Chapter 41: The Phone Call

The weekend passed in a flash of misfortune, and Jimmy was back on the road, cruising in his patrol car.

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office maintained four patrol squads. Sergeant Cagg led Squad A, which included Jimmy, Noah, and Mason. They were responsible for the western sector of the county. The patrol area was not particularly large, and given the current workload, things ran smoothly enough provided there were no major incidents. The other three squads were dispersed throughout the region, and they rarely crossed paths.

Jimmy’s current state of mind was rather peculiar. On one hand, having acquired new abilities, he was eager to put them to the test; on the other, he felt unusually sluggish and lacked the motivation to work. During patrols, he generally turned a blind eye to minor infractions, only snapping to attention when the dispatch center sent out a call.

The tasks assigned by dispatch were mostly routine: neighbor disputes, noise complaints, domestic arguments, and the occasional report of vandalism or graffiti. These matters were tedious to handle, though they rarely involved arrests—with the exception of domestic violence, which was usually resolved quickly once the police intervened.

The Nokia tune chimed, and Jimmy picked up his phone. It was a number not saved in his contacts.

"Hi, this is Jimmy. Who is this?"

"Officer Jimmy, this is Frank Moses. I saw your business card at my door. Is there something you need?"

"Are you home now? Can I stop by and have a word?"

"Yes, I just got back."

"Half an hour. See you then."

Jimmy drove straight to Frank’s house. He had been there a few times now and knew the route well. He parked his cruiser in front of the house and walked up to the door. Frank opened it and ushered him inside.

"Hi, Frank. Is the renovation finished?"

"Yes, it’s all wrapped up. It won’t be bothering the neighbors anymore."

"Good. I’m here to verify one thing. A few days ago, a van was parked at the corner of your block. Do you know anything about it?"

"I'm not sure. I’ve been in another state these past few days. I wasn't home."

"Understood. I just wanted to check; we’ve already questioned the surrounding neighbors. It was a black vehicle with fake plates. It sat in the same spot for days, so it’s been towed to the impound lot."

"Oh, I don't know anything about that car. Would you like something to drink? Coffee? A beer?" Frank headed toward the kitchen.

"Coffee. I still have to finish my patrol."

Frank poured two cups, and the two sat on the sofa to chat.

"So, Frank, just out of curiosity, what do you do for a living?"

"Corporate consulting. Mostly security-related issues. I travel quite a bit."

"What about your family? Don't they live with you?"

"Hahaha, I'm single. Not married."

"Thanks for the coffee. If you need anything, give me a call. I’ve got to get back to patrol."

"All right, goodbye."

Frank saw Jimmy to the door. Jimmy climbed back into his cruiser and resumed his patrol. Frank watched until Jimmy disappeared down the road before turning back to close the door.

...

Jimmy had already prepared himself mentally. If there was truly something going on with Frank, he intended to intervene. The "golden touch" he had acquired brought him more than just a sense of security—it had stirred a restless ambition within him.

He continued his patrol, occasionally pulling over some unlucky soul to issue a ticket, but mostly just wasting gasoline and tire tread as he aimlessly roamed the highway.

His peaceful patrol was interrupted by the dispatch center. Noah was calling for support; Squad A was to rendezvous at the south end of the Big Dam Bridge. The bridge was a popular spot in Little Rock for cycling and hiking, offering views of the Arkansas River. It was a pedestrian and cyclist path, closed to motor vehicles.

When Jimmy arrived, Cagg and Mason were already in position. Noah had gone ahead to set up surveillance. Once everyone had gathered, Cagg briefed them on the situation.

"One of Noah’s informants provided a lead about a narcotics distribution point in Two Rivers Park. We haven't been able to confirm who’s in charge or exactly where the transactions are taking place. Today, Noah received word that a trade is going down this afternoon near the park’s garden center.

"We have a general location, but the time and the individuals involved are uncertain. Here is the plan: Noah is already monitoring the garden center. Jimmy, take your cruiser to the vicinity of the Little Maumelle River pier and wait. Don't get too close—just stay at the intersection. If the dealers try to run, they’ll have to pass through your position. Mason, you’re with me; we’re going to patrol inside the park. Everyone, switch your radios to Channel 9."

Jimmy adjusted his radio to Channel 9, while his car radio remained connected to the dispatch center. He drove along Cantrell Road, circled around to the west side of Two Rivers Park, and parked at the designated intersection.

The Little Maumelle River converged with the Arkansas River near the Big Dam Bridge, and there was a boat dock on the Two Rivers Park side. Jimmy’s position was at the intersection leading from the dock to the park, roughly 1.5 kilometers from the garden center. If Cagg and the others signaled in time, he was confident no one could slip past his blockade.

While waiting for word, Jimmy ducked into the pier area to use the restroom and grab a bottle of water. According to Cagg, they were looking at a long haul, as neither the time nor the suspects were confirmed. If it weren't for the lack of food trucks in the area, Jimmy would have been tempted to pack dinner to eat in the car.

Noah had received the intel that morning and reported it to Cagg, which led to this stakeout. He was hiding in the upper level of the garden center, scanning the crowd below. Two Rivers Park was a favorite leisure spot for locals—a place for cycling, picnicking, camping, and even horseback riding. In such a crowded place, monitoring for a potential drug deal was incredibly difficult.

Noah focused his attention on individuals who were alone, wandering near the garden center or lingering in one spot for too long. Typically, these transactions wouldn't involve many people—one or two at most. Any more would be conspicuous, especially a group of men gathering together, which would draw immediate attention.

Noah had been watching for over two hours. He was exhausted; the constant need to scan every corner of the area placed a significant strain on his physical and mental endurance.

He kept up the observation, scrutinizing everyone who approached the garden center. By five o'clock in the afternoon, he had seen no sign of any hand-off. He began to suspect the intel might be flawed. It seemed he would need to have another serious talk with his informant.

"Noah, it’s nearly six. Still nothing on your end?" Cagg’s voice crackled over the radio.

"Nothing detected. I think the intel might be bad."

"Alright, let's call it a day. Everyone, disperse and head out."