You Had to be There- Chapter 11
Allison was seriously beginning to wish she had worn the black stilettos that Schraeger had given her for Christmas last year. She was wondering how the 250 lb security guard kept his job. If she weren't wearing her usual heels, he might have reached her shoulder. Of course if she were wearing her stilettos he would have been writhing on the ground by now, because she would have kicked him in the groin and stomped on his instep. Of course that was if Casey had left anything behind from the killing look she was giving him as he once again glanced through the papers on his clipboard with a pompous air.
"I'm sorry as I said that prisoner isn't allowed visitors, and you "ladies" aren't on any of my lists." he said waving the clipboard at them in a coy way.
"I'm sorry," Casey said, mimicking his tone, "Did you just imply that two New York City police detectives might be here for other than professional interests?"
"Right you two are police detectives?" said the security guard sarcastically.
Beaumont flipped out her badge and said, "Then what do you think this is?"
"Costume." he said with a look of disgust, "now leave before I call someone and have you arrested for impersonating a cop…"
"Impersonating a cop…" There was no mistaking that Detective Schraeger was ready to bust some heads. There were those in the precinct outside of Second Squad who thought that Schraeger was a princess going through the motions of being a cop. Second Squad knew better.
"Let's try this," and without so much as breaking a sweat, Casey had the security dweeb, bent over his own desk, feet spread apart and was already slapping the cuffs on him. "Impeding an officer of the law, resisting arrest you got anything Beaumont?" she said as she yanked the now red-faced security guard up by his collar.
"Lewd and lascivious. He was definitely staring at my rack." she said and the two women nodded at each other before starting to march the by now babbling man out to their patrol car.
When a female voice said in an exasperated tone, "What have you done now Carl?"
"You mean besides being a pain in the ass and a perv…not much." said Beaumont. The duo and by proxy their perp turned back to the security desk to find a 5'10" woman, with a slender waist and broad shoulders, headed in their direction. Her face could have graced ancient Egyptian sculptures or high fashion ads. Her curves were generous, but not overblown. Her cropped platinum blond hair was not overly masculine and set off her café au' lait skin beautifully.
The uniformed woman took one look at the detective shield clipped at Beaumont's waist and with a roll of her eyes at the now silent Carl she said, "You shoved that flipper you call a foot in that size 14 mouth of yours again didn't you? I have half a mind to call Janie and let her have your butt for lunch but then you wouldn't be worth a damn for the rest of the day."
Her razor sharp tongue lashing was even giving Allison and Casey pause. Carl was looking down shamefaced. "Alexis Warner, how can I help you detectives?" the other guard introduced herself.
"We're trying to find out about my partner, Detective Walsh. We've been trying to find out what's going on with him."
"Is that all," said the tall woman, looking at her partner with irritation, "Carl you jackass, asking about her partner is a reasonable request, and you know it.
"Assistant Director Collins said anyone asking about Walsh was to be stonewalled and no information about his case was to be given out. Not even to that lady attorney of his. He said it was to be a total blackout." said the tubby security guard, regaining some of his attitude.
His partner bared her teeth at him as she said, "Collins is an even bigger jackass than you Carl."
Looking back down at the computer behind the security desk. Before she barked, "Carl you won't be able to sit for a week when Janie gets done with you, because I am calling her." Looking up at the two women, she added, "Walsh is being arraigned right now down at the Federal Courthouse."
With a rather harried thanks to Officer Warner, the pair ran out of the Federal Building and around the corner to the Federal Courthouse. Being very quiet they slide into the back of the courtroom just as the judge finishes hearing the case before Walsh's.
Both Schraeger and Beaumont are shocked to see Nicole on the defendants side of the aisle discussing something with Walsh. "What's she doing here?" Allison asked Casey as they moved forward down the aisle trying to find a place to sit. "I have no idea," Casey said her eyes glued to the back of Jason's head. He turned when Nicole spoke to him again for just a second Casey felt a spike of jealousy as their heads almost touched.
She ignored the emotion as she studied him. He had at least a days worth of stubble on his cheeks and was letting himself grow a little bit of a moustache and goatee. His hair was unruly looking and he looked incredibly tired.
The judge, a husky looking Latino with a receding hairline, was telling the court how he had been briefed on the particulars of the case. He explained that he would hear from both sides before deciding whether to proceed with the time and expense of a Federal court case. The judge gave the usual warnings and then added that he would not suffer fools lightly.
