Double Mocha Blues, Chapter 17
A dark figure stood in the doorway and I started screaming.
A new chapter from Double Mocha Blues is posted every Saturday.
About the Book: Jocelyn “Joss” Miller, a twenty-something barista, works at Sugar Creek Cafe, a hip coffeehouse with deep ties to the local arts and music community. Joss is finally feeling like she’s found her purpose as her recently launched true crime podcast soars in popularity. With her family’s blessings, Joss produces a special tribute to her grandfather.
What seems like a step towards healing instead sets off a firestorm of reactions in the community. There are a few who would rather not be reminded of how Joss’s grandfather had been murdered years ago. When the staunchest protester is found dead, Joss becomes the number one suspect.
The first three chapters are available for FREE! Start at the beginning.
COLD JUSTICE PODCAST Episode 5: The First Responder
Joss: Welcome back to the Cold Justice Podcast. Today, I have a special guest with me, Officer John Lyons, who was the first responder at the scene of August Manning’s murder. Officer Lyons, thank you for joining me today.
Officer Lyons: Thank you for having me, Joss. It’s been many years, but the events of that day still resonate with me.
Joss: Officer Lyons, as the first person to arrive at the scene, you witnessed the aftermath of August’s murder. Can you walk us through what you encountered that day?
Officer Lyons: I knew August. Watched him play ball. <pauses> I can still feel the shock and disbelief when I saw his lifeless body lying on the ground. You know, at first I couldn’t tell who it was. They’d beat him so badly. But then his marred features became familiar, and I knew who he was. I had to set aside my anger and do what I could to secure the area.
Joss: In the years following August’s murder, those individuals responsible were let go without charges. Can you shed some light on why that happened?
Officer Lyons: <sigh> The circumstances were complicated. No one saw what happened. There were weeks of bullying and even a small confrontation a few hours before from the alleged perpetrators. But they knew what they were doing. They drug him to an empty alley. In fact, people knew to stay away from that alley. Even in the daylight there was always darkness over that area.
Joss: How did the lack of charges and August’s murder impact the community, particularly those who knew him personally?
Officer Lyons: The community loved August. Everyone looked forward to seeing him hit home runs. He would take off running around those bases like he was a gazelle. He represented a ray of hope. A homegrown boy about to make something of himself. Everyone saw the heckling and the bullying, but what could we do? It’s hard to fight against someone backed by so much power and influence. August did the right thing. He didn’t cause no trouble. Instead, he smiled and ignored. Nothing was going to get him down. That made his death even harder to bear. The lack of justice intensified a lot of feelings of anger and pain.
Joss: As a police officer, how did August’s murder and its aftermath shape your perspective on the role of law enforcement and the need for accountability?
Officer Lyons: You know, I was the only black police officer on the force. So I’d faced my own issues. August’s tragic death and not being able to find justice for him still haunts me to this day. I wondered if things would have turned out different if someone had the courage to step forward as a witness.
Joss: Thank you for sharing your insights, Officer Lyons.
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