Chapter 11: Familiar Faces

A lot of things had happened in the 2 weeks since murderer and would-be arsonist and bomber Peter Hephaestus was finally apprehended. Detectives Harrison and Xander, as well as Captain Gilligan and all the members of the Los Santos Police Department's Tactical Unit, had all become recipients of the LSPD's distinguished Meritorious Service medal for the successful apprehension of Hephaestus as well as the rescue of the 12 people he had taken hostage that day.

Harrison and Xander, meanwhile, were ecstatic to learn that Officer Michaels and his wife, Sarah, were expecting their first child together. Additionally, the friendship and bond between the officer and two detectives intensified. Xander and Michaels had begun to treat Harrison as if they had known and worked with him forever.

Pebble Dish Pizza
Vespucci Beach
12:30 PM

On this warm and sunny Thursday afternoon, Harrison and Xander had decided to take their lunch break at Pebble Dish Pizza on Vespucci Beach, one of the two beaches in Los Santos known for their walking and biking trails, tourist attractions, and of course, the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The two detectives sat on a bedraggled green bench to enjoy their food.

"How's your pizza?" Xander asked his partner, his words muffled by the marinara sauce-drenched meatball sub sandwich he was munching on.

Harrison, meanwhile, lunched on a slice of extra cheesy pizza on a paper plate. He shrugged his shoulders. "It's not bad", he said, "But once you've eaten Chicago-style pizza, nothing can really compare, you know?"

Xander took a moment to swallow before nodding. "Hey man", he said, "Can I ask you a somewhat unusual question?"

Harrison feigned an uneasy cringe. "Maybe", he replied.

"You are the 'Troy Harrison' who was involved in exposing that big Ivory Tower police corruption scandal in Chicago five months ago, right?" Xander asked, his tone implying his reluctance.

"Yep", Harrison said, "One in the same, brother."

"Is that why you left Chicago?" Xander asked.

Harrison shrugged his shoulders once again. "Well," he explained, "Between the scandal, my partner being shot and wounded in the line of duty by a corrupt prison guard, and my good friend coming under suspicion of being a dirty cop after catching a DUI, let's just say the Windy City put a shitty taste in my mouth after a while."

Despite the solemn tone of Harrison's reply, Xander smirked. "How does Los Santos taste to you so far, bud?"

Harrison took a moment to think. "Right here, right now?" he said, "Salty ocean air, fried food, armpit sweat, sweaty man balls, and what I think is…" He sniffed the air and grimaced. "Cheap spray tanner", he continued, "Yuck!"

The two partners then simultaneously erupted in gut busting laughter, at which point Xander lightheartedly slapped his partner on the shoulder. "You're hilarious, man!" Xander said. He cleared his throat before continuing. "All right, bud" he went on, "I think our lunch break is just about over with. Let's head back."

Harrison nodded affirmatively before getting up from the bench. With their meals now finished, he and Xander disposed of their assorted food trash in the nearest trash can before heading to the adjoining street corner where their unmarked police car was parked. Their radio crackled to life just as Xander turned over the vehicle's ignition.

"Dispatch to any available units in the vicinity of Pacific Bluffs", a female dispatcher's voice said from the radio, "We have a nine-one-one report from a resident stating a possible Code Ten-Fourteen in his driveway." A "10-14" was the LSPD radio code that was often applied to a situation involving either a burglary, a prowler, or a trespasser on the premises.

Harrison looked to Xander. "Isn't that right near here?" he asked.

"Yeah", Xander replied, "It's not that far. You want to take it?"

Harrison shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "Ah hell", he said, "Why not?"

Xander chuckled before grabbing the car's police radio handset and keying the mic. "Dispatch", he said into the mic, "This is Unit Twelve. My partner and I will be responding to that Ten-Fourteen in Pacific Bluffs. Is there any more information on the call?"

"Dispatch to Unit Twelve", the female dispatcher replied from the radio, "Ten-Four to your request and that's an affirmative for further information. Caller states that two black males are currently trespassing on his property, specifically the front driveway, over."

