TUESDAY AFTERNOON PIZZA
Ed Brown looked around the table at the members of his executive team. They'd worked together for several years; their business usually accomplished with a few jokes and stories along the way. The table was scattered with the debris of meetings, cell phones, iPads, notepads, pens, paper plates with partially eaten donuts from Duffeyroll, coffee mugs in various states of fill. It reminded him of sitting around the oak table with Eve, Mark, Fran, and the Chief, arguing out the points of a case, reporting on findings, playing poker Wednesday nights. That table and chairs had been moved to the ranch and Wednesday nights were still reserved for poker with friends as it always had been, still costing a quarter to open.
The next item on his agenda had been planning on telling his team that Catalina Montez was safe, secure and that they needed to talk about their next steps in the case. Those reports were stacked in a neat pile. Normally, he enjoyed staff meetings, even when they had to talk about difficult things. Today, the attitude was tense, Mayor Michael Hancock and Commissioner Paul Fissette were in attendance. Sitting at the end of the table, they were expectantly waiting for updates. Scratch telling his team everything about Cat right now.
"Next item ladies and gentlemen, Chief MacAllister will provide the latest on what's happening with the current investigation into the threats made to pot shops and are our guys involved."
John MacAllister got up and started passing out the folders in front of him. "We can begin on page two. Those are the latest"
"Chief Brown," a voice interrupted
"Mayor Hancock"
"I'd appreciate an update on the fire that took place last week. I've already discussed this with DFD, the Arson Team, CSI. It was a meeting you failed to attend."
"Sorry Sir, I was called out on a rescue in the Red Rocks."
"You do rescues?"
"I work with the Search and Recovery team. Chief Sanchez invited me. I've done it for several years now. It was an emergency, they needed a climber, and Mac, I mean Deputy Chief MacAllister, attended that meeting as my representative."
"When I ask my Chief of Police to attend a meeting, I expect him to be there, not climbing mountains because he feels like it."
"I'll take that under advisement, sir"
"See that you do Chief."
Fissette looked smugly at him. "Have you found the kid yet?"
Ed decided an edited version of the truth was in order.
"Mayor Hancock, we have given full cooperation to the agencies you referred to with this investigation, that's moved surprisingly fast." The Fire Department considers this an arson. They are dealing with that angle. As for us, we are dealing with a double homicide". He motioned to Jerry Abbey, who darkened the room slightly and put up the first slide. Driver's License pictures of Pete and Gabriela Montez appeared.
"Our victims are Peter and Gabriela Montez. Native-born American citizens of Hispanic descent and in the mother's case, a member of the Water Flow Together Clan of the Navajo Nation. Both 37 years of age. Lived in the house for four years. Rented. Paid their bills mainly on time. Quiet, good people, according to the neighbors. No known enemies. Pete Montez worked day labor. Gabriella stayed home. Post Mortem determined the cause of death was not the fire, but gunshot wounds. Both were shot twice with nine-millimeter pistols, close range execution-style. The gunmen were professionals. Arson reports that it looks like the fire was a cover up. They found traces of ILR's and around the house were fragments of Mason Jars. They didn't want the Montez' to get out.
"The mayor shook his head sadly in disbelief. "You said they, Chief. More than one person was involved?"
"Ballistics shows that both were shot with different guns."
"Do we know why the Montez' were targeted?" Fissette asked.
"Not yet. We're hoping that their daughter, Catalina has some answers. She may have witnessed the shootings and possibly identify the shooters. She disappeared following the fire. She's been found and is in protective custody. "
"Where?" Fissette's voice was demanding.
"At an undisclosed location, Commissioner. And don't bother to ask any of the Deputy Chiefs, they do not know. Access to that information has been limited to a very small need to know only. The department's intention is to keep that young lady safe and alive. Protective services have been contacted that the girl was found and is in custody. There will be no press releases from this department. Denver schools have been instructed not to release any information or pictures of her. Archbishop Aquilla has instructed all churches and schools not to release any information about the family as well. Mayor, I'm asking that there be no leaks from City Hall or the Commissioner's Offices as well. Right now, we are the only ones who know the girl is alive."
"Agreed. We also need to discuss your involvement in all this, Chief, and I take it you know where the youngster is." Mayor Hancock said.
Ed knew this was coming. "My involvement is very simple and yes, as Chief of this department, I'm aware of her location." He repeated his story.
"I understand your wife has met the girl also."
"Yes sir, she was with me that night and the following morning, she came to the scene to provide my officers with some sketches. She's the director of Conservancy Programs at the Denver Art Museum and a professional artist in her own right, and no, she is unaware as to where the girl is." The last part was a falsehood, but he needed to keep Fran's part in finding Catalina out of this meeting.
"She went to the girl's school I understand"
"She volunteered assistance Mayor. I took it. She has experience dealing with kids from when she was with the SFPD. The principal correctly refused to help. My wife realized her error and has arranged for an afterschool collaboration between local artists, the police department, the school, and the museum."
"A peace offering? Intriguing."
