‘As can you with your son,’ the President replied.
Darnell nodded his head and walked away from the desk.
‘One thing before you go…’ the President called and Darnell turned around. In his hand was the blue ribbon and gold star which he recognised around Vanessa’s neck only minutes before. ‘We’d like to offer you the Presidential Medal of Freedom.’
The President walked over to Darnell and placed the medal around his neck, neatening it up in the centre. He brushed down the detective’s shoulder pads and shook his hand. Darnell nodded his head and thanked the President, wiping a tear away as he left the room.
The two detectives excitedly caught up on their time with the president as they walked over to the Lincoln Memorial. Along their journey, Vanessa stopped by a convenience store and bought some flowers whilst Darnell picked up a candle.
The memorial was Doric temple in style and was made of white marble. The detectives walked up a series of steps, passing between a set of columns, and into the main chamber where a sixty-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln sat looking over the city of DC. The detectives laid the flowers, lit the candle and stood back to take in the sculpture of the man they had spent the previous weeks searching for.
‘It sure is big,’ Darnell said as he stared up at the ginormous statue of the former president. ‘Imagine if the news had got out and they tried to tear down this thing.’
‘Ha! Good luck doing that! Forget the scale of this thing, there’s statues all over America. I even heard they had a statue in Manchester, England. It sure would take some time to eliminate Lincoln from history. My God, Darnell, what a journey we have been on,’ Vanessa said, forcefully exhaling.
‘We’ve come a long way and we’ve learned a lot. Not all good.’
‘How do you feel now?’
‘On reflection, I see people have the right to change their minds. No one is perfect. I include myself in that. I hope in two hundred years’ time, people aren’t still judging me on my pathetic views of my son’s sexuality. More than anything, I just hope he can forgive me.’
‘He will.’ Vanessa placed an arm around her colleague’s waist. ‘We don’t judge people by what they’ve done in the past, but what they learn from the experience. Aaron has to surely see that, if not now, he will one day.’
‘And I have to forgive Lincoln. He said himself “I am a patient man, always willing to forgive on the Christian terms of repentance, and also to give ample time for repentance.” Now it’s my turn to forgive Lincoln and hope my family do the same for me.’
‘You know what else Lincoln said, “I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.” And that’s what we’ve become, Darnell.’ Vanessa kissed him on the cheek.
‘You certainly have. Who’d have thought it a few weeks ago? Thank you, Vanessa, you’ve helped me in more ways than you’ll ever know. You’ve saved my career and you saved my family. How can I ever repay you?’
‘You already did,’ Vanessa replied. ‘You’ve shown me how to be a good detective, and also how not to be one at times. But I’ve learned so much from you that I’m set for life. You’ve also shown me how much family and relationships mean far more than a career, which has always been my focus. Maybe I should take some time to focus on me for a bit, rather than constantly chasing a title.’
‘Maybe call that ex-boyfriend back?’
‘Maybe. We’ll see.’ Vanessa winked. ‘Now come on, let’s go back to Springfield. Lincoln isn’t the only Illinois legend we need to take home today.’
Chapter 28
Taylorville, Illinois sits just twenty-five miles from Springfield. Darnell knew the city well as his uncle lived and spent most of his life in engineering in the city before he retired. He’d spent many Christmases with his family down at the Taylorville Christian Church for Mass before enjoying a large dinner served by his favourite aunt.
A small one-storey white cabin sat on Kensington Avenue, the smallest on the residential street, and looked to fit no more than a childless couple. Outside the flowers were unloved and the lawn was overgrown.
The detective stood 100 feet away watching the house through his binoculars as his team crept forward towards it, armed to the nines and enough protective gear to protect them from a bomb. Darnell kept in touch with the lead through a hidden Bluetooth application in his ear.
‘We can’t mess this up,’ Darnell warned his team. ‘Precision timing is a must.’
The armed agents surrounded the house. The lead nodded towards Darnell, who gave them the approval to enter. A kick to the door knocked it through and the SWAT team stormed the building. The echoes of bullets and shouting ran down the street. Darnell’s heart pounded as he waited for an update from the task force.
Moments later, two agents departed the cabin; between them Chuck Cunningham was dragged towards the police car and handcuffed. Darnell stepped out and ran towards his nemesis.
‘May I have the honour?’ Darnell turned to the lead agent.
‘Be our guest,’ he replied.
‘Chuck Cunningham, we’re arresting you for contravening number 841 of the US Penal Code in which you have committed a violation for drug offences. You do not need to say anything but anything you do say may be used against you later in court. Do you have anything to say?’
‘You bastard,’ Chuck replied as his head was slammed against the hood of the car.
‘Take him down, boys,’ Darnell said, before taking off his black leather gloves and throwing them beside Cunningham’s head. ‘Well that’s it. I’m done. I’m officially retired.’
Chapter 29
Darnell continued to stay in Vanessa’s
