AN: Hm, oversight in the last chapter: As in, I didn't alert you to the minor spoiler regarding season 4 (the introduction of the new TO Marlo Cruz). Thankfully, it's not much of a spoiler though, I assume most people reading this are aware of the new characters being introduced! Anyways, anything that I use them for… or any situation in this particular chapter or beyond….. is from my imagination and/or speculation – nothing else.
Also, I would like to shout out a HUGE thanks to Enits3 for responding to my call for some help with this chapter! She is the best!
In terms of the criminality alluded to in this chapter and the one that will be up next, I elected to go down the path I did for various reasons – a lot of detail is fairly vague, and some…well, you'll probably just have to suspend disbelief. Mind you, I don't feel so bad about that given the show itself makes us do that so often itself!
For all those readers hanging out for McNally's return, it looks like you might not have to wait too much longer….maybe ;)
Last, but no way the least - thanks again for those taking the time to drop a review...you're definitely helping to keep things ticking along!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue
Sam's in the office with Nash flicking through some case files on his third day back when Frank knocks on the door. He's got this look on his face like maybe he's just been served a step up, or else from the higher echelon.
Frank tips his chin in the direction of downstairs. "Can I, ah…get you two joining in for parade?" It's not a question, really – despite how nervous the boss seems. Nash exchanges a look of uh-oh as Frank leads them out the door. Sam shrugs his shoulders back, nudges an elbow to bump her along.
(The past couple of days have been quiet, is the thing. Almost too quiet for Sam's liking, actually – it's been somewhat reminiscent of so many other calms before storms.
Still. It's helped Sam ease his head back into a significantly more undomesticated side of life. He left his family at the end of last week with promises of another visit real soon; since getting back to work it's taken him some sweet time to properly focus on any of the criminal cases they have on hand).
…...
Sam and Nash sit themselves up the back of room, squeezing their backsides on the bench next to Ollie and the new TO. Ollie quirks an eyebrow at them, and pats Sam on the back. Cruz smiles and winks; she's friendly to he and Ollie - that's for sure.
(Another thing Sam's had a chance to do these last couple of days: monitor Cruz. He played some pool with the rookies last night – got a variety of opinions about her, none of which could label her as unfair. It didn't get past Sam that Peck stayed pretty quiet on the matter though. He took her aside before he left for home, noticed how she didn't look him in the eye when she declared:
"Swarek, it's fine. I made my bed," and then, as Sam rolled his eyes: "Besides. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself," in a retort that wasn't the tone of her usual bored self.
Sam was convinced he was suffering from lockjaw the whole way home).
Sam glances sideways at Cruz now as she turns to flash another grin at him –figures his jury on her will stay out a little while yet.
…...
Frank claps his hands a couple of times, snapping Sam away from his thoughts. "Listen up, people". Sam is guessing the boss is doing some clutching at straws – by the way he pointedly clears his throat:
"Two words: Crystal. Meth." There's a low groan that rolls across the room, intermingled with a few curse words. Frank takes some time, licks at his lips and looks at whatever facts and figures he's got in his hands. When the room eventually goes silent, it stays that way.
It turns out this past couple of weeks have seen a rise in reported overdoses – some of which have occurred on local school grounds. "We're not sure where it's coming from, but neighbouring divisions are reporting a build up in stocks as well." Frank pauses, looks around the room. "I'm being told by outsiders that there's some distribution that's happening thick and fast". Sam nods his head, gets the seriousness of the situation quick-smart –
(The last time a wave of meth hit, the crime rate spiked by a ridiculous percent….not to mention the alarming fallout for the clusters of vulnerable young people turning to it as a form of escape).
"Where do you want us all on it, boss?" Sam says carefully to Frank; with a feeling he knows what the answer will be.
"Three pronged attack," Frank responds no nonsense, not particularly directing it to Sam. He serves up assignments that will last until further notice: Peck and the new rookie are on the preventative end – they'll be working with schools and youth centres to educate on matters of safety; harm and effect. The rest of the beat is in the middle; interviewing and monitoring any remotely related reports. Nash and Sam are assigned to work the case from the top end; try to trace the source, and how it's getting out.
When Best has finished up his serve, protect, and let's get our streets clean, he gets Sam's attention; beckons to pull him aside. Sam instructs Nash to go pull a particular file out then moves over to where Frank is. "Boss."
"I'm guessing we might be on the same page with somewhere to start?" Frank's practically whispering for reasons he probably won't bother Sam with.
"In terms of who, I know what you're thinking," Sam nods his head. "Only issue is: he always goes outside to get stuff in". Sam wants to emphasise that fact here and now – he knows the bureaucratic nightmare that can happen with trying to work with and across other divisions…at this level anyway.
