TUESDAY AFTERNOON PIZZA
Ed Brown looked around the table at the members of his executive team. They'd worked together for several years; their business was usually accomplished with a few jokes and stories along the way. The table was scattered with the debris of meetings, cell phones, iPads, notepads, pens, paper plates with partially eaten donuts from Duffeyroll, and coffee mugs in various states of fill. It reminded him of sitting around the oak table with Eve, Mark, Fran, and the Chief, arguing out the points of a case, reporting on findings, and playing poker Wednesday nights. Ed moved that table and chairs to the ranch after Ironside married, and Wednesday nights were still reserved for poker as it always had been, still costing a quarter to open.
The next item on his agenda was to tell his team that Catalina Montez was safe and secure and that they needed to talk about their next steps in the case. Those reports were stacked in a neat pile. Usually, he enjoyed staff meetings, even when they had to talk about difficult things. Today, the attitude was tense. Mayor Michael Hancock and Commissioner Owen Fisette were in attendance. Sitting at the end of the table, they were expectantly waiting for updates. Scratch telling his team everything about Cat right now.
"Next item, ladies and gentlemen, Chief MacAllister will provide the latest on what's happening with the current investigation into the threats made to marijuana shops and are our guys involved."
Sam MacAllister got up and started passing out the folders in front of him. "We can begin on page two. Those are the latest."
"Chief Brown," a voice interrupted
"Mayor Hancock"
"I'd appreciate an update on the fire that took place last week. I've already discussed this with DFD, the Arson Team, and DCSI. It was a meeting you failed to attend."
"Sorry, Sir, I was called out on a rescue in the Red Rocks."
"You do rescues?"
"I am a member of the Department Search and Recovery team. I've done it for several years now. It was an emergency, they needed an extra climber, and Mac, Deputy Chief MacAllister, attended that meeting as my representative."
"When I ask my Chief of Police to attend a meeting, I expect him to be there, not climbing mountains because he feels like it."
"I'll take that under advisement, sir."
"See that you do, Chief."
Owen Fisette looked smugly at him. "Have you found the kid yet?"
Ed decided an edited version of the truth was in order.
"Mayor Hancock, we have given full cooperation to the agencies you referred to with this investigation. The Fire Department considers this arson. They are dealing with that angle. We are dealing with a double homicide". He motioned to Jerry Abbey, who darkened the room slightly and put up the first slide. Driver's License pictures of Pete and Gabriela Montez appeared.
"Our victims are Peter and Gabriela Montez. Husband and wife, native-born American citizens of Hispanic descent, and, in the mother's case, a member of the Water Flow Together Clan of the Navajo Nation. Both were 37 years of age. Lived in the house for four years. Rented. Paid their bills mainly on time. Quiet, good people, according to the neighbors. No known enemies. Pete Montez worked day labor. Gabriella stayed home. Post Mortem determined the cause of death was not the fire but gunshot wounds. Both were shot twice with nine-millimeter pistols, close-range execution style. The gunmen were professionals. Arson reported that it looked like the fire was a cover-up for the shooting. They found traces of Ignitible Liquid Residue, and around the house were fragments of Mason Jars with a petroleum-based accelerant, most likely gasoline. There were also traces of a volatile organic compound, ethylene glycol. They didn't want the Montez family to get out."
"The mayor shook his head sadly in disbelief. "You said they, Chief. More than one person was involved?"
"The timing of the fire with the shooting of the Montez family indicates the involvement of at least one other individual."
"Do we know why the family was targeted?" Fisette asked.
"Not yet. We're hoping that the daughter has some answers. She may have witnessed the shootings and could possibly identify the shooters. She disappeared immediately following the fire. However, she was found over the weekend and is well and in protective custody at this time. "
"Where?" Fisette's voice was demanding.
"At an undisclosed location, Commissioner. Don't bother asking any of the Deputy Chiefs or my office staff; they don't know. Access to that information has been limited to a minimal need to know only. The department intends to keep that young lady safe and alive. Protective services have been contacted that the girl was found and is in custody. There will be no press releases from this department. Denver schools have been instructed not to release any information or pictures of her. Archbishop Aquilla has informed all churches and schools not to release any information about the family as well. Mayor, it's essential there be no leaks from City Hall or the Commissioner's Offices as well. Right now, you are the only ones who know the girl is alive."
"Agreed. We also need to discuss your involvement in all this, Chief, and I take it you know where the youngster is." Mayor Hancock said.
Ed knew this was coming. "Yes, I'm aware of her location." He repeated his story of having met Catalina and being at the crime scene.
"I understand your wife has met the girl also."
"Yes, sir, she was with me that night, and the following morning, she came to the scene to provide my officers with some sketches. She's the director of Conservancy Programs at the Denver Art Museum and a professional artist in her own right, and no, she is unaware as to where the girl is."
The last part was a falsehood, but he needed to keep Fran's part of finding Catalina out of this meeting.
"She went to the girl's school, I understand."
"She volunteered assistance Mayor. I took it. She has experience dealing with kids from her time with the SFPD. The principal correctly refused to help. My wife realized her error and has arranged for an afterschool collaboration between local artists, the police department, the school, and the museum."
