Sorry that this took a while. I had a military buddy I haven't seen in a few years. Spent some time with him and his family.
Chapter 3
New York Criminal Court
Manhattan, New York
"We are here to discuss the motion made by the defense to have the evidence and charges dismiss from the case." The Judge said from her bench at the front of the court room. "Is the defense ready to proceed?"
"We are your honor." Mr. Sorenson replied getting to his feet. He looked down at his notes. "Your honor, the state has had the evidence for over three months, and now the evidence has again been pushed to the side for another priority case."
"Your honor, that case involves the murder of a Deputy Chief of the New York Police Department, and a deputize federal agent. That itself has been a priority by the federal government not this court." Erin stated after hearing the opening motion
"And yet another minority is pushed aside by the system because of someone with money or influence."
"Your honor!" Erin said in a state of shock.
"Easy Mr. Sorenson, or I will find you in contempt." The judge warned. She acknowledge the apology from the lawyer. "You are aware Mr. Sorenson that priority for certain cases drives what evidence gets process first."
"I am aware your honor, but at the time, there were no other cases in front of my clients evidence. I understand the necessity of prosecuting the murderer of the deputy chief, but how do we know if my clients evidence wasn't tampered with, or the DNA contaminated due to the move to prioritize the cases." Mr. Sorenson argued.
"Your honor the lab takes the handling of evidence very seriously." Erin shot back.
"Yet the prioritization of the NYPD and political powers is for one of their own. My heart does go to the Kent family, but this a chain of custody issue and a handling."
"State, what about this argument made by the defense?" The judge asked Erin.
"I went to the police commissioner your honor and asked for his help in getting the evidence processed for trial." Erin answered the question from the judge. She felt the eyes of Mr. Sorenson on her. "It was my intent for evidence for evidence to be made available for both sides."
"And another example of the powers that be setting the priority your honor." Mr. Sorenson argued.
"Your honor, I asked the commissioner for help because I felt the defense should have the same amount of time as I do your…."
"Alright enough." The Judge said looking out into the courtroom. She thought about her next words for a few moments. "I will take the motion into consideration, and give you my answer Monday morning. We'll reconvene at 9am. Court is adjourned."
Erin gathered her belongings and went over to the defense council's table. "Attacking custody and handling of the lab, Mr. Sorenson, along with playing the race card. That's pretty low."
"Hits a little close to home Ms. Reagan. But like you I play to win." Mr. Sorenson answered grabbing his briefcase and walking out the courthouse with Erin looking at him.
12th Precinct
Manhattan New York
Jamie walked into the precinct and to Sergeant Renzulli's office. He knocked politely on the door.
"Come in." Sgt. Renzulli said to the knocking at his door. He looked up and saw Jamie walking into his office. "Ahh Reagan, earlier than usual. That's what I like about you."
"Sarge, I made up my mind what I want to do." Jamie answered while standing the desk and looking at his TO and mentor. "I want to take the Sergeants Exam."
"Figured you would." Renzulli answered with a smile as he picked up a piece of paper and handed it him. The paper had his badge number, test id, and date when the exam would take place. "Heard you already picked up the exam prep."
"I thought about it last night long and hard when I got home." Jamie replied with a smile on his face as well. "I know if I pass the exam, it could be months before I get promoted."
"True, it took them almost a year to promote me." Renzulli stated with a smirk. He leaned back in his chair to look at Reagan. Then he brought up the subject. "Have you figured out how to tell your partner?"
"Probably sometime today Sarge." Jamie answered. He shifted on his feet. "How long will we stay partners?"
"Probably until you get promoted." Renzulli stated looking over Jamie. "If you want to start a little earlier on your training I can arrange it if you pass."
"Thanks Sarge, I'll think about that." Jamie replied. He folded the paper and put it in his pocket. "See you at roll call."
"See you Reagan." Renzulli said as Jamie left the office.
One Police Plaza
Manhattan, New York
Frank looked over the paperwork that was in his hands as Garrett and Ghormley stood by sitting down in chairs. Baker stood behind him as the commissioner looked over the analysis that the city council asked for. "Are these numbers right?"
