Act of Remembrance

Chapter 10

"You think they could be related?" Nancy asked as she printed out the files for Steve.

"Maybe! Although it is a common name. Guess I'm gonna have to look into that one."

"Here you go Steve!" Nancy said as she handed him the printouts.

Steve picked up the files from earlier and accepted the printouts.

"Thanks for all your help Nancy. If you hadn't come along when you did I'd probably still be there searching" Steve said with a wide smile."You're a star! I owe you a coffee sometime."

"Don't mention it! And you look like you could use that coffee more than me! I'll see you around Steve."

Steve smiled and said goodbye. As he headed out into the outer office Barney looked up from his work.

"Did you find the file you wanted Steve?"

"Yes, thanks Barney. I'll see you!"

As he headed out into the corridor he checked his watch. It was three fifty pm. He wasn't sure how long Mike's meeting would take, although normally the monthly ones could drag on for two or three hours especially when Skowlownowski was in attendance, but he still had a lot more things to check out.

He still had to check San Quentin to inquire about the two gang members, he had to head down to Stan to find out what he knew about "The Black Widows". He wanted to check the Juvie records to see if the two Garcias were possibly related and in between all that he wanted to ring the hospital and inquire how Mrs Peterson was doing. With all he had to do he suddenly felt really tired and his headache was starting to bother him. A dull throbbing had started right behind his eyes and he rubbed at them hoping to alleviate the ache. Just at that moment he rounded a corner and bumped straight into someone, dropping his files onto the floor in the process. As he frantically apologized and bent down to pick up the files he looked up in horror to see that the person he had bumped into was none other than Lenny Murchison! Boy, Steve thought, there was no end to his bad luck today!

"Sorry Lenny! I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, but you took the harder knock. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Here let me help you pick up those files."

"No, it's ok, thanks! I got it."

Having gathered up his files and standing up, Lenny caught him by the arm.

"Are you sure you're ok? You don't look great. In fact you look exhausted!"

"I'm FINE Lenny! But thanks for your concern. If you'll excuse me I have a lot to do this afternoon. I have to get going. Sorry again."

With that Steve hurried off down the stairs leaving Lenny watching after him with a concerned look on his face. Steve could almost feel Lenny's eyes burning into his back as he headed down the stairs and wondered if Mike had spoken to Lenny about him. Deciding that he had too much on his mind to worry about that right now he continued on into the Office to the right at the end of the stairs. It was a small enough Office compared to some others and it held the Officers and Detectives of the Gang Task Force Unit. As Steve entered everyone present looked up and greeted him. Steve greeted them back with a smile and headed over to Stan's desk.

"Hey Stan! How's it going? Listen, I know you're probably busy but if you get a minute this afternoon I'd appreciate your help on our latest case. Our victim is a gang member and we suspect gang involvement in his murder. "

"Hmmmm. Sounds interesting. Actually you caught me at a good time. Things are under control for the moment. Take a seat! Looks like you could do with one. Man! You look rough! Tough day?"

"Yeah, you could say that. Tough couple of days and it ain't over yet! And to top it all I have the headache from hell doing it's best to split my skull open!" Steve said wearily as he dropped heavily into the chair beside Stan's desk, placed his files on the desk and proceeded to rub his temples in a futile attempt to banish the merciless pounding that refused to leave him in peace.

"Ouch! Sounds painful!" Stan replied sympathetically and reaching into his desk drawer he produced a box of extra strong paracetamol "Here Steve. Take two of those and you'll be right as rain in about half an hour." and with that he handed Steve the box.

"Aw thanks Stan! You're a lifesaver! My migraine meds are back at my place!"

Steve took two tablets from the box and walked over to the water cooler. Then he poured a cold cup of water and downed the pills in one go.

"I never knew you suffered from migraines Steve!"

"Not too often thankfully! But yeah sometimes they're the bane of my life."

Returning to Stan, Steve sat down and returned the box to his colleague.

"Cheers pal!"

"Sure thing! So what have you got for me?"

