MIDNIGHT BLUE is a work of fiction, set in New Jersey. It is composed of part crime drama and romance narrative, centered on the life and actions of the protagonist Khalil Petersen. Petersen is a sergeant in a police department corrupt by greed of a few dishonest men in power.
Petersen is working on a rape/murder case of a 15-year-old runaway, which takes place on New Year's Eve. He has also rekindled the love he had for a woman from his college days by the name of Athena Gibson who has uncanny ties to the victim and has vital information that will help solve the case!
MIDNIGHT BLUE is written in the third person which aids the readers to become more involved in the story as they experience the thoughts and emotions of each of the characters, allowing for different perspectives.
Finally, MIDNIGHT BLUE is a detective drama that includes several story lines into a story of the triumph of a sincere and honest cop in his professional and personal life. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy crime narratives with a romantic subplot. Special thanks to several friends who are former police officers. Their input on some terminology and police procedures was greatly appreciated. Kudos also to photographer Randolph Waterman of Brooklyn, NY; book cover was designed by Ms. Atsede Elegba, and model was Mr. Wayne Powell. Copyright by Tracy L. Moore.
"Midnight Blue' Brings Child Exploitation and Sordid Police Corruption Front and Center in Bold New Crime Novel
Author Tracy L. Moore illuminates a gritty, urban landscape through the lens of personal experience.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 7, 2008 -- With an unflinching gaze, "Midnight Blue" takes an authentic, often stunning look at life on New Jersey's mean streets through the eyes of a world-weary, principled cop named Khalil Petersen. The stage is set for Petersen's perilous journey when, on a bitterly cold New Year's Eve, he finds the corpse of a 15-year-old runaway who had been savagely raped and murdered on the streets of East Orange.
In the tradition of HBO's "The Wire," where street heroes and villains shapeshift with each new lead, this compelling crime/romance novel intricately weaves Petersen's determination to give voice to the voiceless---through the mysterious, tragic runaway he calls "Baby J"---together with his campaign against corruption in his precinct. In death, Baby J manages to lead Petersen through a cavernous underworld of crime and child exploitation. The trek ultimately brings Petersen face-to-face with his own ethos and character, as he takes on bad police long embroiled in practices the "good old boys" consider a perk--sexually abusing women in custody. When Petersen's former friend and love interest, Athena Gibson, arrives on the scene with uncanny ties to Baby J, Petersen learns he is not alone in his quest for justice.
"Midnight Blue" is an inspirational work of suspense and intrigue depicting ordinary people who triumph in extraordinary ways. The recently published Suspense/Romance paperback is available worldwide on such book retailer websites as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Target, among others.
Originally, "Midnight Blue" was promoted as a work of fiction. Recently, however, the author revealed that the book was largely born of real-life experiences, a fact that could not legally be divulged prior to the novel's publication.
The character of Baby J is based on author Tracy L. Moore's daughter, and the story is told from the perspective of a mother who lost her child to the streets after she was raped at little more than the age of 12, by a man in the neighborhood. Unlike Baby J, Moore's child survived the ordeal. But her innocence was forever lost. Living with the repercussions of the rape took a toll on all the members of the family. However, the family has emerged victorious! Moore has become a force to be reckoned with and child advocate for teen runaways, victims of rape, and domestic violence, and uses her literary voice to speak out for those who fall victim to shrewd street predators and pimps who prey expertly on kids at risk. Moore acknowledges that this cycle of violence is a phenomenon which has reached epidemic levels in virtually every major American city. From her home on the East Coast, Moore discusses her reasons for setting the record straight.
"Initially, I said this was a work of fiction to protect my daughter," said Moore. She's young and rebuilding a life after having been raped by someone in our neighborhood." As is common with victims of rape, juveniles in particular, they are often ridiculed by their peers and find themselves unable to cope with the myriad of feelings that surface in the aftermath. Moore's daughter eventually ran away for three years before she was found at age 16 in a Florida juvenile detention center.