"Yes sir." Ghormley answered looking at Frank. He looked at his own copy of the analysis. "The results would be problematic for the department."
"I can see that Sid." Frank answered setting the paperwork down on his desk. "Taking resources off the street to provide armed security, could very well put officer's lives at risk."
"Not to mention the cost of hiring new units to meet the demand in case we don't want that to happen." Garrett replied to Frank's statement. He looked at his copy before speaking again. "An extra 2.5 million to hire extra police officers, equipment and training."
"Add an additional 2 million if you want to create it as an own special command with a building." Ghromely replied setting his copy down on the commissioners' desk. "I don't like the fact one of the solutions is outsource some of the civilian jobs and lay off those employees."
"Signs of the times Sid." Garrett asked adding his own copy of the analysis onto the pile. He sat back in his chair. He looked over to Frank. "This is not going to play well with the city council and the mayor."
"I know that, but it doesn't play well with me." Frank replied to the statement Garrett gave. He got up and moved over to the window. "Garrett, what do you think?"
"Times are tough and no one wants to raise taxes. No one wants to lay off anyone either." Garrett replied to the question. He thought about his next words carefully. "We could leak it to the press before the council does?"
"Commissioner to council; drop dead." Ghormley replied getting looks from Frank and Garrett. He looked at both of them for a moment. "This also wouldn't play out too well in the ranks sir. More cops means more competition for promotions, and no cop worth their salt would want to be a glorified security guard for a hospital."
"I know that too Sid." Frank replied with that thought on his mind. He sat back down at his desk. "The government's first duty is to protect its people, not run their lives."
"Ronald Reagan. Wasn't he speaking about the bureaucracy at that time?" Garrett asked.
"Same principal. That is what it boils down to Garrett. Both the council and we are trying to do that. Protect the lives of the citizens of the New York." Frank answered the question. "Without butting heads."
East Village
Manhattan, New York
"Central, show 12-David on 10-63." Jamie said as he turned the car off. He saw Eddie grabbing her hat and getting ready to step out of the car. "Jenko hold on a second. I want to show you something."
"What is it Reagan?" Eddie asked. She took the piece of paper that Jamie passed over to her. She opened it up. A look of surprise spread across her face. "You signed up for the sergeant's exam."
"Yeah, that's why I was kind of out of sorts. I was thinking about that all yesterday and last night." Jamie replied taking the paper back from her. "I want to see where I can go in my career, because it doesn't look like I'll be making detective anytime soon.
"What would that mean for us as partners?" Eddie now replied with a sound of concern in her voice.
"I haven't passed the test yet, but if I do, I get reassigned once promoted to learn how to become a sergeant." Jamie told her. He saw the look of dejection on her face. "Look I know we share almost everything, but I wanted to think about this before I signed up, and in fact Renzulli signed me up because he knew I would."
Eddie reached out and punched Jamie in the shoulder. "Ow, what was that for." Jamie asked.
"Keeping that from me. You think I would blab that all over the precinct?" Eddie asked. She saw the look on Jamie's face. "Point taken. Does your family know?"
"No. I want to do this on my own. No hooks." Jamie replied.
"Got it. This calls for a celebration. I'll buy lunch and the first round." Eddie stated getting out of the car. She looked inside the car at Jamie who still haven't gotten out yet. "Come on Reagan, offer only comes once in a while. Trust me I won't say anything."
Major Case Squad
54 Precinct
Danny and Baez were in another room as a video technician loaded the surveillance footage from Fred Nicholson's law firm. Danny and Baez had paperwork in their hands that was the records of the access badges that were used in the last week.
"Okay Fred Nicholson." Danny said looking over the roster of everyone at the law firm and building that had an access badge. "Okay there are two on the list here. What was Trevor's boyfriend middle name?"
"Aaron." Baez replied waiting for Danny to find Fred's badge number. "At least the reports go in numerical order.
"Yeah, got it. N11159." Danny stated after finding the badge number.
"All cued up detective." The tech stated. Danny and Baez moved over near the screen.
"Alright Fred clocked in and out a few times." Baez stated while looking at the report. "First one is at 815 am."