Opening his files Steve produced the photo of the spider tattoo and placed it in front of Stan.

"What can you tell me about "The Black Widows"?"

"Whoa man! Now they're a blast from the past! They disbanded oh ...I'd say at least five years ago. Where did you get this from ?"

"From our latest victim!"

"You're kidding me? How'd he buy it?"

"Bullet to the back of the head. Poor guy was dead before he hit the floor."

"Nasty. Execution style huh? Sounds like it's gang related alright. Typical M.O. Actually it's funny you should bring up "The Black Widows" today. About four weeks ago one of our informers said there was a rumour going that someone was trying to reform that gang. But we found no evidence to support it so we put it down to talk and nonsense. Maybe there was something in it after all!"

"Maybe! What can you tell me about the gang in general?"

"Now let's see. If memory serves me right there were five in the gang. Rodrigo Fernandez was their leader, Armando Garcia was the second in command and then there were three others, Lopez, Mendoza and Perez. The top two were apprehended five years ago after a gas station robbery went wrong and an attendant was killed. As far as I know they're still serving time in San Quentin. With the two leaders out of the picture the gang disbanded. Lopez was killed in a drive by shooting a couple of months later. We never caught who did it but we always suspected it was a rival Gang member afraid that Lopez would take over the reins."

"What about the other two ... Mendoza and Perez?"

"Word on the street was that they skipped town after what happened to Lopez. They never showed up on our radar again so to speak."

"Ok, You mentioned a rival gang. What gang rivaled the Black Widows back then?"

"The Barracudas."

Steve chuckled at the strange name. "What can you tell me about them?"

"There were four of them. Their leader was one Esteban Gonzalez. They were a mean bunch. They'd cut your throat without a thought. Folks kept clear of them. I can't remember the other names off the top of my head though but I can look them up for you but I don't think it's going to help you much. That gang disbanded too about oh, three years ago. We haven't had any trouble with them since then. There are all new gangs now Steve. Do you want me to check them out for you anyway?"

"Yes please Stan. I just have one more question. Did Armando Garcia or Rodrigo Fernandez have brothers?"

"I'm not sure. You'd have to ring Juvie Hall. They'd have records about that. Why do you ask that Steve?"

"Oh, just a hunch really. Nothing more. Ok Stan. You've been really helpful. Thanks a lot! And thanks for the painkillers! I think they're starting to kick in. You'll get those names for me?"

"Sure Steve. And you're welcome. I hope you get your man."

Steve got up and retrieved his files and started to leave."Thanks again Stan!"

"Oh and Steve!"

"Yeah?" Steve said turning around.

"You know a good night's sleep wouldn't hurt you know? Instead of bags under your eyes. You've got suitcases man! " Stan said sympathetically.

Steve laughed and bade the other detective goodbye and made his way wearily back up to the bullpen. As he checked his watch it was just after five o'clock. The bullpen was fairly deserted. Lee Lessing was typing at his desk and two other detectives were in the interrogation room with a perp. When Steve entered he passed Lee's desk.

"Lee, is Mike back yet?"

"No. Haven't seen him. The meeting must be still going on. Steve! You look like ..."

"Hell. I know. Everyone keeps telling me! I'm just tired that's all. Man, Mike is going to be like a bear with a sore head when he gets back if he's had to listen to Skowlownowski for the last two hours!"

Steve sat heavily down at his desk and opened his files. He took out his notebook and pulled the phone over beside him. Lee watched him with concern. He really did look out on his feet. Sometimes Steve got so wrapped up in a case that he'd forget to take care of himself.

"Have you eaten today Steve?"

The question took Steve by surprise. He'd been so busy all afternoon that he hadn't even thought of it! Since his purge earlier in the morning and his queasiness after the autopsy he really hadn't felt like anything but thinking of it now he was feeling peckish. He silently kicked himself aswell because his lack of food had probably contributed to his migraine too. Not wanting to lie to Lee he decided to come clean.

"No, not really. I still have a few phone calls to make and then I'll grab a sandwich."

