COLD CASE
Strange Bedfellows
By J. B. Tilton (a.k.a. NoAzMale) and Teri Thibeault (a.k.a. Tessalynne)
Emails:
evilgidget_
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: "Cold Case" and all related characters and events are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer and the CBS Corporation, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
(Authors' note: This story takes place between season 1 episodes "Sherry Darlin'" and "The Hitchhiker".)
Special Note: The Honorable Edward Rendell, the Governor of Pennsylvania and former Mayor of Philadelphia and John Timoney the Police Commissioner of Philadelphia in this story are actual people who held these positions in 1998. They are included here only for purposes of authenticity for the story background and no connection to any actual crime should be inferred by their inclusion in this story.
When evidence in a 5 year old burglary gone wrong surfaces, the team reopens the case. A case that could involve Edward Rendell, the Governor of Pennsylvania.
PROLOGUE
April 18, 1998, 5:48 p.m.
The young man walked into the living room of the palatial home he had just been admitted to. Several people were all ready there, including the current mayor of Philadelphia, Edward Rendell. It was Rendell's home and the young man was there for a dinner party that the mayor and his wife were throwing. As the young man looked around a somewhat older man approached him. The man was 31 years old, ten years older than the young man.
"RJ," said the older man, "it's good to see you. You haven't been here in months. I'm sure His Honor will be glad to see you."
"Thank you, Mr. Probst," said RJ. "I'm sorry I'm late. I had the devil of a time getting this tie tied. I've never been very comfortable in a tuxedo."
"To be honest," said Mayor Rendell walking over to the two men, "neither have I. But as the mayor of Philadelphia I have to present a certain look even if it is just a private dinner party. Where are your parents? I thought they were coming, too?"
"They were," said RJ. "But mom started feeling ill. Her stomach was upset and she said she felt like she was getting a fever. They asked me to convey their apologies for not coming. I know it was kind of last minute and all but dad felt it was best not to take chances."
"Of course," said Rendell, "no sense taking chances. Your mother needs to take care of herself. We wouldn't want her taking ill."
"That's what dad said," said RJ. "I'm sure it's nothing serious. Probably just one of her migraines. She's suffered from them most of her life."
"How well I know that," said Rendell. "Garland, why don't you get young Parker here a drink? You are 21, aren't you?"
"Of course," said RJ. "For about 6 months now. Some white wine would be nice."
"Certainly," said Probst. "I'll be right back."
"So," said Rendell, "have you decided on your major yet? Your father told me this is your third year in college and you have yet to declare a major."
"I guess I'll go into business administration," said RJ. "Dad expects me to work for the company when I graduate. He says a degree in business management will help with that."
"He's right about that. Running a company the size of your father's requires the proper training and experience. The best place to start is with an MBA."
"I've never really cared much for business. But Richard James Parker III couldn't really do anything else, I guess. My dad inherited the business from my grandfather and I'll inherit it from him. So I suppose there really isn't much else I can do."
"Oh, don't sound like that. It will be quite a challenge. And it can also be very rewarding. I'll bet you'll find you enjoy it more than you imagine."
"Maybe. I just can't really see myself sitting in an office day after day."
Before Rendell could respond a young woman wearing a cook's uniform approached him.
"Excuse me, Your Honor," said the young woman. "Dinner is about to be served, sir."
"Thank you, Maria," said Rendell. "Well, I guess we should be heading into the dining room. Why don't' you forget about school for now? This is a dinner party and you're only expected to enjoy yourself."
"Thanks, Uncle Rick. That sounds like a good idea."
Together the two men followed the others in the room into the dining room for dinner.
It was nearly 9:00 o'clock when two police officers arrived at the mayor's door. Dinner had been over for a while and the guests were enjoying after dinner drinks and some pleasant conversation in the library. One of the guests at the mayor's house was the Philadelphia Police Commissioner and the officers immediately spoke to him. After a moment the commissioner walked over to Rendell who was currently talking with RJ.
"Excuse me, Richard," said the commissioner, "two of my officers are here. I'm afraid they have some bad news. RJ, there's been a problem at your house. You need to go home immediately. I'll take you."
"Problem?" questioned RJ concerned. "Mom and dad. Are they okay?"
"Information is sketchy right now," said the commissioner. "It appears there was a break in at your house a short time ago. We need you to come home and see what's been taken. I'm sorry, Richard. I realize this dinner party was in my honor but I'm afraid this has to take precedence."
"I understand, John," said the mayor. "Richard and Ruth. Are they okay?"
"I'm afraid not," said the commissioner, looking at RJ. "I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you, RJ. It appears both your parents were killed during the break in."
