Designing Justice (eBook)

Chapter 1

Mateo Saco was completing his physical therapy exercises and listening to the news when he heard reports of a virus spreading worldwide. Isn’t there anything else they could report? The news was getting grim, he thought.

He looked forward to returning to duty, starting his new position as a Homicide Detective with the Philadelphia Police Department, and meeting his new partner. He’d been on leave due to an injury sustained during an undercover operation for PPD. The accident happened when a suspect tried to kill him, and he had crashed his motorcycle. Mateo hadn’t broken anything but was diagnosed with a grade three sprain. He hoped that when he saw the doctor later in the day, he’d only need a splint to stabilize his ankle and would report to work tomorrow.

Mateo had toyed with leaving PPD altogether and joining Tessie “Mac” McIntosh in her private investigator agency, TMI. However, he decided that he had options within PPD and requested reassignment.

Mateo recalled his conversations with Captain Brooke when he discussed his future, and the suggestion to move to Homicide felt the best fit. Since reports began about the virus, homicides in the city have increased by twenty-one percent over the previous year. Mateo accepted that his role as an undercover agent was over because of his appearances in court. He missed the work camaraderie, and during his recovery, he asked Mac about her workday to feel connected to the outside world; otherwise, he believed his brain would turn to mush.

“How is your day looking?” Mateo asked when he paused his therapy, wiping his face with a towel and scrubbing his arms dry.

Mac entered the living room, where Mateo had set up his equipment, and watched him go through his exercises. She’d moved in with Mateo when they decided they were in a committed relationship. When she wasn’t working at SCTM, a home design company she co-owned with Savannah, she worked on several independent contracts investigating insurance claims.

“So far, SCTM is doing OK,” she said, sipping coffee. “However, the news about this virus is making me nervous. I just read that the WHO declared the virus a global health emergency for the sixth time. The federal and state governments are trying to define which jobs are essential. The Trump Administration announced a nationwide crisis and banned non-U.S. citizens from twenty-six European countries from traveling into the US due to the virus. Several states are beginning to implement shutdowns to prevent the spread of the virus. “

Mac leaned over to touch Mateo’s cheek, then wiped her fingers on her jeans. She liked looking at him in his exercise clothes, but right now, she could do without feeling his sweaty face.

Mateo chuckled as he watched her rub her fingers on her thigh. He was sweaty even after toweling off. Mateo could see the strain of the changing environment taking a toll on Mac. He knew she and Savannah had diversified SCTM to recession-proof their company. The home renovation project in Northeast Philadelphia sold, and while they earmarked the funds from that sale for a future renovation project, the current environment needed to be more stable. SCTM expanded its services to include staging homes before a sale, cleaning services to individuals, corporations, and real estate companies, and home renovations. Those other services took off, and SCTM increased their contracts twofold. He was proud of her ingenuity and risk-taking.

“On the other hand, I’m getting more inquiries from companies to investigate their employees. So, TMI is more active,” Mac said, proudly lifting her chest. She was aware that the CDC and DHS-CISA published advisory lists communicating the definition of essential critical infrastructure workers (ECIWs). Those advisory lists named private investigators essential workers because they supported the legal system and law enforcement.

TMI’s work expanded when Mac contracted with corporations to investigate issues surrounding intellectual property theft. She used the Internet to research and purchase products online and contacted the clients to verify the items’ legitimacy. As online purchases increased, the selling of fake items of authentic products swelled. Those companies made other requests to investigate their employees who reported as sick and unable to go to the office.

Mac bought a white 2013 Ford Transit Connect Cargo van and titled it under TMI. She liked this style because the seats were comfortable, and she remembered that most investigations were dull—the idea of sitting, watching, waiting, and then filling out paperwork pressed on her mind. The van was an investment for her because if using her vehicle, individuals could trace the tag and access her information, which offered her no protection. When she didn’t need the van, she arranged to rent it to SCTM. Mac intended to recoup the purchase cost through the arrangement. She remembered negotiating the rental fees with Savannah, who wanted a deep discount. After arduous negotiations, they agreed; who knew Savannah could be so intense?

Mac relied on her private investigator contracts to compensate for lost revenue and keep SCTM’s lights on. Mac had to acknowledge that she and Savannah hadn’t counted on an economic shutdown resulting in customers’ inability to pay for services or that the global supply chain would break.

As the federal and local governments defined which industries were exempt, Mac learned that SCTM qualified as a 1C essential non-healthcare company necessary to support critical infrastructures. The CDC requirements for the 1C qualification were that workers had to be on-site, near the public or coworkers, and closer than six feet. Building construction, residential/shelters, real estate, and interior design services also fell under the essential worker definition. This definition meant that Mac could keep most of SCTM’s staff and continue their services.

* * *

Savannah’s company, SC3, fared better than her competition. Her employees could continue their contract work over the Internet and attend videoconference meetings with the contracting companies’ employees, so she didn’t need to reduce her staff. However, her contracting companies had to decide whether to continue their arrangements with outside consultants or manage all the work internally. Savannah sought ways to sweeten the pot to keep her current client base and extend her contracts.

* * *

Mac finished her coffee, “You see the doctor today to get your medical release, right?” Mac moved closer to Mateo to kiss his cheek.

“Yeah, I’ll text you when I have the good news,” Mateo said, pulling Mac into him and kissing her.

“Ew! I’m not going to take another shower today. If things go as planned and you start in your new precinct tomorrow, I’ll get dinner on the way home,” Mac’s mouth curled up in the corners as she pulled back, giggling.

“Be careful out there, and don’t get stopped by the cops for speeding,” Mateo said. He started physical therapy again and watched as Mac walked out the door. She sure looked good and wished he’d more time alone with Mac.

* * *

Mac drove to SCTM, the office space where SCTM and TMI shared offices, and saw Jean Gillespie and Michael Myr sitting near each other in the reception area. She realized that Jean and Michael collaborated well, as she’d heard they had a heart-to-heart conversation and worked on an app.

“How is it going, Jean, Michael?” Mac called out as soon as she entered.

Michael flashed his thousand-watt smile, “It’s going as good as it can. I’d time in between jobs, so I came to visit.” Michael leaned back in the chair, sipping his coffee.

Jean looked up from her computer screen, and her lip curled into a smile, “I sorted the mail and left it on your desks. Do you know if Savannah will be in today?” Jean is the primary contact for SCTM and TMI. She supplies SCTM employees with the tools for design work and personal protection equipment, arranges weekly schedules, and protects the inventory. Jean was in the office daily.

“I haven’t spoken to Savannah today, so I can’t answer that question, Jean. How is Marybeth doing with all this virus stuff going on?” Mac asked as she moved towards the office area after making coffee. She met Marybeth Fox, Jean’s partner, a lawyer, and learned that Marybeth drafted legal documents like contracts, agreements, pleadings, and briefs.

“Marybeth has had to explore different methods when communicating with her clients. She contacts her clients via phone or videoconferencing to keep her caseload. Some courthouses had closed, and Marybeth continued to work remotely on briefs to prepare to present her cases to the court via videoconferencing. On rare occasions, she must make a personal appearance in court...