by Laura Acton
Gould chuckled. “I guess Broderick the magnificent isn’t perfect after all.”
Dan laughed to cover his nervousness. “Guess not.” He rose and rapidly changed, wanting to go home to prepare himself for what he must take part in tonight. He hoped he could maintain his cover.
Separated by a row of lockers, Constable Barrios covertly overheard the rookies’ conversation. Unseen by either, he hurried out of the room to find Brogan. His friend needed to be aware his rookie might’ve been talking to IA. If they got wind of certain activities, it would be the downfall of many.
April 30
Metro Police Headquarters – 5:00 a.m.
Fulco eyed Dan carefully, noting the dark circles and bloodshot eyes. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
Dan shook his head, and the prickle of tears welling caused him to lower his eyes. A single tear slipped out as he drew in a ragged breath.
Arbor slipped the cassette into the tape deck and rewound it. After pressing play, the voices came in loud and clear. He spotted Dan’s white-knuckled fists which lay on the tabletop and detected the slight shake of his shoulders as the recording continued to play.
The cries and screams of Mrs. Craven filled the room, followed by Dan yelling at Snow and Bozonnet to stop before the sobbing woman agreed they would pay for protection. When the audiotape concluded, Fulco’s eyes were full of compassion. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Dan.”
Dan’s voice shook and broke as he said, “They’re evil. Snow followed through on his threat to Mr. Craven when the senior refused to pay. He didn’t have the money, he is on a fixed income and barely brings in enough to make ends meet, much less pay such exorbitant extortion.
“Mrs. Craven is a wife, mother, grandmother, … sister. I couldn’t let them hurt her …” The elderly woman’s shrieks and pleading echoed in Dan’s head again, and he moved his fists to cover his ears to drown them out. Images of her lying on the ground as Robbie-steel-toes moved forward with a malevolent grin and prepared to kick her flooded in causing Dan’s stomach to roll.
Gulping a few breaths to stem his nausea, Dan’s face twisted and scrunched, anguish all too visible as his mask slipped. “Robert wore his steel-toed boots. He could’ve killed her. I blew my cover. I couldn’t hide my disgust or stand by any longer.”
Dan’s head bowed again, his hand going to his forehead and squeezing his throbbing head. The ache grew in intensity as he replayed the sounds of their laughter and taunts about him being a weakling for caring about a useless, old woman as he attempted to stop them. She isn’t useless, she is loved and needed.
The narrowing of Snow’s eyes told him he was in deep shit, but at the time he would’ve taken on all four if they didn’t desist in their attack. He still couldn’t figure out why Snow prevented Robert from planting his boot in Mrs. Craven’s back.
Snow allowed him to pick her up and set her in a chair while Mr. Craven was called and told to have the money ready in thirty minutes or he would never see his wife again. Al and Charley were sent to collect, and once Brogan possessed the funds, they left Mrs. Craven sobbing in the dank abandoned building with a warning that if either she or her husband called the police, they would go after their seven-year-old granddaughter next.
In a soft defeated tone, Dan confessed, “I can’t allow them to harm another person. If I had been armed, I would’ve shot them.” He lifted his eyes and stared at both, perceiving something akin to doubt in their expressions. “I’m a well-trained marksman. I’m fast, and I never miss. Part of me wants to go up on a rooftop and snipe them all … save the public the expense of a trial.”
Fulco arched a brow. “We have what we need to send them away for a very long time now. It will take a couple of days to put together the necessary paperwork. I suggest you take some time off until we can arrest them and get your head back on straight again.”
Dan shifted his gaze up to the ceiling as he bit his lower lip. “Can’t. Don’t have any personal time accrued and I gotta pay rent.”
“We could put you on administrative leave,” Arbor suggested. “You would be paid, and you could visit a counselor to talk through your feelings.” Arbor worried about the emotional toll this operation took on the young man.
Meeting Arbor’s eyes Dan sighed. “Don’t need a shrink. And Snow isn’t an idiot like Robert. My reaction last night coupled with a subsequent leave would tip him off, and he would likely run. If I go back to work, he won’t be aware the net is about to drop on him.” Dan blew out a breath. “In for a penny, in for a pound. I can handle dealing with them for a few more days.”