"A peace offering? Intriguing."
"That's her style."
"I have a few questions for her, especially about her 'style.'" Fisette broke in.
"If you want to talk to her, I'm sure she'll be glad to come in with her attorney to answer any questions you have about her style." 'And she will rip your smugness into shreds,' he thought.
Fisette glared at him, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Ed knew he'd avoided the setup. Why was he so interested in this case?" He wondered.
Mattie Johnson appeared at the door. "Chief Brown, sorry to interrupt. You have a phone call. It's imperative you take it right now."
Ed nodded at the Mayor. "I think it's a good time for a break. Five minutes? Mac, you'll be leading the discussion on our next item. If you all will excuse me." He walked out of the conference room into his office. Mattie was holding up his cell phone. Her face was serious.
"What's so important that I had to leave?"
"It's a California number."
His stomach knotted.
"Hello?"
"Ed."
The knot was released at the sound of his mentor's voice.
"Chief, what's up?"
"Who's in the office with you right now?"
"Just Mattie."
"Ask her to leave."
Ed gestured, and Mattie left the office, closing the door behind him.
"Ok, what's up?"
"An old friend is coming to Denver."
"Who?"
"Eddie Rogers"
"Why?"
"His daughter and son-in-law were murdered the other night, and his granddaughter has disappeared."
A puzzle piece slid into place for Ed as to why Pete Montez and his wife might have been murdered.
"Mark and I are on our way to the airport right now."
"How many guest rooms do I need to get ready?"
"Mark is coming for the Judiciary Conference. He'll be staying in town. I haven't had a vacation for a while, and well, I can't think of anything better than to see old friends."
"I'll let Ma know. You know there'll be a room for Mark tonight too".
"Sarah would do that. You need to know this. Someone with a lot of power back home wants you dead. His name is Pepe Alvarado; he's interested in Eddie Rogers' turf in San Francisco, and it appears he owns someone important there. Mark thinks he might also want to become a major player in Denver."
"What time do we need to pick you up?"
"Eve and Mac are going to do that, though Mac doesn't know yet. See you about seven."
Ed disconnected the call and opened the office safe. He took out a small box, checking first to see that the seals weren't broken. Opening the box, he took the phone out, connected the battery, turned it on, and dialed, arranging for a company he worked with to electronically sweep his house immediately and check the security programs there. He asked that they make a sweep at Fran's office. He made several other calls before turning the phone off and pulling the battery and SIM card out. There was a locked box in his office marked Electronic Recycle. After opening it, he placed the phone and battery in the container. He pocketed the SIM card for disposal later.
"Mattie."
"Yes, Chief." She came through the door armed with her pad and pen.
Ed ripped a sheet of paper off her pad and placed it on the hard surface of his desk. Taking his pen, he wrote rapidly.
She looked at the paper her boss had given her. They began this system when Ed was hired as Deputy Chief of Detectives, and she was assigned as his secretary. It was a system Ironside used when he thought they were being bugged.
Change user names and passwords on all office computers
What information do we have on a connection between Pepe Alvarado (SF) and Denver?
Find a secure place for a meeting this pm: you, me, Mac, Jerry.
Text address to home cells from your cell.
We need Food, coffee,
large paper, an easel, markers, a good shredder, and disposable phones- 10-12. Don't buy together.
Sim Cards 8 GB- 12 Again, buy separately.
Call the dept bug guy. Everything in the exec suite gets swept today. Office gets swept on an everyday basis. Scatter times.
From Taconi Brothers: Purchase
6 RF scanners
4 camera finders
5 cell phone blocking bags
4 white noise machines.
4 data recovery sticks: iPhone, Android, and Windows each.
Pay cash
Stay safe.
Spend some time at the range... soon and often.
Mattie looked up from the note. Cash? She pointed to the word.
Purse, he mouthed. Ed reopened the safe on the wall behind him. He opened a cash box with a combination lock. When Mattie returned with her purse, he took it and placed two packets in it.
Mattie looked at the list again, picked it up, and placed it in the shredder, where it turned into confetti. She had already consigned the list to memory. Matsuko Sakai Johnson had an eidetic memory. It was a gift she cultivated and served her well as Ed Brown's Executive Secretary and, before that, as a member of the Fraud Division. He knew he could rely on her to always know where the right documents or evidence were. Small in stature, she was unafraid to put other cops in their place, no matter their rank. She was referred to by many on the 9th floor as "Dragon Lady." Her primary job was to make Ed Brown's office effective, which meant always taking care of the boss, Mac, and Jerry. If that made her a Dragon Lady, so be it; she was doing her job properly.
Two hours later, Ed's cell phone pinged.
2900 Milwaukee St, Basement. Park in the back
Team was notified
Purchases made
1:30 pm Mac brought lunch. Get it while it's here. Jerry is eating for two.
Ed grinned. A half-hour later, he walked down the steps into the basement of Jackson AME church. Sam, Jerry, and Mattie were sitting around a table eating. Three pizza boxes were stacked in the middle of the table.