"Counselors I have read the charges against Detective Walsh, murder I understand, the charge of witness tampering is a bit of a stretch. Perhaps you should explain Mr. Griffin." the judge said looking at the prosecuting attorney.
"Of course, your honor. Mr. Walsh was a baseball player a few years ago. The deceased, Mr. Mihaylov approached him at the time in the hopes of having Mr. Walsh throw a few games. Mr. Mihaylov was at that time a low level member of the Russian mafia, your honor. He was no saint. Mr. Walsh turned him down, your honor." said the lawyer flatly.
"You say that like it's a bad thing Mr. Griffin. Get to the point." the judge prompted rather testily.
"The point your honor, was that Mr. Mihaylov didn't take it well. He threatened Mr. Walsh in order to elicit his cooperation. Mr. Walsh still refused, at which time it is suspected, that Mr. Mihaylov, ordered an attack on one Ms. Brenda Cooper. Mr. Walsh's fiancée of the time, Ms. Cooper eventually died of her injuries after lingering in the hospital for several days without regaining consciousness." The judge, Casey, Allison and most of the courtroom, saw Jason's face contort for a moment in sorrow, before he looked down and began fiddling with his fingers on the table top.
The prosecutor continued, "Mr. Walsh, continued for another year in the game before going on to join the NYPD, where he distinguished himself. Eventually reaching the rank of detective second grade. Mr. Mihaylov also distinguished himself in his own field, rising through the ranks in his organization. After being nearly killed by a rival organization, Mihaylov decided to turn states evidence, in order to survive."
"Mr. Walsh whether as revenge for the death of his fiancé or by being possibly bribed by the Russian mafia, or possibly both, then tracked Mr. Mihaylov down and murdered him." concluded Griffin succinctly. "He has no verifiable alibi for the time of the murder, he being an officer for the NYPD has the means to perform the assassination. He is even certified as a sharpshooter among the detectives. Whether for revenge of his former lover's death or for money, he had ample motive."
"Your honor," Nicole Brandt finally interrupted, "there's just one problem with Mr. Griffin's case. He has no proof, no evidence at all as far as we can tell. He only has a very nice story, some conjecture and circumstantial evidence. There are no witnesses, no physical evidence, nothing to connect my client to Mr. Mihaylov except for their previous interactions."
"The fact that Ms. Cooper was attacked and later died from the injuries sustained was attributed to a mugging gone wrong. There was, according to the authorities, at the time no evidence that Mr. Mihaylov was even involved with the crime." the DA said with vehemence as she stared across the aisle at the prosecutor, "Unless Mr. Griffin knows something that the rest of us are unaware of, then that isn't a motive for this crime. A failed bribery and/or blackmail attempt from over nearly two decades ago seems a bit of a stretch for a murder committed in the here and now. Murder for hire is also a bit of a stretch for a detective who has served the NYPD for over fifteen years. There is no evidence that Mr. Walsh ever received any money from the Russian mafia or anyone else for that matter "
"That's probably because he put it in his current girlfriends accounts. I'm quite sure any money that Mr. Walsh acquired from the Russians could be found in the accounts of his current fiancée' or her father, Walter Schraeger." Griffin replied acidly. "A man who with his wealth could easily hide such a payment."
Even as she saw Jason whisper furiously to Nicole, Casey felt a flash of anger go through her and didn't realize she had nearly jumped from her seat until she felt Beaumont's restraining hand on her arm.
"With respect your honor if Mr. Griffin if he has any evidence of this illegal activity he should present rather than making slanderous statements about a pillar of the community." said Nicole heatedly while staring down the prosecutor who seemed to just realize he may have bitten off more than he could chew.
"Agreed." said the judge in a clearly perturbed manner. "Agreed, do you have any evidence to prove that Mr. Schraeger has anything at all to do with this case? Other than the fact of course that his daughter is engaged to the defendant and you wanted to cause a little scandal to muddy the waters?"
Backtracking swiftly the prosecutor responded, "Not at this time your honor. My apologies, for the misunderstanding. I assure you no insult was intended to Mr. Schraeger or his family."
"I should hope that isn't the case Mr. Griffin because the contempt charge I levy against you would be the least of your problems." the judge said waspishly. "Is that it, Mr. Griffin is that all you have?"