Fulco leaned back and grinned. “The department is lucky to have a man of your caliber and fortitude.” He glanced at Arbor. “We should assign a protection detail for Dan.”
“Why?” Dan sat up straighter. “I can take care of myself.”
“Because I don’t trust Snow. You’re right he isn’t stupid. Pardon the pun, but he’s snowed everyone at the Fourteenth into believing he is an upstanding officer. What you brought us, and a little digging on our end indicates Snow’s been at this for years. It is possible more officers are involved with him. We will be looking into everyone with any ties to him, Riqueti, Turner, and Bozonnet. I’ll sleep better at night if we maintain eyes on you to keep you safe since your testimony will be critical to gaining a conviction.”
Arbor nodded. “Agreed. Dan, they’ll be discreet. You won’t even know they are there.”
Dan snorted. “I’ll know.” And he would, thanks to Wilson’s, Buzz’s, and Dutch’s training. He was well-versed in scanning his environment so he would never be taken by surprise as he had been in the showers of Hillview High.
Fulco grinned as the cocky persona of the rookie came out again. He checked out the kid’s past when he first came to report his concerns and discovered him to be the son of General Broderick. The general had an impressive reputation, and his son appeared to be a chip off the old block. He did wonder why Dan chose to become a constable instead of following his father’s footsteps, but he didn’t pry.
“Are you on shift today?” Arbor asked.
“Yeah. I need to get going, so I’m not late.” Dan stood.
Fulco rose and put out his hand. “Dan, thank you for everything you’ve done thus far. We need more officers like you, those willing to weed out the bad seeds who undermine the public trust and use their badges to shield criminal activities.”
Arbor extended his hand after Dan finished shaking Fulco’s. “I second that. You take care, and we’ll contact you when we obtain the arrest warrants.”
Dan pulled on his cap, hiding most of his face as usual when he visited IA. “Just doing my job.” He strode out of the room, some of the weight lifting from his shoulders.
As he left, Dan considered visiting Bella but decided not to until this whole sordid business was over. He didn’t want Snow anywhere near her after witnessing how he treated the elderly and was thankful he never told the corrupt officer anything about her or Wilson.
Caught in a Lie
35
May 1
Fourteenth Division – Men’s Locker Room – 6:45 a.m.
Brogan buttoned up his uniform shirt and tucked it in as he pondered Dan’s attitude after they shook down the Cravens on the twenty-ninth. The rookie came unglued when Robert tried to kick the woman … fear evident as Broderick yelled at them to stop. Yesterday, when Broderick appeared ill and had difficulty meeting his eyes, proved to Brogan that he went too fast.
The weakling confessed he did not possess the stomach for strong-arm tactics and apologized for letting them down when Dan said he couldn’t be party to another of their persuasive discussions. It would take more time to bring the greenhorn around. He needed to play into Broderick’s need of a family. He smirked as a thought came to him. I can be the father figure he so desperately wants. Give him a few morsels of praise, and he will be eating out of my hand. Before long, Broderick will do anything I want him to do … he’ll
be putty in my hands.
Sitting to tie his boot laces, Brogan grinned at Barrios who ambled down their aisle. “Morning.”
“Just the man I wanted to talk to for the past two days.” Barrios stopped, back peddled, peered down the row with Broderick’s locker, noted he was not in the room, and then moved to Brogan and took a seat next to him. Keeping his voice soft, he queried, “Where’s your rookie?”
“Sent him for coffee and donuts again. He has a fortuitous habit of arriving and being ready at least fifteen minutes before we need to be in roll call.” Brogan finished with his laces and groaned as he sat up straighter, his girth making it difficult to bend down comfortably for any length of time. “Why?”
“Might be nothing, but watch your back with the rookie and vet him fully before you reveal your, um, extracurricular activities.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Overheard Broderick and Gould talking two days ago.”
“And?”
“Well, Gould’s girlfriend spotted Broderick coming out of the Internal Affairs office.”
