"This had better work, Vinny!" Arlene shouted angrily at the man, her long straight blond hair in a ponytail. Vinny turned back towards her, glaring at Arlene with rage-filled eyes.
"We would have the diamonds now if you weren't so stupid!" he said, looking like he wanted to hit her. Arlene didn't back down, getting up right in his face.
"Hey, it was Tony's, not my idea to hide them in that cheap locket! How was I supposed to know that old bat would find it in my work locker? She almost got me fired! She thought I had stolen it from the store so she took it. She put it out on display, not me!"
"Well, you're lucky you spotted that couple walking out with it or those diamonds would be history right now."
"Why did you take the cop anyways? You don't really expect them to send the girl by herself, do you? And that stupid request for a million dollars!" Arlene huffed, plopping on the ripped up sofa in the little apartment.
"That was Tony's idea," Vinny said, calming down.
"Where is he?" Arlene asked.
Vinny sat down, grabbing a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table and lighting it. "Working the hostage over downstairs. You know how he loathes cops."
Arlene shook her head. "He's a loose cannon and a drug dealer. I don't know why you involved him."
"Because he's smart, he helped us get into the trading market, and he has experience," Vinny answered, sitting next to her.
"Experience killing cops," she said bitterly.
Vinny stroked her hair. "Look baby, you know why he had to do that. They were dirty cops. They were stealing all his dope. You can't blame him." Arlene went to say something but she heard a knock on the door.
"Who the hell is that?" she exclaimed, panicking. Vinny put out the cigarette on his shoe, looking around for his gun.
"Shh, don't panic. Just get the door and play it cool." Vinny walked into the kitchen. Arlene nervously walked over to the door and opened it. Monk and Stottlemeyer were there.
"Hello, Ms. O'Malley?" Stottlemeyer asked, flashing his badge.
"Yes, may I help you?" she asked, trying to control the shakiness in her voice.
"Sorry to bother you, but there's been an incident at your workplace. May we come in?" Monk asked politely.
"Um, this isn't a very good time," she said, looking back towards the kitchen.
"This won't take long, ma'am. We just need to ask you a few questions," Stottlemeyer said, putting his hand on the door. Vinny suddenly appeared behind Arlene.
"Let them in, honey. We've got nothing to hide," he said politely. Arlene hesitantly opened the door, Stottlemeyer and Monk following.
"Thank you." Stottlemeyer said, scanning the apartment.
"So what's going on?" Arlene asked nervously, Vinny standing behind her.
"Well, someone kidnapped a police officer two days ago, and we have reason to believe it was a cashier who worked at the department store you are currently employed at," Stottlemeyer said bluntly. Arlene's eyes widened.
"Oh, really," Vince said coolly, rubbing Arlene's shoulders. "Well, that's terrible. Who do you think it is?"
"Well, that's the interesting question," Monk said calmly, walking around the apartment. "See, the person who kidnapped this officer was wearing new leather gloves." He took out the picture of the glove out of his jacket pocket and showed it to Arlene and Vinny. "Upon closer look, you can see the vertical lines that run across the smooth exterior. Those gloves are sold at the Macy's where you work."
Arlene shrugged. "There are plenty of other stores that sell gloves like that."
"Yes, but see, this type of glove was being discontinued. I know that because a week ago, I visited your store and it was being taken off the market that very day." Monk said, putting the picture back in his pocket. "It was on the clearance rack. I understand employees can have these items for free if they are not sold."
"So?" Arlene asked defensively.
"What does this have to do with us?" Vinny asked cautiously.
"Because you were the one who took these gloves, Ms. O'Malley. In fact, you took three pairs of them," Stottlemeyer remarked.
"That's not true. I didn't take them, and even if I did, there are hundreds of people who have the same type of gloves," Arlene exclaimed. Vinny backed up from her slightly.
"No, actually you did. See, we went to your boss and she told us you did in fact take three pairs." Monk replied with a smirk. "A co-worker of yours, a very helpful elderly lady, told us you stole a locket from the store, which she happened to put back on the table." Stottlemeyer's eyes followed Vinny. "But you didn't steal it, did you?" Monk smiled. Arlene trembled. "No, it was a locket you bought, one you hid diamonds in. The one my friend bought and gave to her daughter." Suddenly, a door behind Vinny swung open.
"I need a beer," Tony remarked, walking into the living room. He looked up to see Monk and Stottlemeyer. Immediately, he reached for the gun in his pants.
"Police, freeze!" Stottlemeyer screamed, drawing his gun. Immediately, a swat team of ten people burst through the front door and the side windows, taking out the glass as they jumped in. Tony aimed his gun at Monk but Stottlemeyer shot him in the chest. Tony crashed to the ground as Arlene screamed, putting up her hands as another swat team member pushed her down face first to the floor. Vinny immediately ran to the door where Tony came from.
"Stop!" Stottlemeyer screamed, tackling him before he could go down the steps. Vince fought him but Stottlemeyer punched him the face. "Somebody cover him!" Two swat team members grabbed Vinny and dragged him over to where Arlene lay. Stottlemeyer immediately ran down the stairs, his gun at the ready, a swat team member behind him. They walked down a flight of stairs down a narrow hallway to a rusty old door. Stottlemeyer kicked down the door. He spotted Randy laying on the floor unconscious, the chair he was tied to in the video off to the side. Stottlemeyer put his gun away as the swat team member scanned the area.
"Randy?" Stottlemeyer asked cautiously, running over to him. He gently turned Randy over. Randy's head was bleeding, his face a plethora of bruises.
"Randy? Son, wake up?" Stottlemeyer shook Randy's arm, his eyes watering. Randy started to moan, moving slightly. Stottlemeyer's eyes widened hopefully. "Randy, I'm here. You're safe." Randy slowly opened his eyes, his arms hugging his stomach in pain.
"Julie?" Randy managed to say, barely audible.
"She's fine, son. Everyone is fine. We got the guys," Stottlemeyer said, leaning in close. Randy shut his eyes, looking slightly more relaxed.
"Just stay with me, son. Help is on the way. You're going to be O.K." Stottlemeyer didn't stop the tears, holding Randy's hand tightly in his.