatever the outcome in this case is not gonna influence anything anyways. A death penalty could even be a better option ‘cause it would possibly do the job faster than nature plots. Now poised for action, she awaited the return of the men.

In a short while Gary walked in with his men again. Introductions done and he began. Miss Diamond, we must thank you for granting this chance to hold this talk with you. But before we commence, I may have to ask you for one final favor. There is a warrant to have the room searched. Just a routine thing you know and is not gonna take much of your time. Permission granted? He asked in a pleasant manner.

Do whatever you got to do, she responded.

But just before the search commenced, a knock came through the door and a nurse worked in.

Officers, it’s time for her medications, so please you may excuses me for a while. And the men stepped outside for the second time.

Jaclyn finished with the meds and about to leave when she heard her frill voice. I think I’m not lying comfortably. Please pull me up!

Sure! I’ll have to call for help, okay?

In a short time another nurse arrived and both began work on Isabel. As Jaclyn tried to adjust the pillow, something she found strange happened. Her hand felt a hard object, her brain made instant connection and she stood still a short while to recover from the shock before she peeped under the pillow and in that instant her fear was confirmed. There is a gun under the pillow for sure. Quietly, she put everything back in position as fast as she could. Nelly, thanks you for your help, she addressed the other nurse who then took her exit before Jaclyn tidied up quickly and left the room too.