RedZone (5 page)

“It’s a sad day here on S.U.’s campus.’ The CSC commentator said, ‘this will be the first game without Bryce Henson, the young prospect who died tragically last weekend.”

“Yeah, Bob,” his companion responded, “Coach Booker is retiring his #3 jersey today at half time.”

“Alright boys.” Coach Booker began, “We’re playing for Bryce remember?” All of the guys on the team nodded. They wore black strips on the back of their helmets with Bryce’s number.

  The crowd wasn’t as loud as usual. The scene was dreary although the sun was out and the temperature was perfect. “Pittman will play RB today.” Trey looked up it amazement. It would be the first game as a starter. He didn’t want to look too excited because of the mood of everyone else but deep down inside he was ecstatic!

“Yes coach.” He answered. Coach Booker went over the plays and the team said a prayer for Bryce and for a good game. “Son, don’t disappoint me out there.” Coach patted him on the back and Trey ran on to the field.

***

  So much was running through his mind. He knew if he messed up it would be the end of his football days. No one would want him in the League and his coach wouldn’t play him in his final season. He heard the crowd loud and clear. It was like he could hear every chant and cheer. He began sweating and his heart raced. The quarterback snapped the ball and placed it in his hands. He began running thru the hole in the middle of the field. He was stopped but he got the first down.

“Good job, Trey.” The Quarterback congratulated as they ran back to the line. He snapped the ball once more. He handed it to Trey and this time Trey took it straight up the field dodging whatever defensive player coming towards him. He got his first College touchdown.

***

  It was half time and it was time to retire Bryce’s jersey. All of his family and close friends stood in the middle of the field as Coach Booker walked on with a large picture frame, holding Bryce’s #3 jersey.

  Because Bryce and he had been friends for so long, Trey was allowed to stand with the family during the ceremony. Bryce’s mother began sobbing again and Trey held on to her tightly. He knew it was a very hard moment for her. She had just buried her son the day before and now they are retiring a number he had worn since playing Peewee football. It was all happening so fast. The coach gave a nice speech and handed the frame to Bryce’s mother. They called for a moment of silence and then the game continued.

***

  It was like high school all over again. 32 seconds left on the clock. It was 3rd and goal. The play was supposed to be a pass for the touch down. The DE went for the blitz and the ball got knocked out the Quarterbacks hands. It was still a live ball. It was like it was happening in slow motion in Trey’s mind he could see the ball, he quickly shuffled over to it, picked it up and ran it in for the touch down.

  They had won the game. Coach hugged Trey as the rest of the team patted his helmet. They cried and cheered and pointed their fingers to the sky as if they were pointing to Bryce in the Heavens.

***

“Where we’re you this afternoon?” Trey asked Michele when he saw her in the cafe.

“I couldn’t handle being there, Trey.” She said softly. She didn’t look up at him just down at her food that she hadn’t even touched. “As soon as half time came, I left. I stopped cheering and just left.” Trey was in such a good mood because they had won the game.

  He had a glimpse of happiness out of the tragedy that had taken place. Those moments on the field that day made him feel like he was in paradise. But then Michele bought things back into reality once more. He was grateful he had gotten the chance to play but he would have really enjoyed seeing his friend watch him.

“Chele, look whatever happens I got you.” He promised her. “I feel like it’s my duty to take care of you now. Bryce, wouldn’t want to see us all down and shit.”

“Thanks Trey.” She hugged him and walked over to throw her food in the trash. Her cell phone, which she left on the table, began to ring as she was walking back. Trey turned the phone towards him checking the number to see who it was. It was Sevynn.

“Why is this bitch calling you?” He asked almost in a shout.

“Just because y’all broke up, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.” Michele snapped answering the phone. Trey shook his head in disgust and left the table, where they were seated. He couldn’t believe that they were still friends. He wish he could tell Michele what had happened the night he caught them in the room. But it didn’t make a difference at that point. Bryce apologized and Trey was thankful that they did make up before he died.

***

“Hart, there are some files on your desk.” An officer mentioned as Detective Hart came in the door. “Good I’ve been waiting for this.” He said picking up the blank envelope and rushing to open it.

