Part 10: Mistake and Reward
"What's wrong with Ethan," Naruto asked as he looked at Inspector Ethan who was packing up his things.
"I don't know," Sasuke said as he stood up, "I'll go check," Sasuke walked into Inspector Ethan's office to see him packing away his medal case, "What's wrong?"
"One of our own got attacked last night." Ethan said.
"Who?" Sasuke asked.
"Lieutenant Harrison," Ethan said as he put away his paper weight, "He's alive, but he's badly messed up, the doctors say if he makes it, he's never going to walk again."
"What happened after that?" Sasuke asked.
"The chief got word of it," Ethan said, "Being Harrison's boss, I took the blame: I've been demoted and transferred."
"To what?" Sasuke asked.
"Demoted to Deputy Inspector, and transferred to head of Narcotics," Ethan said, "I'll work on Laceration Larry's narcotics operations: maybe we can find a lead together."
"Who's going to take over?" Sasuke asked.
"The chief looked up all possible candidates, and he came up with one who's become my replacement," Inspector Ethan said as he placed something on the counter that was covered by a piece of blue cloth, and slid it across to Sasuke.
Sasuke lifted the cloth, and found a silver-gold eagle-top badge with the NYPD symbol on the front, and his written name on it.
"What's this, a festive piece," Sasuke asked as he picked up the badge.
"It's your new badge," Deputy Inspector Ethan said as he picked up his cardboard box, "You've been promoted."
"I'm taking over?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes you are," Ethan said as he held the box underneath his arm, stood at attention in front of Sasuke, and saluted him, "See you around Inspector."
Sasuke gave him a simple salute, "At ease Ethan," he said, "Return to your post."
Sasuke walked into the break room as Naruto, Lee, and Hinata were watching Ethan walk into the elevator, and pressed the button, letting it shut in front of him.
When the door shut, the three turned toward Sasuke, "What's wrong with Ethan?" Naruto asked.
"One of our own got attacked last night," Sasuke said as he fixed himself a cup of coffee, "Lieutenant Harrison's been badly injured: the Chief got word of it, and demoted Ethan to Deputy Inspector, and transferred him to Narcotics."
"Who's going to run Special Activities?" Lee asked.
Sasuke finished brewing his coffee, added some sweetener, and stirred it up, "The Chief ran down several names looking for a suitable candidate, and he came up with one." Sasuke said.
"Who?" Hinata asked.
"Me," Sasuke said, "The Chief has promoted me to Inspector, and given me a new badge."
"Sorry sir," Naruto said as him, Lee, and Hinata shot into attention, and saluted him, "We didn't know about your promotion."
"It's alright guys," Sasuke said, "None of that saluting bullshit, I'm still me: I just got a promotion."
"What'll happen to Ethan's office?" Lee asked.
"As head of Special Activities, Ethan's old office goes to me," Sasuke said, "As for us: we're going to the hospital to talk to Harrison. But first there has to be a few changes around here."
Sasuke, Naruto, Lee, and Hinata stepped out of the break room, and up to the front of the Special Activities office.
"Everyone listen up," Naruto announced, "If we could have your attention," the entire floor turned in their direction, "Sasuke has an important announcement."
Sasuke stepped forward, "As I'm sure you probably don't know, Lieutenant Harrison was attacked last night," Sasuke said, "He's so badly messed up the doctors don't think he'll be able to walk, and because of this the chief has demoted Ethan to Deputy Inspector and has transferred him to head of Narcotics."
"Who's going to be in charge?" Shino asked.
"I was getting to that," Sasuke said, "Because of Ethan's demotion and transfer, the chief has run down a list of names for promotion to Inspector, and he's come up with one… me," the entire room was alive with chatter, "And because of this," the entire room then went silent, "I'm making a few changes, first of all, I want every detective here working the Laceration Larry case," Sasuke started walking down the aisle, "Shino, I want you to assign a protective detail to everyone who worked Laceration Larry's case before he broke out of jail: I want a twenty four hour watch on every last building, alley, and house he conducted business out of, and I want every lead we had on the previous case and the current case double-checked. The clock's ticking people: we have a month and a half to find him before Detective Schwartz gets what Laceration Larry threatened. Naruto, Lee, Hinata, follow me: we need to talk to Lieutenant Harrison," Sasuke then turned around, "Get to work people!"
Sasuke, Naruto, Lee, and Hinata walked out to their cars, and drove to the hospital to speak to Lieutenant Harrison.
