S9 E5
A Cop Tale
Chapter 12 - Outing The Alderman
The Interview
Rick and Espo are in the office of Alderman Cospy. They have an appointment with him that was scheduled one week ago.
"Det Esposito and Consulting Investigator Castle, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company", he says as he offers his hand to each of them for a handshake. He leads them to his office where they sit down around the Alderman's conference table.
"We are here to discuss the increased gang activity in the neighborhood that you represent."
Cospy is taken aback from the comment made by Espo, but he hides it, not showing any adverse reaction to Espo's statement, or so he thinks.
"Really, I am not aware of this increased activity you speak of. I deal on a regular basis with the Gangs Division of the NYPD. The C.O. of Gangs is also a personal friend and she has not said anything on increased gang activity in my neighborhood."
"That would be the result of an understaffed and overworked gangs division. We know of the increased gang activity as a result of our ongoing homicide investigation into Officer Reynolds' drive by murder."
"Excuse me if I ask", Castle speaks up, "did you not vote against increasing funding for the Gangs Division when it came up for a vote on the city council?"
"That is correct, but at the time, I felt the funds could be better spent on an outreach program for the neighborhoods. That program had more potential of creating a trusting relationship between police and the community. I thought it was time for a new approach rather than the old school enforcement of the past!"
"That must have affected your relationship with the C.O. of Gangs, did it not?" Espo continues the line of questioning started by Rick.
"It did at first, but then she understood my desire for a stronger Outreach Program."
"I see, so that repaired the relationship?"
"It was never broken to begin with. We each have a desire to improve conditions in the neighborhoods and I took a different path. The C.O. of Gangs understood that. It was a professional choice, not a personal one. The relationship has always been in place", the Alderman explains and then continues, " I will make an appointment with the C.O. of Gangs Division to discuss the matter most promptly."
"Well, you have given us the information we were seeking concerning the gang activity in your neighborhood. The fact you are going to look into it has accomplished one of our goals for seeing you. Thank you for your time Alderman Cospy."
They do their formal good-byes and it ends the interview sooner than either party expected.
Back in Espo's squad car, they debug on the interview.
"He was surprised to hear us, but hid it well", says Castle to Espo.
"Yeah he was caught off guard with our stated goal. He may have thought he held his surprise well, but I caught it just as he heard me speak of our purpose for the interview."
"He did not look either of us in the eyes when he spoke. He himself was looking down as he denied knowing of the increased gang activity in his neighborhood. A tell tale sign he was not truthful on his response."
"You caught that too. Did you see his reaction as deflecting? By saying he would look into with the Gangs C.O. he was feigning concern. A truly concerned Alderman would have been on the line to Gangs immediately, especially since Cospy admitted he had a professional relationship with that C.O. He could have had us there to hear and guide the discussion with Gangs based on the intel we had from our homicide investigation on Officer Reynold's gang shooting. The Alderman was putting us off, hoping it would serve to show his concern by mentioning how he would contact the C.O. of Gangs. He knew and dealt with the C.O. Gangs frequently. You would think that he would have her on speed dial so he could talk to her immediately on issues. His feigned concern was a give away that he was not serious on our reveal of increased gang activity in his Area of Responsibility."
"He's our man Espo", says Rick, "he is the political gang link for Simmons. Let's go brief the Captain."
Immediately After the Interview
"I'm telling you Vince the visit by the Detective and Consultant has me convinced they know more about our activity in the 'hood than they revealed. We have to do something about that lady cop getting her people to look into us. I bet right now they are probing my finances hoping for a lead. Release the hounds on this one", Cospy tells Vince Simmons.
"Milt, the timing is wrong here, it could be a red flag. Why don't we let things settle first before we make our strike. The newspapers stirred the PR pot with all their articles on that cop killing of the Reynolds guy. Let the emotions calm down a bit. Another cop killing, a police captain, at that, will just stir up again the public anger on gang shootings and could bring down the heat on us even stronger."
"Ok, I get the drift Vince, but have Bron ready to go on quick notice. When he gets the go signal he will need to move fast and with full force."
"I would expect nothing less from Bron, he is after all our number one liquidator. From what I hear from Snake, his partner, Bron is into this one more than other past assignments. He apparently has developed a 'thing' for the good looking lady cop."
"Vince, spare me the details, just have Bron ready to go on this with short notice."
Going for the Gusto
Lebron Williams sees his partner Snake waiting for him on the curb. He pulls into the space just in front of Snake and opens the electric side door to the van using the button on the dash.
"Hey bro, wha' up for today?", Snake says getting into the front passenger's seat.
"Have some coffee and a donut Snake."
Snake sees the cup of coffee in the holder and the donut placed on top of the cup cover.
"We celebrating or what, Bron?"
"Yeah we are, got the word to proceed from Morgan."
"The lady cop you are into?"
"Yeah, and I'm a looking forward to it."
"When and Where?"
"Just get the group together for a planning meeting at the warehouse."
"Sure thing Bron, first thing tomorrow?"
"How about later tonight?"
"Okay then", responds Snake as he pulls out his cell and starts speed dialing the team.
"Going to like this one Snake. I have had my eye on the lady cop for a while."
"Bro, I know that, and I see why. She hot! I mean she is red hot! Hey remember, you said you were going to share."
"Don't I always, you up for sloppy seconds?"
Snake gives Bron a fist bump and he speeds dials the next team member talk with on the hit.
Later that evening, as Bron addresses the hit team, "So are we all cool on the plan? Go over each of your part in this one. This lady cop is smart and we had to plan on eight different routes she takes to and from her precinct. She is also pretty skilled on close up hand to hand. She is into kick boxing so you can expect to be in for a fight. She can take you down so be up on your game. Any questions?"
"A street abduction, I don't like it. No where indoors we can take her?"
"It was either her loft, which is highly secure with a lot of electronic security devices, or the precinct. She has been pretty good at staying at both locations. Hasn't even been out for a night on the town with her husband. They have been playing this pretty close. This is the hardest hit we have had to plan for."
"Does she got any protect detail on her? You said not any was spotted when you check her out, but that don't mean there ain't a detail on her."
"Just be ready for a fire fight if we get one. If we do, we got to move quickly, there is a short react time or we will have a swat team on us like bees on honey. Avoid the swarm."
"We got enough men on the diversion hit to clear the way for the real kidnap team?"
"We're gonna find out. Want all of you on quick alert. Be on fast response when the word goes down. Timing is the key here so you got to move in the time we gave each of you to execute. Break that time limit and we can loose this one. Go and prepare, you are all on standby alert till called."