So it began~
Woody naively thought he could spend his flying under the radar. He knew there was corruption in the force. He had heard the rumors from the first day he walked into the precinct. There was almost a 'don't ask, don't tell' mentality around building. He didn't know if it stemmed from indifference or fear. He come to think it's a little of both. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut too.
He received the call to go down to Police Plaza right after lunch scheduling a meeting with Malden's new replacement. It was a call he had been unenthusiastically waiting for. He answered the summons.
"Detective Hoyt. Please, please have a seat."
The urbane Captain Worthington motioned for him to take a seat opposite his desk. He asked if he would like a drink. Woody thought about what happened to Jordan in this very room just weeks prior. He told himself that Worthington wasn't Malden, but he still didn't except his offer.
"No thank you, sir."
"You won't mind if I help myself?"
He poured a tumbler of liquor and took a seat.
"Detective Hoyt I have been reviewing you records and I have to admit I'm very impressed. Very impressed indeed."
"Thank you, sir"
"I'll cut to the chase. I'm looking for a good man to put on my own personal staff. And I think I have found the right candidate. How would you like to leave the grind of the nineteenth?"
Woody's mouth was as suddenly dry as dust. This was it.
"The assignment includes a promotion, an office with a view. I'm having dinner with some colleagues tonight and I'd like you to join us. "
Intuition told Woody to run. He always followed his gut instincts. When he didn't, he usually found himself in a world of hurt. This time he put that little voice out of his head. Instead he asked time and place.
Once out of the building he made a call and left a message.
~~~~~
Dinner ended up being an anti drug fundraiser at an uptown hotel. Woody walked in feeling underdressed and overwhelmed. It was the first time he had ever been wired. He was sure the microphone was picking up his pounding heartbeat. That gut feeling he had all day was manifesting itself in the cold sweat that coated his palms.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Worthington bearing down on him. The mayor's office was quick in assigning him to the office. Rumor had it that the governor himself wanted a swift ending to the whole Malden mess. Worthington was sworn in only ten days after Malden's death.
"Hoyt, you're punctual. I like that in my people."
Woody looked down at his watch and noticed he was actually five minutes early.
"Come, there's some people I'd like you meet."
Worthington paraded him through the milling crowd. Woody was introduced to many faces he had seen in newspapers and the eleven o'clock news, not only movers and shakers from around the city, but many from the national arena. He couldn't help but wonder if he had shook the hand of a future president or two. Out of nowhere Woody was handed a glass of champagne. Before he could give it back Worthington spoke up.
"Gentlemen I would like to propose a toast. Here's to the charity's profitable evening."
Woody took a sip of the wine and grimaced at the after taste. Worthington leaned closer to him and spoke without breaking the Election Day smile on his face.
"Drink up boy, it's Cristal. Get use to it. You're running with a different animal now."
Woody tipped the glass back as the first of the key note speakers was taking the stage. Worthington motioned for him to follow him out of the room. Before he knew it they were in Worthington's car as his driver was speeding through the darkened uptown streets. Woody looked around the interior with a critical eye. Worthington smiled.
"Something huh? My office on wheels."
"Yes, sir something."
"Ah, I'm parked back at the hotel...."
"Don't worry about that. Someone is picking up our vehicle as we speak. I wanted to discuss some business with you before you start your new duties in the morning."
Woody looked out the window trying to get his bearings. He hoped that the wire he was wearing had long range.
"You have made quite an impression with many influential people in your short time in Boston, Hoyt. I'm delighted you decided to join my staff."
"I'm honored to be chosen, sir."
"I'm glad to hear that. Serving the public can be a thankless task at times. It seems the challenges far out excide the rewards. Don't you think Hoyt?"
Woody looks around the interior of the town car.
"I could get use to this."
"Don't get to comfortable, my boy. I'm sure we can come up with other arrangements that could leave you just as comfortable."
Woody was suddenly all ears. Worthington was working fast than they had anticipated. He hopped Tillman was picking this all up. Unconsciously, he reached up to touch the tiny cord that connected the listening device that was hidden inside the lining of his jacket. He snapped his hand away and began to tap his fingers on the door frame.
"Comfortable? How comfortable sir? Between you and me a cop's salary just doesn't cut it in today's economy."
"Everything I heard about you is true; ambitious and eager. Let's see how things work out first."
Woody decided to push Worthington for more.
"I'm told I grow on people. Tell me, sir. Does this new position include opportunities for a little side income?"
Worthington let out a laugh. "I can see why you were chosen. You've balls, I'll give you that."
"I thought you picked me."
"I had a hand in it, but our benefactor was the one who ultimately pointed you out."
"Who's that?"
"It's late. You have an early day tomorrow. Here we are."
Woody looked out his window and noticed that they were parked in front of his apartment building.
"Sleep well Hoyt, and welcome aboard."
Woody stepped out on the curb. "Thank you, sir."
He barely had the door shut when the car pulled away.
"I hope the hell you got all that." He said to his lapel. "Did any of you learn how to pick locks at Quantico? My keys are back at the valet parking...."
Woody looked up to see his car pulling around the corner.
"Never mind, they have curb side delivery."
The car pulled up on the street in front of him. He had a very uncomfortable feeling when the two guys inside stepped out.
"Thanks. You really didn't have to I could have just picked it up later."
Woody held out his hand for his keys, only they moved faster then he thought two big guys could. Before he known it, he was in the alley on the side of the building. His arm was being dragged behind his back to the point where he could swear he could touch the top of his head.
Woody worried that they would find the wire.
That worry flew right out of his mind when a meaty fist pounded into his gut. Stars flashed on the back of his eyelids and his knees buckled. A second fist caught him under the chin. Before the lights went out one of his attacks told him that this was just a small taste of what he could expect if he should decide not to play by the rules.
A sanitation truck sat down the street the occupants were listening to every thing.
"Shit Tillman, they just killed him!"
"With that thick head? Naw, I can still hear him moanin'." Tillman keyed his radio. "Grab your Mogen David... I think it's time to wag the dog."
"Sure thing boss."
"Step on it before they find the wire...or the dumb ass will be dead."