"In order for the healing to take place for myself and others who have gone through similar situations," continued Moore, "I needed to tell my story from the point of view of a Mom who refused to believe that my child was dead. There were times when I would hear my daughter crying, and all I could do was pray that someone would be kind to her." Moore has plans for several more books on the subject.
Moore revealed how the victims of juvenile crimes are often victimized yet again by the very institutions they turn to for protection.
Born in Kansas, Tracy L. Moore is a poet and author who has been writing since the age of eight.
To contact Tracy L. Moore, please visit www.outskirtspress.com/midnightblue
For more information on Los Angeles-based Media Specialist and Journalist, Suzanne Marcus-Fletcher, please contact Ravenridge@socal.rr.com
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C O N T E N T S Chapter 1 Murder at Winthrop Chapter 2 Corruption from Within Chapter 3 Conduct Unbecoming Chapter 4 Revelation Chapter 5 Off the Beaten Path Chapter 6 Ambushed Chapter 7 Booty Call & Willie Lynch Chapter 8 Plot to Kill Chapter 9 Myles Thompson: Ruminations of a Killer Chapter 10 A Playette’s Game Chapter 11 Decisions, Decisions Chapter 12 Flashback Chapter 13 On the Heels of a Rat Chapter 14 Shutterbug Sam Chapter 15 Surprise, Surprise Chapter 16 Coincidence? Chapter 17 Victoria’s (Toya’s) Story Chapter 18 Rekindled Love Chapter 19 Turned Tables Chapter 20 Code One: Nabbing of a Killer Chapter 21 Home
2 Samuel 22:1-3 – And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Chapter 6 – Ambushed
It was almost eleven in the morning when they left the medical examiner’s office. En route, they had run into heavy traffic caused by an overturned garbage truck on the parkway. A twenty-minute ride turned into an hour and forty minutes. Khalil had suggested that William ride with him knowing he was drained from the previous night’s flight. He fell asleep soon after they entered the parkway. Khalil was glad that William did not have to deal with irate motorists in the midst of his sorrow. After he dropped Mr. O’Brien home, Khalil then drove to Robinson’s Convenience Store. He was familiar with the storeowner and several of the employees. He explained that he was working on a murder case. A book of matches from their store had been found in the victim’s coat pocket and that she may have bought some cigarettes from them. He showed them photos of her and asked if any of them remembered seeing Baby J. No one had. Unfortunately, the storeowner did not have any security cameras installed in his store. The storeowner suggested that Khalil leave one of the pictures at the store. He would check with the two employees from the night shift. Maybe someone would remember. Khalil was unable to leave the photo but left his business card in case they needed to contact him. He would pass by later to check with the night crew. Khalil walked into his home shortly at noon. Though he was tired, there were some things he needed to do before he slept. First he fed Hoodlum, promising to take him out for a jog within an hour or two. Next, he went up to his office and sorted through the boxes and folders he had brought from Mr. O’Brien’s house. One of the first documents he read was of a background check that Patrick had done on Khalil three years ago! In the margins, Patrick had written in red ink three words: integrity, honesty, and loyalty. Other documents indicated that Patrick had been thorough in his efforts to find the truth. It seemed that Patrick had done several interviews with different people; some were just everyday people on the street in the community. Others were interviews with people he had visited in jail. The report came back each time that though Petersen was a hard-nose when it came to crime, he was fair in his treatment of people. Several of the small time criminals admitted that Petersen was one cop they didn’t mind being honest with and would give him information they wouldn’t give to any one else. In the margin of that particular document, Patrick had penciled in the words: Midnight Blue. Khalil’s heart was pounding while he listened to the tapes. He was left speechless at what he heard. The information in the papers and on the cassettes would greatly help his lawsuit, exposing many key people in the EOPD and in public office. More importantly, it would vindicate the Rices. Khalil realized that once others learned that he had these tapes and papers, his life would be in imminent danger. He had to act quickly. If Khalil’s suspicions were correct, then Mr. O’Brien was in East Orange that night to see him. He would stake his life on it that Mr. O’Brien was not coming to him empty-handed. He must have had some damaging evidence in his car. Khalil had to be discreet in finding out what was found in