99 story
Chapter 1 – You caught me on a good day.
Hawkins ended up having the last laugh. He would never be a cop again, even after they had cleared their names, testified, showed evidence, and got letters written. He could never be a cop again; it turns out he still had a few enemies in high places; Deputy Commissioner Podolski had seen to it that he would never be a cop after this. Apparently, he had a proven track record of dealing with crime. His stint undercover had been used against him. Arguing that he could no longer be trusted to uphold the law.
Captain Holt had tried, really tried to get him his job back, even went as far as asking his rival Wuntch for help. Their rivalry aside, they both knew he was a good cop and innocent, but even Wuntch couldn't get anything done. He was quietly given some of his pension and was told by Podolski himself that he would never be a cop again.
It broke him on levels he didn't even know; even when he was undercover with the mob and did terrible things, he knew it was for the best. The end game would be putting away all these bad guys. This time though, there was no net to catch him, no golden ticket back. He was done.
It had already been a few weeks since then and he had only left his apartment for food and to stay somewhat healthy and active, but he had no motivation to do anything else. His girlfriend was at work and it was also almost Halloween. It would be the first year since Hold came to the 99 that he wouldn't be apart of it.
Jake Peralta was not having a good year.
Amy was trying to be understanding, but she just didn't understand how much it was eating away at him that he couldn't be a cop. There had been suggestions about being a private investigator, but that would not help him right now.
He didn't want to be in the apartment, so he went for a walk, and he just kept walking, and eventually, his feet led him to Sal's Pizza. Newly rebuilt.
He could go for some pizza. Sal's always hit the spot.
He went in, had a few words with Sal, and then sat down in his corner spot and had his pizza. Reveling in the peace of mind it brought him until it was ruined by someone sitting across from him.
"Ya know, you're a hard man to find Peralta." Said Seamus Murphy as he sat down across from him.
Now, while Jake may come off as childish and immature, he is a very smart individual. After all, a dumb person did not solve more cases than Amy Santiago. If he was still a cop he would've made a quip about crime trash or even got up and left. However, he was no longer a cop, so he could take this conversation.
What that decided, he finished chewing his food and answered. "Oh, you know, being fired from my dream job makes me want to be shut-in. but you're not here to listen to my sob story, are you, Seamus?"
"So tell me what you want?"
"Well, aren't you just peaches and sunshine?" Seamus said. "but you're right, this is not a social visit. This is me cashing in a favor your old captain owns me."
"What favor does Holt owe you?" Asked Jake.
"How do you think he got all the evidence to clear you and Diaz?" Came the swift answer.
"Well, we can see how that worked out, huh?" Jake shot back as he took another bite. Cold pizza is the worst unless it's with beer.
"Yeah, true," Seamus acknowledged. "But if you don't do it, then I'll make him do some shady stuff that will get him fired or put out of contention for commissioner."
"Of course, you would say that," Jake said, taking another bite. "What do you want me to do?"
"You are very relaxed for someone meeting a man of my stature, Peralta. I like that about you." Seamus said. "Now, as to what I need from you? Well, that's easy; you know, there are a lot of rats in New York; those things are everywhere. Did you know some even infested the FBI building?"
Jake kept eating and asked Seamus to continue to monologue.
"Of course, you know, after all, you and your squad took out one of the big ones in that building. One that a butcher fed, but that's not the only big rat. There are a few more, and one of them had squeaked an interesting story about a cop from the 99 that got fired and then went undercover in the Lanucci crime family."
"So what of it?" Jake probed once again, taking another bite from the pizza; it was a very good pizza.
"There was something the other crime families called that guy, something something, puzzle master," Seamus answered.
Here, Jake raised an eyebrow at that response. "That must have been a really big rat if you know about that."
"One of the biggest, and that rat can swing things even in the 99 if it wants as well," Seamus answered back.
"Again, you're still not telling me what you want from me with a rat that big and that high up. I don't see what you want from me. You could run New York like your dad and grandfather did in the 70s and 90s." Jake said.