"We are still collecting evidence your honor and we would like Mr. Walsh remanded to federal custody during this time." Griffin said collecting himself quickly.
"Your honor as you yourself have said, Detective Walsh has distinguished himself for over a decade with the NYPD, as an officer and a detective. He is a business owner and a man who has recently become engaged to a fellow detective and another distinguished officer and citizen of this city. He is not a flight risk." DA Brandt said passionately.
"Mr. Walsh, is indeed engaged to the only child of the 12th wealthiest man in the United States. A man fully capable of whisking his daughter and her paramour anywhere in the world and bankrolling them where ever they go, your honor." stated Griffin.
"Never the less, Mr. Griffin I am not going to remand. Right now you have a flimsy case at best." replied the judge.
"Your honor," Griffin began to protest.
"At best, Mr. Griffin," repeated the judge testily. "At worst, which this is sorely beginning to appear to be, you have no case at all. I suggest you take the time you have been given and get something together. Other than conjecture and a half made up story. If Mr. Griffin you come back into my court room with this case still without evidence or even a witness, I will throw you and it out on your ear, do I make myself clear."
"Bail is set at half a million, see the clerk." said the judge before banging his gavel.
"Your honor, far be it from me to test you at this time. However with your permission I would like to freeze the assets of Schraeger, Inc., Walter and Casey Schraeger…" the prosecutor read off of a list given to him by the stern faced man sitting next to him
"Mr. Griffin," the judge said, and even Casey flinched at the raised voice and flushed face of the judge. "I would remind you that Schraeger Incorporated, employs over 15,000 New Yorkers. Do you really want to put them out of work while you try this case. If you can develop it into a case that is?"
"Do I also need to remind you that Walter Schraeger was recently awarded this city's Philanthropic Award for donating to schools, hospitals, and after school programs. Not to mention that the police and firemen of this city, owe much of their new equipment to his generosity. I would also remind you of the statement I made earlier. I will not suffer fools in my courtroom. Unless you would like the contempt charge I am about to levy against you to include jail time, I would stop talking now, take your friend and leave my court room." The judge seemed to draw a deep breath to calm himself and added, "Do I need to say it…request denied." and banged his gavel again. Before announcing, "That's lunch, people."
Griffin looking decidedly cowed, got into a quiet but heated discussion with the stern-faced man sitting next to him, before picking up his briefcase and trench coat and followed by the other man and left the courtroom.
Casey only half noticed this as she shoved her way to the front of the room. Jason was thanking Nicole, but admitting that even the Stage wasn't worth the bond that had been set.
"Jason, said Casey a little breathlessly as she reached the railing. Her fiancée' turned and with a relieved expression, pulled her into his arms with her name on his lips. "Casey." When he had inhaled a breath from her neck he added, "God, I missed you."
"Hey Allison," he said reaching out to take her hand in his, not letting go of Casey as he did it. Casey however pulled away from him and in relieved exuberance, reached across the railing to grab Nicole's arm.
Pulling the other woman to the railing Casey whispered to her. "Thank you, Niki. Thank you." Before pulling the other woman into a hug. DA Brandt, the tough lawyer, felt hot tears pin prick her eyes, as she hugged back.
Jason and Allison shared a grin as they stared at the pair. Walsh finally cleared his throat and when Casey and Nic came up for air, he said, "Babe, we have a problem. Even with the Stage as collateral, I'm not going to have enough for bail."
Casey chewed thoughtfully on her lip and knew she wasn't going to let her lover go back to that Federal hell hole. "I love you and I'm not letting you go back there. I'll get the money out of my trust fund and we'll get out of here and go home." Then she thought about it and said, "Oh hell, they were searching the Stage, your apartment, oh geez, they probably trashed it all. We'll have to stay at my place, I'd imagine."
"Okay," Jason said cheekily, "not really seeing the problem here."
Even Nicole could see the tired, and beat down expression underneath the cheekiness though. Casey smiled at him as she stroked his cheek lovingly. She then said, "Just hold that thought." Before turning and slipping through the little opening that separated spectators from the rest of the court area. She headed toward the clerks desk and drew up short when she saw the back of the man standing at the clerks desk ahead of her.
When he turned to face her slipping his wallet back into the inside pocket of his jacket. Casey didn't shriek, she really didn't, okay so her voice did go really high when she said, "Dad!"