Mr. O’Brien’s car. Where had those documents disappeared to, and who had those papers? For the next hour, Khalil worked methodically. He made three sets of copies of every piece of document. He also made three copies of each of the cassettes that William had given him. He put one set of documents and cassettes in each of three large envelopes. One was addressed to his attorney, and the second he addressed to the attorney assigned to the Rice case. These two envelopes he would hand-deliver. The third envelope he would drop off at the nearest post office. Khalil put all three envelopes in a knapsack and sat it near the stairs. Once he was done, he walked in to his bedroom and opened the closet door. On the left side, he pushed aside the clothes, revealing a secret vault. He opened the door to the vault and placed the boxes of original documents and cassettes inside. He then picked up the receiver to a phone that was inside the vault and dialed. The conversation was brief, less than five seconds long. “Lionheart here. I’m mailing you a package today.” Khalil hung up the phone and closed the vault. He changed in to a jogging suit and went downstairs, taking the knapsack with him. He went to the back door, grabbing the dog leash as he exited. “Come on Hoodlum, let’s go for that walk. But first we’re going for a ride.” This must have made the dog happy because he responded by playfully jumping on Khalil, amidst barks of joy. By two pm, Khalil had completed his errands. His first stop had been the post office near his home. He sent the package next day delivery. Next, he had called his attorney James Leland on his cell phone, agreeing to meet him in twenty minutes at his office located in Roseland, New Jersey. Leland’s office and that of Rice’s attorney were in the same ten-story building. When Khalil drove up to the curb, his attorney was already standing outside waiting for him. Khalil handed Leland the two remaining envelopes. They exchanged greetings, talking for about five minutes. They agreed to meet some time during the next two weeks. At one point during the drive back to East Orange, Khalil felt that he was being followed. He quickly dismissed his qualms when the vehicle that he thought was following him made a left turn. “Hoodlum, how about that walk I promised you?” Khalil impulsively stopped at the park. Normally he would walk or jog in his neighborhood with Hoodlum on the leash. Despite the cold, it was a beautiful day. It was sunny outside and the brisk air would do them both some good. The park was empty so Khalil allowed Hoodlum to run freely without the leash. As he jogged, Khalil was distracted by thoughts of the Baby Jane Doe case. He would go back to the overpass on Winthrop. He had spoken to Officer Lopez earlier and had advised him to meet him at the crime scene tomorrow morning. Maybe they would find something that CSU had overlooked. They would scout the area for witnesses. Someone might have seen something. Khalil would try calling the phone number that was found in Baby J’s purse one more time. Hopefully he would get a response from someone at that number. Suddenly a shot rang out in the deserted park and he brought his attention back to his surroundings. Khalil quickly hid behind a tree. He whistled for Hoodlum who was ahead of him. Almost instantly Khalil felt someone jab at him. He did not have time to reach for his ankle holster. He turned around and was looking into the eyes of an assailant who was wielding a knife. His attacker was dressed completely in black, with a hooded parka, black leather gloves and a ski mask covering his face. He lunged again at Khalil but Hoodlum leaped at the assailant, knocking him and the knife to the ground. Hoodlum stood soundlessly above the man, teeth bared, waiting for a command from Khalil. At that moment another shot rang out, this time whizzing past Khalil’s head. A female voice called out, “Don’t move Khalil or I will shoot both you and your dog. Move back slowly, hands on your head where I can see them. Tell your dog to heel.” Khalil was at a loss. Somehow these people knew his name but he had no clue as to what they were after. He did as he was told. Unfortunately he was unable to see her as she was hidden behind a recycle bin. The man shuffled to his feet, taking the knife with him. Soon Khalil heard the sound of a car’s engine starting up and the wheels of a car approaching. Khalil ran in the direction that they had taken. He caught a glimpse of them as they jumped into the back seat of a dark brown Crown Victoria as it sped away. The woman was holding a rifle. “What was that about? What the hell do they want?” Khalil was not sure if this event was related to his lawsuit or if it had anything to do with the Jane Doe Case. Whose feathers had he ruffled? Khalil felt that the attack was meant as a scare tactic. The assailants