Author's Note: I'm hoping the way I wrote this takes care of any conflict of interest concerns with Lindsay and Cauffield. I remember Mac going out with that woman that was a witness in one of his cases, so I thought this would be okay. Your thoughts are welcome.
I'm having issues with this one. I will do my best not to disappoint.
CHAPTER 11
Lindsay Monroe
We found Ben Geddy on the floor of his filthy one bedroom apartment in Queens. He was clearly high - likely on heroin, judging from the rubber band around his upper arm and the syringe nearby. He was also babbling.
"I'm so sorry, Grandma. I just had to, the monsters were coming …"
Flack sighed. "C'mon you miserable piece of shit," he said, grabbing his arm. Danny grabbed the other and he was hauled to a nearby hospital to detox.
Several hours later, a more lucid Ben sat across from us, dark circles under his eyes. He was pathetic - only 22 and he looked like he was almost 40. At well over 6 feet, he weighed only 130 pounds.
"We got ya dead ta rights, Ben. You're fingerprints on the murder weapon, not to mention your DNA," Danny said. We had found other blood on the knife than the victims, and testing proved it was Ben's. "Whatcha got to say for yourself?"
"Nothing," said Harvey Markel, Ben's lawyer, a harried-looking public defender in horn-rimmed glasses and a wrinkled suit. "Not unless we talk about a deal."
"Deal?" Danny exclaimed, surprise on his face. "We got the DNA, the motive, the fingerprints …"
"And a confession from a man high on heroin. Look, we can do this the hard way or we can talk a deal."
I roll my eyes, but ask, "What kind of deal?"
"We plead guilty to second degree murder, 25 to life."
"Ah. No first, no death penalty," Danny surmised.
"In court, we would argue that he was under the influence of narcotics when he encountered his grandmother. But if you let us plead down to second, no trial, the public saves money, and Mr. Geddy is still off the streets."
Mr. Geddy didn't look like he cared what happened to him. "I loved my grandma …" He whined.
"Fine, we'll take it to the prosecutor." I grumble. Danny nods his weary agreement. This case is pathetic enough without heading to court.
Sheldon Hawkes
I'm whistling as I enter the lab. Stella smiles at me. "You seeing that sweet little artist again this evening?"
"Yep. And her name's Nicole, Stella." I can't help but grin. I've seen her three times since our first meeting, and have had no trouble ignoring Faith's calls. Nicole is so fresh, open, without any never-ending sob stories to complicate our evenings. In short? For once in my life, I'm having fun.
All in all, it's been a good day. Had an easy robbery case I worked with Mac - the doer was an ex-con with fingerprints on record. And this evening Nicole and I were going to watch old movies at my place … definite possibilities.
"Hey Lindsay, how'd the case end up?"
"Oh, the prosecutor agreed to the plea. It's done, the guy's going to jail for a long time. It's just sad - that poor woman lost her son and daughter-in-law on 911, her granddaughter dies last year and her grandson's a drug fiend that slaughtered her for money."
"At least you put him away, Lindsay, that's something." She nods, but I notice she still looks down. "Hey, you can't save the world, just do what you can."
"I know. Hey, you look nice, smell good, too. Big plans?
"A cozy evening watching Bogey and McCall movies." I waggle my eyebrows.
Lindsay laughs. "Good for you. Have a great time."
She slumps away. I feel bad. Lindsay needs something to snap her out of her funk. Just then, Messer, comes in. "You seen Montana?"
"Yeah, she just left." Danny's slump is eerily familiar. "You two going to ever do anything else besides make her miserable?"
"What do ya want me to do, Hawkes? I've tried to give her space, ya know, kind of let the dust settle, but I'm not feelin' a welcoming vibe, ya know?"
I sigh with a bit of impatience. "It's going to take a long time for her to get over it, thong boy, if she gets over it. Deal with it."
I leave and, despite my good mood, have difficulty not smacking Danny upside the head. I'm sick of his pity party. If he's good enough for Lindsay, he's going to have to prove it.
Lindsay
A couple of weeks later, I feel a bit like a hamster on a wheel. My cases have been relatively hum drum and easy to solve - which is a good thing, but I'm bored. Most evenings find my butt on the couch watching Law & Order SVU reruns. Christopher Meloni is the closest thing I've had to a date lately - he' s cute and all, but it's hard to snuggle up to a TV. Sheldon could usually be relied upon to break the tedium, but he and Nicole have been seeing a lot each other, so …
Oh well. I'm happy for him, just feeling sorry for myself.
"Hey Mac! What's going on?" I'm hopeful for an interesting case to divert me.
"Quiet night, Lindsay. There's a case on 43rd that Stella's got, but it sounds pretty routine. Why don't you just catch up on paperwork?"
I groan inwardly, but head to my desk. Half and hour later my eyes are really glazing over when the phone rings. "Detective Monroe." I mumble, stifling a yawn.
"Yes, hello! Um, not sure if you'd remember me, but my name is Rich Cauffield? I met you when we were discussing Mrs. Geddy?"
"Oh! Yes!" I sit up straight, nearly knocking over my coffee. "Of course Mr. Cauffield. How are you?"
"Please call me Rich. I'm better, especially since I heard Ben Geddy is in prison. Great job, by the way."
"Well, you pointed us in the right direction. What can I do for you?"
He clears his throat. "I was just thinking, now that the case is settled, you might be willing to meet me this evening for drinks? I don't know if you would want to …"
"You know what Rich? That sounds great. Where and when?"
We agree to meet at the Concord Hotel bar at 8:30 p.m. I smile to myself. This might be the jump start I need.
"Hot date?" I don't need to look up to know the speaker.
"That's really none of your business, Danny."
"Yeah, well, you could do a lot betta, ya know? Mr. Attorney was lookin' at ya like a piece of prime Angus beef. He just wants to get in your pants, Montana."
I feel an angry flush climb my cheeks. "Well, at least he doesn't have lingerie hanging out of his." I stomp away.
Screw him.
TBC