Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (28 page)

T
he first day of a trial was usually a day of anguish for JD. However, today he was calm and ready. Compared to the last three days, the trial would be tranquil. This Labor Day weekend had been a special one for them. Martha had her annual cookout that Saturday
with everyone in attendance, including Uncle Joe. JD invited everyone connected to the Gonzalez case, including Dan and Magna. Cynthia and Rosaline were there just to hang out, not working. Ashley invited James, but he was unable to attend.

The music was jamming, the food was good and the different conversations were hilarious. Inside the house a few card games were under way. Every now and then you could hear someone yell, “B-town, next.” Outside, grills were at full blast, Uncle Joe at one, Calvin at another. Picnic tables were spread out across the yard. At the corner of the yard, where JD had finished off the flowerbed, was a portable dance floor with lights hanging above.

The house and yard were full of people when “Candy,” by Cameo, hit the speakers, and everyone headed to the dance floor. With such a crowd on the floor, the deejay continued with one or two additional upbeat songs, until it seemed people would fall out if the tempo did not change soon. When the deejay played, “I Was Made to Love You,”
by Gerald Levert, JD got down on one knee and made it official. He asked Tracy to marry him before his friends and family. As he placed the diamond ring on her finger, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, including Brian’s.

The next day at church, Pastor Smith made the announcement of their engagement during the morning service. He asked JD and Tracy to come to the front of the church. The congregation stood behind them and said a prayer of togetherness. Everyone at that service left with a touch of the spirit in their heart. The Sunday paper had an article about the engagement with a picture of the couple from a previous event.

Monday was spent answering phone calls about the engagement, or receiving congratulations. Tracy was overwhelmed by the number of calls and stopped answering the telephone. JD could see her nervousness and decided to take her to the Renaissance for dinner, just to get away. They were greeted by a few people who had heard about the engagement. But once they entered JD’s room, the two had alone time. That was Tracy’s first taste of JD’s popularity. He knew a lot of people and a lot of people knew and loved him.

By Tuesday, JD was actually looking forward to the trial. He asked Tracy to come to court, to see for herself how things would turn out. When they arrived, the steps of the courthouse were crowded with reporters and cameras. Only three cameras from the local stations were allowed in the courtroom. When court was called to order, Tracy, Dan and Magna took a seat right behind JD. Brian sat at the end of the bench next to Tracy. Tracy was excited; she was about to witness Jeffrey’s talents for the first time.

JD’s presence in a courtroom was impressive. He introduced himself to the jury, then methodically explained the prosecution’s case. He systematically explained how the evidence pointed to Juan. Then he explained the defense’s case and demonstrated each loophole that existed in their theory of corruption. The jury was very attentive and JD made sure not to lose any of them with large words or complicated conclusions. Then, the defense attorney stood and rendered her version of events and how the so-called evidence may have been tainted during the change of possession. After the defense attorney finished, the judge called a 15-minute recess before calling witnesses.

The courtroom was packed with a mixture of people. Some Tracy recognized from the block party, including Mrs. Gonzalez and Victoria. They all stood as the judge left. JD stepped behind the swing gate and stood next to Tracy, Mrs. Gonzalez and Victoria. He explained his strategy for Juan once they got the convictions on this case. Then he would begin the manslaughter case against Juan as the leader of the gang involved in Lisa’s death.

Magna, Dan and Calvin were still at the prosecutor’s table as Brian observed the actions of some men in the back of the court. “Mr. Harrison,” one of them called out. JD and Tracy turned toward the voice. Brian immediately stepped in front of JD and pulled out his revolver. Three Hispanic men pulled revolvers out, all pointing towards JD. Brian fired first, hitting one in the shoulder. JD grabbed Tracy, tucked her under him, and fell to the floor as another shot rang out. Magna pulled out her weapon and returned fire at the remaining targets as she pushed Dan and Calvin to the floor. Brian hit another assailant just as a bullet grazed his arm. Magna took the last shooter out.

At the sound of gunfire officers came from all directions with weapons drawn. Brian went to the floor where JD and Tracy landed. Seeing blood, Calvin yelled out, “Get an ambulance! Now,” he exclaimed.