could have killed him and his dog. Why hadn’t they? Using his cell phone, Khalil made two calls. As useless as it seemed, he reported the incident to EOPD. He waited in his SUV at the park for an officer to arrive and take an official police report. He couldn’t help but wonder if the male assailant was a colleague. The man was about his height and weight and had not uttered a word during the entire incident. Khalil did not recognize the female’s voice but from the quick glimpse he got of her while she was running away, he determined that she was about five feet eight inches tall, about one hundred forty pounds. She did not have an accent, but she spoke with a lisp. She was dressed in a black sweat suit, black gloves, and a black ski mask. Like her male counterpart, she was wearing black running shoes. As she ran away, Khalil observed that a blond braid had fallen from beneath her mask. After the officer took his statement, he called Leland. Khalil gave him details of the incident and promised to fax his attorney a copy of the police report. As he drove home, Khalil realized that he could not let his guard down, not even for a second. He would be more careful of where he went, taking special care as to whether someone was following him. Khalil praised Hoodlum for saving his life. He also thanked God for keeping him safe yet again. One thing Khalil had learned early in his career. Although he carried a gun and wore a bulletproof vest, true safety was found in the shadow of the Almighty God. On his way home, he made a quick stop at Mary’s Dominican Restaurant. The food there was excellent, the price was reasonable and it was the closest thing he could get to homemade cooking. When he got home, he remembered to fax a copy of the police report to his attorney. Then he made one more call, using the phone in the secret vault. It was apparent to Khalil that he needed someone other than the venerated East Orange Police Department watching his back.
About Tracy L. Moore
Tracy L Moore is a student of the human condition, wielding the written craft to enrapture the mind much like an artist wields a brush. The pages are a blank canvas on which to draw from a talent heralded by many and matched only by an imagination that rises to the task. MIDNIGHT BLUE is the first in a series of recent pursuits, with work progressing quickly on the follow-up. This book is the first in a set of trilogy. Born in Kansas, TRACY L. MOORE has been writing since the age of 8. This book will heighten your awareness of what a few corrupt officers can do to tarnish the reputation of an entire department but what driven and honest people will do to set the record straight. It is a story of overcoming adversity and shame despite the odds.
MIDNIGHT BLUE is a work of fiction, set in New Jersey. It is composed of part crime drama and romance narrative, centered on the life and actions of the protagonist Khalil Petersen. Petersen is a sergeant in a police department corrupt by greed of a few dishonest men in power.
Petersen is working on a rape/murder case of a 15-year-old runaway, which takes place on New Year's Eve. He has also rekindled the love he had for a woman from his college days by the name of Athena Gibson who has uncanny ties to the victim and has vital information that will help solve the case!
MIDNIGHT BLUE is written in the third person which aids the readers to become more involved in the story as they experience the thoughts and emotions of each of the characters, allowing for different perspectives.
Finally, MIDNIGHT BLUE is a detective drama that includes several story lines into a story of the triumph of a sincere and honest cop in his professional and personal life. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy crime narratives with a romantic subplot. Special thanks to several friends who are former police officers. Their input on some terminology and police procedures was greatly appreciated. Kudos also to photographer Randolph Waterman of Brooklyn, NY; book cover was designed by Ms. Atsede Elegba, and model was Mr. Wayne Powell. Copyright by Tracy L. Moore.
Tracy L Moore is a student of the human condition, wielding the written craft to enrapture the mind much like an artist wields a brush. The pages are a blank canvas on which to draw from a talent heralded by many and matched only by an imagination that rises to the task. MIDNIGHT BLUE is the first in a series of recent pursuits, with work progressing quickly on the follow-up. This book is the first in a set of trilogy. Born in Kansas, TRACY L. MOORE has been writing since the age of 8. This book will heighten your awareness of what a few corrupt officers can do to tarnish the reputation of an entire department but what driven and honest people will do to set the record straight. It is a story of overcoming adversity and shame despite the odds.