Amy and Jake

Amy reached out the front door and felt around for the newspaper, she grabbed it and shut the door as the morning was exceptionally cold. As she opened her precious Sunday paper and sat on the couch, she let out a sound of surprise as she read the headline, Another Police Officer Killed In Brooklyn, she groaned as she read the article, which of course mentioned Commissioner Holt and the new mayor, Henry Ballard, who said the NYPD needed fix this problem and find the man responsible immediately.

Jake was cuddled up with JJ in the bed, he had woken up at three and had not fallen asleep again until five, and he didn't want to risk him waking up, so he kept him with him on the bed. He felt the brush of Amy's hand, she held up the paper as Jake took a few seconds to wake up and read it. When he comprehended it, he sat up and gingerly got off the bed without waking JJ.

They both waited until they were downstairs to start talking, "damn, Ames, this is not good. Terry had a feeling this could be the start of something. That new mayor is such a dick too," Jake set the paper down in disgust.

Amy was biting her nails nervously, "this is bad Jake, really bad. First off, someone offing cops, but then the mayor using it to put pressure on Holt, that's the worst thing that could happen, the worst."

Jake reached out a hand to calm her, "I know, but we'll catch this guy. I know Holt will put together some sort of task force, I bet the FBI will get involved too, we'll catch this guy."

Amy nodded numbly, "I hope so, this could make life difficult for all of us, not just safety wise, but it could make other cops overly paranoid and cruel, adding to Holt's problems. It's just not fair Jake, he's such a good man, yet he's always picked on."

Jake sighed, "I know, but it will work out, I don't know how, but it has to."

"This is the type of thing we'll have to deal with when JJ is older, the kids see the headlines or hear it on the radio and they either freak out or keep it inside and harbor the fear, which can be worse."

Jake pulled Amy down, so she was sitting on his lap, "I know, I think about Nicolaj and if he sees this stuff, I can't imagine what that conversation is like, I don't look forward to that."

Amy rested her head against him, "me neither, sorry to bum us out so much on a Sunday."

"Hey, it's real, it's happening, it happens. We know this is life as a cop. the good and the bad."

Amy

The next morning, Amy had a meeting with Terry and discussed the recent cop killings, even though neither had occurred within the nine-nine, both worried about how some officers might respond. Terry would handle the detectives and Amy would handle the uniformed officers, before she left, a question formed in her mind.

"Terry, what do you do with your girls when they see this stuff, it must be difficult."

Terry nodded sadly, "Yeah, Cagney saw the headline and then showed the other girls, then Sharon found out and had to sit them down. It was hard on her, she said that they cried a little, it's scary for them. I was out getting breakfast, so when I got back, I had to assure them of everything I do to be safe, but also let them know that no matter what happens, I will always love them."

Soon, Amy found herself facing her officers, "We all know what is going on, in Brooklyn, so we need to focus on two things, the first being safety, the second one being focusing on not being paranoid. We can be careful and on the lookout for danger without flipping out and accusing the innocent, we must be careful during this difficult time for all of us."

As Amy looked out at her officers, she could see fear and confusion on the faces of some, "listen, all of you know I was kidnapped and tortured, my husband has been shot, stabbed, crushed in a dumpster, hit by different car, and kidnapped as well, I understand the fears and questions in all of your minds, the most important thing to remember is do our jobs to the best of our ability, that means following all safety rules and regulations as well as following protocol for dealing with the public."

After the briefing, Amy still wondered if she had helped anyone, she texted Jake.

Amy: Did my briefing, not sure I helped, how did yours go?

Jake: ok, terry did a good job, but a lot of fear, Sabatino knew this last officer killed, they were at academy together

Amy: That sucks, tough day

Jake: yep, Charles said nicolaj was scared for him, sucks

Amy: I love you

Jake: love you too, lootenant

Amy: You have got to learn how to spell that.

Jake

Later in the afternoon, Jake was discussing a case with Rosa and Daniels when Gina came up to him.

"Jakester, there's a dude on the phone, he says it's urgent, like really urgent, I tried to do my normal routine, but he's good, he called back, I stopped caring, take the call."

Jake sighed from annoyance, "fine, Rosa, you guys are kicking butt, keep it up, let me know what you find there." Rosa and Sabatino left, Jake picked up his phone and took the call.

"Is this Jake Peralta?"

Jake felt even more annoyed at Gina, "yes, Sergeant Peralta."

"I didn't know you were a sergeant, but I am calling on behalf of a third party, who like to meet to discuss details about the two cop murders, he thinks there will be more, and he's pretty sure he knows who it is."

Jake rolled his eyes, "look, if you know something, please share, but with all that is going on, we don't need this crap right now."

"I promise you, this is not a setup, you will be safe and given all the information he has. It's up to you but follow the directions and they will lead you to more directions." Jake was about to interrupt, but the caller continued, "go to the seven-eleven next to the Orange Julius in Bensonhurst, go to the chip aisle and pick up the second package of veggie crisps, the next directions will be there. If anyone but you and officer Boyle are there, everything gets called off and you get nothing." The caller hung up.

Jake quickly ran into Terry's office and explained everything while he had Gina find Charles, Terry told Jake to follow the lead with caution, as he left the office, he ran into Charles and explained what they were doing.