“What’s that about?” The officer asked.

“The toxicology report for that kid from S.U.” He answered skimming through the paperwork.

“Damn.” He said sitting in his chair. “This is about to get real deep.”

“Why?” The other cop responded after being curious about what the envelop held.

“The kid barely had alcohol in his system, he had no drugs, this is just turned into a homicide” Detective Hart quickly threw his jacket back on. “The boy was pushed out of that window. I gotta head down to the campus.” Detective Hart headed down to the campus to look for more evidence. He parked his car in front of the Frat house, where Bryce’s murder had taken place. He walked around the house looking behind bushes and high grass, trying to find clues. He was startled by one of the Frat guys in the house, standing in the patio doorway.

“Yo, can I help you?” The Frat asked. Detective Hart pulled his badge out his pocket.

“Detective Hart, PPD.” He said walking towards the young man in the door. “I am here, investigating the death of Bryce Henson.”

“Oh, um, come in.” The Frat said nervously inviting the officer in.

“Where were you the night of the incident?” Detective Hart questioned as he searched around the house subtly.

  He knew he couldn’t legally search the house without a warrant. The house was messy with beer cans and clothes hanging off of furniture. He knew he wouldn’t find anything just looking at the filth.

“I was on campus but I wasn’t here.” The Frat boy mentioned. “Why are you investigating I thought it was an accident?”

“I thought so too.” Detective Hart mumbled under his breath. He circled around the room trying to avoid touching anything. After scanning the room a few times, he finally turned to the Frat boy and asked “Could you show me the room where that balcony is located?”

After being on the campus for an hour just observing the area of the incident, Detective Hart called his district from his cell. “Hey, I’m going to need a warrant. I need to get in that fraternity house and really search.”

Trey walked over to the gym. He needed to keep his mind off of things, and working out was his outlet. It was empty minus a few students on the treadmill. He put his headphones in and headed towards the weights. A couple of seconds later, Angel walked in behind him.

“Yo Trey!” He yelled out while walking over to greet him. Trey pulled his music out of his ear to acknowledge his team mate.

“Wassup, man.” Trey said surprised to see him in the gym. Angel hardly stepped foot in the gym unless it was during summer training.

“You need me to spot you?” Angel asked making small talk.

“Nah, I’m good. Just going to work on my Traps today.”

“Oh. Ok. You know that detective that was there the night Bryce died was up here today?” Angel stated.

“Word? For what?” Trey asked.

“Apparently they are saying Bryce’s death is a homicide now.”

“What?!” Blood rushed through Trey’s head. His ears began to ring and he felt numb. “The toxicology report didn’t come back yet.”

“Nah, one of the Frat boys was home and he said the Detective was outside looking around. He also mentioned he was investigating.” Angel continued while picking up a weight from the stand. “You know once they say investigate that’s some real deep shit.”

Trey was in complete shock, “Who would kill Bryce?” He asked out loud.

“I don’t know man, but this shit is a hurt piece.”

***

  A few days had passed since his last visit but Detective Hart returned to back to the campus. This time with a warrant to search. He knocked on the frat house door hard and loud. It was 8AM and most of the boys were still sleep, some had left for classes.

“Open up! It’s the police I have a warrant to search this house for evidence!” He shouted from the door. A different frat boy, from the one he had spoken to from his previous visit, answered the door.

“Seriously, dude?” He asked in irritation from being awakened from his sleep.

“Yes, seriously, dude. Let me in.” Detective Hart mocked the boy. “Alright listen up! I am going to be doing a thorough search of this house. The accident that took place here 2 weeks ago, was no accident. We are now investigating a homicide and your house is a apart of the evidence.”

“What!?” Most of the guys in the house murmured to themselves. “Wait, you think one of us killed Bryce?” One of the guys asked.

“If the shoe fits,” Detective Hart shot out jokingly, “I am only here to look for more evidence in this case. I will be on and off of this campus until it is solved. So if you do know something speak now or forever regret that you didn’t.”

