Chapter 1
"Are you sure about this woman?" Mike asked Jack. Both of them were sitting in Jack's office awaiting the arrival of the new assistant district attorney since Connie Rubirosa had to go on maternity leave.
"I am very confident about her. She is well-organized, detail-oriented and would bring something new to this office. After recently reading her article concerning public policy affecting education and race in the Albany law journal, her writing is excellent," Jack replied.
"Have you looked at her resume, Jack? She just passed the bar exam and graduated from law school," Mike pointed out as he looked through candidate's resume.
"It also says she interned for the Department of Justice in DC and even a woman's law firm while abroad in China. She also has extensive leadership skills through being President of her community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors in political science. This shows she is extremely bright and intelligent."
"Ok she is academically well-rounded. But she's not even a New York state resident. She's from California way on the other side of the country. They have different laws there not to mention, it's pretty much like a foreign country there. Why didn't she apply for a job in Sacramento?"
"Did you look at her law school credential? She graduated from the University of Albany so she is very knowledgeable and extremely familiar with New York law." Jack sat down next to Mike facing him. "I know she can never replace Connie but be open minded to her tactics and get to know her. It is hard to adjust to the change but you'll get used to it. I've had to work with six assistant DAs during my time." Mike sighed and decided to take Jack's advice. Soon a door knocked.
"Come in," Jack answered.
"Sir, the new ADA is here to meet you," Denise, Jack's secretary, informed.
"Bring her in." Denise then headed out of the office and in came a young woman carrying a shoulder briefcase and wearing a short-sleeved black dress. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a pony tail and a pair of eye-glasses perched on her nose.
"Hi I am Irene Frey, the new ADA."
"More like an intern to me," Mike thought looking at her skeptically.
"Hello I am Jack McCoy, DA and this is Michael Cutter, the Executive DA. You and him will be working mostly together in cases brought by the NYPD." He shook her hand.
"Please to meet you," she replied and then offered her hand to Mike. Mike hesitated before shaking her hand but didn't say anything.
"He'll be showing you how the procedures work around here such as how cases are formatted and organization of witnesses and evidences. While mostly working with Mike, you will be in charge of issuing warrants and working with the NYPD and reporting on their findings," Jack explained.
"Ok," Irene nodded.
"Now, Mike will show you to your office." Mike gave Jack a look as if saying 'Do I have to?' Jack nodded and smiled in response.
"Right this way," Mike sighed leading Irene out of Jack's office. He showed her to the small office room close to his. Irene began taking out stuff from the box she brought and arranging it on her desk.
"So you're originally from California," Mike said deciding to strike a conversation.
"Yup. Born and raised," Irene answered.
"What made you move to NY? Sunny weather wasn't enough for you?" Irene laughed.
"I just wanted a change of environment. There were more job and education opportunities here," Irene answered.
"I see."
"So do we have a case so far?" Irene asked.
"The police were called last night about a shooting in Central Park. An old couple was murdered while taking an evening stroll. They're currently interviewing those related to the couple and people who were at the park last night," Mike explained.
"Do they have any suspects yet?"
"Not yet. When they do, they're going to ask you for a search warrant."
"I know." Once Irene settled in her office, Mike showed her around.
Detectives Cyrus Lupo and Kevin Bernard were waiting outside the DA office to meet the new ADA.
"Have you heard anything about this new ADA?" Lupo asked Bernard.
"Not much. Only Cutter said she's really young and just past the bar exam."
"Hmm I never would expect Jack to hire someone at such an entry level."
"He is a man of surprises."
Once Irene walked out with her clipboard and briefcase, she and Lupo immediately locked eyes. Cyrus couldn't help but notice her natural beauty. She was not drop dead gorgeous but there was something about her that attracted him to her. Even though she was wearing glasses, his detective skills allowed him to see she had wonderful dark chocolate brown eyes and long eye lashes. Cyrus curiously looked at her left hand and saw no ring on her finger meaning she was single. When she smiled, it seemed to light up the whole room.
"Hi I'm Irene Frey, the new ADA," she introduced herself.
"I'm detective Cyrus Lupo," Cyrus immediately introduced himself. "This is my partner, detective Kevin Bernard." When he shook her hand, Cyrus felt a lightning jolt through his body. He beamed at her in response. Irene stared at him weirdly.
"Nice to meet both of you," she answered. "So what do we have?"
