John strode casually into the Library at 7:30 am, the collar of his top coat turned up against the cold. In his gloved hands he held a bag of Doggy Danish and a carry container holding a sencha tea, and three coffees.
"Morning Finch, Shaw, Bear," John said, depositing the drinks container and bag on the corner of the computer desk so that he could pet Bear. As he began to unbutton his coat, Finch said, "Right on time Mr. Reese. You might want to keep that on. We have a new number." Shaw grunted and tore over to the coffees. Bear, after barking a "Good morning and thank you" to his dear friend John, started bumping Shaw for the morning treat.
John removed his coat, hat and gloves and walked over to the white board as Finch taped up a photo. "Bethanny Wright, a thirty-year-old graphic designer living in Morningside Heights."
John studied the photo, his eyebrows knitted in intensity. "Pretty. Wait – I know this woman. Yes. She's one of Joss's best friends."
After feeding Bear a Danish, Shaw walked over for a look. "What else do we have so far?" she asked.
"Nothing much – just that she has her own business. She's just starting out after a successful career with a top advertising agency," stated Finch.
"I may be able to help with some additional intel," said John, retrieving the phone from his pocket.
Meanwhile Across Town
Joss sat in the kitchen of Bethanny's condo, a beautiful three bedroom two bath unit on Riverside Drive. A pre-war structure bought by her parents, Bethanny took over the property when they retired to Florida 5 years before. Moving in from an apartment in Chelsea, she had completely renovated the place to her taste. She had even added a home office.
Bethanny was in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm so afraid, Jo. This is a nightmare. I'm scared to leave my home to go to work, go shopping, anything. And last night, when he got in here…I'm on the 6th floor for God's sake!" Her hands shaking, Bethanny sipped a calming tea that Joss had prepared.
Joss waited a moment then shook her head. "What I don't get, B, is why it is that I am just hearing about this. We've known each other forever and I am a police officer and a lawyer, in case you forgot. More importantly, I am your friend. Does anyone Know?"
"No, no one knows. I was just so embarrassed. Ashamed really. I couldn't tell anyone but I did everything that I thought was right – notified the police, tried to get a restraining order. Being vigilant when I'm out. Taking different routes, varying my routine. I even bought this." Bethanny rose from the sofa, retrieved and opened her purse to reveal a gun.
"Oh my God!" Joss exclaimed. "Do you even know how to use that thing? Give me that." Joss took the weapon and inspected the weapon – a loaded Glock. "You are licensed to carry at least? You'd better be."
"I am," Bethanny responded sheepishly.
Joss gave her the look that had caused hardened criminals to confess their misdeeds.
"Well, no, but I really didn't intend to use it…"
"Give me that," Joss said, carefully relieving Bethanny of the weapon.
"I am not even going to ask where you got this. Do you know that I am supposed to arrest you for just having this?" said Joss.
At that, Bethanny resumed sobbing, more loudly this time. "I'm sorry. I just didn't know what else to do."
Joss exhaled loudly. She was all too familiar with these types of cases. Unfortunately, they didn't all end well. Joss scooted over to Bethanny, hugging her in her upset. "We'll figure this out – don't worry, B. It'll be OK - I promise."
Just then, Joss's phone rang…Unknown Caller. "I need to take this. I'll be right over there. Here, you have some more tea. Joss handed Bethanny the cup before moving toward the kitchen to take the call.
"John," Joss whispered.
"Joss, we received info that one of your friends may be in trouble."
"Bethanny, yes," Joss answered. "I am at her place with her now. Some guy she met on a dating site 3 months ago has been seriously stalking and harassing her. Broke into her home last night. Scared her so badly she bought a gun."
Joss couldn't see John's face, but she knew he was scowling. These types of cases aroused his protector instinct to the stratosphere.
"You get a name on this guy?" he asked.
"I was just getting to that when you called. Hold on. Bethanny, what's his name?"
"Beecher. Malcom Beecher," Bethanny responded.
"Beecher?" Joss repeated.
"Yes."
"John, perp's name is Malcolm Beecher."
"Beecher as in good cop Cal Beecher?"
"Dunno," she answered. "Cal never mentioned a Malcolm Beecher," said Joss. "Listen, John, can you come? I'll stay with Bethanny," she asked.
"On my way. Text me the address. See you shortly," John promised and ended the call.
Joss was now even more alarmed. After all, if the info got to John's ear, then Bethanny's situation was truly life threatening. But whose life? Bethanny's? The perpetrator's? Someone else's who was connected to the case but was unknown to them at this time? Either way it was bad business. Joss's already heightened senses went into overdrive. And Beecher? Surely this was a coincidence. They would have to get to the bottom of things and quickly.
"Finch, Joss is with Bethanny now and I'm heading over there," said John. But I need you to check out this Malcolm Beecher. He's the perp. Shaw, can you help get eyes on this creep so that I can have a little heart to heart with him?"
Shaw gave John this sinister grin and nodded.
John hurriedly put on his coat and hat, pivoted, and quickly took off for the stairs. Bear raced behind John but stopped and sat the top of the stairs, whining - tail wagging in anticipation.
John, halfway down the stairs and hearing the thump thump thump of Bear's tail, stopped, turned, then raced back up the stairs. He grabbed Bear's leash and a couple of packages of his treats. He leashed Bear, and the man and dog both took off running out of the building to their transport to head across town.
While they were en route, Finch called. "Mr. Reese I have preliminary intel on Malcolm Beecher. He is indeed related to Cal Beecher. It's his half brother and he has a sordid past. Malcolm is a convicted felon with 2 strikes against him for assault, and assault with a deadly weapon. He has other charges as well, among them trespass, terroristic threats and attempted rape. His cases all involved women whom he was dating or allegedly dating. As many times as he was convicted, there are at least as many complaints for which he was charged, but the charges were dropped. He was raised by his mother, who was briefly married to Cal's father before he divorced her. He married Cal's mother years later."
"That explains why he and Cal are so different. Keep digging Finch and keep me posted. Thanks."
John and Bear arrived at Bethanny's condo within 30 minutes.
Though a door man building, the doorman on duty was busy flirting with a blonde, a tenant or guest maybe, so John with Bear in tow walked straight to elevator, punched six and walked to Bethanny's door.
"Security leaves a lot to be desired in here," he commented to Finch. "It would have been easy for the perp to gain access. I saw security cameras in the lobby, but there were none in the elevator or hallway."
John knocked on the door and Joss answered. After a warm hug, a short but passionate kiss for John, and a "Hey beautiful boy" and ear scratch for Bear, Joss lead them to the living area where Bethanny was seated on a couch in front of a roaring fire. Its heat was welcome against the bitter cold. Joss took John's coat and hat and Bear's leash after which Bear raced toward Bethanny and stood at her feet, tail wagging, tongue drooping to the side as usual.
"Bear, Zit," and he did so obediently.
"B, you remember John? And this is Bear. Bear's ears perked up at the mention of his name, and he nudged Bethanny's leg with his nose, sneaking a peek at John to be certain that this small sign of affection was allowed.
"Hi, John. Bear." Bethanny scratched Bear's head and petted him as she spoke. "You really didn't have to come. It's nothing really. I'm just overreacting." John sat next to Bethanny on the couch, his arm draped across the back. He sat angled toward her.
Joss huffed loudly and John said, "Let me be the judge of that. Tell me everything."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this next in the Inevitable Outcome series. Please review. Hugs!