Brogan’s eyes narrowed. “What did Dan say?”
“Claimed he went to headquarters to sort out a payroll issue and ended up in the wrong place. Didn’t believe him … something in his tone set my teeth on edge.” Barrios inhaled sharply. “Don’t think the rookie can be trusted. Are you aware his father is General Broderick?”
“Yeah, but there is no love lost between them. Broderick’s parents blame him for his sister’s death and essentially disowned him when he was nine.” Brogan’s mind began to review everything he learned about the rookie.
Barrios stood and moved to his locker, needing to prepare for shift. “You do realize, apples usually don’t fall far from the tree? The Brodericks are known to be high and mighty … all honor bound and rah-rah military.”
Brogan snorted. “Not this one. He already broke with the family tradition. He is malleable, weak, and pathetically clingy. I understand how to manipulate him, and he will fall in line. Might take a little longer with him is all.”
As he pulled on his uniform pants, Barrios said, “Thought you should be warned. What you do with the information is up to you. But if it were me, I’d tread carefully because from what I’ve observed, Broderick is idealistic. Don’t mistake naivety for weakness.”
The door to the locker room opening and Dan calling out, “Snow, they ran out of your usual, so I got you an apple filled one,” halted Brogan’s retort.
Dan rounded the aisle, hoping he covered his revulsion every time he set eyes on Snow. Yesterday had been extremely difficult. After dropping off the evidence at headquarters, he high-tailed it here and managed to be ready as usual. As the day wore on, Brogan kept eyeing him. Uncertain how to act, he decided to be partially honest and told Brogan he didn’t think he was cut out for their money-making activities. He fought hard not to recoil when Brogan put a hand on his shoulder and said they would take it slow.
Forcing a grin, Dan held out the pastry and cup. “Hope you like apple.”
Brogan prepared to enact his new father figure plan. He grabbed the tartlet, took a huge bite and stood. With his mouth full, he said, “Apple is delicious. Let’s head to roll call. We don’t want to be late like Barrios.” Brogan draped his arm around Dan’s shoulders, and as he guided him out, he said, “Never had a better rookie than you, Son. You do me proud.”
Inwardly Dan cringed and wanted to hurl. Outwardly he became cocky. “Does this mean I’m off coffee run detail?”
“Not on your life, Rookie.” Brogan chuckled.
Outside Fourteenth Division – 7:30 a.m.
Dan waited outside the station as Brogan spoke with Sergeant Blankenship. He gazed up at the fluffy clouds, enjoying the cool breeze in his face and drawing a bit of solace as one cloud resembled a rabbit. Sara, I hope you are proud of what I’m doing. It isn’t easy, and I’m scared, but I’m protecting people from them. A familiar voice calling to him caused dread to seize his heart. He shifted his eyes from the sky to the street before him. Crap, Bella’s here.
Bella waved and smiled as she exited the limo, Wilson holding the door for her. “Constable Broderick,” Bella repeated with pride, delighted he attained his dream. She took two steps towards him before noting the apprehension in Danny’s sapphire eyes. Hurrying forward, she grasped his left bicep when she reached him. “Danny, my boy, what’s wrong?”
Unable to divulge his undercover work or his concerns, Dan deflected. “Nothing. What brings you here?”
Bella studied him, and his eyes told a different story, but she didn’t press. She squeezed his bicep. “I’m on my way to a board meeting and hoped to catch you. You’ve been naughty and did not return my calls the last two weeks.”
“Sorry, been a little busy.” Dan glanced around, worried Snow or the others might be nearby but found none. Gotta keep this conversation short … don’t want Bella anywhere near any of them.
Downwind and unseen by Dan, Al and Charley stepped outside as they waited for Robert. Spying Dan speaking to a wealthy old woman, they inched forward to eavesdrop.
Releasing his arm, Bella smiled warmly, realizing Danny must be spreading his wings and enjoying his new-found freedom. “I understand. I only wanted to invite you to JD’s fourteenth birthday party on Saturday afternoon. She wants to go ice skating. Don’t worry. You won’t be the only young man amid a gaggle of teenage girls, Caspian is flying home from university.”
