Chapter 9:
492 Lipsett Avenue, Annadale
Staten Island, New York
1945 Hours
Jameson stood at the door as he stared at the Internal Affairs Investigator named Michel Malvesky who had introduced himself, Malevsky then said, "May I come in, Mr Bacciarelli?"
Jameson nodded, "Yes, you may. Our lawyer will be momentarily. I assume that you have questions for us all."
"You have the right to have that attorney present during questioning, Mr Bacciarelli." Malevsky then said. Malevsky then nodded to the Bacciarelli women and noticed the unfamiliar brunette as he said, "Forgive me for asking but who is this?"
"Spencer Hastings, I'm Jameson's girl." Spencer introduced herself. Malevsky then turned to Jameson and said, "I was not aware you had a guest."
Jameson leant off the wall as he explained, "My family's meeting her for the first time, Detective. She merely came of her own choice, just to support us. You will treat her with the respect you would show towards anyone you meet."
Lena stifled a laugh she knew the tone in her older brother's voice. It was one that demanded respect for anyone he was acquainted with. Natalia smiled knowing that the Investigator looked about embarrassed for his bravado that had taken a beating.
Malevsky stared at the man in front of him. Malevsky had known Jameson was a man of honour in the US Marines, decorated and wise beyond his years, he was a nobleman who had taken after his grandfather who had been one and still was.
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The lawyer had arrived, he wore a 2-piece suit, he had light brown hair, he was just coming up to his mid-40s. The man then said, "Detective, I'm Mr Martin Landale. Former US Marine and former NYPD Officer before becoming a lawyer."
"Ah, Detective Landale. I heard much from people who told me about you. Regarding the situation. You must believe me when I say, that we don't want to tarnish a man's reputation." Malevsky said.
Landale nodded, "Let's begin?"
"Mr Bacciarelli, as you've surely been informed, IA seems to suspect that your father has been drawing out evidence and misusing resources to make extra cash, we've also suspected that he used drug money to buy a 2nd house. We asked your siblings if they had known, they said no. Did you know about this?" Malevsky asked.
Jameson stood up as he said, "Detective… my father is a courageous, decorated and a veteran US Marine, he served for 11 years in the Corps. He served 16 years in the police force. 5 years as a patrolman before detective in the Homicide and Vice Squad. He would never go dirty."
"How do you explain the extra shifts he took?" Malevsky asked. Jameson then said, "He was dedicated to serving his city. He wanted to make sure that we all slept peacefully so that nobody would harm us, he drilled us in the event that we were targeted."
"Did you know of the undercover assignment that your father took that resulted in his death?" Malevsky asked.
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Jameson looked puzzled, but he didn't let the confusion show. Lena looked over and saw that Jameson hadn't known.
Natalia then said, "Detective, you must understand… my brother was going through a tough time in Middle East, it was becoming hectic. He never wrote to us because he had to stay focused on getting his men through Afghanistan. By the time, his tour ended, it was November when he found out Dad died, but he never knew the circumstances of his death."
Jameson nodded, "I never knew the circumstances, but my Dad never lied to me about what he did on the job. I knew just enough to guess that he did it to keep us safe. When I joined up, we just spoke about how we were doing and how everyone was back home, we had briefly compared how our tours of duty were similar to each other's."
Malevsky nodded, "I won't claim to understand how Marines went through it every day. I never served like you or Mr Landale here. But I just want to know the truth if you knew about the undercover assignment?"
"I didn't know anything. My father never told us. He mostly kept his conversations between himself and our grandfather who was also a former cop himself." Jameson said.
Landale then said, "May I just remind you Detective… Jameson's doesn't have all the answers to your questions. He's trying to answer, but he's a Marine who put his life on hold to serve his country."
Natalia nods, "We all need to respect that of my brothers, they've served just as hard as anyone could have asked them."
"My apologies Mr Bacciarelli." Malevsky said. Jameson didn't nod as he said, "While in the short time I had… I can say that my father never bought another house. After we had dinner, I went through all of my father's paperwork. There was no evidence of the 2nd house paperwork, I'm sure it was part of an UC assignment that my Dad did in the past."
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Malevsky then nodded as he went through his notebook before saying, "A question for you all… Your father Alberto Bacciarelli… how many bank accounts did he have active?"
"He had one main bank account. After Mom died, the account would be left in Lena's name. Lena had a scholarship to go into college to study catering as her choice. He would do anything for my sisters." Jameson explained.
Malevsky nodded, he looked to Lena and Natalia who had all nodded in addition to Jameson's explanation of the bank account.
Malevsky looked through his notebook for any more questions as he then said, "May I use your bathroom a quick moment?"
Jameson looked to Lena who had nodded, Jameson then replied, "I'll show you where it is."
