Rizzoli, Sanchez & Dearing
Natalie's viewpoint
After seeing Maura off, I wandered back into the apartment to chat to Brenda. Thinking of what Maura had said about changing the rules had made me consider trying something different this time with the media.
Brenda was standing there, wrapping up with her squad when she saw me waiting. She looked, not tired, just worn down, another member of the team feeling the strain. Her southern upbringing wouldn't let her innate politeness slip though; dredging up a smile she turned to welcome me.
"Good morning to you Natalie"
"And the same to you Chief; wonder if I can have a moment of your time?"
"Course, what's up, our friends of the fourth estate downstairs?"
"That they are, I'd like to try something different with them, try and head off the bad PR coming our way"
"Go ahead" I took a breath, knowing this wouldn't go over too well.
"I'd like to bring a news crew to one of the previous victim's residences, show them the problem and highlight that the nature of the crime makes it difficult to wrap it up quickly" Brenda's hands dropped to her hips.
"You have got to be kidding me Natalie"
"Please, hear me out" She looked at me for a moment, before nodding.
"We would make sure that we told them nothing specific that might hinder the case, we point out what they already know, that there is a sniper out there, but we make the point that the nature of a sniper's attacks makes it difficult to prevent and difficult to catch them, but that we are working to close the case and that we're looking for the public's cooperation"
"Won't that just create a panic, another DC sniper fiasco" I shook my head.
"They already know about a sniper, someone in the department has a big mouth, or is feeding info to the media directly. Possibly a uniformed officer, a despatcher, a lab tech, I don't know. We wouldn't be telling them anything they don't know, but we can get out in front of the case, plus it might help in other ways?"
"Such as?" Brenda hadn't dismissed it out of hand, so I felt cautiously optimistic.
"Well, if women start closing their blinds and not wandering out on balconies then that makes it harder for the sniper to get to his targets, wouldn't you agree"
"There is that"
"So we make that point, while offering lots of reassurance that we are working on catching the sniper"
"You really think this'll stop the bad press?" I shook my head.
"No, it might keep it at bay for a few more days, a week at most, but it might bring in some info that helps"
"Well, even if I agree to this, I don't want any mention of the Barrett, let people think it's a normal rifle" I nodded.
"I also don't want any requests to interview family members, they've gone through enough, losing a loved one without having a mic shoved in their face and asked how they're feeling"
"I can't promise on that one, but I will try"
"I will not be givin' any interviews either. I don't like them, I'm not good at them at the best of times and this surely isn't the best of times" I nodded.
"Completely understand"
"When, if I agreed, which I haven't mind; would you want to do it?" I schooled my face to remain calm, even though I knew Brenda had basically agreed, she just had to convince herself of that.
"Tomorrow morning, probably around 11, decent light, plenty of time for the crews to make it back to the studios and put it together for the evening news. We'd arrange a pool system, one camera crew, one journalist, one photographer, keep it manageable"
"Will they agree to share the story?"
"If they want the story yes, otherwise they miss out" I shrugged. "I've done pooled stories before; you just have to play hard ball a bit. In this case we have what they want so we can call the shots" I felt a wave of shame rush through me as, embarrassed, I looked down.
"Sorry Brenda, bad analogy. My apologies"
"Understood. I'll have to talk to Chief Pope before we can go ahead, but we'll need to have agreed things to say" I nodded again, chancing a small smile.
"I can come and see you and work out what you want me to say, once Chief Pope agrees"
"I'll speak to him once we get back, ok?" I nodded and stepped back.
"Thanks Chief, I appreciate it" She nodded and turned back to talk to Sergeant Gabriel, who had been waiting patiently.
I smiled at him in thanks for his patience and turned away, leaving the apartment on the way down to front to the media.
As I walked out into the hall I noticed that Rizzoli and Sanchez were verbally sparring again. The sight reminded me of two pups at play, rough housing to establish dominance, although given the personalities involved that could be a long time coming. Curious, I wandered in their direction
"Detectives"
"Hi Natalie"
"Heya Nat"
"Tell me, are you two still trying to work out who's going to be the team alpha male?" Rizzoli grinned, nodding her head at Sanchez.
"He thinks he is, based on seniority and a Y chromosome" I heard Sanchez snort in response.
"I take it you don't agree Jane?" I smiled quietly, I could hear Ana's voice in my head saying pretty much the same thing; Jane was a lot like her.
"Nah, just because he's old and the wrong gender doesn't mean he's right"
"You know Rizzoli, someone's got to do the hard lifting, so you don't break your nails, or dirty your mascara" Sanchez smirked, taking in Jane's short unpolished nails and distinct lack of mascara.
"Yeah, well no amount of makeup would make you prettier Sanchez" I just shook my head slowly at them.
The testosterone's getting a bit thick around here don't you think? Can't you two go off into the woods and do macho stuff to work it out?" Jane smiled at Sanchez.
"Well you know the saying, two go out, but only one comes back"
"Don't worry Rizzoli, I'm sure the rest of the squad would miss you" Sanchez grinned.
"Yeah, after all someone's got to add some class to this outfit, cause you're sure not holding your end up" Jane winked at me as she fired the latest shot in an ongoing skirmish.
I rolled my eyes, 'boys will be boys, even when they're girls'
"Can't you give it a break? Go shoot something and get it out of your systems" I watched as both detectives turned to face one another, their eyes narrowing as they gauged each other. Jane grinned as my instincts went 'whoops, that was the wrong thing to say'.
"Pistol range?" Sanchez smiled in return.
"How soon?"
"Next week"
"Sure, give you time to practice, you'll need it".
"I don't need to practice to beat you Sanchez".
Awfully sure of yourself Rizzoli, want to put some money on it? Say twenty bucks?"
"Twenty? You always did think small, can't say as I'm surprised though. What with your equipment issues and all, let's make it fifty". Ignoring the cheap crack, Sanchez smiled.
"Fifty? Sure. Don't forget to bring the money with you" Jane snorted.
"Huh, it's not that I don't trust you Sanchez, but I'll take my winnings in cash on the day thanks" I watched as they eyed one another off.
"Oh my god, don't you two ever give up?" Both heads turned to face me as they simultaneously spoke.
"No'.
Just then Tao peered round the door.
"Sanchez. Rizzoli, have you finished checking the neighbours, did anyone hear or see anything last night?"
Shaking my head, I walked back down the stairs and the waiting camera crews, wondering 'what did I just do?'