"That's her style."
"I have a few questions for her, about her 'style'." Fissette broke in.
"I'm sure you do. You've been hounding her, through me, since this case began. If you want to talk to her, Commissioner, I'm sure she'll be glad to come in with her attorney to answer any questions. If I say anything, it's hearsay."
Fissette glared at him, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Ed knew he'd avoided the setup. "Why was he so interested in this case?" He wondered.
Mattie Johnson appeared at the door. "Chief Brown, sorry to interrupt. You have a phone call. It's very important. You need to take it right now."
Ed nodded at the Mayor. "I think it's a good time for a break. Five minutes? Mac, you'll be leading the discussion on our next item. If you all will excuse me." He walked out of the conference room into his office. Mattie was holding up his cell phone. Her face was serious.
"What's so important that I had to leave?"
"It's a California number."
His stomach knotted. "Hello?"
"Ed," the knot was released at the sound of his mentor's voice.
"Chief, what's up?"
"Listen carefully. Who's in the office with you right now?"
"Just Mattie."
"Ask her to leave."
Ed gestured and Mattie left the office.
"Ok, I'm alone."
"An old friend of yours is coming to Denver."
"Who?"
"Eddie Rogers"
"Eddie Rogers. Why?"
"His daughter and son in law have been murdered and his granddaughter has disappeared.
A puzzle piece slid into place as to why Pete Montez and his wife might have been murdered.
"We're on our way to the airport right now. We'll talk more tonight at your place."
"Do I need to get the guest rooms ready?"
"Just one. Mark is staying in the headquarters motel. I haven't had a vacation for a while and well, I can't think of anything better than to see old friends."
"I'll let Ma know.
"Before we get there, you need to do some preparation. Someone with a lot of power wants you and Fran dead. It's not Eddie. His name is Pepe Alvarado, he's interested in Eddie Rogers' turf in San Francisco and appears to have deep connections in Denver. It appears he owns someone important there. Mark thinks he might want to become a major player in Denver too."
"What time do we need to pick you up?"
"Eve and Mac are going to do that, though Mac doesn't know yet. See you about seven."
Ed disconnected turned and opened the office safe. Checking to see that the seals on the small metal box weren't broken. Opening the box, he took the phone out, connected the battery, turned it on and dialed, arranging for a company he worked with often to electronically sweep his house immediately, as well as checking the security programs there. He made several other calls before turning the phone off, pulling out the battery and SIM card. There was a box in his office marked Electronic Recycle. He placed the phone and battery in the container. He pocketed the SIM card for disposal later.
"Mattie"
"Yes, Chief." She came through the door armed with her pad and pen.
Ed ripped a sheet of paper off her pad, placing it on the hard surface of his desk. Taking his pen he wrote rapidly.
She looked at the paper her boss had given her. They began this system when Ed was hired as Deputy Chief of Detectives and she was assigned as his secretary. It was a system Ironside used when he thought they were being bugged.
Change user names and passwords on all office computers
What information do we have on a connection between Pepe Alvarado (SF) and Denver?
Find a secure place for a meeting this pm. You, me, Mac, and Jerry.
Text address to home cells from your home cell.
food, coffee
large paper, an easel, markers
good shredder
disposable phones- two each.
Sim Cards 3 GB- several
Call the dept bug guy. Everything in exec suite gets swept today. Office gets swept on an every other day basis. Scatter times throughout day.
From Taconi Brothers: Purchase
6 RF scanners
4 camera finders,
5 cell phone blocking bags
4 white noise machines.
4 data recovery sticks: iPhone, Android, and Windows each.
Except for Taconi's, buy at multiple stores, single items when possible
Pay cash
Stay safe.
Spend some time at the range... soon and often.
Mattie looked up from the note. Cash? She pointed to the word.
Purse.he mouthed. Turning and keeping his back to her, he reopened the safe on the wall behind him. He opened a cash box with a combination lock. When Mattie returned with her purse, he took it and placed a packet in it.
Mattie looked at the list again, picked it up and placed it in the shredder. She had already consigned the list to memory. Matsuko Sakai Johnson was born with an eidetic memory. It was a gift she cultivated and that served her well as Ed Brown's Executive Secretary and before that as a member of the Fraud Division. When she was anywhere in the office, he knew he could rely on her to know where the right documents or evidence was. Small in stature, she was unafraid to put taller cops in their place, no matter what their rank. She knew also that she was often referred to by many on the 9th floor as "Dragon Lady". Her primary job was to make Ed Brown's office effective and that meant taking care of the boss. If that made her a Dragon Lady, to her it was an honor, she was doing her job properly.
Two hours later Ed's cell phone pinged.
2900 Milwaukee St, Basement. Park in back
Team notified
Purchases made
Pizza. Get it while it's there. Jerry is eating for two.
Ed grinned. A half-hour later he walked down the steps into the basement of Jackson AME church. Sitting around a table eating pizza were John MacAllister, Jerry Abbey, and Mattie.
