MacKenzie Legacy

Welcome Back!

When last we left the MacKenzies, Cameron was pulled away from little Eadan’s birthday party by her boss Helena with a report that VJ Alvi was very likely the latest criminal mastermind of Sunset Valley and was the newly crowned Emperor of Evil. Wondering who VJ’s second in command was seemed to be the current topic of discussion.

When Cameron arrived at the station she quickly slipped into her role as a police officer. She was all business when she approached Helena.

“Helena, what’s this about VJ Alvi,” Cameron began while pulling out a small notepad and pen to jot notes as needed.

“Cameron, we have signed confessions from several lower ranking members of the Criminal Organization,” Helena swallowed and darted her eyes toward the holding cells. “They also claim that your brother, Alec MacKenzie is involved too.” Helena concluded watching Cameron for signs of freaking out. While she did her best to control her neurosis at work by compartmentalizing, she knew that at least Helena was aware of her troubles. To what degree, Cameron wasn’t certain.

“My brother cannot possibly be involved,” Cameron was picturing the times when she and Alec worked out together, he was a great trainer. He would push her to be her best without over doing it to the point of being too sore the next day.

She also remembered the times when she was a toddler and Alec was the one who was there when their Da was out on a top secret mission and Alec was left to babysit the triplets. She remembered Alec being the one to teach her to walk.

Alec was a great brother. “My brother works at the telesales department,” Cameron said with a lift of her chin. She couldn’t understand how these criminals could be implicating her dear older brother who had taken the mantle of heir to the MacKenzie legacy and done such a great job. He was practically like another father to her since their Da had passed on and left the family to Alec.

“I’ll talk to him Helena, there has to be an explanation,” Cameron reasoned.

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea Cam,” Helena tried to caution. “That may tip off VJ and we may lose this opportunity.”

“Tip off VJ!?” Cameron looked horrified. “This is my family you’re talking about. My life!” Cameron could barely contain herself.

Helena nodded and agreed to twenty four hours for Cameron to do some detective work. She was one of the Helena’s best officers and could be counted upon to be impartial even if this did mean her brother could be involved.

Cameron spent time with the family trying to figure out what Alec was up to. No of the family had ever really questioned the telesales that Alec had always said he was involved with. She started by talking to Breannan about it. She was in full uniform and everything.

Breannan said all he knew was Alec was particularly distracted lately. He’d also seen a limousine come by just a little while ago and pick up Alec. Alec hadn’t seemed thrilled that a limo had stopped by but he didn’t hesitate to get in and go.

Cameron got in her squad car and drove out the access road. She saw the limousine stop at the intersection and turn right. The driver didn’t seem to notice her.

She followed until they reached a warehouse where she saw Alec exiting the limousine in a face mask and plain dark clothes. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her own brother. Cameron did the only thing she could do.

“Attention, all units, Lieutentant Cameron MacKenzie requesting backup at the warehouse at the corner of 5^th and Pine.”

“Roger Lieutentant MacKenzie, we have officers in route,” came the answer from the dispatcher.

Cameron sat in her squad car hunched low. She couldn’t trust herself to apprehend her brother alone. She had always been brave, but this was different. Her heart was involved.

Officer Kraig Bernstein was first to arrive. He was familiar with the procedure, the idea was to wait for the perp to exit with goods in hand. He took a seat in the patrol car with Cameron and they waited. As night fell, they finally were able to catch a glimpse of Alec leaving the building with goods in hand.

“Alec MacKenzie! You are under arrest.” Officer Bernstein stated loudly with his weapon drawn. Alec took off running, he was in great shape and was certain he could outrun a few cops.

“Alec! Wait!”

Alec stopped, certain that he’d heard his sister’s voice. “Cam?” he turned around at the same time that Bernstein tackled him.

“Ooof!” he coughed as he was thrown to the ground.

“Oh Alec…” Cameron said in a voice very near a sob.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights?” Cameron read the Miranda Warning.

“Cameron, you’ve got this all wrong!” Alec sputtered.

“Alec MacKenzie, do you understand these rights?” Cameron repeated.

“Yeah, yeah,” Alec muttered and decided that it was probably better to speak to an attorney before saying anything else.

Alec was taken to the police station. Cameron drove her own car and Alec rode with Officer Bernstein. She was much to close to the situation to ride with her brother.

Cameron called Helena, as her boss, Cameron knew she had to let her know what was happening. Helena decided to stop over the MacKenzie’s house. She spoke in depth with Trista about what had happened to Alec and what was going to happen moving forward. She did say that bail was being offered and if paid, Alec would be released pending his trial. Helena offered to bring Trista down to the station to speak with Alec. Trista was grateful for the ride, she was so incredibly confused about what was going on and was certain she could not drive herself. She was much to shaky. Trista could not believe what was happening. Her husband in the Criminal organization? She couldn’t believe it was true.

Trista spoke to Alec’s attorneyand then agreed to pay Alec’s bail. He was released in her charge with the warning not to skip town. The couple took a taxi home in silence. Alec took a shower and changed clothes. He felt shame and humiliation wash over him even as the shower washed his body clean.

He explained the whole story to Trista. How he’d originally met VJ after his mother’s death. How the money came so quickly and how he was really very good at what he did.

“Good at what you do?” Trista nearly shrieked at her husband. “You’re not a brain surgeon like your mother. You’re not an officer of the law like your father. Alec! You are a CRIMINAL!” she spat, completely disgusted.

“Don’t you thin k I know that!” Alec roared back at his wife. “I hate what I have become, I couldn’t see any way out of it. VJ was moving up so quickly in the ranks and pulling me along with him! I was also concerned that the organization may hurt you, Dougal or Eadan. I may be a criminal but I’m not a heartless monster! I even worried for my brothers and sisters.” Alec pleaded with Trista to get her to understand. “Do you know what the organization does to deserters? I hate that I have become this person … ” he trailed off.

“Trista, my love, we have always been together. I have loved you since we were children. You have to believe me when I say I never wanted it to go this far. Please forgive me.” Alec pleaded with his wife for her understanding.

“Alec, you’ve been lying to me for years now. Our boys have been growing up under shadow of retaliation at any time from the organization you belong to could hurt our home, or even worse…one of us!” Trista was barely acknowledging his apology. She refused to listen to any more lies.

“Alec, I’m not sure what is going to happen. To us or this family. I just know I cannot talk to you right now. You have to give me time and space to see what happens with this trial.”

“Trista, I will give you time, but you must believe that I love you, and I couldn’t be more sorry for anything in life right now that I have betrayed your trust.” Alec choked back tears as he turned and went to make up Dougal’s bed for himself. His sons were both staying the night over a friends house on Trista’s advice. It would soon be front page news and she wanted the boys to have fun with their friends now as it may be the last time for a while.

As Alec walked down the hallway toward his son’s room, he passed the portraits painted that were hanging in the hall. It would soon be time for Breannan to paint his boys’ pictures. Alec looked into the eyes of Liam’s portrait with the heat of shame flushing his cheeks.

“I’m sorry Da…I’ve really made a mess of things…” 

The End Chapter 3

On to Chapter 4!

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