"Oh you will, will you?" Lee queried knowing Steve too well. "Well, I'll tell you what. Why don't I make one of those phone calls for you and then I'll get you that sandwich. Huh? Just in case you change your mind. We better get one for Mike too. He's going to be hungry aswell after that meeting." Lee said walking over to Steve's desk. "And before I forget Nelson from Forensics has been trying to reach you all afternoon. His number is on your desk. Now let me make one of those phone calls for you. Ok?"

Steve smiled wearily up at his friend and fellow detective. He really knew him too well.

"Ok, thanks Lee. Can you ring San Quentin for me and ask about these two guys for me please? See if they're still serving time and who has visited them lately? That would be a big help thanks!"

Lee headed back to his desk to make the phone call and Steve picked up the phone and rang Nelson. When it was answered Steve spoke into the receiver.

"Larry? Hi! Steve here. I got a message saying that you were trying to reach me?"

"Oh, yeah Steve. We think we found your murder weapon from the docks killing!"

"Aw man that's great! Where did you find it?"

"One of the teams found it in a dumpster around by the warehouse at the docks. It's a 32 calibre. We're trying to match it to the slug that Bernie sent us down a while ago. We should have the results soon."

"Larry, that's the best news I've had all day. Good work! What about prints or am I being too optimistic?"

"We're working on that too Steve. With all the heavy rain last night we might be out of luck but if we find any I'll give you a call. Are you back at your desk?"

"Yeah. Thanks Larry. Bye" Steve said as he hung up. Finally they were getting somewhere on this latest case.

Next Steve rang the hospital and inquired about Mrs Peterson and was pleased to hear that she was doing well. He left a message to say that he had been asking for her. Then he rang Juvie Hall and was on the phone to them for over twenty minutes. Lee watched as he scribbled down page upon page of notes and when he finally finished the call Lee noted that he looked very pleased with himself. Steve made two other calls and again took numerous notes. Having got the information from San Quentin for Steve that he was looking for he went over to Steve's desk again and handed him the notes he had taken down.

"You look pleased. You know who the killer is? " Lee asked having seen that look on Steve's face before.

"I have my theory but it's still just a hunch. I haven't got it wrapped up tight enough yet but I'm hopeful that if they find prints on the gun it will prove my theory right!"

"Ok, I'm going to get those sandwiches now. What would you like?"

"Anything at all Lee, thanks." Steve said as he reached into his pocket to get change.

Lee waved off Steve's offering.

"No, my treat! You bought them last time. Listen Steve, after you've eaten why don't you head home and get some sleep? Mike's still not back and you look out on your feet. I'll tell him you went home when he gets back. Huh? What do you say?"

"Lee! Will you stop worrying about me please? It's bad enough with Mike always fussing over me without you starting!" Then realizing that he had been a bit harsh he continued. "Look, I'm sorry Lee. I appreciate your concern. I didn't mean to snap your head off! I want to wait for Mike to run my theory by him and then I'll go home and rest. Ok?"

"Ok!" Lee said patting him on the back and heading out to get sandwiches for them all.

With Lee gone, Steve noticed that he was the only one left in the bullpen and wearily rubbed the muscles on back of his neck. Lee was right. He was out on his feet. Looking at his watch it was five thirty-five and still no sign of Mike! Where was he? Steve opened his desk drawer and enjoying the solitude he took out the picture from earlier and leaning back in his chair he stared at it sadly. As he looked at it memories flooded back to him good and bad and he felt himself getting upset again. Not knowing how long Lee would be he quickly returned the photo to the drawer and closing it he banged the desk with his fist in frustration. Then leaning his elbows on the desk he rubbed at his tired eyes to clear the moisture that had filled them. With all his phone calls made he left the bullpen for a couple of minutes to wire a picture to Quentin and mere seconds later a return phone call confirmed what he had already suspected. Then he proceeded to paperclip all his notes together ready to present to Mike when he got back and as he just finished, he decided it wouldn't be any harm to just rest his head on his arms for a quick minute. Only his exhaustion had other ideas and within seconds he was fast asleep.