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Jameson let Malevsky walk in front of him as they walked to the bathroom, Jameson stayed outside the door as Spencer then asked, "You okay?"
"Well, making sure that our guest doesn't go snooping around is priority on my list, but making sure he doesn't meet a gruesome death is also on my list." Jameson said. Spencer nodded, "Yeah, Lena made me go out here and talk you out of killing the man because of the personal questions."
"He never understands what my family do to protect this city, but we would never stoop so low to get ourselves onto a power trip, much like him in there." Jameson says. Spencer then wrapped her arms round his waist before saying, "True, but you need to realise, he's trying to do his job. Although, he may have an ulterior motive for his actions."
Jameson looked at Spencer as realisation dawned upon him, he then smiled as he kissed her full on. Spencer moaned into the kiss as she smiled before she said, "Any reason for that?"
"Maybe I wanted to kiss you, but more importantly, you're amazingly smart." Jameson said. Spencer looked on in confusion as she walked back to the front room, she asked herself, "What did I say?"
Moments later, Malevsky exited the bathroom. Jameson escorted him back to his seat as the Bacciarelli sisters sat naturally just talking about something. Spencer looked over at the sisters, she had gathered they had done something, she could tell this. Lena looked at her to say, "Don't say a word."
Malevsky then said, "As it appears, I believe that you had no recollection of Detective Alberto Bacciarelli ever buying a 2nd house." Malevsky then took a drink from his water bottle and threatened, "But heed this notice, I'm watching all of you, remember that."
"We will, Detective." Lena said.
Martin Landale had also left the house the same time Malvesky had left as well.
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After they had left, everyone blew out a sigh of relief as Jameson then said, "I must ask Lena, but why did you and Spencer share a look when we came back into the room with Malevsky?"
"Me and Natalia took the opportune time to sneak a peek through Malevsky's case." Lena explained, she took out her IPAD to show Jameson the pictures. Jameson could see documents that were written in his father's name. The evidence was endless. Jameson took a closer look at the signatures on the paperwork, a lightbulb went off in his head.
Jameson ran for his father's study as Spencer asked, "What was that?"
"I think Jameson found somethin' but he's not tellin' us." Natalia said.
Jameson pulled out 2 pieces of paper, he then picked up Lena's IPAD and pulled the photo of the signatures enlarging them so they'd be able to see the difference.
Jameson then held up the pieces of paper with him and said, "This is Dad's signature, and the photo of the signature you have is a fake. Note how the slant on the 2 papers I have move to the left, whereas the one in the picture moves to the right."
"Which means…?" Natalia asked. Spencer said, "The signatures a fake, but look at the dates of the paperwork. Why put the exact same date down instead of a fake one?"
Lena then guesses, "To draw suspicion onto Dad, wouldn't the evidence guys have to see paperwork to sign evidence over?"
"They could but it wouldn't have mattered, if IA was behind the request forms and making it look like my Dad planned it all in advance." Jameson said. Spencer then says, "What could this mean?"
"There's a conspiracy in the Police Department. I think the person that ratted Dad out is still large." Natalia said putting the pieces together.
Jameson nodded as he shared the same troubled look with his sisters and Spencer. The man or woman who betrayed their father was still at large and still could do the same to anyone who wore the blue of the NYPD.
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Jameson and the girls all headed to bed, Jameson took up the couch. Natalia and Spencer shared a room whilst Lena slept in her own room.
Jameson had a pot of black coffee by him, he had pulled out his M16A4, he had begun to disassemble it. Whilst doing so, he put his M9 Beretta next to him as he kept himself busy, Jameson didn't want to think about sleep. But the thought of an NYPD Officer betraying one of their own was not uncommon, even Jameson was aware of the consequences for betraying an officer.
Jameson had disassembled his M16 throughout the time he was deep in his thoughts, now he assembled it back together again as he had always done, he was an expert when it came to assembling assault rifles especially of the M16 variety.
An hour later, Jameson was still awake, he was halfway disassembling his M9 Beretta when he pulled out his phone, he dialled Michael's number putting the phone next to his ear.
He waited as the phone answered, "Hello?" Michael's groggily voice answered.
"Mike, you awake?" Jameson asked.
A sigh on the other end of the phone answered Jameson's question, Mike then said, "I was trying to go down, but you woke me up, rat bastard."
Jameson sighed as he said, "Sorry, just needed to call, see how you guys are…"
"All's quiet, for now at least. Thomas is on overwatch, I'm just watchin' over Emily's place." Mike reported. Jameson furrowed his eyebrows as he said, "Why you there?"