"See, that's what the other guys would do, all the old heads and even some of the new guys; they want a return to the glory days, where they could do whatever they want, whenever they want. Not me, though." Seamus said and then continued. "Even with all that, all the old heads got the tax, and the next generation after that didn't know how to run the family after everyone got busted. It wasn't until our generation took over that we started to branch out and use technology to run shit."
"You see, Jake, what I want more than anything is money and power, and unfortunately, I can't get it like my ancestors did. I have to make my own way, and you're going to help me do that." Seamus said.
The pizza was finally done; Jake decided to give Seamus his full attention. "Normally, I would never do this or even entertain this. Idea or this conversation, for that matter, but you caught me on a good day, I guess, at my favorite pizza place. So, I'll throw you a bone because this might clear Holt of his debt. You want money and power, and you want security, without the bullshit like the 70s and 90s had, so the only way to do that is 2 options."
Now Seamus was the one eating pizza as he listened to Jake.
"First option, clear out a bunch of the smaller gangs in New York and then hit a few of the big ones and slowly push out the rest or absorb them, then you become the big fish in the small pond, money, power, and security. Depending on how fast you do it and without alerting the locals, you could have New York in your hand in about two to three years. Then you cut a deal with the cartel to leave your stuff alone, and you're the shadow king of New York."
"Option two is much longer, but you clean house, cut a deal, and then go into politics. Washington is the same as the backstreets. This one gets you the same result: money, power, and security." Jake explained, using his brilliant mind for the crime instead of preventing it.
"Woah, you clearly thought about this." Said Seamus, sounding impressed.
"It's not that hard once you know how shit works Seamus. We've had profiles on all the big players in New York for a long time, I thought your fat rat would've told you that already?"
"He's told me some of it but not all," Seamus said, not realizing he had let something slip.
'He said he, which narrows down the list of people who had access and can gain access to that sealed file.' Jake thought to himself. 'A big rat that can unseal files and has swap at the precinct level if needed, only about 2-3 of those around. It couldn't be any of the newer ones, it has to be someone old who wouldn't be a suspect unless you had the missing pieces. Hmmm'
As he was gazing out at the street it hit him.
"So, how long has the assistant Director of the FBI New York division, Angelo Policetti, been in the pocket of the Murphy family?" Asked Jake.
Hearing that Seamus' eyes widened and had a brief flash of panic before they settled.
"Damn, he did say you are smart; I thought I was being careful, too," Seamus said with a smirk that was trying to hide his growing panic. "What gave it away?"
"You were bragging too much about how high they were, and that they had sway at the precinct level, and they couldn't be anyone young; they had to be in a while and also from New York. I was gonna guess Wuntch, to be honest, but then you said he, and then the rest of the pieces fell into place." Jake explained.
"Damn, you're good, Peralta, no wonder the Lanucci family was making more and more money with you on board." Seamus once again tried to deflect as he attempted to regain his footing.
"Let me guess, you got something on him, and he's got something on you, so you both keep the status quo and haven't tried to push much, but recently something is happening, and he wants more or out, so you're now trying also to cover your ass." Jake said. "Am I close?"
"Very," Seamus said with a look of resignation on his face. "So Peralta, what is it gonna cost to get out of this?"
"Well, that depends, which option do you want?" Jake replied, "Option 1 or Option 2? Either one will get you out. It depends on your time and the blood you want to spill."
"Fuck it, Peralta, make me a politician." Seamus Murphy said.
Thus starting the new life of Jacob "Jake" Jeffrey Peralta, consulting crime lord and power broker, kingmaker, and shadow king of New York. Private investigator.
XXX
Another plot bunny that popped in my head, I hammered this one out after taking a test.
Not sure if this one will get frequent updated or not.
Also, I totally wanted to see more of bad guy jake, I'm kinda bumped we never will tho. So im going to write it. Also not sure if Jake will stay with Amy or not, but I do love the paring in the show.
Please read and review.
S95N out!