"Ten-Four, Dispatch", Xander said into the radio, "Please advise the caller that the police are on the way and also please advise any responding patrol units that there are plainclothes detectives responding in an unmarked car, over."

"Unit Twelve", the female dispatcher replied from the radio roughly 30 seconds later, "Ten-Four to both your requests, over."

Pacific Bluffs
5 Minutes Later

Harrison and Xander rolled up into the driveway of a very affluent-looking house in the nearby residential neighborhood of Pacific Bluffs. They were greeted by the sight of two very familiar faces after they exited the vehicle.

Lamar Davis, Franklin Clinton's longtime friend and co-worker, stood beside what looked to be a brand-new red 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe. He was dressed in a dark green overshirt with a clearly visible black undershirt and blue jeans.

Meanwhile, Franklin Clinton himself stood beside what looked to be a very pristine white 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet convertible, dressed in a blue overshirt with an equally visible white undershirt and blue jeans.

"Uh-oh, Franklin" Lamar said, "Looks like we got the one-time rolling up on us, dog."

Harrison displayed his badge for the two gentlemen. "Afternoon, fellas" he greeted, "We're responding to a trespassing call that's been reported at this address. Would you mind telling us what you're doing here?"

"Yo, Harrison" Franklin replied, "I think this is just a big misunderstanding, sir." He then removed a folded piece of paper from the left-hand pocket of his jeans, unfolded it, and courteously handed it to the detective. "We have a joint repossession order for these two cars", he continued, "I think the dude who lives here just snitched on us because he doesn't want his shit repo'd, you know?"

Harrison carefully read the order before looking back at Franklin. "I see", he said, "So, you guys work for Simeon Yetarian, I take it?"

"Yes sir", Lamar cut in, "We do. This is just a routine repo job. No more, no less, man."

"I'm sorry", Harrison said, "and you are?"

"Lamar Davis", Xander interjected before Lamar himself could reply, "Used to run with the Chamberlain Gangster Families back in the day, and the Grove Street crew before that."

"What?" a frustrated Lamar snapped back, "You putting together my damn resume now, 'Officer Adam'? I got out of that life once they discharged my ass out of Bolingbroke, homie. Me and my boy Franklin are both pulling in legitimate paper now."

With that, Xander started to step forward toward Lamar, at which point Harrison stepped between them. "Hey now", Harrison sternly said, "Peace and love, fellas. Peace and love. Adam, this order looks legit, so let's clear this call and head back to the PD, bro."

Xander sighed deeply and said nothing as he turned and went back toward their unmarked police car. After he heard the ignition turn over, through the windshield, Harrison saw Xander grab the police radio mic and say something into it. He supposed his partner was simply clearing the call with Dispatch per his request.

Despite whatever concern he might've had, Harrison looked to Lamar and Franklin. "Okay boys", he said, "Looks like we're all set here. You're both free to go."

The two men nodded before getting into their respective and now repossessed vehicles and pulled out of the driveway. Harrison watched as the flashy, upscale vehicles sped away and headed back in the direction of the Pillbox Hill area, where Simeon Yetarian's car dealership was located.

Harrison then got in the front seat and looked to Xander. "I've got to ask you something, Adam" he said in just as unyielding a tone as before, "What's your issue with Franklin and Lamar?"

"Those two guys used to transport and deal cocaine for Harold Joseph and the Chamberlain Gangster Families", Xander explained, "The shit they slung was responsible for about half a dozen overdoses in South LS back when I worked Patrol there."

"I get that, man" Harrison replied, "But, as I understand it, they've both done their time in Bolingbroke Penitentiary for that. They've paid their debts to society. My best advice is for you to let it go."

"'Let it go'?" Xander parroted.

"Yes", Harrison sharply said, "That Texas-sized chip on your shoulder isn't very attractive. I haven't known you long at all, Adam, but I do know that you're a better cop and a better guy than that."

Xander deeply sighed once again. "Thank you, Troy" he said, "I'm sorry for being so intense, bud. You're a good partner."

Harrison smiled and bumped fists with Xander. "Right back at you, bro" he said, "Let's head back, huh?"