"Yeah," Frank huffs. "I'm onto it. Couple of other division leaders and I are meeting with the higher ups in a few days. Couldn't get it sorted for sooner than that". Frank sucks at his lower lip a little and thinks. "You guys keep a direct line to word on the streets". Then, to emphasize his point: "Get Shaw and Cruz giving you updates – as much as they can".
"Got it, boss," Sam nods – making some fairly heavy eye contact with Frank.
…...
When Sam gets back to his office, Nash has already got the file spread out. Nash lets out a ridiculously long breath, blows half a raspberry at the end. "Hill certainly has managed to get his fingers in a lot of pies, huh?"
(Months ago, Sam heard on the grapevine that Hill was branching out with his drug trade. The heroin business was complex and tricky; in times of economic recession Hill tended to diversify his approach – take on any trend that would make some quick bucks to tide him over between shipments of meatier stuff.
Sam thinks of Emily, wonders where she is now – prays to god or… something… that she's managed to keep safe –)
All of a sudden, Sam feels his heart rate pick up. When it comes to crap like this, he has no problem with being focused on a case. Anton Hill may have been lying low for a while now, but definitely …he's the one with the connections and capacity to get things out thick and fast. If they can join the dots, and get him with this, well -
Sam can tick that box off his list.
Sam moves to stand near Nash; fans some of the case notes out some more. "Fingers in pies…" Sam echoes quietly, sifting through some of Anton's old handy-work. He's not exactly sure where to start at the moment, but doesn't want to have any of his apprehension rub off on her. "That is…that is a fact". Sam chews at the inside of his cheek, considering –
The thing with Hill is he shifts about; manages to fly below the radar by using a tonne of semi-legit businesses as a disguise. Normally Sam would be out there doing some of his own legwork to track him down, but decides they're going to pinpoint him quicker if Ollie and Cruz follow his advice.
The complexity of the situation of course, is that Sam can't steer them toward anyone he thinks may be remotely in on it all. If Hill gets a tip-off, things will go pear-shaped in less than a heartbeat. They're just going to have to get all Intel through the users themselves. Sam mentally separates his own contacts into two kinds of snitches. He'll give the two sets of names to Shaw and Cruz; one they'll very carefully talk to…or around – the other they'll only listen out for the whereabouts of...
He decides to put a cautious call into Shaw first, puts his hand over the speaker to let Nash in on what he's about to say: "feel free to jot down these names…"
When Shaw picks up, he chastises Sam; "We're only just getting to our first gig now, brother". Sam can hear Epstein in the background asking for the parents of one of the overdose victims.
"S'okay Ollie, just hear me out." Sam proceeds to walk Shaw through the both sets of names. Every damn contact Sam has that has ever been a snitch – or has been snitched about. He remembers 95% of them – always, but this time motions to Traci to pass him his notebook. He flicks through the pages to be sure, finishes off by telling Shaw: "you hear any one of those come up in conversation…in any way, let Nash or I know – straight away". It's the second set of names that will identify dealers; that in turn will point them to Hill.
Nash has got her eyes wide and mouth open when Sam gets off the phone. "These guys all tell you what's word on the street?"
"Depends," Sam says. He fills her in on the fact that he thinks they need everyone off their list. If it is Hill at the centre of all of this, his ring will be big; everyone in town tends to either be in on the act – or get some sort of cut. "If we're left with just one of these idiots that no one says a single word about…that's the one we approach."
"Well. What if that one's just extra smart?" Nash queries, raising her eyebrow. "Wouldn't it be possible that he or she is just super close to Hill – never actually has to get their hands dirty…or that type of thing?" She's got her hand on her hip now; Sam can see her brain ticking along.
He smiles at her; open-mouthed – he's impressed is the thing. "Have I ever told you how much I love workin' with you, Nash?" And he does. Now that she's relaxed into the role, she's using an awesome balance of both her intellect and gut.
She smiles big back at him. "Ooh boy. I'm thinkin' Andy doesn't have a chance in hell if you keep up with that sort of charm".
It's a bit ridiculous, but Sam feels himself blush;has to turn away from Nash to tamp down a different kind of grin.
"C'mon, Swarek! What's our plan?" Nash is amped up now, pokes a finger hard into Sam's back.
Sam dials his face to serious and looks her in the eye. "Well. First things first, we're gonna give the same drill to Cruz and Diaz as we just did to Shaw and Epstein". Nash nods her head and puts the other hand on a hip. Sam, for what it's worth, can't keep his smile down –
He knows the case is dangerous; knows they're about to undertake some pretty significant risks…but he can't help it. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and Sam is fast figuring out that it's time for chance. "And after we've bided our time – waited for them to give us all that they've got…." He's teasing her a bit here; drawing the adrenalin out…."You and I might be lining up a little UC of our own".
Nash gets a lopsided smirk on her face, shapes a hand into a fist and gives it one simple and sharp pump mid-air.
…...