"Probably arriving to work." The tech replied while looking at the video.
"Yeah after 7pm, you need a badge to enter the building, but badges are need for all interior doors no matter what time." Danny said as the video spooled forward. "Okay there he is."
"Okay next one is at 1230." Baez remarked. "Probably lunch."
"Yep. Okay partner, what's after the normal working hours?" Danny asked after seeing Fred leaving for lunch.
"7 in the evening so I am assuming dinner." Baez stated as she looked through the reports.
After a couple minutes of scrolling through video the tech found him again as Fred left the building and return a half hour later with a bag.
"Huh. Last one on here is at midnight." Baez remarked.
"Didn't he stay he stayed until three?" Danny asked as the tech began to move the screen forward.
"Yeah." Baez answered as the screen stop showing Fred leaving about 1205 in morning. Baez tapped the tech on the shoulder. "Go forward."
After several minutes of watching Fred did not appear again. Danny stood up. "He left early."
"Yeah he did." Baez answered him as a uniform walked in and handed her a folder. She looked at it for a minute. "Lab report came back. Trevor had no defensive wounds but a close contact burn on the back of his head."
"Great. Let's go talk to Freddy." Danny stated. The both of them walked out of the room they were in and made their way towards the interrogation room. Baez walked in before Danny who closed the door once he entered. "Fred, thanks so much for coming down."
"No problem detective, can't stand being home more." Fred replied sitting in the chair. He looked at Danny and Baez. "You said you had more questions for me."
"Yes, we wanted to clear up somethings you told us." Baez stated taking out a pen and setting it down next to the notepad. She pulled out a picture of the trio smiling and set it on the table. "You said that you didn't know Adara Hassan all that well."
"I don't know her all that well." Fred replied.
"Well you see Fred, this picture says otherwise." Danny stated with a little sarcastic tone. He picked up the picture and set it down in front of Fred. "We went over Trevor's timeline, and it seems you got to know her quite well."
"Well I mean she was Trevor's childhood friend, so of course I will try to get to know her." Fred answered.
"Well you see that's where you are lying again Fred, because you and Trevor see her every Friday like clockwork." Danny again stated, now moving behind Fred and coming close. "I think you suspected Trevor wasn't fully invested in your relationship."
"Come on Fred, we have the records from your work." Baez said pulling out the highlighted portion of badge records. "You left before 3 am, and you never showed back up."
"You went out and found out that Trevor was nailing his childhood friend and you killed him and then you made Adara disappeared." Danny said a little louder this time. He leaned in a little closer. "You got a gun, and shot Trevor."
"No, no no. I don't like guns, Trevor didn't have guns." Fred said with a rising panic in his voice.
"You got a gun and shot Trevor in the back of the head." Danny said louder this time.
"No." Fred shouted.
"Then tell us what happen, because there is no record of Adara Hassan…." Baez started to say.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you." Fred said while trying to calm himself down. He took in a deep breath. "The reason you can't find any record of her, is because me and Trevor got her into the underground network."
"What you talking about?" Baez asked with a curious look on her face.
"Adara was born here in the US but her parents come from Pakistan, and are very traditional. They arranged a wedding for her." Fred stated looking at Danny and Baez who were in turn looking at him. "Adara's husband was very jealous of the close relationship she had with us, especially Trevor. He even came over one night and dragged her home because she wasn't there to care for him."
"What you saying?" Danny asked.
"Adara came over one morning after her husband left for work covered in bruises. That's when we made the decision to put here in the battered women's underground." Fred said with a look of fear.
"I heard of them, they get abused women into safety and away from their abusive spouses or partners." Baez stated with a look towards Danny.
"So the night I said I was working till 3 I actually met Trevor and Adara. I arranged for the pick up at a spot of their choosing. Trevor rode with her to make sure she was safe, then I went back to our place as soon as he got in the car." Fred said lowering his head.
"That's why you were working late, you were were erasing her identity." Danny said getting a reply with a nod from Fred. Danny and Baez moved to a corner of the room. "We may be looking at the wrong suspect partner."
"Yeah." Baez replied with.
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