Flu
Chapter 5
"We have a problem," Montgomery announces to what's left of the force in the 12th Precinct, assembled in the bullpen.
"No sh*t," Esposito mumbles to Ryan.
"Even with extended shifts, we don't have enough marked units to cover the streets, and we're having an uptick in reports of criminal activity. As you might expect, many of these are crimes of opportunity, purse snatchings, smash and grabs, taking place when there isn't enough police presence to deter them. Those incidents are unfortunate enough, and it's our responsibility to prevent them as much as possible. But both the complaints we're receiving, and the word from the Organized Crime Unit are indicating that the families are exploiting the current health crisis to expand their reach. If you saw the news this morning, you know that an explosion and fire hit a restaurant in Scarpella territory. So far, most of the press is assuming a gas leak or a faulty oven as a cause, although nothing official's been released. The investigators from the fire department are singing a different tune. They believe it was a bomb – a very professionally constructed one."
"I was having a steak at Manny's last night, and he told me that someone he thought was mob, hit him up for protection," Desk Sergeant Finley announces. "I filed a report, and we've had a pile of them coming in from walk-ins."
"I know," Montgomery acknowledges. "That's why I've put together a plan for more strategically using the people we have until we get through this epidemic. I want every available cop on the street, detectives included. We'll put temporary N.Y.P.D. insignia on the unmarked units. You can remove them if you're on a stakeout, but otherwise, we need everyone to be able to see we're out there. All paperwork except for updates on current cases is temporarily on hold." Montgomery's warning look immediately quells the impulse of the assembly to cheer the release from bureaucratic bondage. "Flu or no flu, people, our citizens need to feel secure, and the bad guys need to know we're on the job. That's all. Get out there."
"I know the first place we're going to check out," Ryan remarks as he and Esposito go to pick up their unit.
Esposito nods. "Manny's."
The scratchiness in Castle's throat is making him a little paranoid. Normally after spending a lot of time reading aloud, he wouldn't think twice about feeling the strain. At most, he'd hunt down something comforting to drink and maybe a cough drop. But now every symptom, no matter how minor, makes him worry about the flu. He can't afford to go down, not the way things are with his wife. So far, Dr. Arain says Kate's stable, but due to Alexis' diligence as a researcher, Rick knows that could change at any time. So far, the estimates of the number of I.C.U. patients dying from this thing vary from 18-46%. Reading those numbers sent a teeth-rattling chill through him.
"Babe, you should take a break," Kate counsels. "Dad said he'd be filing a quick motion in court and then coming over. He should be here soon. You could go do whatever it is you do on your walks."
"Nothing very exciting. There's a little play area between two parking lots out there. I just sit on the swings for a few minutes."
Kate reaches for his hand. "Going to your safe place, our safe place."
"I guess so." Rick agrees, grabbing the long-cold container of coffee on the floor beside him. He downs several over-sweetened swallows. It calms the annoying tickle enough for him to continue reading. "I'll just finish this chapter. Your dad should be here by then."
Jim's passage past the metal detectors and into the courthouse was more rapid than usual. Getting almost anywhere is quicker than normal: an upside of the virus if there is one. His motion was routine but necessary. If he hadn't filed it, his case could have been dismissed, sending six month's work down the drain. At least accomplishing that little chore frees him up for a few days. Hopefully, by that time, Katie will be out of the woods and he'll be able to concentrate on his work again. Fortunately, his paralegal has been able to pick up most of the slack as well as spotting a couple of errors Jim seldom makes. He'll give her a raise when he can. The subway is the quickest way to the hospital, and he won't have to worry about finding or paying for parking. Rick's been taking advantage of the hospital's valet service. They probably came running on spotting his Ferrari. Jim doesn't even want to think about what that costs, but he's sure that Rick doesn't give a damn. It's comforting to know that Katie's husband puts her ahead of his wallet.
Looking as casual as they can, Ryan and Esposito stroll into Manny's Restaurant, spotting Manny Feldstein behind the register. "You two can sit anywhere you want," Manny greets them. "Not much of a crowd in yet today."
"We'll have lunch," Ryan replies, keeping his voice low while maintaining the smile of a man looking forward to a good meal, "but we're here to talk about the report you gave Sergeant Finley."
Manny blows air through pursed lips and keeps his voice to a whisper. "Thank God! A goon is supposed to be back here at closing tomorrow, expecting me to pay up. Hey. Let me take you to a table so we can keep talking." Manny leads the detectives to the high walled booth farthest from the door and closest to the kitchen. As they slide across nubby fabric to take their seats, he leans in, making himself almost invisible to anyone else in the restaurant. "What am I supposed to do?"
"That depends," Esposito considers. "If you refuse to pay, then one of the families, probably the Spinellis, will send someone to do enough damage to change your mind. We'll try and prevent that, but under present conditions in the department, surveillance isn't a priority. If something big goes down at the same time, you may be on your own."
"The easiest thing," Ryan continues, "is for you to pay him."
"I can't give in to those thugs," Manny protests.
"You won't be giving in," Ryan explains. "We'll provide you with a mini camera to record your conversation with whoever comes for the money. We'll also mark the bills with a dye that will only show up under U.V. light and put a wrapper on them with a transponder we can use to track them. We'll catch these guys in the act with something we can take to court, and use to go after the whole operation."
A grin spreads over Manny's face. "I like that. And you can get it all set up in time?"
"Not a problem," Esposito proclaims.
"Then I'm in all the way. But are you guys hungry? The kitchen started the pot roast for our special early this morning. It should be tender as hell by now."
Ryan and Esposito look at each other, and Esposito shrugs. "Sounds good," Ryan says.
Esposito checks out the condiments in the rack on the table. "Do you have any habanero sauce?"
"We'll find you some," Manny assures the heat-loving cop.
Castle pulls a copy of The Ledger from the vending machine outside the door of the hospital. He folds up the front page and shoves it in his pocket. The last thing Kate needs is to worry about the rise in crime, but he can share some encouraging human interest stories. He's sure that despite the plague, there must be some. God knows they can both use some good news.