New York Chief of Detectives (30 page)

“Where is Rosa?”

“She’s gone back to One PP with Andy Anderson and has obviously called her delegate from the Detective’s Endowment Association (DEA) and a DEA lawyer.”

“How does it look?”

“It looks like a clean shooting. The suspect had a Taurus .40 caliber.”

“How’d they get inside so fast, with all the surveillance?”

“They came out of nowhere. When they started screaming, Rosa said she was awake and ready. We waited to see what they were going to do. Then they just kicked the door in and Rosa had ended it before we got out of the truck.”

“It sounds like she did well.”

“I think she did as well as anyone could’ve done under the circumstances, Chief. We should have the entire incident on surveillance video.”

“I’m going to call her before it gets too busy around here.”

Pat dialed Rosa Sanchez’s cell phone.

“Sanchez.”

“Good morning, Rosa, it’s Pat O’Connor.”

“Good morning, Chief. I’m sorry I screwed up your beauty sleep..

“No problem, how are you doing?”

“I’m a little shaky, and my ears are still ringing, but I’m glad to be among the living.”

“I really appreciate your dedication. You handled yourself well, and I’m glad that you didn’t get hurt. If there is anything you need, please call me. I’m sure you’ll be riding a desk until this thing is over, but maybe it won’t be too long.”

“I know the protocol. I just hope that I can at least stay in the loop with the task force.”

“You can count on it, Rosa. Take care of yourself, and I’m proud of the way you handled yourself this morning!”

“Thanks, Chief. It means a lot.”
             

Pat saw an IAB team pull up on the scene just as Bryan walked back up to him. Pat couldn’t resist a comment.

“The vultures have arrived.”

“I’m not sure whose balls you love busting the most, Chief. Is it IAB or the FBI?”

“Hard question, Bryan, but one of the two knows exactly what they’re doing, and the other just doesn’t know enough to realize they don’t know what they’re doing. I suspect you can figure out which is which. But in both cases there are occasional exceptions. Maybe we’ll get lucky. By the way, how is Maria?”

“She’s fine. She’s giving a statement to the detectives. After the shooting, she walked out of the house and shouted at the two perps: ‘Come back tonight if you want some more!’ She is a piece of work.”

“Let’s give her around-the-clock protection if she’ll accept it, until we sort through this mess. We don’t want any repercussions for her.”

“Yes sir, I’ll take care of it.”

CHAPTER 64

Friday, April 16-Day 15

107th Police Precinct

Borough of Queens, New York

0515 Hours

Pat
left the scene and drove over to the 107th Precinct. He parked across the street and saw a familiar face coming out the front door. It was Edward Romano, the lawyer from the Blue Goose. Pat thought to himself that they are not even being careful enough to use different attorneys. He knew that their cages had been successfully rattled. Pat walked in the door and was met by Detective Ricardo Alverez.

Pat spoke first. “Let me guess. They lawyered up.”

“You’ve got it! Romano was waiting for them when we got here, Chief. He spoke to each one less than five minutes and informed us that his clients were exercising their right to remain silent.”

“Have you heard any word from Belleview on the perp that Rosa shot?”

“He’s in surgery, but expected to make it.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“How is Rosa, Chief?”

“She says her ears are ringing, but she seems okay. She’s with her delegate and an attorney.”

“I guess they’re helping her with the ‘Rat Squad’ interview.”

“This shooting is so clean that even the ‘Rat Squad’ will understand it.”

“I hope so.”

“I’m sure it would be ok if you called her, Ricardo.”

“Thanks, Chief, do you think we’re getting close?”

“I know we’re getting close. I can feel it in my gut.”

“That’s a good thing!”

It was 0630. Pat remembered that Dickie would need a ride and called him. Pat would pick him up at 0700, and they would grab breakfast somewhere. Pat was starving.

In the meantime, Pat called Richard Chambers’ cell phone. He answered on the first ring.

“Hello.”

“Richard, it’s Pat. How are the Fed digs?”

“Not bad. It’s just that the whole thing is kind of nerve racking. I haven’t been able to sleep very much.”

“I know the feeling. We’ve had some interesting developments with the surveillance in Queens overnight.”

“What’s up?”

“Three gang bangers took the bait. One was armed with a pistol, and they kicked Maria’s door in, and entered the house. Rosa Sanchez blew the first one back out the door with a shotgun. He is alive, but his right leg will shortly be history. The two accomplices have lawyered up at the ‘one-oh-seven’ and are represented by none other than Edward Romano.”

“The loud mouth you guys arrested at the bar?”

“That’s the one.”

“They’re not covering their tracks very well, are they?”

“No they’re not. This tells me they are scared. It also means they may be dangerous, because their little empire may be crumbling. You need to follow all the security precautions suggested by the detail I assigned you.”

“You don’t have to convince me. I’ll get an ADA involved in these cases and try to get as high a bond as possible. We’ll charge them with the most serious charges we can make stick.”

“Thanks, Richard, and just stay safe until this thing comes together.”

“You too, Patrick. In spite of all this, I’ve enjoyed working with you again.”

“Me too, Richard.”

CHAPTER 65

Friday, April 16-Day 15

City Lights Diner-800 East 37th Street

Borough of Manhattan, New York

0700 Hours

Pat
picked up Dickie Davis, and they headed for a little out-of-the way place, the City Lights Diner. Dickie suggested the usual bagels, but Pat protested.