"Well an elderly couple, Jim and Carol Applebottom was murdered and we believe it was their son, Kevin."
"Oh. What seems to be the motive?"
"It seems that he demanded money from them. He was primarily denied his inheritance due to a gambling debt and he almost lost three-quarters of his father's business. Witnesses said they saw him following them into Central Park." Irene carefully looked at the details in the paperwork.
"The evidence seems to be legitimate. I'll have the judge sign it and approved." She gathered up the files.
"It's nice meeting you and welcome to the team," Lupo said looking at her.
"Thank you detective Lupo," Irene smiled.
"Please call me Cyrus," he insisted.
"Ok Cyrus," she said before walking out.
"Call me Cyrus?" Bernard looked at Lupo questioningly.
"What? I just want to make her feel comfortable working with us."
"Or more specifically working with you."
Once the judge issued the warrant, the police began searching Kevin's apartment. They soon found a gun beneath a pile of clothes. Lupo and Bernard soon confiscated the gun and handed to CSU. They also took his laptop, files, and bills. They soon began analyzing all the evidence and discovered the bullets that were shot inside the elderly couple's bodies matched Kevin's gun. Later, the judge gave them permission to arrest Kevin and stand trial.
"Document 1231, the People vs. Kevin Applebottom, murder in the first degree."
"How does the defendant plea?" the judge asked.
"Not guilty, your honor," Kevin answered.
"The People request remand, your honor. The defendant has no ties to the community and has a history of a gambling debt. He is also known to exploit the victim's business and financial accounts. The fun was found in the suspect's home matching the bullet in the victims' bodies," Irene argued.
"Your honor, this is all coincidental. The evidence could be planted," the defense lawyer argued.
"If it is coincidental and supposedly black-mailed, is it also coincidental that witnesses saw the suspect having a heated argument in a restaurant with the victims and following them minutes later?" Irene argued.
"It could be an act of self-defense," the defense lawyer retorted.
"An act of self-defense against an old couple?" Irene asked incredulously.
"Alright I've heard enough. All evidence is in. Bail is set at $5 million". Irene gave a sigh of relief knowing that the preliminary hearing went through in favor of the people. She gathered her documents and headed out the door.
"Ms. Frey!" a voice called out.
"Detective Lu..Cyrus," Irene responded surprised to see him wondering if it was normal for detectives to come to the preliminary hearing.
"Great job today. Your argument really hit the nail," he complimented with a smile. "I mean for your first time in a courtroom."
"Thank you Cyrus," Irene said looking at him weirdly. "Where's detective Bernard?"
"Oh he's back at the precinct. I just came to support you," he explained.
"Oh um thanks," she said feeling more surprised. Irene soon saw a court officer walking towards her with a blue envelope.
"Ms. Frey, this is for you," the officer handed her the blue envelope. She opened the blue envelope.
"Motion to suppress because of reasons of mental of defect and neglect of parents," Irene read. "Looks like I have to go back to the office and dig up some more evidence." She closed the envelope and put it in her bag.
"Do you need my help with anything?" Cyrus asked.
"Um not at the moment. When I do, I will call you and Bernard," Irene answered wondering why he was making her feel so nervous. "It was nice seeing you again."She turned around and walked out of the courtroom with Cyrus closely watching her.
Back in the office, Mike and Irene were going over the files.
"I've requested that Dr. Emil Skoda to examine our suspect," Irene said breaking the silence.
"Hmm-hmmm," was all Mike said.
"And I will talk to a few of his colleagues and college professors and maybe even high school teachers and past girlfriends."
"Ok," still not making eye contact with her. "But I think I should handle all of that since it's your first time doing a major case. You can just do the paperwork for now."
"Why not I get you some coffee?" Irene said sarcastically frustrated with Mike's attitude towards her.
"What?" Mike said finally looking up.
"Look Mike, I want to win this case as much as you do. I may be young and inexperienced but I do have the determination and will. I also want to let you know that I will work hard as much as I worked hard getting this job. Jack may have known some of my law professors but I was the one who applied for the job and did the interview and proved myself to Jack McCoy. I am not a person who simply gives up on something when it gets tough.
Mike sat there speechless. 'Maybe Jack did see something in her,' he thought. Then he smiled admiring her courage.
"Ok then. Why not I get the coffee and you plan out our entire trial procedure?"
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