As they pulled up to the Seven-Eleven, they got out, both aware of everything around them, Boyle watched the door while Jake found the note, go to Nathan's hot dogs, the third busiest in Brooklyn. As Jake read the note, he had a thought, this felt familiar, like when he had dealt with Doug Judy, the infamous Pontiac Bandit. Jake ran to the car and Charles looked up which location it was. When they pulled in the parking lot ten minutes later, a large drag queen walked up to the car and handed them a note, go to concert grove in Prospect Park.

Jake and Boyle both swore, that was a drive, but twenty minutes later they arrived, they had to exit the car to get to concert grove, when they arrived, there was a homeless man laying on the bench with a blanket covering him, Jake thought it must be him, he walked over and gently shook the man, the man turned and smiled.

"Sup Peralta? Miss me?"

Jake closed his eyes in frustration, "Doug Judy, I was starting to think it was you. What the hell? I have real work to do, and you're a criminal, not best to tempt me."

Judy looked hurt, "Peralta, I got info boo, I think I might know who it is."

Jake looked doubtful, "okay, Pontiac Bandit, wanted for a huge list of crimes, who is it?

"That hurts Peralta, but see, the thing is, I don't know his full name, but I heard stuff, they call him Huggy, it's ironic because the dude aint huggy, but he's a former banger, you know gangs."

Jake counted to ten before answering, not wanting to seem to angry, "that's all?"

"Nah dawg, he's a white dude, so no need for profiling, but he's a tall dude, he did time somewhere. Look, I couldn't be too nosy, but I don't want a psycho out killing cops, despite what I do, you guys always been nice with me, and you're my best friend."

Charles fake sneezed, "bullshit."

"Bless you bro, you best take care of that, you're nothing without your health."

Jake sat down next to him, "Judy, I have some problems, one, without an actual name, what do I have? Second, I have to arrest you."

Doug Judy seemed unphased, "Look, Peralta, no need for that, I'd only escape and make you look bad. Listen, you call the prisons, I know it was a New York one, that I do know, somewhere they have to have that."

Jake rubbed his eyes as he tried to think, "listen, I'll forget I saw you, but I need more, a lot more. Can you get me a name? The nickname is too hard to bank on, an alias is different, but only a nickname doesn't help much."

Judy looked pensive than snapped his fingers, "I know a guy that owes me a favor, old fella, knows everyone, I'll check with him, that will be safe, dude owes me big. I'll get back to you Peralta, by tonight, I promise. I'll call you at the new house, well, about a year."

Jake felt himself going red, "Judy, creepy revelation about knowing where I live aside, I'm putting my career on the line for you, they could demote me or fire me for this. I have a family."

Doug Judy reached out and held onto Jake's shoulder, "that's why I'm doing this, for little Doug Peralta."

Jake laughed despite himself, "yeah, no, his name is JJ, José Jacob, and he's amazing."

Judy smiled, "awesome, look at you, a daddy, it's a special thing."

"It is." Charles added in.

Jake took a deep breath, "by tonight Judy, I need this, this guy is killing cops and several careers could hang in the balance."

"Not a problem dawg, I got you."

Amy and Jake

"Are you insane Jake?" Amy looked pissed, he thought she would, but he had to talk about this with her. He waited until JJ was in bed, so she'd have to be quiet, he had to hold his hands to remind her.

Jake had gone straight home, telling Terry that things took longer and he would explain later, but had to get home, which was true, because he had no idea what to do. "Ames, I think he's got legit info, I need this more than I need him, he'd only make me look bad anyway."

Amy glared at him, "Jake, this is serious stuff, if people found out, they could fire you."

Jake stared at the table, "I know, I just had a gut feeling, I have to trust my gut Ames, it works for me, you know this."

Amy reached out and held his hand, "I know babe, but this is Doug Judy, the Pontiac Bandit, he could be playing games, and if he does have a legitimate lead, what happens if he wants a favor?"

Jake fidgeted in his chair, "I know, I know, I fucked up, I'm just trying to do what's best, and I just thought that getting the killer off the streets was best, for everyone."

The phone rang, saving Jake from whatever she had next, he got up and answered it. "Hello?"

"Peralta, how's your wife doing?"

"Judy, what do you have for me." Amy stood up and put her head to the phone.

"My guy, he said the dude's last name Sampson, he don't know the first name, but Huggy Sampson, white dude, got busted for gang related stuff like tenyears ago, did like six months, he was in the army before that, but he came back worse I guess. He's got tats too, he's got a Jordan 23 on his left arm."

"Are you sure, this is all true, all good info?"

"Peralta, I swear man, this is the goods, with this, you have a chance of at least making things harder for the dude. I gotta run, I'll keep in touch, bye boo!"

And with that, Jake was left holding the phone as a wide-eyed Amy stared at him. "Okay Peralta, what are you going to do? You have to tell Terry, and should probably tell Holt, he might understand knowing your relationship with Judy."

"This sucks, I'm screwed, I just wanted to help, but I could be screwed, but it's the right call, it could save lives."

Jake texted Terry, "get holt and meet me at nine-nine in an hour, important information

Amy hugged him after reading the text, "I'm proud of you, and turned on, you know how that moral compass gets me going."

"Save it for later, right now my stomach is churning, I hope I still have a job when I get back."