Summary

Sunny Alexander-Johnson and Henry James, writers for Dark Sides of the Truth Magazine, are called upon by their boss, Rick McDonnell, to collaborate with Detective Charlie Alvarez on a cold case involving Gloria Salitos, after impressing the Austin police department with their previous investigative work.

Abstract

The narrative begins with the introduction of Sunny Alexander-Johnson and Henry James, who recount the transformed atmosphere at Dark Sides of the Truth Magazine following their boss Rick McDonnell's softening due to personal tragedy. They are unexpectedly summoned to assist the police on a case, a significant shift from their usual contentious relationship with law enforcement. Detective Alvarez, who previously worked with the writers, seeks their expertise on the unsolved disappearance of Gloria Salitos. The case has haunted the department for two decades, with each new detective taking a turn at it, including Alvarez, who made a promise to Gloria's parents early in his career. The writers' unique approach to uncovering the truth has piqued the police's interest, leading to an unusual partnership. As they prepare to delve into the case, they acknowledge the weight of the promise made to the Salitos family and the complexity of the task ahead.

Opinions

Rick McDonnell's demeanor has changed significantly, likely due to the murder of his wife and children, giving him a new perspective on life.
Sunny and Henry have a history of challenging the police with their investigative journalism, often operating outside the bounds of law enforcement protocols.
Detective Alvarez has a deep personal investment in solving the Gloria Salitos case, which has become a point of honor for him as a detective.
The writers, despite their initial surprise, seem willing to engage with the police on this case, indicating a recognition of the importance of their role in seeking justice.
There is an underlying tension between the writers' pursuit of truth and the implications their findings may have on the legal system and individuals' lives.

Fiction

Forbidden Love Part 1

A Sunny Alexander-Johnson and Henry James Series By P.G. & Sharon Barnett

My name is Sunny Alexander-Johnson, and I’m Henry James, and we’re writers for Dark Sides of the Truth Magazine.

Monday morning at Dark Sides. It used to be such a chaotic affair, with our boss, Rick McDonnell, often performing mass verbal executions of the writers, the staff, and we remember one time a while back, a member of the custodial crew for overwatering one of the many plants lining the hallways.

Yes, no one was safe from the wrath of Rick. But as many things do, even that changed. Rick still possessed his gruff, drill sergeant demeanor, but it was clear to all he’d softened quite a bit.

Most of us knew why. The murder of a man’s wife and children can easily give someone a completely different perspective on living life in general.

“Johnson! James! My office!”

Everyone working in the writer’s bullpen stopped what they doing and stared at us.

“Can he not just learn to use the damn intercom like a normal person?”

“The day he does Henry, I’m pretty sure it will be the start of the zombie apocalypse.”

Rick McDonnell was in his classic computer pose when we walked in his office and made ourselves comfortable. We sat in silence as he stared at his computer screen then pulled his glasses from where they were perched on the top of his head to the bridge of his nose. After a quick perusal, he tapped a button on his mouse then rotated his chair to face us.

“It seems as if that story you did back in February on Richard Carlson made quite the name for yourselves with the Austin police department. I just got off the phone with Charlie Alvarez. You two remember him?”

“Yeah, Rick. Detective Charlie Alvarez. We remember him. So what’s the deal?”

“Well, detective Alvarez was so impressed with how you two handled things Henry he wants to bring you both in as advisors on a case he’s working.”

“Interesting. Most of the time, we’re just pissing off the police department, and now they want us to collaborate?”

“You piss them off James because you two never involve them when you start poking your noses into things.”

“Rick, it’s not our responsibility to maintain the rule of law. That’s a district attorney thing. We’re just trying to get to the truth of a story.”

“It’s the same damned thing, Shaundrika. You and Henry’s truth ends up being someone else’s justice. You two should know that by now. It doesn’t matter. I told Charlie you’d be there right after lunch.”

“As in today?”

“You have a problem with that, James?”

“Uh, guess not.”

“Johnson?”

“No, Rick, like Henry said, I guess not.”

Rick nodded his head and turned back to his computer screen. As we sat there, he shifted his glasses to the top of his head once more then began scrolling the wheel of his mouse.

Keeping his eyes on his monitor, he sighed and then said, “are you planning on doing any work today, or are you two just going to hang out in my office?”

We took our queue from Rick’s typical brusque invitation to leave and walked back to the bullpen. After a few minutes spent in front of our laptops, we both closed the tops and stared across our desks at each other.

“What do you think it is, Henry?”

“What do I think, what is?”

“The case bone head. Charlie’s case.”

“No clue, princess. I’m just thinking about lunch. It’s your time to buy, and I want Johnson’s.”

“Oh, hell, no.”

“Hey, we had Thai, remember?”

“That was months ago, James. I’m not falling for that.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll meet you at the police station then.”

“Really, Henry? You’re going to brush off your partner like that?”

“Johnson’s.”

“No.”

“Good enough. See you at the police station.”

“Fine, whatever. We’ll go to Johnson’s then. Dammit, old man, you are the most stubborn assed person I believe I’ve ever met. I can’t understand how my mother puts up with you.”

“Cynthia loves Johnson’s.”

“Oh, dear God, you are corrupting my mother.”

At precisely one in the afternoon, we stepped out of the elevators on the third floor and asked the person at the desk to let Charlie know we’d arrived. Within minutes Charlie appeared in a hallway, wearing what seemed to be the same ill-fitting sports coat and wrinkled pants we’d seen him wear the first time we met months ago. As he neared us, he checked his watch, then grinned and nodded in approval.

As he shook our hands, he said, “guess you two jaywalked against the light this time?”

“Guilty as charged detective.”

Charlie chuckled and gestured in the direction of the hallway he’d just exited. Okay, this time I got us an office, not an interview room.”

“You mean interrogation, don’t you, Charlie?”

“Same difference Henry. Come on, you two.”

Charlie led us through a bustling room of men and women sitting at desks, speaking on the phones, or taking notes as they listened to various citizens pleading their cases or offering information about some crime they’d supposedly committed or witnessed.

The office he led us to had a long wooden table in the center with four chairs around it and to the left of the table a rather threadbare looking couch. Ten cardboard boxes had been stacked one beside the other on the table. As we sat, Charlie removed the cover of the first box and began to remove bulging manila folders.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever even heard of Gloria Salitos, but this is a cold case that’s been around the department for the better part of twenty years. It seems as if every new detective that comes onboard here gets a crack at it. Five years ago, I got the same opportunity, and I’ve got to tell you folks, this one’s gotten to me. I met Gloria’s mom and dad. As a young detective, I was cocky as hell. Told ’em I’d find out what happened to their daughter in no time. I promised them. And now, well now…”

Charlie had opened a folder and was just holding it open, staring at the contents, but not really focusing on them. Instead, it seemed he was a million miles away. Experiencing another memory. A painful memory from the expression on his face.

“Charlie, let us help if we can.”

The man nodded, then slid the first folder across the table to us.

“Hope you folks don’t have any plans for the rest of the day. We have a lot to go over here.”

Read On — Forbidden Love Part 2