“I would like to come, but I work Saturday.”
“Well, perhaps not the skating, but you can come over when your shift ends and enjoy dinner with us.” She noticed he lost weight, and said, “Danny, you could use a home-cooked meal. Eating fast food for every meal is not healthy.”
Bella’s words drew a chuckle from Dan. He missed living with her … she always brightened even his darkest days. “I eat other things.”
A light laugh emitted from Bella. “Toast with strawberry jam doesn’t count. I should’ve taught you how to cook.”
Dan shrugged. “I eat fresh fruit and salads too, no cooking required. Tell Junior Dame I’ll come to dinner. Any ideas for a gift she would like?”
“You being there is sufficient.” Bella understood Dan wanted to make it on his own without touching his trust fund. As a result, he was on a tight budget.
An inexpensive gift idea formed in Dan’s mind and he grinned as he recalled Jacqueline started calling Bella Grand-mère instead of Grandmother once she began taking French lessons. All JD could talk about was Paris this and Paris that and set her sights on living there when she grew up. “Is JD still enamored with everything to do with France?”
“Yes, indeed. I’ll be taking Jacqueline to France for a three-week grand tour during the summer as her birthday present. If you have any time off, you’re welcome to join us, my treat. Wilson would be happy to have your company. He’s been lonely ever since you moved into your apartment.”
Dan glanced over at Wilson who remained next to the car. He sighed, wanting to spend time with the only man who never let him down, but needed to keep his distance from them for a while longer for their protection. “Wish I could, sorry, I can’t. I haven’t accrued any time off yet. Perhaps a weekend camping after you return?”
“That would be lovely. You two can make plans on Saturday.”
“Broderick, let’s go,” Brogan shouted as he exited the building, in a foul mood. Blankenship ticked him off telling him he barely passed the yearly physical eval, and must lose twenty pounds or he would be pulled from patrol and reassigned to desk duty until he lost the weight. He strode to the cruiser then scanned the area when the rookie didn’t appear like a well-trained dog.
Dan’s eyes flashed with fear. “I gotta go.” He hurried away, leaving a perplexed Bella in his wake. Hopefully, the warrants would come soon, and he could explain to Bella why he rudely left without a proper hug.
Brogan watched as the woman Dan had been speaking to clasped her hands and a worried expressi
on crossed her face before she turned and moved to a limo. What is Broderick doing talking to the Grand Dame?
Reaching the patrol car, Dan slipped into the passenger seat and hoped like hell Brogan didn’t query him about Bella.
Sliding into the seat, Brogan inquired, “What were you yakking about with Dame Ridgewater?”
The fact Snow knew her name bothered Dan and he struggled to come up with a deflection, as his nose alerted him to Al’s presence. Shit, doesn’t the guy ever shower or use deodorant?
Charley and Al trailed Dan to the car and overheard the question. Al said, “Lucky bastard knows her. She invited him to a birthday party on Saturday. Maybe you can take me with you. I wouldn’t mind a home cooked meal.”
Jealous Broderick possessed connections to wealthy and influential people, Charley chimed in, “All I ever got for birthdays was a kick in the pants. Must be nice to know people who offer you an all-expense paid vacation to France.”
Dan’s stomach dropped. Shit! No way of getting out of admitting I know her. Now I must limit the information I share.
Fourteenth Division – Men’s Locker Room – 5:35 p.m.
Dan tugged up his jeans and zipped up. He slumped to the bench, put his elbows on is thighs and his face in his palms. Today exhausted him again. Keeping up the façade took every ounce of energy he possessed, especially when Brogan badgered him with questions about Bella all shift.
All he desired to do was take a taxi home and crawl into bed, but he didn’t have enough money for that luxury if he wanted to buy JD a gift. He would be walking home because although JD pestered him for years, always wanting to be involved in whatever activity he and Caspian planned, he adored her like a sister. A pang of heartache washed through him as Dan realized he spent more time with and knew JD better than his own little sister Becca, who was now twelve. My life is so screwed up.