For the People Chapter 54

"Want to see if there's anything on the tube?" Rick inquires as Lily's swing gently rocks her back and forth.

The baby's eyes shift to her father. "Ooh."

Rick picks up the remote control. "OK, let's see what we've got. Repeats of 'Law and Order,' the wonders of the newest vacuum cleaner, magical weight loss, oh, how about some local news? Whoa! A demonstration at our old non-friend Brown Rock. You remember them. They were tied up in dumping all that evil poo-poo. I wonder what they're up to now? Looks like the reporter lady is about to tell us."

"This is J'net Smith from Channel 25 News. I have with me Olivia Jefferson, the leader of a sit-in going on here at an office of Brown Stone Property Management. Olivia, what's your protest about?"

"What's it about? It's about having a decent place to live," Olivia proclaims. "We pay good money for rent on our apartments. We've got no heat and no hot water. The super refuses to show his face or answer his phone and Brown Rock isn't giving us any answers either. We're going to stay until Brown Rock agrees to fix what's wrong. And then we're going to make sure they do it."

"Has anyone from Brown Rock spoken to you at all?" J'net inquires.

"Spoken to us? One man in a fancy suit and Italian shoes stuck his head out of an office and threatened to call the police on us if we didn't go away. That's it!"

"What are you going to do if the police come?" J'net asks.

"Tell them if they want us to leave, they're going to have to carry us. But carrying off a bunch of old folks who just want what they're paying for won't look good on TV, will it? If they come, you'll put it on TV, won't you?" Olivia presses.

"I'll follow the story whatever happens," J'net promises, turning back to face the camera. "This is J'net Smith for Channel 25 News at the developing story of Olivia Jefferson and protesting tenants. Channel 25 will stay on the scene and bring you updates as they happen. Now back to the studio and the weather."

Rick glances down at Lily. "Looks like what your Grandpa and I were worried might be happening is going down. Maybe we'll talk to him later after we see what happens. And perhaps Olivia and her friends could use some support. Cameras love babies, especially beautiful ones like you. Feel like a little trip?"

"Ah," the baby responds.

"Yes, we can take the car. I know how much you like to ride. And I'll make sure your bag is fully provisioned, just in case we're out for a while."


After returning to her office while the jury deliberates, Kate examines the stack of files dropped on her desk while she was gone. They all look to be misdemeanors, easy to plead out for minimum sentences – except one. It's a felony, an assault. However, the defendant, Thomas Milcham, has no prior record, not even a parking ticket. Kate can't help thinking there's a story there, but the public defender's office is handling it. That means that the defense isn't likely to have the time to do much listening. Before Kate makes any kind of an offer, she wants to talk to Thomas. That will make the deal more than the usual five-minute transaction, but until Brooks' jury comes back, she has the time. And the fact that Milcham is still being held at the 12th Precinct means that she can see old friends when she goes to meet with him. All in all, the morning is looking up.


Kate sighs as she observes Thomas Milcham sitting in Interrogation. The room looks familiar yet different. The bright blue paint was replaced by a functional gray, no doubt less likely to show dirt. The table is the same if more beat up with dents from the shackles of frustrated suspects. The chairs are the same too. The video equipment and microphones have been updated to run off a new laptop. Kate notes that it's special issue, almost indestructible. It can probably also operate air-gapped to prevent hacking. Several defendants in the past few years have challenged video as having been altered. One of them was actually right, forcing some changes.

Since Thomas did ask for a lawyer, Kate can't talk to him until his attorney arrives, which given the caseloads of public defenders, could be a while. But Kate can watch him. He looks nervous. That makes sense for a first offender. Everything is new and frightening. But what he doesn't look is guilty. Kate knows better than to judge by appearances, but over the years she's found that suspects who willingly or even gleefully beat on other people possess a certain vibe. From what she's seen so far, Thomas Milcham doesn't have it.

A young man hurries to join Kate. He's carrying an upscale attaché case with minimal scuffs. Kate imagines it was a gift when he graduated from law school. A lot of her classmates received them from family and friends. Rick would have happily purchased one like it, or even more expensive, for her. But she didn't want that kind of flash. Her case is functional, and that's all she needs, except that it also goes perfectly with her favorite heels.

Puffing, the young man extends his hand. "Lyle Douglas. I've been assigned to defend Thomas Milcham."

Kate notices Lyle's grip is firm but not overdone. That's a point for him. "Kate Beckett, ADA."

Lyle nods vigorously. "Yes, I know. I was a fan of the Nikki Heat books. I was sorry when your husband stopped writing them. But his book about Senator Bracken was excellent. I was happy for you that you finally nailed the sonofabitch. Still, we'll be on the other side of the courtroom, and I only met Thomas Milcham for a few minutes after he was processed. I'm sure you're not surprised that I advised him not to say anything to anyone except me."

"Good advice," Kate acknowledges. "Do you want to talk to him before I go in there?"

"I'm not sure why you're even here," Lyle confesses. "Usually I meet up with ADAs in the hallway before or after my clients are arraigned and make the best deal I can. I've never met one at a precinct before. But I do need to speak to Thomas in private."

"Of course. I'll be talking with some of the detectives in the bullpen." Kate points. "That's the sea of desks out there. Call me when you have Thomas' story, and then I'll see what we can do for him."

Ryan springs from his seat and waves wildly as Kate approaches. "Beckett! Javi should be back anytime. He's downstairs talking to a detective in Robbery. He thinks she might know something about our latest case."

Kate's eyebrows rise. "Sergeant Esposito going to Robbery? He's usually more territorial than that. I'm surprised he didn't make her come to him."

Ryan winks. "You haven't seen her. She's new, Detective Fernito."

"And Javi would follow her anywhere?"

"Pretty much. So what brings you here?"

"I was curious about a suspect, Thomas Milcham. You hear anything about him?"

"No, I've got a pretty full plate of my own right now. You know how it goes. If I do hear anything, I'll let you know. But Beckett, we could use some of Castle's private blend of coffee. It's been a while since we had anything close to that good around here."

Kate flashes a smile. "Sure. I'll let Rick know."