The Tackle
Chief Pope was making his first speech since the mayor had made his position permanent. The room was packed. The lights were bright, cameras shuttering away, and of course it was being recorded.
Brenda Leigh was supposed to be with in attendance, along with the rest of the administrators in the DA's office, but she was mysteriously absent.
Corning looked at Hobbes. "Have you seen Brenda?"
"She was at work this morning. I don't know where she went."
Brenda had been on her way when she got a disturbing phone call.
"Will's in trouble," the caller said.
"What the heck are you taking about? He's getting ready to make a big speech right now."
"The Sinaloa cartel is pissed about the increased raids, and they threatened consequences. We think they plan on making good on those threats, today."
"Doesn't he have a security team?"
"He doesn't think the threats are serious. We want you to hang back, in case something happens."
"I'm not a cop anymore. What can I do?"
"Be in position, and just keep your eyes open."
Brenda waited backstage, as they asked her, instead of sitting with her colleagues.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Pope began. "Thank you all for coming. Hopefully, I can keep this short and to the point."
Will's two kids were in the front row. They were with their bodyguard, Hans. They were glad that their Dad was happy, but they saw less and less of him, since he became the chief. Sometimes, they just wanted him to be their Dad.
Brenda was starting to zone out. Will had a way of saying nothing with a lot of words. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a red dot appear and disappear. That can't be good.
Brenda started to sprint. Hopefully, she would get their in time.
"And finally, I would like to say," Gunshot, Glass Shatters, BAM!. A bullet pierced through the window, headed for Pope. Brenda just tackled him in time. The room erupted in screams. Security flooded the room and cops ran out side. The crowd was panicked. People ran left and right. Hans got the kids out of the room and to safety.
A black car sped away. Uniforms were chasing it within seconds.
Brenda was on top of Will. The situation was awkward at best.
"Well it's been a long time since we've been in this position," Will chuckled.
Brenda rolled her eyes.
The media was running with this story. "Assassination Attempt on New Police Chief."
Pope vowed to be more dedicated than ever to end cartel violence and said that LAPD would be increasing the pressure. "We have them running scared now."
The journalists tried to get a comment from Chief Johnson. "How did you get there in time? Did someone tell you this was coming." She chose not to comment and took a taxi home.
Fritz came home as soon has he saw the story on the news. The clip of Brenda pushing Will out the way was replayed all day. Much better than Brenda's last viral video.
Fritz got home to find his wife holding a glass of wine. He kissed her on the mouth. "I hear you're a hero."
"No. I'm just plain Brenda."