  When Detective Hart finished explaining what was going to occur with the Frat house he began snooping around the house again. This time checking every nook and cranny. He went back up to the empty room with the balcony. He walked around looking at the walls and floors. “It’s no point in doing a fingerprint search in here.” He said out loud to himself wiping dust from the furniture. He walked over to the balcony. It was shallow in width. He looked down at the pathway below where Bryce’s body laid that night.

  There were still light blood stains in the concrete and it was starting to be covered by teddy bears and candles from the memorial. When Detective Hart figured he wouldn’t find anything in the room. He headed back down the steps.

“Tell me, how close were any of you to Bryce?” He asked the boys that sat around the living room.

“Not real close, I mean he was a cool dude.” One of them mentioned.

“Yeah, most of the people who were real close to him are the guys on the team.” Another chimed.

“Thanks. I think I will go pay them a visit.” Detective Hart walked out nodding his head at the guys.

  He walked around campus looking for the gym where the football boys worked out. He needed  to get some motives on who would want to kill Bryce. He found a couple of the freshman football players who just said a few nice things about him but they didn’t know him well enough. One of the freshman players suggested that he talked to Trey. “Yeah I think they were like best friends or something.” He told Detective Hart, pointing him to the direction of Trey and Bryce’s dorm room. “That’s the building they stayed in. I believe it’s room 201.”

“Thanks and if you hear anything else about this case, here’s my card.” Detective Hart handed him his business card. He knew the rules of the streets, the no snitching rule, so he knew the kid wasn’t going to call. He headed over to the building. The Residence Assistant that was at the front looked out the front door window with a dense look on his face. He didn’t recognize the man in the blue suit.

“Can I help you?” The RA asked through the intercom.

“Detective Hart, from PPD. I’m here for a Trey, I believe.” Detective Hart held up his badge just as he did with the Frat boys
.
‘How often do you see a man on campus, in a damn suit?
’
He thought to himself. The RA buzzed him in.

  Trey sat in his room with his head in the play-book. He had to keep focusing on keeping his newly earned position. He didn’t want his coaches down or his team mates. He sat back and began fantasizing about walking on a pro football field as he did when he was younger. Suddenly it was a knock at the door. It was Detective Hart.

“Trey, right?” Detective Hart asked when the door cracked open. This time his badge was in his hand.

“Yeah. Come in.” Trey said opening the door more for the Detective to enter. “What can I do for you?”

“I know this is a difficult time for you, you know losing your friend and all.” Detective Hart began. “We got the reports back from the coroner.”

“So I’ve heard.” Trey interrupted.

“I see word gets around fast on campus.” Detective Hart joked.

“Look man, I need to study this play-book for this week’s game. What can I help you with?” Trey said a little irritated.

“We are trying to find a motive in the murder of your friend. Do you have any ideas of any persons of interest?” Detective Hart asked.

“Honestly, sir, I don’t.” Trey answered remembering his friend, “Bryce was the man on campus. Everyone liked him. All the Ladies. The dudes admired him. He was just a great person.”

“So do you think someone did this out of jealousy?” Detective Hart asked curiously.

“I don’t know. I hope not.” Trey answered.

“So what position do you play for the team?” Detective Hart changed the subject to lighten the mood. He walked over to the desk where Trey was studying the play-book.

“I was back up for Bryce, but Coach made me first string as of Homecoming.” He replied.

“Pittman?” Detective Hart asked rhetorically. He began to get suspicious but he kept the conversation going. “Yeah I heard you did your thing that day. Congrats on the win.”

“Thanks.” Trey was starting to feel uneasy about the Detectives vibes. He sensed he was trying to get something out of him. “Anymore questions, sir?” He asked Detective Hart hinting he was done with his company.

“Yeah, the night Bryce was murdered, what were you doing?” Detective Hart asked with a serious face.

“I was on the phone with him. He told me he was going to call me back and he didn’t.” Trey answered with a tight throat.

“Funny, we didn’t find a phone on the scene.” Detective Hart mentioned. “Thanks for your time son, good luck Saturday.”