CHAPTER ELEVEN

It was Wednesday night, usually a quiet time for law enforcement. But it was an operational night for Sgt. Ortiz and his three detectives from the Narcotics Bureau. They were out on Ortiz's boat, just returning from a covert raid in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Martinez said, "When we started this, I never thought we'd venture across the river."

"Well, it fits the mission profile," Hodges said. "Our stated goal is to eradicate the channels used to import illegal drugs into our city. This clown was a major supplier to a lot of dealers over here on our side and this is going to seriously disrupt some shit."

"Agreed. Just getting used to the idea of pissing in someone else's yard, that's all."

"Yeah," Ortiz said. "It does take some getting used to. But he's right, they're going to feel this hit. When word gets around and we, quote/unquote, finally hear about this, during our day job, we're going to have to find out who's ready to take up the slack for this guy."

"True," Hodges said. "But we should probably make it look like it took some work to find out. We don't need any extra attention."

Ortiz asked, "How are you doing, Rome? A little quiet over there."

"Sorry, boss," Roman replied. "Got no problem with putting down bad guys, but tonight was the first time I ever had to put a woman down."

Martinez said, "She came at you, bro. If you didn't drop her, you would have eaten a lot of buckshot from that sawed off shotgun."

"True," Ortiz said. "It was a righteous shoot, Rome. She would have torn into all of us with that shotgun."

"I know, I know," Roman said. "It had to be done. It's just that, two years in the sandbox with terrorists shooting at me, eight years on the job with street scum shooting at me, and I've never faced off with a woman before."

"She made a choice, and so did you," Hodges offered. "You won. That's all you need, Rome."

"Yeah, I'm good. I'm just… Well, it's like Gil getting used to us going over to Jersey. I'm fine. Just wrapping my head around the new experience. And I'm glad we're doing what we're doing. I just wish somebody had done it before my little sister… Anyway, I'm glad we're doing this, finally making a real difference."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Ah-greeeed!"

The four detectives all raised their beer bottles. The clinking of four glass bottles was followed by everyone taking a long pull on their beer. It felt like a night for celebration.

Jimmy had spent two days calling everyone he knew in the NYPD, trying to dig up information on anyone named Sully. Finally, it was the detectives over in the Manhattan North Narcotics Bureau that had recently stumbled across the name Sully Preston being associated with possible narcotics trafficking. They didn't have any actionable intelligence on Preston, just his name and some basic information about him. But it was just a matter of time now that Sully was on the radar. Jimmy was finally getting hopeful about the case. If he came out on top of this one, then he could finally step out of his father's shadow.

A Thursday morning phone call from Curtis Jefferson over in Narcotics brought him back to reality. The hit had taken place in New Jersey, but the name was well known in the NYPD, especially among the narcotics detectives. Apparently, the new victim had been in his home Wednesday night when an unknown number of suspects entered his residence and killed him, along with his long-time girlfriend and two bodyguards. Jefferson knew Jersey was well beyond NYPD jurisdiction but thought Jimmy should know about it.

Jefferson said, "Technically, it's their problem. But it does lend some credence to the theory that someone is taking out the competition. And they have a pretty wide operating area, so it's somebody with the money and the resources to make that happen."

Eva was late getting into the office, but when she did, Jimmy updated her on the morning's revelations. "I was really hoping to spend the morning digging into the background of this Preston guy. But with the news from Jersey, we're definitely going to have to coordinate information with them."

"Yeah," Eva agreed. "I'm willing to bet there's little in the way of evidence except ballistics. And I'd bet my salary the ballistics reports are not going to match anything we've got on file."

Eva and Jimmy were getting together a list of things they wanted to share with homicide detectives in Hoboken. Eva was just about to make copies of their crime scene photos when lieutenant Markinson, head of the Homicide Bureau, appeared in front of them.

"Detectives, I hope you have some stunning case developments on this fine morning of ours."

"Got a few minor updates, boss," Jimmy said. "But we got surprised by another similar hit over in Hoboken. We were just getting all of our facts together so that we could share what we got with them. Hopefully, they'll have something new to add."

"Huh," Markinson said. "Has any information come up from those Russian cigarettes?"

"No," Eva said. "The cigarette butts might actually have nothing to do with this, but the timing and placement of them is pretty coincidental."

"Maybe that's it right there. Perhaps they were planted for you to find. Just something else to get in your way. Sort of like how they were able to delay identification of the victims. Obviously, whoever they are, they aren't above playing games and wasting your time."

"Well, as much as we try to resist it," Eva replied, "There's been no shortage of wasted time in this case."

"That is unfortunate news," Markinson said, while looking in Jimmy's direction. "Because the Assistant Chief wants Jimmy on the phone as soon as he gets into the office today."

"In that case," Jimmy said, "I'm still not here."

"Yeah, well, don't be too late getting in. He's now taken an interest in this case, and he wants to be briefed by you personally. He said something about knowing your father from the old days, which is why he's really looking forward to hearing directly from you."

Jimmy glanced at Eva, who was doing her best to appear busy. Returning his gaze to the lieutenant, he asked, "Any chance that either of you could just shoot me, like right now? Maybe I could just limp out of here on a 50% pension and dodge the downtown bullet."

"Not a chance, Jimmy," Markinson said. "If I'm going to end up in front of the firing squad with a blindfold and a cigarette, you're going to be right there with me."