It takes a good few weeks: practically a month of a bunch of them working around the clock. The only life Sam's seen outside of the case is the fresh air of his morning runs, and afternoon walks with Boo.
(The dog's actually been coming to the station with him some nights – sits at his feet while the day gets processed and Sam thinks some things out).
Piece by piece, the information from all officers helps them to scratch most of the names off Sam's 'dealer' list. Nash and Sam join in on the task at that level too; scores of friends and families of new and known users being asked delicate questions about when's, who's, and where's.
The web they draw up is large; a number of dealers like Sam's never seen. Frank managed to get approval on close liaison with two of the neighbouring divisions, but the information is so sensitive it still has to pass through just a few sets of hands–
Sam and Nash stand in front of the whiteboard today looking on in awe. They're both wondering how the hell things aren't a whole lot worse than they are. The coppers have been chasing their tales with a bunch of thefts and violent crimes during the investigation, for sure…. But – Well. All in all, Sam is surprised that things haven't been way more devastatingly hectic than this.
From the patterns and themes emerging, it's evident that Hill is a key to the game. What isn't certain though, is who or what he is linked to in terms of bringing stuff in. There's nothing to suggest manufacturing is actually taking place within the boundaries of the three divisions liaising. And the sheer volume of ephedrine required for these types of supplies is not really what Hill's all about...
It's on that particular strain of thought that Sam rolls his eyes. He must've let out a groan too –
Nash has turned to him – eyes narrow and all. "Spill," she demands simply; obviously increasingly aware of his tells.
Sam rubs his face; motions to her to follow him back into the office and then closes the door. "We've run into something that someone probably thinks is none of our business." At her eyebrow quirk, he raises his own: all will be revealed. He calls a number on his mobile, and puts it on speakerphone.
"Swarek. Always so nice to hear from you, but I told you…" Jones is talking quietly, like she's just excused herself from a room.
"The focus of Project Dakota," Sam cuts her off. "The suspect that you said has some sort of connection to Anton Hill"…. the line is very silent at the other end - he figures he has her attention. He has that of Nash too – her just having flopped in a seat. "Doesn't happen to have a particular fetish for meth, does he…or she?"
There's still silence at the other end. Eventually, Jones sighs: "What's going on over there?"
"Well," Sam starts – a little testily. "Three divisions have just spent a ridiculous amount of hours on building a case to get rid of it around here. And bring down Anton Hill".
"Wha.." Jones gasps. Sam hears some echoing- perhaps the clicks of her heels walking rapidly down a sterile hallway.
"Don't even," Sam snaps. Then bites in his cheek to remind himself to calm down. "Taskforces that are kept a complete secret from the good guys never work". And he doesn't mean to be tetchy with her – he really doesn't, he's just feeling pretty livid about the whole damn thing.
He takes a couple of deep breaths; continues on "Sorry, Jones. Sorry. That's…this is not about you".
Jones clears her throat. "It's okay Sam, I get it – I really do. I advised Luke early on we should be at least giving some key areas the bare bones of things."
Sam looks at Nash, then informs Jones: "There's a bunch of us that have worked our ass up to get knowledge on this case. And we're not letting go".
"Sam…" Jones starts softly, guiltily…
"No," Sam states calmly. "Tell Callaghan if he wants our information, we get some 'in'. For all we know…for all he knows – we may have collected more information in a few short weeks than you guys have been able to get in the last 6 months". Sam knows that's unlikely, knows McNally and Collins would do a better job than that, but he's not about to have the work of Division 15 dismissed like small fry. Because. It's not. And Sam knows that -pretty much more than he knows anything.
He knows he should be talking to Frank about this before shooting his mouth off, but something in him says he'll have some unwavering support. But, for his own peace of mind: "My partner Detective Nash, and I, will be discussing it with my boss within 2 minutes of hanging up from you. While I do that, you're going to tell Callaghan to get over here". And, like he means it's not negotiable: "We'll expect to see him before the next 24 hours is up".
They're met with some more silence at the end of the line, then – finally. "Okay, Sam. I'm heading back into his office now…" she says, like she wants to say more. Then before he has the chance to end the call: "Just…. don't let Luke know what other sort of message I've been giving you?"
Sam swallows hard. He knows he broke some rules by contacting her in the first place; knows Jones has had his back through all of the… Andy related stuff. "You've got nothing to worry about, Alana – not from me".
…...
Frank is supportive of Sam's moves as it turns out; shakes his head and gives a mirthless laugh. "When are these people ever gonna learn that nothing gets past our team. I'm surprised Callaghan didn't think this part out".
As they're walking out of Best's office, Nash shoulder bumps Sam – "guess this means we won't get to run our own undercover".
(Last night over pizza, they'd planned a whole damn sting. They were so absurdly happy with themselves they high fived at the end).
"Not this time, Nash. But. We're about to reel a big one all the way back in," Sam turns to her and grins.