JD moved. “Tracy,” he called out. She did not answer. He turned her over and saw blood on her face. He was feeling over her body feverishly to determine if there was any other wound. “Tracy,” he yelled.

Tracy moaned and reached for her head, which felt like it had been hit with a brick. She looked up at Jeffrey, and then noticed all the confusion in the room. “Jeffrey?” she called.

“You okay?” He smiled while hugging her.

As they pulled apart, Tracy saw blood on her hands. “Jeffrey?” she questioned. He did not reply. Tracy looked in Jeffrey’s eyes and saw them beginning to close. She clung to him, holding him upright. “Brian!” she screamed out.

Brian looked at Tracy and then at her hand and saw the blood. He began removing JD’s jacket exposing the wound in JD’s back. Tracy immediately began to place pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.

Brian yelled, “Clear the area now. JD! Shit, JD, open your eyes! JD, talk to me, man, give me something,” Brian called to him. JD did not respond. The courtroom was cleared of everyone except officers and those that were injured.

“Jeffrey, please open your eyes,” Tracy cried, still holding him up, applying pressure to the wound. “Please baby, please open your eyes.” JD closed his hand around her waist but never opened his eyes. She smiled, a little relieved by his movement. “Okay, okay. I’ll take that. It’s going to be okay. I am right here.” She kissed the side of his face. “Right here.”

Tracy was terrified. Never in her mind did she ever imagine a scene like this. Her heart was pumping so fast she could not catch her breath. The paramedics came in and tried to assess JD’s injury. They tried to move Tracy, but she was not letting go.

Brian turned to her. “Let go, Tracy.” She looked up at him with tears of fear in her eyes. Brian took her hands from around JD as the paramedics pulled him back. They turned JD over and started working on him.

After assessing the injuries, the paramedics put him on the gurney, attached an oxygen mask and began moving him out. Brian helped Tracy up, and they all followed the gurney to the ambulance. TV cameras were everywhere; police taped off the area and secured the scene. Brian cleared a path for Tracy and the paramedics, while Calvin and Dan helped with other injured people from the shooting.

As they put JD in the ambulance, Brian assured Tracy, “We’ll be right behind you.”

“Okay,” Tracy replied, and she got in.

Brian started walking towards his vehicle, while calling ahead to the hospital to set up security. When he and Magna reached the Suburban, he got in the driver’s seat. Magna got in on the passenger’s side. They both took a minute to breathe. She reached for his hand and held it. He squeezed her hand and said, “It’ll be all right,” and pulled off at full speed.

Tracy prayed and talked to Jeffrey all the way to the hospital. It was only a 10-minute drive, but it seemed like it took forever. When they finally arrived at the hospital emergency room, police officers lined the entrance. JD was not just a DA to them—he was the son of one of their own; he was family.

Gavin was already there when the ambulance pulled in. “Tracy, all the emergency information has been given to the nurse.” Tracy wasn’t listening. She stayed with Jeffrey as they entered the trauma room. They began to cut Jeffrey’s clothes away.

Tracy stood there, stunned at the amount of blood she saw. Brian walked up beside her and she grabbed his hand, not taking her eyes off Jeffrey.

“Why would someone do this to him?” she asked. “Why?”

Brian could not speak. He always thought of JD as invincible; nothing ever took him down, and this wouldn’t, it couldn’t.

Calvin came in and stood next to Brian. JD was not going to leave them. They had been together since grade school.
JD would never leave them
. That was the only thought in Calvin’s mind. He refused to think anything else.

The nurse walked over. “You all are going to have to leave.”

Brian pulled out his badge. “Federal agent, ma’am, we’re not leaving.”

At Next Level Consulting office, the programming on television was interrupted with a special report regarding the shooting. Victoria was being interviewed on the accounts of the events.

“Ashley, you better see this,” Monica suggested.

Ashley immediately picked up the phone and called Tracy. Magna answered the phone. “Who is this?” Ashley frantically asked.

“Agent Rivera. Who is this?”

“Ashley Harrison. Where are Tracy and JD?”

“Ashley, we are at MCV hospital. Call your mom and get here as soon as you can.”

Ashley grabbed her keys and called her mom from her cell.