NYPD Assistant Chief Jeffrey Miles had been curious as to who would land the investigation into the recent murders of drug dealers. Personally, he was delighted with the results he had been hearing about so far through various department channels. Sgt. Ortiz had purposefully not revealed to him any details of the operations so far. Miles preferred it this way. All he cared about was that the drug dealing scum were being dealt with. According to most of the opinions he had heard over the last few days, drug supplies on the street were hitting an all-time low. Finally, he had come up with something that was making a difference.

Nobody cares about dead drug dealers. There were a few detectives across the city following up on the murders, but most of them weren't very enthusiastic about it. However, the newest problem for Miles was the triple-murder case in Williamsburg. The scandal of drug-related murders was causing both fear and curiosity in the upscale neighborhood. A great deal of financial campaign-support came from this neighborhood, so that case needed to be handled gently. Thankfully, Miles had known the father of the detective currently assigned to that case. And, if the son was anything like the father, then the son was going to be more tenacious about solving this case than detectives in the other precincts. That was both good and bad for Miles.

So, when detective James Burke finally returned his phone call, Miles was very curious to know where the Williamsburg investigation stood so far. "Jimmy, my boy! I haven't seen you since you were just a tyke. It seems the years have flown by, and now you're following in your father's footsteps. How is the job treating you?"

"It's a challenge and a reward, every day, sir," Jimmy replied, instantly annoyed with the Assistant Chief's attempt at familiarity. This politician had never shown any interest in Jimmy before. Yet, now he spoke to Jimmy like an old family friend.

"Tell me, Jimmy," Miles said. "How's the case over in Williamsburg coming along?"

"It's moving along, sir," Jimmy replied. He then told the Assistant Chief what they knew so far, their suspicion about the case being connected to some other similar cases, and some background on some of the suspects they were interested in.

"Well, this certainly sounds like a tough one, detective. But I knew your father when he was on the job, knew what kind of police he was. So, I know this case is in good hands with you on the job."

It just never ends, Jimmy thought to himself while shaking his head.

"Yes, sir. We're pursuing this one as a priority case. It started off short on clues, but now we hope to have a suspect in custody soon."

"Great job, son. Your father would be proud to see what you've become. I'd appreciate regular updates on your progress, as I have a special interest in this case."

"Yes, Chief. I'll keep you updated on our progress."

"Thank you, Jimmy. Keep up the good work."

Jimmy heard the phone line go dead before he could even respond.

"Let me guess," Eva said. "He wants to be updated regularly on the case now. Probably holding the hand of some large campaign donor."

"Pretty much," Jimmy said. "He probably wants to be updated so that he can connect this case to all the anti-drug crap he's always doing for the cameras. Typical political bullshit."

"How long until he wants to direct the investigation," Eva asked.

"A few days is my bet," Jimmy replied. "Once again, the Praetorian Guard is trying to protect the police commissioner."

"Lucky us," Eva said.

A few hours later, the Precinct Captain stopped by again. After getting an update, he was feeling a little frustrated at the lack of progress. He proposed that, if Eva and Jimmy could connect enough dots, then the captain could probably get overtime pay authorized for the use of a task force to investigate this case.

"Well, should I see if Erin will be able to watch Tanner for a few nights," Eva asked Jimmy. "I mean, it's not like she's going to be spending much time with you."

Through Eva's giggles, Jimmy said, "Yeah, sure. We might as well get a good last paycheck before they fire us over this dumbass case."

Jimmy and Eva then spent the rest of the afternoon contacting detectives from various homicide and narcotics units in an attempt to put together a task force. By early evening, they had three other homicide detectives with open cases that might be related to their triple homicide. They also recruited two narcotics detectives to help round off their intelligence gathering efforts about drug dealers and drug sales around the city. Now, it was official. If the investigation was successful, the bosses would look great. But if the investigation fizzled out, Eva and Jimmy would take the blame.

The next day, the task force got together and began to compare notes from their cases. The narcotics detectives had brought all the information and paperwork that they could gather about the dealers who were already dead so that the task force could look for patterns between the dealers. They all agreed that it looked like somebody was taking out the competition, but there were no new sales being reported yet, which was odd. When someone new takes the throne, word usually spreads pretty quick.

The New Jersey detectives from the Hoboken Homicide Bureau technically couldn't participate in an NYPD task force. However, all the task force detectives readily agreed to share what they had with Hoboken Homicide and to keep them updated so that they could unofficially work together. Upon getting crime scene photos and other documents from Hoboken, Eva found another brick tossed through a window and pointed it out to everyone.

Narcotics detective Curtis Jefferson turned to Eva and asked, "Is that why you were asking me about that tactic the other night?"

"Yes," Eva replied. "It was the second time in two weeks that I had seen that. It had been bothering me since I had seen it a few days ago, but I just couldn't find any reason for it. After talking to you, it occurred to me that it might fit in with the tactical training we think our suspects are using."

"Well," Jefferson said, "It's actually a pretty common tactic during raids. I wouldn't be surprised if some military guys had started using it over in Iraq. They do a lot of raids in urban areas, and you will see a lot of similarities between their tactics and ours."

"I want to follow up on that," Eva said. "I wonder if anyone else has seen this in any of their crime scenes and looked right past it because it didn't seem significant at the time."

"Jesus, partner," Jimmy said. "If you're going to investigate broken windows in the city of New York, then you're going to need a task force three times as big as this."

All the detectives shared a good laugh.

"Well," Eva said. "At least my angle has job security!"

They all laughed again.