"Hey Boss, it's nice to get out of the office for lunch from time to time, but you want to explain this to us?" Jerry asked.
"I'm hungry."
"You didn't just invite us here for just community outreach and pizza from Stone Oven? You know, Pizza With The Cops?" Jerry joked.
"Nope". He filled his plate, sat down and ate. He and his team made idle conversation until the pizza was gone. Getting up. He poured a cup of coffee from the pot.
"What's the need for all the secrecy?" Mac asked.
"What is said here does not leave the room. It's a need to know for us. No notes, no electronics. Having said that, I'm going to be bringing a few persons that aren't here right now into this. You all understand?" He paused to sip coffee.
"The group nodded.
"I need to bring in the following people on this. California Superior Court Judge Mark Sanger, special assistant Robert Ironside, Eve, and Fran."
"Mac looked surprised. "The old San Fran team. But Evie? Why her, and Fran?"
"We're in trouble folks, all of us." He went to the easel and for the next hour revealed what he knew.
"Catalina is safe? You said she was this morning." Mattie asked
"It stays here, but she's at the ranch. Fran found her. She won't go anywhere unless someone's with her."
"What about school?"
"Mattie, tomorrow you go in, flash that sergeant's badge of yours at the principal of Cesar Chavez and get everything Catalina has there. She wants her homework. She's bored. Also, find out if anyone else has been snooping about. Check to see if they have any video, internal or external for the past two weeks. Take them. Make sure the principal understands no information is to be shared with anyone, including your visit."
"Warrant will impress her more than my badge will Chief, especially in getting the film."
He thought a moment. "Judge Lancaster can set one up today."
Mattie got up, pulled out her cell phone and went to a far corner to call the judge.
"What about me boss?"
"You, Sergeant Abbey, will be my ears. Based on the information there's a mole somewhere either in the department and maybe city hall. If I remember, you were good at collecting gossip while working the office copy machine. Think you could do that again?"
"Sure."
"Fissette. It's gotta be him."
"Fissette? Why Fissette, Mac?"
"Think about it, Ed. Fissette always wants to be the big man. Things have to move through him to get done. Like the press conference last week. He messed that up. Thinking about it, could he have been deliberate about messing it up so we'd reveal more information in the corrections? How he's always wanting something. A reward, a payoff. Recognition for the littlest things. We all know he thinks he should be mayor and not Mike Hancock. He's got an exploratory committee going for the next election. He's never liked you, ever. He connects you with the pot shop trouble or something else and what does he get as a reward."
"My head"
"Exactly. And now, there's Alvarado, who is in California, but for some reason wants you dead. Your wife too. We have to find out who and why quickly."
"Mattie"
She came back to the table. "Judge would like you to drop by and explain a little bit to him before he issues a warrant. I'll get Fissette's financials for you. How far back do you want?"
"As far back as you can get without arousing too much attention."
Mac had been silent for a time. He thumbed through a copy of his case file. "He's friends with the principal at Chavez too. They're neighbors. He said that the day Fran tried to collect information at the school."
"Who could we send that could pick up those tapes without too much attention?"
"Brenna"
"Who?"
"Brenna Chang. My girlfriend. Lab Tech. Saved your butt the other day with the early morning GSR test, remember? I still owe her breakfast."
"We can't endanger her."
"Think about it Chief." Abbey began. "She's a lab tech. She'd be the one examining those tapes probably. Why can't she pick them up? It's just natural she'd do that, and you can ask someone from Protective Services to get the homework and her belongings and drop it off on Mattie's desk. That would allow her to spend her time and expertise on the financials as well as keep an eye on the office for us."
"You know he's right. But Brenna doesn't have to do it. One of the guys from District One that play basketball with you can pick up what we need. They have no need to know what's going on. If Brenna is going to be our assigned tech, then she needs to be brought in in this as soon as possible. You can't blindside her. The more we can look normal, act normal, sound normal, the less likely Fissette or this Pepe Alvarado will think we're on to them." Mattie said firmly.
Ed nodded. "Mattie, we're all bringing one confidant into this. Ben works in D 1 right?"
"Yes"
"Ben will be our messenger. Husband comes into see his wife in the office, what's the problem?"
"None that I see sir." Mattie grinned. She handed each of them a package. "These are for the office. An RF scanner, camera finder, burner phone with extra SIM cards, a bag for your regular cell phone and data recovery sticks for all systems, Android, Apple, and work for phone and computer. Our office will be swept regularly for bugs. There will be a white noise machine in your office. Keep it on."
Ed looked at the group. "We'll regularly meet out of the office to talk privately around town. We usually play poker Wednesday night at seven at the ranch. I think we'll move the game to tonight for this week. Bring your special someone. It costs a quarter to get in and I hope you all love chili."
A/N I was recently informed of the death of a member of the Ironside Community, Brioch. She loved Mike Stone and Steve Keller, and the Streets of San Francisco and found fun ways to get that mixed in as part of the Ironside world. Thank you for your gifts of writing. We will miss you.