New York Chief of Detectives (21 page)

“Welcome Aboard! This is the HMS Titanic, and I can feel the icebergs ahead.”

“I hope you’re wrong.”

“Me too! I just want to make sure we stay focused on finding Tony Rodriguez’s killer.” 

“I assure you we’ll do that.”

Bryan and Pat finished their coffee, and Bryan left the office. Pat sat down at his computer and did an internet search on Donald Harrison. There were many hits. There were articles from the Times and dozens of other sources. He read a few of them and saw that Harrison had given money to a lot of charities, including a boys club in Harlem and several literacy programs in Queens and Brooklyn. He searched for images and found that Harrison was in photos with everyone from the mayor, New York Senators, movie stars and even the President of the United States. He found one picture of him with Police Commissioner Longstreet and Chief Abernathy at a police academy graduation. He felt a knot in his stomach.

Pat’s desk phone rang.

“Pat O’Connor.”

“Hello, Patty, it’s Longstreet. I saw you on the news several times this weekend. What was the outcome down at the Blue Goose Cantina?”

Pat thought for a second. He knew he had to be very careful in his response or just tell the man everything. He decided to be careful.

“The Crime Scene Unit did a terrific job. They found some blood and a lot of prints. They haven’t gotten the lab results back on the blood yet. They’re working on it, while we’re trying to figure out what fingerprints we can identify and which ones might be important.”

“Patty, let me know if you get some leads. The mayor’s asked me a couple of times. Have you talked to Rodriguez’s family recently?”

“He only has the wife, and I call her pretty often.”

“I know she appreciates that.”

Pat hung up the phone, feeling a little guilty, but he knew this was the best way to get to the truth. If he could prove that Donald Harrison was somehow involved in this case, he would survive with a few bumps in the road. If he couldn’t and this thing blew up, he would probably lose his job or be transferred to Siberia.

CHAPTER 44

Monday, April 12-Day 11

New York Field Office of the United States Secret Service

Borough of Manhattan, New York

1045 Hours

Pat
had Dickie Davis drive him over to a high-rise office building near the World Trade Center site. It was actually only about a half a mile from One PP. The ninth and tenth floor of the building housed the New York offices of the United States Secret Service. Dickie waited in the car. Unlike the FBI building, Pat was immediately recognized and ushered into the Secret Service offices. Pat had always respected the Service and was respected in return. The receptionist was very friendly.

“Good Morning, Chief O’Connor. Is the boss expecting you?”

“Actually she’s not.”

“I’ll let her know you’re here.”

“Thank you very much.”

Maggie Parker was wearing a tight-fitting yellow top and dark navy slacks. Her large Secret Service badge was clipped on her belt, which also held her Sig Saur P-229 .357 Sig automatic. 

She smiled when she saw Pat.

“Is this a business or social visit?”

“It’s actually business, if you can work me in.”

“Come on back.”

Pat walked into Maggie’s spacious office, and she closed the door. He sat down in front of her desk, and she sat in a chair beside him. Pat looked around at all her mementos including pictures of her with every living President of the United States. She also had an abundance of plaques and tokens of appreciation from law enforcement agencies and dignitaries from all over the world. One of her prize possessions was a British bobby’s helmet sent to her by the Queen of England after she was on a detail assisting her British counterparts in a royal visit to New York. He was delighted to see that she had a picture of the two of them on her desk

Maggie reached over and touched his arm. 

“Pat, what’s wrong? I can see stress lines all over your face, and I can tell that something is wrong.”

“There’s nothing wrong, Maggie, but I do need some help.”

“What can we do for you?”

“Are you familiar with Donald Harrison?”

“The entrepreneur?”

“That’s the one.”

“I know who he is, and have seen him a few times on protection details. He’s well connected.”

“His fingerprints turned up in the back room of the Blue Goose Cantina, a little Latino joint in Queens, where we think Tony Rodriguez was murdered.”

“Why in the hell would he have been in a place like that?”

“I really don’t know.”

“Is he a suspect?”

“He may be, but right now he’s just a person of interest. I did a little public research and saw that he’s quite friendly with both the current and former occupants of the White House.” 

“He’s probably had tea and crumpets in the Rose Garden, but a lot of people like to feel connected to the White House. In reality, true access is rare. Often it’s just a few photo ops. If he were a murder suspect, it would definitely be an issue for our protective intelligence guys.”

“That’s what I was thinking. I’m hoping to find some information that we can consider when we try to figure out this entire case.”

Maggie picked up her desk phone and dialed a number, turning on the speaker phone.

“Chuck, this is Maggie Parker. Are you close to the office?”

“I’m pulling into the garage now.”

“Great. Please see me in my office.”

Maggie hung up and turned to Pat.

“Chuck Carter is my best protective intelligence guy. He gets along well with everyone. He’s probably the only guy in my office who can get a straight answer from our friends at the FBI. Chuck is always hooked up with baseball tickets, and he finds a buddy who likes baseball in whatever agency he needs a contact. He can be incredible.”

“He sounds like a good guy to have around.”

“That’s an understatement. He’s invaluable.”

There was a knock at the door, and a tall, all-American boy walked into the room. Chuck was about 6’ 2,” slightly stocky, with short brown hair that was prematurely receding. He had a big smile on his face, and immediately reached out to shake Pat’s hand. Maggie made the introductions.

“This is Patrick O’Connor, Chuck. He is the NYPD Chief of Detectives.”

