Bluebird, Bluebird

Darren’s phone conversation with his long-time friend Greg gives more insight into his character as well as provides another perspective on Mack’s case. Darren is unique in many aspects. He was raised by twin uncles who were highly educated and instilled in him early a passion for law and criminal justice. Darren is also a minority in his work as a Ranger. Less than 5% of Rangers are Black. Darren’s friendship with Greg, a white man, is also rare, though admittedly Darren states that Greg found it easy to mingle with Black friends and Darren did not always find commonality within his community. Darren’s conversation with Greg helps defuse some of his anger from the heated exchange with Vaughn but also sheds light on the case from an unbiased perspective. Though Greg wants to help his friend in this case, he is far more interested in what is happening in Shelby County where two bodies have washed up on shore within one week, and Greg is convinced something sinister is afoot. The detail that the local sheriff does not wish to have federal help in the investigation is a curious clue, and hint that all is not as it seems.

The use of flashbacks further explore the racial tensions in the community of which Darren may be a target. Darren is convinced that his suspension stems not just from his involvement with Mack but from the force’s attempt to remove him from his position due to his race. The events surrounding his suspension are not simple and Darren is forced to reconcile that his pure ambition to prosecute and eradicate hate crimes is not well received by those in charge and he is seen as more of a liability than an asset. The request from Greg for help comes at an interesting intersection in Darren’s life. He is temporarily unable to work as a Ranger and is estranged from his wife. The unexpected downtime allows him space to investigate the Shelby County murders, but he could find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time just as in his intervention at Mack’s place. He is once again asked to leverage his passion for the law against his love for a friend in need. More insight is given into Darren’s troubled marriage as well. His wife Lisa is described as “well-bred” and a lawyer who did not sign up to be married to a cop who spends long hours away from home and is the target of a violent white supremacist group. She does not understand Darren’s deep desire to be a Ranger and the pride it brings him. Both Lisa and Greg are concerned for Darren’s physical safety. Darren’s home was viciously raided, and his name has appeared on ABT internet sites. Darren emerges as a deeply passionate, hard-boiled cop struggling to find his identity in a world where truth is relative, and justice must account for class and color.