"Killed?" RJ repeated in surprise. "But they were fine when I came here."
"Go, RJ," said the mayor. "Under the circumstances I'm sure everyone will understand. I'll make your excuses. John, I want to be kept apprised of everything about this case. Richard Parker and his wife were not only good friends of mine but they were good friends to the city of Philadelphia. I want whoever did this caught as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, Mr. Mayor," said John. "We'll catch whoever did this. I'll put as many men on it as I have to."
RJ and the police commissioner headed out the front door as the mayor went into the library to make the explanations to the other guests.
ONE
December 15, 2003
"You're crazy," said Nick as he and Will walked into the squad room. "I've been there. They're good but they're nothing like the ones at the Wrap Shack. You want the best in town? You need to go to the Wrap Shack."
"No, no, you have it all wrong," said Will. "I know that place. The Wrap Shack is okay. But Jake's is better than okay. There's no better place to go to get one than Jake's. Trust me on this, Nick. You won't find a better place in town."
"What's this all about?" Lilly asked as Stillman stepped out of his office. Initially he was concerned that Nick and Will might be having a serious argument. It didn't take him long to realize that it was one of their famous disagreements over something that was usual only a matter of opinion.
"Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches," said Nick. "Will says the best place to get one is Jake's Philadelphia Cheesesteaks at 16th and Chestnut. And like I told him, they're sandwiches aren't bad. But the best place in town to get one is the Wrap Shack On The Square on South 18th Street. Now that's the best place for a cheese and steak sandwich."
"All this over a sandwich?" questioned Stillman.
"Not just a sandwich, boss," said Nick. "The best one in the city."
"Yeah, you're such a culinary expert, Nick," said Will, smiling slightly.
"Hey, maybe I'm no expert," said Nick, "but I do know where to get the best chesses and steak sandwich. I've eaten enough of them."
"That much is obvious," said Lilly, smiling.
"Okay, everyone, that's enough," said Stillman. "We really need to get to work. Besides, you're both wrong. The best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in the city are at Philly Cheese Steaks And Hoagies on Market Street."
"Philly?" questioned Nick. "You're joking, right?"
"Do they do this often?" Scotty asked.
"Enough," said Lilly, sitting back down at her desk. "Neither one ever changes the others mind. Besides, it's all a matter of opinion. Everyone has their own favorite place to eat. I've learned it's usually best just to stay out of it."
"Detective Rush?"
Scotty and Lilly looked up to see a young uniformed officer standing next to Scotty's desk looking at him.
"I'm Rush," said Lilly.
"Oh, sorry," said the officer. "I was just told to see Detective Rush. I didn't know there were any female homicide detectives."
"No harm done," said Lilly. "I'm the only one. What can I do for you officer . . . .?
"Garcia," said the young officer. "Peter Garcia. I was told you work on cold cases."
"That's right," said Lilly. "We all do. You have something on cold one for us?"
"Yes, ma'am," said Garcia.
"Let's tone down the ma'am talk," said Lilly. "I'm not old enough to be a ma'am."
"Oh, okay, right," said Garcia. "Sorry." He took a photograph out of his pocket and handed it to Lilly. "It's about this. We picked it up a couple of days ago in a routine bust. I recognized it and thought I should talk to you about it."
"What is it?" Scotty asked.
"It looks like a painting," said Lilly. She showed the photo to Scotty. It showed what appeared to be a painting of a forest scent with sunlight streaming in through the trees. "What case do you think this is connected to, Garcia?"
"1998," said Garcia. "A couple named Richard and Ruth Parker. They were some wealthy art patrons or something that were murdered during a home invasion. That painting was one of the items that was taken during the burglary."
"Are you sure?" Lilly asked. "I remember reading about that case. It went cold real fast. And I remember something about the Parker's having some pretty high up friends, too."
"About as high as you can get," said Will, walking over to Lilly's desk, Nick close behind. "Sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But I couldn't help but overhear."
"No problem here," said Lilly. "It's kind of hard to keeps secrets around here. Officer Garcia, Detectives Jeffries and Vera."
"So, what do you know about this one?" Scotty asked.
"John Timoney, the police commissioner at the time, made this one top priority," said Will. "The Parker's were personal friends with Edward Rendell. In fact, their son was having dinner with Rendell when they got the news that his parents had been killed."
"Edward Rendell?" questioned Scotty. "As in Governor Rendell? The current Governor of Pennsylvania?"
"One and the same," said Nick. "He was mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 thru 1999. He became governor of Pennsylvania at the beginning of this year. I remember this one, too. Mayor Rendell wanted the doer caught but the police just didn't have enough leads."
