What if, what if Eddy Jenko were an up and coming detective in the NYPD. What if she had a continuing interaction with ADA Erin Reagan. What if a story line between them developed a couple of years after the current season finale'. Chapters will be added every two or three days as the story progresses as long as it continues to develop.
The young woman in jogging shorts paces herself at mid block so that she will have the light in her favor at the next cross street. It is a warm spring morning, a Saturday morning and there are few people on the Manhattan streets at this time of day so there is little to impede her progress.
Her run began some 3 miles back, at a gym sponsored by the YMCA. The blonde volunteers there, every Saturday morning to teach a self defense class for women. She lives just under 5 miles from the gym, so by running there and back with the class in the middle, she gets in almost 10 miles every Saturday.
This Saturday her 10 mile run is being expanded to just over 12, as she blows past her usual turn toward her apartment and continues toward the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Detective Eddie Jenko's assistance is needed by the Manhattan ADA Erin Reagan on a case they are both involved with.
Jenko had partnered with Erin's brother Jamie as a rookie. After a successful undercover assignment, followed by successfully passing the detectives exam, Eddie earned a promotion to detective and was assigned to the fifty-fourth precinct. She had been on the detective squad for just over a year now and was proving to be very successful, having a knack for sorting through a criminal's bullshit and finding the crumbs of truth.
As she approached the DA building she slowed and made the turn up the concrete steps and through the double glass doors.
Wiping her brow, she entered the ADA's office, where Erin Reagan sat with a furrowed brow looking over stacks of evidence from their current case.
"Good morning detective, I am so sorry for causing you to get out early on a day off." said Erin.
"That's no problem at all ADA Reagan, I teach a self defense class at the Y so this fits in nicely." replied the detective.
"Please, call me Erin and I appreciate it because we might have a problem on the Stephanie Rich murder case and, as you probably know, we finished jury selection yesterday and I have to present our case on Monday morning." explained Erin.
Eddie was the lead investigator and arrested Stephanie Rich for the murder of an ex-boyfriend. She had the young woman dead to rights, with a murder weapon with her fingerprints, a clear motive and excellent opportunity. It should have been an open and shut case.
"What's that bitch," she began before stopping herself, "I'm sorry, what is the defendant claiming now."
"Don't apologize for calling the bitch what she is," chuckled Erin, "but her attorney just added a name to the witness list and she is providing Stephanie with an alibi."
"Is it just me or does some eleventh hour alibi witness sound just a little fishy?" remarked Eddie
"No, it sounds a LOT fishy, but if I can't disprove Allyson Creamer's testimony and burst the alibi, Stephanie will walk." explained Erin.
"Hold on a minute, Allyson Creamer as in the Allyson that was part of the mean girl clique with Stephanie and Hannah Rains and Barbara Clifford." remarked Eddie.
"One in the same," began Erin, "and she's going to claim that she and Stephanie were at her fathers cabin in the Catskills for the entire weekend when Allen Lyle was murdered."
Upon hearing the explanation of the problem, Eddie smiled knowing that she held the key to disputing the so called alibi moving the case forward.
"So, if you don't do anything differently than you have planned, Stephanie's attorney is going to call Allyson to testify for the defense." asked Eddie.
"And after she gives Stephanie an alibi, he'll ask for a dismissal and he'll get it." explained Erin.
"Unless, you can prove that Allyson is lying." continued Eddie.
"In which case, I would move for a bench warrant for perjury," said Erin, "and the bailiff would arrest her on the spot. But I need pretty compelling evidence that its a lie."
"What if I can give you security camera evidence that Allyson Creamer was not in the Catskills when Allen was murdered, but that she was in Atlantic City." smiled Eddie.
"If you can do that, I'll see that you get credit for Allyson's perjury arrest, plus I'll buy you a steak at any restaurant in Manhattan." replied Erin.
"I need on a computer." declared Eddie.
"Use mine," said Erin, stepping from behind the desk. "While you do that, I'm going to the cafeteria for coffee, can I get you something?"
"Fruit juice of any kind would be great." she said as she tapped away on the keyboard.
Ten minutes later, Erin returned to her office, to see the blonde detective sitting behind the ADA's desk with a broad smile on her face. She placed a bottle of papaya juice on the desk beside the detective before taking a seat on the sofa that often served as a bed when the ADA worked late on an important case.
As she settled into the cushions, she said, "Tell me that pretty smile means we have Allyson Creamer dead to rights."
"If she were a man, and for all I know she might be, her nuts would be right there!" said Eddie, holding up her right fist.
"Tell me how." asked Erin.
"Here is a time stamped video from Caesars Atlantic City showing her getting off an elevator at 10:13 AM and entering the casino slots room at 10:17 AM on the morning of the murder."
"Do you have credit card receipts?" asked Erin.
"She didn't use one, her room was comped." explained Eddie, "She used her gamer card however, at various times in the slots room and the cashiers cage between Friday night and Sunday Afternoon"
"There's no doubt that she is lying about the Catskills." gasped Erin.
"None at all." added Eddie.
"But if she used the casino as an alibi for herself, she might change the Catskill story, since we know where she was." Erin said, concerned that the one change would make the alibi viable.
"She doesn't know that I know where she was." smirked Eddie.
"How did you find out if she didn't use that as her alibi?" queried Erin, puzzled about the origin of the damaging information.
"I try not to ask many questions of the peripheral people in an investigation." she explained. "I find that questions provide bits of information which can be beneficial to the suspect in an investigation. When we suspect someone we enter a game of wits with them and our position in that game is enhanced if they are unsure or unaware of our hypothesis. I found her when I checked out her friend Hannah Rains. They were there together, but Hannah used her credit card in the restaurant. And don't worry, she doesn't know we know, I subpoenaed credit card activity for all the persons of interest before I talked to them. I never even asked Hannah or Allyson for an alibi. As far as they know we never considered them as suspects. "
"Wow," exclaimed Erin, "Danny told me you weren't a run of the mill detective, but he was way underselling your ability. I'm impressed Eddie, you have just made my weekend a lot less stressful."
"I'm glad I could help, Erin." you shouldn't have to have a stressful weekend.
"I know you said you said you live close by, but can I give you a ride home?" asked Erin.
"You know what," began Eddie, "I think I'll accept your offer, now that I've cooled off I really should stretch before I run again."
"All I have to do is make copies of this information, and that will only take a second." remarked Erin returning to her desk.
Eddie took a seat on the sofa, as Erin finished up. She was excited that the driven and successful ADA was appreciative of her efforts. As the two women walked out moments later the conversation turned to Eddies classes and her healthy lifestyle.
"I should come to your class," said Erin, "I used to run, but I don't think I can any more."
"Sure you can, Erin," countered Eddy," You're in great shape and have a beautiful body. I would love to have you in my self defense class."
"You know what, can you e-mail me the time and details? I want to let some of your energy rub off on me." said Erin.
"I'll send the information this afternoon!" exclaimed Eddy, placing her hand on Erin's arm as she drove "I look forward to seeing you next Saturday"