“Yes sir, I’m very pleased to meet you. I’m well aware of your reputation.”

“I’m sure you’ve guessed that this is Chuck Carter.” Maggie said

“I’m hearing good things about you, as well.”

Maggie offered them a seat at the table in her office.

“I’ll cut to the chase, Chuck. Chief O’Conner is working a very sensitive case involving the homicide of a New York City Detective. He’s developed a lead that may interest you. I also want you to know that you can discuss anything with the Chief. He has a Top Secret Security Clearance and is also cross-sworn federally with our task force and practically every other federal task force. I’ll let him explain what he has an interest in pursuing.”

“Chuck, are you familiar with Donald Harrison?” Pat asked.

“Sure, big-time real estate tycoon. He’s swimming in dough and is usually on the White House Christmas Card list. He’s typically available for every photo opt he can manage to get. He’s had meetings with the president, but all I’m aware of are the public ones. Why would he be involved in something criminal?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. His fingerprints were found in the back room of a little Hispanic dive in Queens, where we believe our detective was murdered. We don’t know for sure if he was involved, but I can’t imagine a legitimate reason for him to be there.”

“It definitely sounds strange, Chief. I’ll call DC to the Presidential Protective Division and check with the real crime fighters over at the Bureau and see if we have anything at all. I’m sure you have FBI connections as well, but sometimes their official response and the truth may not be exactly the same.”

“Let’s say I’ve had my own experiences. I’m friends with the ASAC Mike Wilson, whose wife is a lieutenant on my staff, and I can usually pull some information out of him. However, I’ve already used him in this case. I’d really appreciate your help.”

“It’s my pleasure, Chief.”

Pat handed him a business card, and Chuck Carter walked out of the room and closed the door. Pat squeezed Maggie’s hand, and she whispered.

“Are you busy tonight?”

Pat smiled and responded.

“I sure hope so. Unless something breaks loose I should be okay. I have the entire task force out running leads and tracking down information.”

“Call me, when you leave One PP.”

“I will, and thanks for the help. Agent Carter looks like the real deal.”

“Don’t let the smile fool you. He’s as tough as they come and has a great feel for the street.”       

CHAPTER 45

Monday, April 12-Day 11

Chief of Detectives’ Office-One Police Plaza

Borough of Manhattan, New York

1300 Hours

Pat r
eturned with Dickie to One PP. He was still reluctant to discuss the new developments with Chief Abernathy or Commissioner Longstreet. He knew that when they were brought into the loop, this case would make a quick turn to the political. That was never a good thing and could quickly shut down investigative options and sources of information. If more concrete evidence was developed clearly establishing Donald Harrison as a suspect, he would have no choice. Pat’s cell phone buzzed.

“Pat O’Connor.”

“Hi, Chief, it’s Karla.”

“How’s it going?”

“Wilber and I have court orders drafted for everyone’s cell phones and land lines, including the Blue Goose Cantina, Harrison, Cortez and DeCarlo. They look pretty good, and I just wanted to see if you wanted us to get them signed. We’re asking for historical records for thirty days and a pen register to log current calls. There’s a very cop-friendly judge in Queens that I’m sure will sign them. I’m afraid if we go to someone else, this may leak out. We’re asking for non-disclosure orders that prohibit the providers from letting these guys know we’re getting the records.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Have you talked to Richard Chambers, the Queens DA yet?”

“No, but we’re at the Queens Courthouse. You want us to discuss this with him?”

“I do. Let me call him and get him up to speed, and I’ll call you back.”

“Thanks, Chief.”

“I appreciate the hard work, Karla.”

Pat called Richard Chambers and updated him on the developments in the investigation and the possible involvement of Donald Harrison. Chambers was shocked at the possibility of Harrison’s involvement. He concurred that court orders were needed and agreed to meet with the detectives in half an hour. Pat called Karla back, informing her of Chamber’s concurrence, and he knew that the ball was now in motion.

At 1600 hours, Angie Wilson called Pat and told him he had a visitor, Chuck Carter, from the Secret Service. Pat told her to send him back to his office. Chuck Carter walked in, and Pat motioned for him to close the door. He took a seat in front of Pat’s desk.

“So what’ve you found out Agent Carter?”

“Please, Chief, just call me Chuck.”

“Okay, Chuck.”

“Donald Harrison is the real deal. He’s as politically connected as connected gets. He’s on the speed dial of the New York Senators, according to my sources, and has had several appearances with
the President at the White House and here in New York. He’s scheduled to be at a White House luncheon with the Housing Secretary in about a month.”

“Hopefully, this case will be solved by then, and we’ll be able to know if Mr. Harrison will remain on the guest list.”

“That’ll be very important to our Intelligence Division, Chief. If Harrison is dirty, he’ll come off the Christmas card list. I also made a friendly visit to the FBI. I thought my contact was going to lose his cookies when I mentioned Harrison’s name. It took some persuading and a couple of Yankees tickets, but he agreed to check their databases. They only have one bit of negative information.  There was an anonymous letter, indicating that Harrison was buying a lot of real estate in Queens and going through some shady deals and transactions. Even if it were true, they weren’t sure they would have any federal jurisdiction, unless it involved some interstate transactions or wire fraud. They did nothing with it, but left it in a tickler file under Harrison’s name.”

“Well, Chuck, you know as well as I do that the FBI has little interest in anything but terrorism.”

“Of course, but they’ll never admit it. I know several case carrying agents in their office who have yet to make their first actual arrest.”