"Boss, it's nice to get out of the office for lunch from time to time, but you want to explain this to us?" Jerry asked.
"Wanted to get out of the office. I'm hungry; did you leave any for me?"
"You didn't just invite us here for just community outreach and pizza from Stone Oven? You know, Pizza With The Cops?" Jerry joked.
"Nope." He filled his plate, sat down, and ate. He and his team made idle conversation until the pizza was gone. Getting up. Ed poured a cup of coffee from the pot gesturing with it; he poured refills.
"What's the need for all the secrecy?" Mac asked.
"What is said here does not leave the room. It's a need to know for us. No notes, no electronics. Having said that, I'm going to bring a few people who aren't here right now into this. You all understand?" He paused to sip coffee.
"The group nodded.
"I'm bringing in Mark Sanger, Diana Sanger, Robert Ironside, Eve, and Fran."
Mac looked surprised. "The old San Fran team. But Evie? Fran? Why them?"
"We're in trouble, folks, all of us." He went to the easel and told them what he knew for the next hour.
"Catalina is safe? You said she was this morning." Mattie asked
"She is. She's at the ranch. Fran found her Sunday. She won't go anywhere else until she's summoned to court."
"What about school?"
"Mattie, tomorrow you go in, flash that sergeant's badge of yours at the principal of Cesar Chavez and get everything Catalina has there. She wants her homework. She's bored. Also, find out if anyone else has been snooping about. Check to see if they have had any video, internal or external, for the past two weeks. Take them. Make sure the principal understands no information is to be shared with anyone, including your visit."
"Warrant will impress her more than my badge will, Chief, especially in getting the film."
He thought a moment. "Judge Lancaster can set one up today."
Mattie got up, pulled out her cell phone, and went to a far corner to call the judge.
"What about me, boss?"
"You, Sergeant Abbey, will be my ears. Based on the information, there's a mole somewhere in the department or city hall. If I remember, you were good at collecting gossip while working the office copy machine. Think you could do that again?"
"No problem, Boss."
"Fisette. It's gotta be him."
Mac had said out loud what Ed had been feeling for years. "Gotta be him; why Mac?"
"Think about it, Ed. He always wants to be the big man. Things have to move through him to get done. Take the press conference. He demanded to be there. He deliberately messed that up. Why would he do that? So we'd reveal more information in the corrections? The man always wants a reward, a payoff, and recognition for the littlest thing. We all know he thinks he should be mayor and not Mike Hancock. He's got an exploratory committee and a PAC set up for the election. And you, well, hell, he's never liked you, Ed. He's trying to connect you with something dirty, like the pot shops or something, and what does he get as a reward."
"My head."
"Exactly. We have to take care of this fast. And we need to keep an eye on Fisette."
Mattie returned to the table. "Judge would like you to drop by and explain a little bit to him before he issues a warrant. I'll get Fissette's financials for you. How far back do you want?"
"As far back as you can get without arousing too much attention."
Mac thumbed through a copy of his case file. "He's friends with the principal at Chavez too. They're neighbors. He said that today. Fran tried looking for Catalina at the school."
"Who could we send that could pick up those tapes without too much attention?"
"Brenna," Jerry said.
"Who?"
"Brenna Chang. My girlfriend. Lab Tech. Remember she saved your butt the other day with the early morning GSR test? And you still owe her breakfast."
Ed gave him a scowl. "We can't endanger her."
"Think about it, Boss." Abbey began. "She's a lab tech. She'd be the one examining those tapes probably. Why can't she pick them up? It's just natural she'd do that, and you can ask someone from Protective Services to get the homework and her belongings and drop it off on Mattie's desk. That would allow her to spend her time and expertise on the financials as well as keep an eye on the office for us."
"You know he's right, Chief. But Brenna doesn't have to do it. One of the guys from District One that play basketball with you can pick up what we need. They do not need to know what's going on. If Brenna will be our assigned tech, she needs to be brought in in this as soon as possible. You can't blindside her. The more we can look normal, act normal, sound normal, the less likely Fissette or this Pepe Alvarado will think we're on to them." Mattie said firmly.
Ed nodded. "Mattie, we're all bringing one confidant into this. Ben works in D 1, right?"
"Yes"
"Ben will be our messenger. Husband comes in to see his wife in the office; what's the problem?"
"None that I see, sir." Mattie grinned. She handed each of them a package. "These are for the office. An RF scanner, camera finder, burner phone with extra SIM cards, a bag for your regular cell phone, and data recovery sticks for all systems, Android, Apple, and work for phone and computer. Our office will be swept regularly for bugs. There will be a white noise machine in your offices and the lab. Keep it on."
Ed looked at the group. "We'll regularly meet out of the office to talk privately around town. We usually play poker Wednesday night at seven at the ranch. I think we'll move the game to tonight for this week. Bring your special someone. It costs a quarter to get in, and I hope you all love chili."
A/N I was recently informed of the death of a member of the Ironside Community, Brioch. She loved Mike Stone, Steve Keller, and The Streets of San Francisco and found fun ways to get that mixed in as part of the Ironside world. Thank you for your gifts of writing. We will miss you.