Jamie's Encore
Chapter 11 Intimidation
Music Director Rafael's Office
"Dr. McKenna! Welcome to San Diego!" The director exclaims.
"Thank you, it's great to finally be here! And it's Caitlin in private, please."
"Good, and it's Rafael. Did you and all your things arrive ok? Your piano? I know that's your baby!"
"Yes, everything arrived on time and safely. I have aa request of you, if I may.
"Certainly."
"When I have been out here before and practiced at The Rady Shell at noon time; some college students came to study, eat lunch and listen. I've gotten acquainted with 4 girls in particular. They raised the difficulty they have to obtain tickets to symphony concerts. Cost is the major issue. Jamie and I have discussed this and would propose a campaign to gain sponsors for a block of symphony tickets for young adults – HS through college age. Would there be the possibility of seats being available for such a campaign?"
"That is very interesting and bold. I like it! Tell you what; could you and Jamie join me and Maria and our ticket manager for dinner an evening in the next week or so for a discussion?"
"I'm sure we could. I'll need to talk to him and see what his schedule is. Can I get back to you tomorrow on this?"
"Certainly. Is there anything else?"
"Can someone direct me to the ticket office, I need to see about my 4 allotted tickets for July 12. I'm sorry about needing directions."
"Ah, think nothing of it. You're a newbie of sorts."
"Thanks, Rafael."
"Welcome to San Diego!"
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CORONADO CONDO
"I got my 4 tickets for the July 12 concert, babe. Were you going to see if any family members wanted to come out for my debut concert? I thought your dad and Pops were interested?"
They were relaxing on the balcony after supper. Caitlin was continually amazed at the mild evenings. The view of the city skyline and the hills beyond was absolutely spectacular.
"Let's call and see."
"Ah, sweetheart, it's 11:30 back there!"
"Oh, I forgot. That's going to take some getting used to!"
"Yes, it is. But we can call them first thing in the morning."
"Yeah, that's right. Why don't you play something for me, please?"
"Ok, request?"
"Surprise me."
The condo's front door was toward the center of the complex, sort of a quad. That wall had a sliding glass door onto a small balcony. Their large balcony faced the bay and city scape. That is where they had their outdoor furniture. When they wanted a breeze thru the condo, they would have both sliding doors open, as they did tonight. So, when Caitlin played, she had quite an audience.
After she completed the 1st composition, she heard a modest round of applause. After the 2nd, more applause. After the 3rd, a massive round of applause. This time she went out to the small balcony, curtsied and blew her 'fans' a kiss. The fans clapped, shouted, sounds of "MORE"!
She exclaimed, "That's all for tonight. Thank you!"
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Jamie was up first in the morning; he had an early meeting at HQ. As he padded out to the kitchen, he noticed an envelope that had been slid under the front door. He pulled it through and took it to the kitchen table. He started the coffee maker, then sat down and looked at the envelope. It was addressed to "THE PIANO LADY".
He opened it, unfolded the sheet of paper and read:
PIANO LADY
I HATE CLASSICAL MUSIC
SHUT IT DOWN
OR ELSE!
He was frozen! When he got his wits back, he got an evidence bag and put the envelope and contents in the bag. He quickly took it all down to his car and put it in his trunk. He would drop it off at forensics later this morning. He went back up to the condo and continued with his morning routine.
Caitlin was soon up and he greeted her with a hug and kiss. He was grateful that she didn't catch on that anything was amiss. He left for work while she was showering. He was careful to lock up. He did call Olivia and ask her to accompany Caitlin to work. This was an often-enough occurrence so as not to arouse suspicion. He did tell Olivia that he would explain his actions this evening, and invited her for dinner at the condo. He would pick up Mexican on his way home.
After his early meeting he stopped by forensics.
"Joe, can you run this for me? It was under our front door this AM?"
Joe took one look and understood what the issue was. "Sure, Lieutenant. "I'll report only to you, correct?"
"You got it, thanks."
"I'll start it right now."
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SDPD 14:00
Jamie's phone rang in his office. It was Joe in forensics.
"Joe, what did you get?" Jamie was nervous.
"Trouble, Lieutenant. The prints we got belong to a Juan Rodriguez; a thug working for Anton Rodriguez."
"Any others, or is it clean otherwise?"
"Clean otherwise. Rather sloppy, I would say."
"Can I call you back in 5?"
"Yup."
"Stand by."
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SDPD CHIEF WILSON'S OFFICE
Jamie had arranged for Captain Espinoza, Officer Brooks and Joe from forensics to meet him at the Chief's office.
"I asked you all to meet me here because of this envelope and paper that was pushed under our condo's door this morning."
He handed the evidence to the chief, who looked at it and passed it on. After all had seen it, he asked Joe to repeat what was found by forensics.
"Shit!" Brooks exclaimed. "Anton is a bad boy. He's up the river, but I heard his boys assaulted Marty Deeks of NCIS recently. Almost killed him!"
Chief Wilson confirmed that.
Jamie was even more nervous now. "Does this thug live in our condo complex?"
"No known address."
"Name?" Espinoza asked.
"Juan Rodriguez."
"Related?"
"Nephew."
"Double shit!" Wilson exploded.
"NCIS put Anton behind bars, correct?" Jamie surmised.
"I think so," Espinoza thought.
"Maybe Hetty and crew would like in on this?" Jamie wondered.
"Maybe, you wanna call her?" Espinoza asked Jamie.
"Yes, I'll call her!" Jamie accepts the responsibility. He steps out to his office to make the call.
"But what do we do about Caitlin's safety in the meantime?" Brooks is concerned.
"Well, no piano playing with the doors or windows open," Wilson suggests.
"And escorts to and from work," Brooks adds. "I would volunteer for that, captain."
"You got it. Coordinate with the Lieutenant."
"Will do!" Brooks stands to go, but Jamie returns and motions for him to be seated.
Jamie puts a finger to his lips, then speaks; "Hetty, you are on speaker in Chief Wilson's office. Also here are Captain Espinoza, Officer Brooks, Joe Allen of forensics, and myself."
"Welcome gentlemen; with me are agents Callen, Hanna and Blye; investigator Deeks; analyst Nell Jones; and technical operator Eric Beale. Can you tell us all you know at present, Jamie?"
Jamie & Joe report. Then Captain Espinoza recounts what plan they have come up with so far.
Hetty and her team agree with the plan SDPD has for starters. She suggests that NCIS-OSP assume responsibility for running to ground the suspect, Juan Rodriguez.
Chief Wilson agrees.
Captain Espinoza will be on point in San Diego; Officer Brooks will organize Caitlin's protective detail; Jamie will be an extremely interested observer. He is admonished not to GET IN THE WAY!
He grudgingly agrees.
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DINNER AT THE CONDO
After Jamie, Caitlin and Olivia sit down to eat, Caitlin and Olivia pause and stare at Jamie.
"What's going on, babe?" Caitlin asks, a tear in her eye.
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TBC