"Which doer?" Stillman asked, walking up to the desk.
"The Parker case, boss," said Lilly. "Officer Garcia has brought us what he thinks is new evidence in the case."
"Parker?" questioned Stillman. "Richard and Ruth Parker? The friends of Governor Rendell?"
"Yes, sir," said Garcia.
"Garcia, meet Lieutenant Stillman," said Lilly. "He's in charge here."
"What makes you think this is evidence in that case, Garcia?" Stillman asked.
"It's the painting that was taken during the burglary, sir," said Garcia. "My mother runs a little art gallery in town so I've picked up a few things from her over the years. That painting is called 'Sunset In A Forest' and it was painted by a little known artist named Daniel Closson. I've seen pictures of it a hundred times. That's the painting."
"Where'd you get it?" Stillman asked.
"Well, sir, as I was explaining to Detective Rush," said Garcia, "we picked it up in a routine bust. A woman named Clarrissa Fontane was running a whore . . . that is, a brothel." He glanced nervously at Lilly for a moment. "I was one of the officers assigned to help when they raided the place. While we were there I saw the painting and recognized it. So I took it in as evidence."
"That's okay, Officer Garcia," said Lilly, smiling at the young man's embarrassment, "I've heard worse. How did you put it together with the Parker murders? You don't look old enough to have been on the force for 5 years."
"Just over 3 years, ma'am, er, I mean Detective," said Garcia. "But I do remember reading about the burglary in the paper. My mom commented at the time she didn't understand why Mr. Parker had that painting in the first place. As rich as he was he could have afforded some a lot more expensive. As paintings go, that one isn't very valuable."
"If this is the same painting," said Stillman, "this Clarrissa Fontane might have information about who pulled the burglary. The Parker's were close personal friends of then Mayor Rendell and I'm sure he'd be very interested in closing this one."
"We could see what we have on it?" Scotty suggested. "A high profile case like that we should have a lot of information on it."
"First things first," said Stillman. "Let's authenticate the painting first. Make sure it is the same painting. No offense, officer, but a lot of paintings look alike. And since this one has ties to the governor of the state I want to make sure we know exactly what we're talking about before we go opening any can of worms."
"It shouldn't be too hard to authenticate," said Lilly. "Garcia. Where is the painting now?"
"It's in the property office," said Garcia. "And I can assure you it's the same painting. I checked it out before I came here."
"All the same," said Stillman, "have Holcomb take a run at it. If it's the same painting he'll be able to tell us."
"Stewart Holcomb?" Will asked. "The art appraiser?"
"Yes," said Stillman. "He's done some work for the department in the past. If that painting is authentic he'll be able to tell you. If it is authentic, then check the box and see what we have on the case. After that, go have a talk with Clarrissa Fontane and find out where she got it."
"On our way, boss," said Lilly.
"Lieutenant," said Garcia nervously.
"What is it, officer?" Stillman asked.
"Well, sir, I, uh, I was wondering if there might be a chance for me to join the homicide squad," said Garcia. "I've wanted to be a homicide detective since I was a kid. I graduated at the top of my class from the academy and all of my efficient reports have been excellent. I was just wondering if maybe you might have an opening."
"Well," said Stillman somewhat self-consciously. It was obvious to everyone in the room that this officer, while probably a good policeman, was far too young and inexperienced for the types of jobs they handled. But Stillman wasn't the type to simply quash a young man's dream. "There are a few things you need to do first. You'll need some more experience as a police officer. Then you'll need to take the detective's exam and pass it. Those aren't easy. Then there are budgetary constraints. At the moment I simply don't have an opening or the budget for another detective."
"I understand, sir," said Garcia, obviously disappointed.
"I'll tell you what," said Stillman. "We get allocated new funds and sometimes additional slots every year. When and if there's an opening, I'll take a look at your record and see how it looks. If it looks like I can use you I'll give it serious consideration."
"Yes, sir, thank you sir," said Garcia, obviously a little more buoyant. "You won't regret it, sir. I think I'd make a good addition to your team."
"We'll see," said Stillman.
"Well, for now," said Lilly, "let's go get that painting so we can see if we actually have somewhere to go on the case. We'll let you know what we find out, Lieutenant."
"Spunky kid," said Nick as the three left the office.
"He does seem enthusiastic," said Will.
"It takes more than spunk and enthusiasm to make a homicide detective," said Stillman. "You two of all people should know that. Now what say we get some actual work done? It will be several years before I have to worry about Officer Garcia anyway."
Stillman went back into his office and closed the door to get started on the paperwork that had been piling up on his desk.