After arriving at Lieutenant Harrison's hospital room, Sasuke knocked on the door, and entered, "Hey Harris," Sasuke said as he walked over to him.
"Hey Sasuke," Harrison said in a weak voice.
Harrison's looked like he had survived a fight with the Grim Reaper, his eye was black, his face was cut up very badly, his lip was fat, his legs were being held up by restraints, and his right arm was propped up by a restraint, "How bad is it?" Harrison asked.
"It's not that bad," Sasuke lied, "We need to talk to you."
"About my assault," Harrison said, "I'm afraid, I have next to nothing to say, they were all wearing ski masks, and wearing gloves. They used simple weapons, nothing else."
"Was anything written on the bats," Sasuke asked, "Any JDLR?"
"Yes," Harrison said, "One of them dropped something as they went out," Harrison reached for his wallet, but couldn't move his hand.
Sasuke opened the wallet, and found a card for the Golden Boot Bar, "The Golden Boot Bar," Sasuke asked, "That strip club uptown?"
"Good luck," Harrison said as Sasuke stood up.
Sasuke turned around to see Harrison, "Hey," Sasuke said as he walked over to Harrison, "Take this," Sasuke reached into his secondary holster, pulled out a four-inch barrel Colt Anaconda (the Colt Anaconda is the younger brother of the Colt Python: the Anaconda shares a bit of a resemblance to its older brother, one of the differences is in the .44 or .45 magnum rounds compared to the .357 magnum rounds of the Python), and handed it to Harrison, "If anyone comes through that door with harmful intentions, use it."
"Won't you need this?" Harrison asked.
"I've got my real gun with me," Sasuke said, "Get well soon: we need you to make the case."
Sasuke walked out to Naruto, Lee, and Hinata, and held up the Golden Boot Bar business card, "You're not going malleable on us are you Sasuke?" Naruto asked.
"Harrison said his attackers dropped this," Sasuke said, "We have our next location."
"We're raiding strip clubs now?" Hinata asked sarcastically.
"We need to find out who dropped this," Sasuke said, "Each business card is specific for every girl, and each card is specific for each individual customer. We find who this card is from, and who it was given to, we find out attackers."
Out by the cars, Lee noticed Sasuke's secondary holster was empty, "Hey Sasuke, where's your second gun?" Lee asked.
"I gave it to Harrison," Sasuke said, "I have my real gun with me."
Sasuke got into his 458 Italia, reached into the glove box, and loaded a fresh magazine into his M1911.
As Sasuke was adjusting his mirror, he saw Naruto and Hinata standing next to Hinata's Ferrari FF, Naruto opened the door, and before Hinata stepped in, she kissed Naruto on the lips.
"Oh shit," Sasuke said, "Naruto and Hinata? Always knew they'd end up together."
Arriving at the Golden Boot Bar in Upstate New York, the whole front of the club was packed with men wanting to come in, the four cops walked up to the front door, and one of the bouncers stepped in front of them, Sasuke held up his badge, "NYPD, get the fuck out of our way or I'll have you arrested for obstruction of justice." He said.
"Oh, sorry for the trouble sir," the bouncer said as he moved to the side, "Please, enjoy the club."
Sasuke, Naruto, Lee, and Hinata entered the club, a very energetic song was playing in the background, but they couldn't hear because two men over at the bar where fighting over one of the dancers.
"Can I help you four," the host said as he walked up to the four cops.
"Where's the owner," Sasuke asked as he held up his badge, "We need to talk to him."
"Upstairs," the host said, "Front office," the host then looked at Hinata, "But would you mind letting me and the young lady behind you have a private conversation for that info?"
Two seconds later, the host was on the ground with a bruise the size of a police baton Naruto was holding on the side of his face, "There's your answer." Naruto said.
"Nice work," Sasuke said as he looked at the host, "Try that move on another one of my officers, and I'll arrest you for harassment."
"First of all, I would like to apologize," the host said, "I have a small problem when it comes to women."
"Don't worry," Sasuke said, "I once had the same problem."
Sasuke, Naruto, Lee, and Hinata walked upstairs to the manager's office, and found him sitting at his desk, "Can I help you?" he asked.
"Yes you can," Sasuke said as he held up his badge, "NYPD, we need to ask you something?"
"What," the manager asked, "I'm not under arrest am I?"
"No," Sasuke said as he pulled out the card, "We want to know whose card this is."