“I need grease! Old fashioned eggs and bacon. Sometimes breakfast food can be the best comfort food in the world.”

“I agree, Chief, but I’m fighting the cholesterol battle, so I may just have oatmeal or maybe toast and coffee.”

“I’m proud of you, Dickie, but once you smell that bacon cooking, you may change your mind.”

“Truer than I’d like to admit.”

Pat and Dickie enjoyed their quick breakfast, and Pat brought Dickie up to speed on the Rodriguez case. They made it into the office by 0830. Pat had a message to call the commissioner. He closed his door and made the call.

“Robert Longstreet.”

“Good morning, Commissioner, it’s Pat O’Connor.”

“Good morning, Patty, have you had any sleep?”

“A few hours.”

“I’ll be down to your office. I need see you for a few minutes.”

“I’ll be here.”

Pat went through his tray, signed a few documents, and approved some training and transfers. He returned a few calls. In about an hour, the commissioner arrived at his office, walked in, and sat down.

“Do you think we’re close on this one, Patty?”

“I can’t say for sure, Commissioner, but I really feel like we’re getting there.”

“I sure hope so. I got a call from the mayor. He’s cutting his trip to Ireland short and will be back tomorrow. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but he told me he wanted to talk to me about replacing you as Chief of Detectives.”

“Did His Honor give you a reason?”

“Just the usual bullshit about being time for a change and that you don’t own this office or the position. He says that we all work at the pleasure of the city, and he’s getting flack regarding your arrogance and unwillingness to understand the political dynamics of this and other cases.”

“What was your response?”

“I told him that city needed you in this position right now and that I didn’t have a commander who could do half the job you do.”

“What was his response?”

“He shifted it to my position and how he liked me, but I could be replaced also.”

“So, Commissioner, on which side of the fence are you going to fall on this one?”

“The only side I can fall on and still look at myself in the mirror or look at any cop for that matter. You’re a good cop first and foremost, Patty, and I know you’re determined to get to the bottom of this case and do the right thing. I have to stand with you, even if I have to kiss my career good-bye.”

“I really appreciate it, Commissioner, and believe me, there are 35,000 cops who’ll appreciate it too!”

The commissioner left and Pat sat at his desk. He didn’t usually let the political posturing bother him, but the thought of leaving this job was painful to him. He looked around the office decorated with momentos from his career. It was filled with memories. He never wanted to do anything else in the NYPD, and he was living his dream. He knew he was not a perfect boss, but he tried his best. He tried to stay close to the center of what being a New York City Detective was all about, which he knew was solving cases and putting the bad guys in jail.

Pat dialed Maggie’s direct office number.

“Secret Service, this is Special Agent in Charge, Maggie Parker.”

“My, aren’t we formal today?”

“We have an inspection going on from DC.”

“I’m sorry Maggie. I forgot about it.”

“That’s okay, Pat. What do you need?”

“Nothing that can’t wait. We can talk later.”

“Something is wrong. What is it?”

“The usual stuff, but please don’t let me bother you. I know the inspection is important.”

“Let’s grab a bite to eat, Pat. We both have to eat somewhere. I’ll pick up some sandwiches, and we can meet at our favorite place in Central Park.”

“It sounds good, Maggie. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“You’re more important to me than the damned inspection, Pat.”

“Thanks, I’ll see you there.”  

CHAPTER 66

Friday, April 16-Day 15

Central Park

Borough of Manhattan, New York

1215 Hours

Pat
got to the park early and grabbed a couple of bottles of cold water. Maggie pulled up in the big black Suburban a few minutes later. He sat down at a bench they often used. He was glad it was open. Maggie walked over to the bench, carrying a bag. He enjoyed seeing her every time, especially when he was concerned about something. He felt that Maggie always brought out the best in him.

Pat stood up and gave her a big hug. She kissed him on the cheek, which was very rare when she was working. They didn’t really say anything at first, but Pat broke the silence.

“This has been an incredible day already, Maggie. I was awakened at 3:30 when one of my detectives on the task force blew a perp’s leg off with a shotgun during a home invasion.”

“Is he okay?”

“She is fine. It was Rosa Sanchez. The perp will live but nobody will say a word. They’re all lawyered up!”

“How does this fit into the case?”

“We think these gang bangers were trying to pressure these elderly residents to sell their homes to Donald Harrison’s corporation. So far it’s still a theory. We have some circumstantial evidence, but nothing we can take to a jury.”

“Is this shooting what’s bothering you?”

“No, there’s more. The commissioner came to see me today and he says that the mayor is going to have me removed as Chief of D’s. The commissioner is on my side, but I have a bad feeling about this one, Maggie. It’s just not right.”

“Of course it’s not right! I hope you’re not going to let that happen.”

“I’ll try, but old moneybags has deep connections. I don’t know who exactly is pulling the mayor’s chain, but he must be really worried to come back from an all expenses paid trip to Ireland. I think he’ll go after me.”

“I’ve never met anyone who works harder than you do, Pat. You’re an incredible cop, and more important than that is the fact that you are so respected. I could get a letter from every federal  SAC in New York supporting you, and I will if you think it’ll help.”

“No, Maggie, this is a battle I have to fight alone. I’ll do it on my terms, and I will not back down on this case. I owe that to Tony Rodriguez. Apparently, the mayor has already forgotten him!”