For the People Chapter 45

"You know you aren't the only one who goes poo-poo," Rick informs Lily as he secures a fresh diaper. "At least yours can be recycled back into the environment to help things grow. But some nasty people may be dumping bad kinds of poop where they shouldn't. Mama told Daddy he should go into the court records to find out what they've been doing. And we always listen to Mama – well almost always. So anyway, that's what I'll be doing on my computer this morning. I can set up your carrier so you can watch. Or we got a delivery yesterday of a smaller version of your swing that I can fit next to my desk. I'll still be able to see your beautiful face, and you'll see my silly one. So what do you think? Carrier or swing?"

"Ee," Lily replies.

"I guess that means swing," Rick decides. "It's nice to try out our new toys as soon as possible. I know I always want to. OK, we'll get you situated, and then Daddy will have to get to work."


Kate isn't surprised to see vaunted defense attorney, Jasper Lowell when she takes a sideward glance toward the opposition's table. The man commands big bucks. However, Brooks has conned various organizations into thinking that by supporting him, they're supporting law and order. They've raised money, a lot of it, to hire a top gun. Having to come up against Lowell won't make Kate's job any easier, but she's beaten the big boys before with a lot less evidence than she has against Brooks.

As the call goes out for all to rise, the Honorable Judge Leah Maynard enters the courtroom. Kate can feel her jaw clenching. Judge Maynard was definitely not her first choice, or her second, third, fourth, or fifth. Maynard is infamous for going easy on the NYPD, something Kate would have appreciated as a cop, but could be just the opposite of what she needs now. Still, if Maynard loves the NYPD, she may hate to see it sullied by Brooks as much as Kate does. Right now, it won't matter. All Maynard needs to do is set a trial date. Then Kate can work on presenting any evidence involving police work in as positive a way as she can. It should help that Brooks' pattern of criminal behavior was patiently and carefully documented by another cop. Kate hopes so.

"You may be seated, except for the defendant," Maynard announces taking her seat at her bench. "I have a very full docket today, so let's move this along. Chief of Department Brooks, you are charged with multiple offenses included in sections 460.20 and 496.02 of the New York State Penal Code. Do you waive a full reading?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Lowell responds.

How do you plead?" Maynard inquires.

"My client pleads not guilty, Your Honor," Jasper Lowell replies.

Maynard's eyes narrow. "I want to hear it from your client, counsel. Chief Brooks, how do you plead?"

Brooks clears his throat. "Not guilty, Your Honor."

Maynard nods. "Very well. Trial is set for June 17 of this year. I will expect both sides to be fully prepared by that date. I'll only permit continuances under the most extreme conditions, and I will not tolerate frivolous motions – from either side. Is that understood, Mr. Lowell?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Ms. Beckett?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Your Honor, there is the matter of bail, which is hardly frivolous," Lowell insists. "My client has strong roots in the community and is a well-respected member of the NYPD. The court has no reason to assume he would flee the jurisdiction. I request that he be released on his own recognizance."

"Your client is charged with a laundry list of offenses against the people of this city, Mr. Lowell. If he's convicted, those would result in serious consequences. And since he can afford to hire you, he apparently also has access to enough resources to leave the jurisdiction. He will surrender his passport and be on home incarceration with full monitoring. He will be permitted to attend any meetings necessary for his defense, any medical appointments, and religious services if he should so choose. That's the best I could do for anyone facing similar charges." Maynard bangs her gavel. "That's it. The defendant is remanded until monitoring is in place. Next case."

Kate blows out a breath as she grabs her briefcase and starts for a courtroom exit. Judge Maynard will be cracking the whip, but Kate can't be sure how hard she'll crack it on the defense. Maynard could have required that Brooks put up a substantial amount of money as bail. But on the other hand, if it was raised by outside sources, the loss of it wouldn't keep him from skipping town. With his ankle bracelet, Brooks will have to stay put, which would have been the point of bail. So, it would seem the fairest but also most practical solution. If Maynard keeps up in that vein, the trial should go fine. But Kate can't allow anything Lowell can jump on to slip through the cracks. If his reputation is on point, he's too good for her to allow him any kind of an opening. She, Itzen, and Vu will have to be on their toes.


Leaning in toward the screen of his laptop, Rick studies the text. This case is leading to even more of the little guy getting the short end of the stick, or being literally dumped on. An organization called NHWH, No Hazardous Waste Here, filed a complaint that abandoned properties in blighted neighborhoods, including some located near schools, were being filled with drums of who-knows-what. Outlines remained where warning labels were stripped from drums. And with no owners on site to protest, the city did nothing. According to the complaint, the NYPD scrupulously avoided the area. The drums were left in the dead of night, but a few enterprising neighbors managed to get flash pictures. The trucks were unmarked, but someone captured a license plate. The vehicle was registered to Brown Rock, one of the enterprises tied with the organizations Rick was investigating. With nothing more than a few pictures and no real investigation, the complaint went nowhere. Rick turns toward the steady clicking of Lily's swing. "Mama was right, as usual. I think I found the poo-poo trail. But I'll need to talk to someone who knows a lot more about what was going on than I can get out of the legalese in this filing. It looks like the good guys are in NHWH. Maybe I can get someone there on the phone. Or with any luck, I might find someone we can visit. Would you like to go visiting?"

Lily's feet kick merrily. "Oh."

"Right, go. I'll see what I can do. Normally I'd want to peruse a crime scene. But if the drums in the complaint I read have anything as awful as everyone suspects, I wouldn't want you near them. And none of the mamas and daddies in the neighborhood would want their little ones near them either. So there hangs the tale. But there may be a safer adventure. For the first step, I'll call NHWH. Can I count on you not to lodge any protests while I'm on the phone?" Lily lets out an exploratory wail. "I'll take that as a no." Rick checks his watch. "It is almost time for you to imbibe some of the totally exclusive Beckett blend. OK, a bottle, another change, then I'll try again. And there's always email."