The manager took the card from Sasuke's hand, "I recognize that card style anywhere," the manager said as he handed it back to Sasuke, "That card style belongs to Linda, around here we call her the Gold Standard."
"Where is this Linda?" Hinata asked.
"Third floor," the manager said, "That card will give you access to her room."
Sasuke, Naruto, Lee, and Hinata walked up to the third floor, after arriving at Linda's room, Sasuke used the card to unlock the door, after entering, a sexy young woman with long blond hair was sitting on a round bed in a bathrobe.
"We doing this one at a time," Linda asked as she stood up, "Or all at once?"
Sasuke held up his badge, and Hinata spoke, "Sit down," she said as she pointed at the bed.
"What do you want?" Linda asked.
"We want to know who this card belongs to," Sasuke said as he held out the card.
Linda took the card from Sasuke's hand, and studied if for a few seconds, "I'd know that card anywhere," Linda said, "That belongs to Devin, one of my regular customers."
"Do you have a last name for Devin?" Naruto asked.
"Devin Emil Campo," Linda said, "He comes in every once a week."
"When?" Lee asked.
"His regular time is," Linda said as she checked her watch, "About five minutes."
"His card's with us." Hinata said.
"I have a plan," Sasuke said as he reached into his wallet, and handed Linda a fifty dollar bill, "When he comes in, and says he doesn't have his card, just let him in," Sasuke pulled out his M1911, pulled back on the slide, and twisted a silencer onto his gun after tossing his team several others, "We just need to ask him a few questions."
Six minutes later, there was a knock at the door, "It's time," Sasuke said as he hid in the curtains next to the door, "Stick to the plan."
Naruto hid in the curtains next to the bed, while Lee hid in the human-sized closet, and Hinata hid in the Curtain on the other side of the bed.
Linda walked up to the door, "Who is it?" she asked.
"Linda, it's me, Devin," the voice said from the other side of the door, "I lost my card, can you let me in?"
Linda pulled up the security camera footage on the outside of her door, saw it was the right guy, and opened the door, "If it isn't my favorite customer," Linda said as Devin stepped into the room, she shut the door, and locked it, giving Sasuke the signal.
"I have to say," Devin said as he took off his jacket, "It's quite nice weather we're having."
Sasuke walked up to Devin, and pressed the end of the silencer into the back of the man's head, "Don't move," he said, "You so much as breathe wrong, and I'll put a hole in your head."
Naruto, Lee, and Hinata then all stepped out of their hiding places with their suppressed guns, Naruto walked up to Devin, and searched him, then his jacket.
"He's clean Sasuke," Naruto said, "Not like last time eh?"
"What are you talking about," Devin asked as he sat down on the bed.
Naruto pulled out the baton, and hammered Devin across the face with the baton, sending him onto the floor, he then picked Devin up, and let Lee deck him across the face with his fist, sending him back onto the bed.
"Shove it chump we've got a few questions," Sasuke said as he picked up the card, "You know what this is?"
"My card," Devin said, "How'd you get that?" "You dropped it when you assault one of my officers," Sasuke said, "We have proof that you assaulted NYPD Lieutenant Harrison. You're working for Laceration Larry, and unless you want to spend the rest of your life in prison you'll tell us where he is."
"I don't know where he is," Devin said, "I didn't even know that bastard Larry escaped from jail."
Naruto clubbed Devin across the jaw, "Explain," Naruto said as he pushed the baton into Devin's throat, "Now!"
"I worked for him," Devin said, "I was one of his drug mules, when he was arrested I got out, and focused on my Landscaping career."
"Then why where you assaulting one of NYPD's detectives," Sasuke asked, "Answer me or I'll throw you to the wolves."
"My brother recently got into a car accident with my mother," Devin said, "I needed money for their surgeries so I found Shark the other day, and said I do a job for him if he'd give me the money."
"Very well," Sasuke said as he pulled out his handcuffs, "Stand up," Devin stood up, turned around, and Sasuke slapped the cuffs on him, "Devin Campo you're under arrest for assault on a law enforcement officer and drug trafficking. I can offer you a plea bargain if you'll tell us the names of your partners."
"I'll tell you, but only if your promise protection for my mother and brother," Devin said, "Their lives mean more to me than my own."
"It's done," Sasuke said as he brought Devin outside, then turned around to face Naruto, Lee, and Hinata, "You three, stay here, when his two partners get here, arrest them, beat them to a pulp if you have to, but don't kill him. And Naruto, when you've arrested them, and you're back at the station, I need to speak to you about something," Sasuke turned around, and Devin faced Sasuke's Ferrari 458, "You ever ridden in a Ferrari before Devin?"