"Alison wanted to go see her. Poor girl missed Emily, I offered to drive her. Let Thomas go on patrol for a bit. Daniele's been on the phone with that guy of his in the FBI. They don't want to admit they had corruption in their organisation. Guess who's blaming who?" Michael explained.
Jameson smirked, "The world is a stage, young Michael. A very defined stage. Performances all around and more drama than the eye itself." "Knew you would go into such detail, smart ass." Michael jokingly replied.
Jameson scoffed as he asked, "Where's Giuseppe?" "I actually know that one, he went to see that Aria dame, I think." Michael said.
Jameson chuckled softly, of course Giuseppe would go to see that Aria girl. He had no objections to letting Giuseppe live life. In fact, Giuseppe deserved to have a little happiness. The death of his parents hit Giuseppe hard as a young man, but Giuseppe never let that get him down.
Jameson then said, "Let him go, Mike, the man deserves a little happiness." "Amen to that, I think everyone needs a little happiness in this world. How's your family?"
Jameson explained everything to Mike who was surprisingly a good listener. Michael had offered words of support for the Bacciarelli clan. He too offered the Bacciarelli's his respect when the family lost Alberto Bacciarelli.
After a few hours of talking, Jameson put the phone down. He then turned his attention to the coffee on the table that was lukewarm, he then drank what was left of it. He just stayed awake waiting for the rising sun.
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The Next Morning
Monday 23rd January 2012
0935 Hours
It was morning Jameson awoke to the sound of chatter as he got up, he noticed Lena was cooking breakfast as he said, "Any left?"
"I only made enough for me and Natalia, that's Spencer's in the microwave. I wasn't sure when you'd awake." Lena replied. Jameson nodded, "I'll wake her up."
Jameson walked to Natalia's bedroom, he noticed her sleeping form lying on the floor in the sleeping bag that Jameson provided for her. He softly smiled and pushed away a lock of hair that fell over her eye. She whispered, "Why are you starin'?"
"I forgot it was rude to gaze at something beautiful." Jameson said. Spencer laughed, "You look tired."
Jameson chuckled as he sat down crossing his left leg before saying, "Couldn't sleep, kept dreaming you were in my arms."
Spencer softly sighed, "Promise you don't have to go…" "Wish I could keep that promise, lovely Spencer. I have to meet a family friend, then I'm all yours for the day." Jameson promised.
"What does a date with Jameson Bacciarelli consist of?" Spencer asked. Jameson smirked, "Well, in the dream world, I'd take a girl out to dinner, go dancing on 46th Street, West Side Manhattan."
"You and me dancing?" Spencer asked. Jameson smiled, "Treat a girl right. Walk her home and kiss her goodnight." "How gentlemanly of you." Spencer giggled.
Jameson kissed her as she wrapped her left arm around his neck. It lasted a short time when someone said, "Oh my God!"
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Spencer looked up from kissing Jameson and saw Natalia standing there with her eyes widened.
"Seriously brother, in my room?!" Natalia cried out. Jameson held his hands in defence, "What did you want me to do?"
Natalia threw her arms up and said, "Don't make out with her in my room!" "Alright! Alright! I'll go shower and change." Jameson replied.
Natalia then smacked her brother on the head and said, "Don't make out with a girl in my room ever!"
Spencer laughed as Natalia turned to her and said, "You're off the hook, my brother however…"
Natalia turned to walk to the bathroom, she heard the shower running turned the temperature up to which Jameson shouted, "Natalia Bacciarelli move away from the handle if you want to keep your hand!" "Just teaching you a lesson brother!" Natalia replied back.
"I'm now done anyway! Please walk out of the bathroom?" Jameson asked.
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10 Minutes Later
Jameson walked out of his bedroom, he was dressed in a three-piece suit, light blue dress shirt, dark green tie, waistcoat, grey trousers and a handkerchief in his breast pocket. Lena turned to see Jameson as she groaned, "Seriously. I give up, I give him a polo shirt for Christmas and he refuses to wear it!" "Little sister, let's be civil!" Jameson replied.
Natalia smiled, "You won't change him Lena, he's set in his old ways." "Thank you, Natalia. At least someone understands."
"You do ooze class and style. It's sexy." Spencer smiled walking out of the room. She heated up her plate of breakfast as Jameson then said, "I will be back shortly. I have to go out to Manhattan to meet an acquaintance. I will see you soon."
Spencer walks over and kisses Jameson as Natalia gagged at the romantic sight of her brother and his girl, "Hey! I'm drinking here safe it for tonight."
Jameson then whispers to Spencer, "Mood killer." "Don't worry, you and I will get our chance tonight." Spencer says.
He then waved goodbye, he turned to the door and walked out. He got into his car and drove off heading for Manhattan.
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Hope you're all enjoying this chapter. Please let me know what you thought of it. I'm interested to hear your opinions.