Act Of Remembrance
A/N: I am posting the next chapter a bit earlier than usual today as I won't be able to be online later on. I hope you are all enjoying my story so far and thanks to all those who have left such kind reviews thus far. I do appreciate you taking the time to review. Now here is the next instalment.
Chapter 9
"The gang was "The Black Widows"!" Steve continued." Hence the spider tattoo and one of them I think was ... Ramiro ...no that wasn't it! Rodrigo! Yeah that was it! Rodrigo ... Fernandez! Rodrigo Fernandez! I'm almost positive Mike. He was the leader. I can't remember the other one. Sorry!"
"SORRY? What are you being sorry for? You've just given us the best leads we've had all day! " Mike exclaimed excitedly. Then looking proudly at Steve he announced. "I told you! You stick with me and you'll make it to the top buddy boy! That was good work!"
Then standing up he went back around his desk and sat down again. Clapping his hands together he smiled broadly at Steve.
"Ok! Here's what we're going to do. I'll go down to Records and see if they've come up with names for our victims and I want you to pull the files on that case from five years ago and find the name of the second perp. Then I need you to head down to Stan and see if he can fill you in on what's happened to the "Black Widows" in the last five years. Ok?"
"Ok Mike I'm on it " Steve said and he got up just as Mike's phone rang.
"Hold on a sec!" Mike said to Steve holding up his hand as Steve went to leave the office and while Steve stood and waited, Mike picked up the receiver.
"Stone, Homicide? Oh hi Captain! Yes. What meeting? Oh that meeting. But that's not today is it? In twenty minutes? Look Captain, I'm flat-out here. Can't we postpone it for a day or two. Ok. No, of course I understand that we can't disappoint the Mayor! Heaven forbid! Alright, alright calm down! I'll be there! Ok. See you soon. Bye."
Mike angrily slammed down the receiver.
"Well, that's all I need! Apparently I've got a meeting in the Captain's office in twenty minutes with the Mayor's aide in attendance! Skowlownowski !
The Captain wants me to fill him in on our caseload for last month. Why didn't they send me a reminder about it? " Mike said gruffly starting to panic as he worried how he was going to compile the data required in the limited time available.
"Calm down Mike! They did send you a memo over a week ago. It was put on your desk! And I typed up the report you need three days ago. It's also buried on your desk somewhere! Mike! How come you've let your desk get so untidy? You normally keep everything so organized. "Steve said rifling through the papers to find the report he had left there.
"I know, I know. I let things slide the last couple of days. I'll sort through it tomorrow. What are you now? The inspector of desks?" Mike asked teasingly.
This made Steve laugh just as he found and pulled out the report he was looking for.
"Very funny! Here's your report Sir! You better not keep Skowlownowski waiting! In the meantime I'll get those names from records and I'll check out those other things too. "
"Ok. I'm sorry you're stuck doing all the legwork. I'll catch up with you as soon as I can. You know I'd rather go on a dinner date with Mrs Corcoran than go to this infernal meeting!" Mike said animatedly.
Steve laughed again and turning to leave Mike's office for a second time he called back playfully.
"Be careful what you wish for!"
Mike laughed too and called out.
"Oh and Steve!"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for typing up this report. I owe you one."
"One? The way I figure it you owe me way more than one!" Steve said laughing."But you're welcome. Oh and tell Skowlownowski what's his name said hi!"
Mike laughed at this too and watched as his young partner tiredly made his way out of the bullpen. He knew Steve was still exhausted after his good deed last night and cursed the fact that now because of this infernal meeting he had just piled extra work on his already tired shoulders. He looked at the report in his hands and flicking through it he shook his head in amazement at the amount of detail and the neatness of the report that Steve had compiled. It never ceased to amaze him how thorough Steve's reports always were. Looking at the clock in his office he reckoned he had about ten minutes to spare so he decided he would try to find out who had called Steve earlier and caused him such angst. Picking up his phone he dialled a number and when the voice on the other end answered he spoke officiously.
"Hi Carla. This is Stone up here in Homicide. Listen I need you to do me a favour. Can you find out for me what the last number was that called Inspector Keller's extension please?"
"Sure Lieutenant . Just hold one moment please!"
Mike waited patiently while Carla retrieved the information he required and familiarized himself with the report in his hands while he waited.
Within a few minutes Carla came back on the line.