"No sir," Devin said, "Why?"
Sasuke opened the door, and shoved him into the front seat, "Stay seated," Sasuke said, "We'll be at the station real soon, we still need you to give a statement."
Back at the station, Shino walked up to Sasuke who just got off the elevator.
"Shino," Sasuke said as he pushed Devin out of the elevator, "I have an assignment for you," Sasuke shoved Devin in front of Shino, "Get this guy debriefed, I have to go to my office, and piece some things together."
After half an hour, Naruto, Lee, and Hinata arrived back at the station, and soon after giving their suspects away to two uniformed officers, Naruto walked up into Sasuke's office. "You needed to see me sir," Naruto said as he opened the door.
"Yes I did," Sasuke said as he pointed at the chair in front of his desk, "Have a seat please," Naruto took a seat in front of Sasuke, "I'm going to be brief, if Harrison pulls through he's never going to walk ever again, that leaves this department without an XO, and incase that does happen, I'm extending an invitation," Sasuke held out his hand, "One chance, Captain, yes or no, if he doesn't pull through, will you be this department's second?"
Naruto shook Sasuke's hand, "I'm surprised you even had to ask." Naruto said.
It was one minute later that Lee walked into the room, and took a seat next to Naruto, "We've hit another road-block," Lee said, "Officers have interviewed Devin and his accomplices, and they don't know anything about a black-market connection."
"So we've arrived at one conclusion," Sasuke said, "Get I.A. up here."
Five minutes after Lee called Internal Affairs, and Lieutenant Garry Hopkins came up, Garry Hopkins, a thirty-two-year-old Caucasian male who believed in rules and regulations: wearing his pin-striped black and grey tuxedo, black vest, red tie, formal button-up long-sleeve white shirt, black tuxedo pants, and black Irish-leather shoes, he entered Sasuke's office.
"Good afternoon Detective Uchiha," Lieutenant Hopkins said as he entered, "Where's Inspector Macowitz?"
"Deputy Inspector Ethan has been transferred to Narcotics," Sasuke said, "I've been promoted to Inspector, in charge now Lieutenant Hopkins."
Lieutenant Hopkins took his seat in front of Sasuke, "What can I do for you, Inspector Uchiha?" Lieutenant Hopkins asked.
"We think Laceration Larry's got a dirty cop of his payroll," Sasuke said as he pulled the dart he was shot in the back with out of his desk, "This dart is sold on the black market, but it's got a government serial number on it. Someone with official jurisdiction went to a government armory, stole this, and broke Switchblade Shark out of jail."
"You want I.A. to investigate everyone with rank in the NYPD?" Lieutenant Hopkins asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said, "I want a list of those people on my desk by tomorrow morning."
"What are we looking for?" Lieutenant Hopkins asked.
"Anyone who recently gotten at least a thousand dollars above the normal NYPD salary," Sasuke said, "Exclude from that list anyone who's recently lost a family member, anyone who's got investments in major companies, and anyone who has special NYPD circumstances."
"I'm on it," Lieutenant Hopkins said as he stood up, "I'll have the list tomorrow."
The day ended with Sasuke saying goodbye to Naruto, Lee, and Hinata, and receiving a phone-call from the hospital: Lieutenant Harrison survived surgery, but his spine was so screwed up, he would never be able to walk again.
Sasuke drove his 458 Italia to Channel Five's office's multi-story car-park, and walked inside the office, "Can I help you?" the front desk manager asked.
"Yes," Sasuke said, "I'm looking for Sakura Haruno."
"Her shift just ended," the front desk manager said, "Sixth floor, third office on your right."
Sasuke took the elevator to the sixth floor, and walked into the 'Reporter Offices' section, as he walked through, he noticed the admiring glances getting from several of the women he passed.
He arrived at Sakura's office, and opened the door to find Sakura sitting at her desk, wearing a pair of librarian-style eyeglasses, and typing at her computer, "Excuse me Ms. Haruno." Sasuke said.
Sakura looked up, and saw Sasuke standing in her door, "Sasuke," she said in shock as she swiftly pulled off her glasses, and put them inside her purse, "You're here."
"I'm here," Sasuke said as he stepped further into the office, Sakura then stood up, walked around to Sasuke, placed her hands against his chest, and kissed him on the lips, "Come on, car's in the car-park."