“I’m on my way. The hospital just called,” Mama advised.

“Did they give you any information, Mama?”

“No, just that JD was in the trauma room.”

“What about Tracy?”

“Just that she was there. I don’t know if she was hurt.”

“Mama!” Ashley cried.

“Baby, don’t. Just pay attention to the road and get there safely.”

People were gathering around the emergency entrance at the hospital as the news coverage went out. Cameras and reporters crowded the area trying to get information. The media frenzy had started. JD regained consciousness for a few minutes and asked for Tracy. Tracy wiped her face and bent over him, taking his hand.

“Hey,” she said, gently smiling at him.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” She smiled through tears. “It’s you I’m worried about,” she said. “You told me the other day you would never leave me; don’t you go back on your word,” she cried.

JD smiled. “Never,” he replied, gazing at her. He closed his eyes; he lost consciousness again. She held on to his hand and kissed it as tears dropped from her eyes.

“We have to take him into X-ray now, Mrs. Harrison. I’ll be right out to tell you my findings.” Tracy stepped back as they took JD away. She watched until he was out of sight. Brian went with JD to X-ray.

Calvin hugged Tracy. “He’ll be okay; this is not going to get him.”

They walked out the trauma doors into chaos.

Officers began to push the media back to another area. Things were getting out of hand. The hospital administrator approached Gavin. Tracy and Calvin listened. “We are trying to get the area cleared for you. The governor’s office called, and asked that we make sure the family gets through this ordeal immediately. Mr. Roberts, I understand you have federal agents on this man. One is in X-ray with him; could you point out the others?” Dan identified the others.

Martha came through the doors. “Tracy?”

“Mama, I’m so glad you are here.”

Tracy reached out to her. She took her hands and tried to smile. “I talked to him for a brief moment.” She inhaled and continued. “He was shot through the back, I think. They did not see an exit wound so they believe the bullet is still lodged in him. They took him to X-ray to determine where it is so they can go in and remove it.”

Martha had been in Tracy’s spot before, with her husband James. She was very proud of Tracy’s composure, knowing that all Tracy wanted to do right now was break down and give in to the fear. But here Tracy was, very composed, explaining to her about her son’s condition. This is the woman JD needs beside him; she smiled encouragingly. “He’s going to be fine, baby, don’t you worry.”

“I’m so glad you are here.” Tracy hugged her then composed herself again, but never let go of her hand.

Ashley came in. She hugged Tracy and kissed her mama.

“He’s in X-ray,” Tracy said to Ashley.

Ashley saw the look of fear in Tracy’s eyes. That scared her to no end. She loved her brother and could not bear the though of losing him like she lost her father. Ashley looked to her mother for comfort.

Martha squeezed Ashley’s hand. “It’ll be okay,” she said.

“Mrs. Harrison,” the doctor called out. All three women looked up. He walked over to Tracy.

“This is his mother, Mrs. Harrison,” Tracy explained.

Turning to Martha, the doctor continued, “The bullet entered through his back right below the left shoulder blade.” Calvin, Gavin, Magna and Dan had gathered around. “The bullet is lodged against the back of the heart chamber. We have to remove it. We will need you to sign consent forms.” The nurse came up and handed the papers to Tracy. Tracy gave them to Martha.

“How long will the surgery take?” Tracy asked the doctor.

“It’s difficult to say, but I would estimate two hours at the most.”

“Doctor, what is your prognosis?” Gavin asked.

Looking at the women, the doctor lowered his head. “It could go either way.”

The administrator stopped the doctor and said something to him. The doctor looked up at the family, smiled, then disappeared behind the doors.

“I have a room ready for you all to wait in; that will be more comfortable,” the administrator offered.

“I’ll stay here,” Tracy replied.

“I’ll stay here, too,” Ashley said. Martha didn’t say anything. She went over to the wall and took a seat. Ashley sat beside her. Tracy couldn’t sit; she walked the corridor.

Gavin, Calvin, Magna and Dan were going over the events in the courtroom. Two of the shooters were killed instantly; the other was at another hospital being treated. About an hour later, James came through one of the entrances. He went to Ashley and hugged her. “Are you okay?”