"Lieutenant, I'm afraid that all I'm able to tell you is that it is showing up as an internal call."
Mike hadn't been expecting that particular answer so he paused a little before replying.
"Lieutenant? Are you still there?"
"Yes. Sorry. Thanks Carla. Look I appreciate you checking it for me. Bye."
Mike was now even more stumped as to what was going on with Steve but he reckoned that at least it confirmed that it was work related somehow. Checking the clock once more he saw that it was ten to three and decided to head up to Olsen's Office a few minutes early otherwise he knew he would only sit there putting off the inevitable so picking up the report he headed upstairs for another dreaded monthly report team meeting!
Meanwhile...
Steve had arrived in Records and was greeted by Officer Barney Gates. He had been in the Records Department for as long as anyone could remember and was well liked among his colleagues. He had a very pleasant jovial manner about him that exuded helpfulness and was always ready to help and assist anyone who came through the door. Smiling broadly at Steve as he entered he greeted the young detective in his usual upbeat manner.
"Ah Steve! I've been expecting you or Mike! I got those fingerprints from the ME's Office this morning and I ran them through the database."
"Afternoon Barney. Did you come up with any names for us?"
"Yes! On both counts! Your first guy the John Doe from the alleyway is one Terry Evans. He's spent his fair share of time over the last couple of years being drunk and disorderly and sleeping it off in our comfortable accommodations! And your second victim has a record too as long as your arm. His name is Antonio Garcia. Age eighteen. All juvenile stuff up to two years ago. Then he seemed to take his criminality to a new level if you catch my drift? Two counts of assault where the victims mysteriously dropped the charges and he was being watched by Vice with links to drugs. I have the two files for you Steve. Just sign on the dotted line and they're yours and let me tell you they make for some pretty dark bedtime reading my friend!"
Steve smiled at the older Officer.
"Thanks Barney. I could use some good bedtime reading lately! "
Steve signed the forms required to remove the files and then sought Barney's help one more time.
"Listen Barney, I need your help with one more thing! I need another file on a case I was present at but it goes back aways and I'm really not sure about all the details. How do I go about finding it?"
"Ooh! That sounds challenging. How far back aways are we talking exactly?"
"At least five years."
"Oh, those records are all on microfiche now. You're welcome to use one of the machines if you like? I have to stay at the front desk but Nancy and Michael are back there if you need help searching."
With that two other detectives came in behind Steve to talk to Officer Gates so realizing that he would have to manage himself Steve thanked Barney for his help and entered into the inner office where the Microfiche files were kept. Sitting down at a vacant machine Steve took a few minutes to familiarize himself with the task at hand. He had often used microfiche in College but it had been a while. After a few futile attempts Steve started to make progress and he started scrolling through dozens of cases. After fifteen minutes of futile searching Steve started to get fed up. He was feeling tired again and the muscles in his back and shoulders were starting to ache. Steve leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms behind his back in a vain attempt to try to loosen the tension. Staring at the screen at the constant scrolling was starting to give him a headache and although he felt like giving up he didn't want to disappoint Mike so rubbing his tired eyes he once again resumed his futile search. A hand on his shoulder startled him and looking over his shoulder he saw the smiling face of Officer Nancy Carter.
"Hey Steve! Looks like you could use some help. What are you looking for?"
"Hi Nancy. I thought you'd never ask!" he said relieved at the offer of help. " I'm searching for a case file dating back around five years ago. I'm a little sketchy on the details but I think it was a gas station robbery, possibly in the Mission District. The perp was a gang leader of a gang called the Black Widows and I think his name was Rodrigo Fernandez. There was another perp but I don't remember his name. Sorry that's all I got! It was a long time ago. I was assisting in a black and white at the time but it wasn't our case."
"Don't be sorry! You've got more for us to go on than most that come in here! Trust me on that!" Nancy said smiling. "Have you cross referenced any of that information from the card system yet?"
Steve looked blankly at the female officer and then looked down ashamedly.
"No ... I didn't. Of course! They had a card system in college too! Oh man! I'd forgotten about the card system. Sorry! " Steve said blushing slightly and feeling foolish.
Nancy felt sorry for the younger detective. Most of the officers that came in to the Records Department were very demanding and never even attempted to try to get their own information. Steve was one of the few Officers who was always mannerly and polite and never condescending. Those qualities always meant that those who worked in the Records department were more willing to help him. Smiling at Steve, Nancy quickly deflected the situation away from Steve's embarrassment.