Sasuke and Sakura walked out to Sasuke's Ferrari, and as they entered, Sakura bumped the side of her head against the rim, "Ow," she said as she rubbed her temple.
"Just put on the glasses," Sasuke said as he closed his door, "It'll be less dangerous."
"But it just looks…" Sakura began before she felt Sasuke's hand on top of hers.
"Sakura," Sasuke said as he looked at her, "When are you going to learn I don't give a damn about wither or not you wear glasses or not, or wither you have to take a shot of morphine every five hours. What matters to me is you," Sakura then leaned over the arm-rest, and kissed Sasuke on the lips.
Back at Sasuke's apartment, Sasuke put away his coat, shirt, tie, badge, and gun, and changed into his night-clothes.
Sakura was waiting in the living room in her night robe, and glasses, "Hey beautiful," Sasuke said from behind Sakura who swiftly turned around, and saw Sasuke standing right in front of her.
Sakura was then caught up in a moment, she realized she was wearing her glasses, pulled them off, and put them on the table next to them.
As soon as Sakura kissed Sasuke on the lips, and pulled away, she felt her glasses being slid back on her face: she opened her eyes, and saw Sasuke was holding her glasses, "You know I don't like these," Sakura said as she put her hands against Sasuke's chest, and looked down at his pectorals.
"I think they add something," Sasuke said as he put his arms around Sakura, and pulled her close, his chin about an inch from her forehead.
Later that night, while Sakura slept with her back to her boyfriend who lied awake next to her, a hundred things filled Sasuke's mind, he then looked over to Sakura, "That son-of-a-bitch isn't getting his hands on her," he though, "We need to examine that video."
The next morning, after dropping of Sakura at work, Sasuke arrived at the office where he found Ethan's name was taken off the door, and there was a man who had just finished painting his name into the door.
As Sasuke entered his office, he found a brand new computer system with a red bow tied around the monitor, with a note attached to the bow, Sasuke removed the note, and read the inscription on the paper, "Thought this might go with the promotion, and the office," Sasuke read, "You still have to finish this case, Inspector, from Alexander."
Head of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Alexander Sanderson was now taking interest in the case, if he was getting interested, not only was Sasuke's new position ridding on whether or not Swartz would survive, but also his career.
"Hey Sasuke," Naruto said as he entered, then saw the computer set up on the desk, "Who's that from," Sasuke handed Naruto the note, and took a seat at his desk, Naruto finished, looked up from the note at Sasuke, and then sat down in front of Sasuke's desk, "Sanderson Alexander is now interested in this case."
"I think we have one lead we still haven't followed up on," Sasuke said as he turned on the computer, as Naruto left, Sasuke turned on his computer, and plugged in his flash-drive that contained the broadcast of the day Laceration Larry was arrested.
After watching the broadcast halfway, Sasuke noticed something in the backdrop: Sasuke moved the mouse over the rewind button on the screen, clicked, and held down on the button until he finished, he zoomed in on the picture, and then knocked on the window that led to Naruto's new office which he just then moved into.
Naruto entered Sasuke's office, "What's up?" he asked.
"Check this out," Sasuke said as he pointed at the computer screen, "This is a recording from the day Larry was arrested," Sasuke pointed at a section in the upper-right-midsection of the crowd, "Watch this area."
Sasuke hit play, and they both looked at the area Sasuke pointed to, what Naruto saw was nothing that he expected, "Son of a bitch," Naruto said, "He wasn't at the office when it was attacked, and that would also explain the stolen MP5's, he'd have unlimited access, no questions asked."
"That traitor," Sasuke said as Lieutenant Hopkins walked into the room.
"Inspector Uchiha," Lieutenant Hopkins said as he walked up to the desk, "I have the list."
"Naruto," Sasuke said as he pointed at the list which Naruto took from Hopkins's hands, "Is his name on there?"
Naruto scanned down the names, until his finger fell on the name, "He's on there," Naruto said, "The bastard lied to our faces."
"Who's on there," Lieutenant Hopkins asked as he took the list from Naruto's hand, his eyes then instantly fell on the name, "No," he said as he looked up at Sasuke and Naruto, "That can't be."
Sasuke stood up from his desk, "Hopkins, go to The Hold, and pull up security camera footage," Sasuke said, "Then go to the warehouse Laceration Larry disappeared from, and get the security camera footage from there. And then check if there's a connection between him and Larry. I want any and all evidence you can find," Sasuke slammed his hand on the table, "ON MY DESK TONIGHT!"