"Don't worry! We'll find what you're looking for!"
Nancy quickly set to work flicking through drawers of index cards. Steve admired the speed and efficiency with which she searched.
"It would help if you could remember the name of the arresting officers."
Steve racked his brain trying to remember what black and white had beaten them to the crime scene.
"I'm not sure." Steve admitted and then closed his eyes again and tried to remember the crime scene in his head. He could see the gang leader as he resisted arrest. The tattoo clearly visible on his arm. He remembered how strong the guy was and how the officer had yelled for his partner and the fact that it had taken the two offices to restrain him. He tried to focus on the officers and he vaguely remembered one of their faces. "Wait a minute! ... It was Blake. Thomas Blake and his partner was the cop who retired last year. Oh what was his name?"
Steve was struggling again so Nancy offered some help.
"Retired last year? You mean Jefferson?"
"No. No that wasn't him "and then again all of a sudden it came to him."MacKenzie. His partner was Paul Mackenzie!" Steve announced rather pleased with himself.
"Well done. That will make our lives easier. Now we just need to look through the cases of Blake and MacKenzie that date back five years ago and hopefully we will find the one we're looking for."
As Nancy began searching through the cards, she noticed from the corner of her eye how tired Steve looked. Making small talk while she searched she said sympathetically.
"No offence intended Steve, but you look like hell! Have you been burning the candle at both ends again?" she added with a smile.
Steve brushed his hand through his hair and smiled back.
"I wish ... No. Mikes just been working me too hard lately. But don't tell him I said that!"
Nancy laughed but there was something else different about Steve's demeanour this afternoon. Something almost mournful that was blatantly obvious despite his attempts to hide it behind his mesmerizing smile. Something that ran deeper than tiredness. Then she remembered the phone call that she had received a few days ago and instantly she knew what had him out of sorts.
"Steve!"
"Yeah?"
Nancy stopped her searching momentarily and turned to face him. Steve grew slightly anxious by her sudden serious facial expression and wondered what she was about to say.
"Sherry rang me a few days ago and told me about Evelyn's memorial service tomorrow afternoon. It must be hard for you. You know I never got to properly say to you how sorry I was about the whole thing. It was so terrible."
Steve's face fell when she mentioned Evelyn but quickly he brought his emotions back in check and looking anywhere but straight at her he answered.
"Thanks Nancy. I appreciate it. It's hard to believe it's almost been a year huh? Are you going to the service?"
"Yes, me and a couple of the other girls. We owe it to Evelyn. She was a really special person."
"Yeah, she sure was ..." Steve said his voice breaking slightly then clearing his throat he continued. "Well, I guess I'll see you there."
"Is Mike going to the service?"
"I'm not sure ... Sherry said that she rang him but he hasn't mentioned it so I don't know."
Steve was thankful that immediately Nancy turned back and continued her file searching. Discussing Evelyn had caused a lump to form in his throat and the fact that Mike hadn't mentioned the service made Steve believe that he wasn't going and was also one of the main reasons why he was having trouble talking to him about it. Mike had obviously put the whole thing behind him and probably wouldn't understand that he was still having trouble dealing with what happened. Steve had always hated showing weakness in front of Mike. In fact he really wished that she hadn't brought the subject up. He was having a hard enough time concentrating on his work without constant reminders of his misery. He was still lost in his tortured thoughts when Nancy's voice brought him back to reality.
"Bingo! Here it is! You were right Steve. The arresting officers were Blake and MacKenzie. And it was a gas station robbery in the Mission District on March 4th, exactly five years ago. The first perp was Rodrigo Fernandez and he was the gang leader of a gang calling themselves "The Black Widows". The second perp was one Armando Garcia also a member of the same gang. They were both found guilty. Fernandez of first degree murder of the gas station attendant and armed robbery and Garcia of aiding and abetting in both crimes. They were both sentenced and sent to San Quentin. Will I get you a printout of these files Steve?"
"Yes please Nancy. Did you say the second perp's name was Garcia?"
"Yes, Armando Garcia. Why? Is that significant?"
"I'm not sure but with our current victim named as Antonio Garcia it seems a bit too much of a coincidence. Wouldn't you say?"