Cooper By The Gross (All 144 Cooper Stories In One Volume)

by Bill Bernico

  Nicky smiled. “I got in a fight, Dad,” he said.

  “And you’re happy about that?” Matt said, examining Nicky’s scrapes and bruises. “What does the other guy look like?”

  “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Nicky said, pointing behind his dad.

  Matt turned around to see a bigger kid sporting a black eye. The kid also had a wad of gauze stuffed up his nose. The kid’s shirt was ripped and had dirt and grass stains all over it. Matt turned back to Nicky.

  “Who’s that?”

  “That’s Ray Miller,” Nicky explained.

  “That’s Ray?” Matt said. “The same Ray who’d been beating you up? What’s he doing here?”

  “He’s not so bad after all,” Nicky explained. “Today when he started hitting me, I told him to meet me in the school yard and we’d finish it. Well, he did and we got into it and well, I guess you can see who beat who.”

  “Who beat whom,” Gloria said, correcting her son’s grammar.

  “Who beat whom,” Nick said. “Anyway, after I made him say, ‘Uncle’ we both got up off the ground and I don’t know why, but we both laughed. After all the other kids walked away, Ray and I got to talking and found out we both have a few things in common. We’re friends now, Dad.”

  Matt turned to Ray. “Is that right, Ray?”

  Ray nodded. “Uh huh.”

  “And neither of you is mad at the other?” Matt said.

  Nick and Ray looked at each other and broke out laughing. Matt had his answer. He looked at Chris. “Did Mom call you?”

  Chris nodded. “Yes, she said Olivia and Tom had just gotten there. We were all waiting for you to come home so we could all go over there together.”

  Matt looked around. “Where’s Veronica?”

  “She’s getting dressed,” Chris explained. “And as soon as Nicky puts on some clean clothes we can go. It will be a few minutes yet. How’d you like to drive Ray home while you’re waiting?”

  “All right,” Matt said. “I hope he doesn’t live in Azusa.”

  “I just live a couple of blocks from here,” Ray offered.

  “Well, let’s get going then, shall we, Ray?” Matt said, leading the former bully out to his car. Matt turned back to Chris and said, “Oh yeah, there’s one more thing I need to talk to you about before we go over to Mom and Dad’s. I’ll catch you after I drop Ray off at his house.”

  By the time Matt had deposited Ray in front of his house and driven back home, Veronica still wasn’t ready. Matt found Chris again and said, “She does realize that this is just a trip to Grandma’s house, doesn’t she? We’re not actually going out to dinner until later.”

  “I know,” Chris said. “I guess she’s at that age where appearance is getting to be important. Give her a few minutes yet. Meanwhile, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

  Matt took her aside, out of earshot from the kids, and gave her the condensed version of the gruesome events that had taken place at the twelfth precinct. Chris’s eyes got wide when Matt explained about how he might have been one of the passengers in that Suburban had it not been for Olivia’s arrival.

  “Oh, Matt,” Chris said. “Those poor people.”

  “I know,” Matt said. “I can’t even think about it.”

  As if on cue, Veronica emerged from her bedroom dressed in some of her finest attire. “I’m ready now. Can we go to Grandma’s house and see Aunt Olivia and Uncle Tom?”

  Matt loaded his family into the car and gave the keys to Chris. She drove to his parents’ house, while Matt used the time to reflect on his own life. He hoped his family would all have the good sense not to discuss the tragedy in front of his kids. This was one chapter of his life he would just as soon put behind him. Tomorrow he’d find a way to tell Benny all about what had almost been the end of Cooper Investigations. It didn’t matter who knew about the task force now, since it wasn’t going to be resurrected after all this.

  All the way to his parents’ house, Matt’s mind wandered in and out of thoughts about his involvement in that elite group of crime fighters and he came to the realization that nothing was more important than his family and living for the moment. No one knew for certain when their last moment would be and he wanted to make sure he’d make the most of what lie ahead.

  142 - Here Comes The Bribe

  The three police officials who had died in the car bombing were given a triple funeral befitting the heroes that they were. All three had been part of an elite task force that had been organized to combat corruption within the justice system. The team had originally been comprised of five individuals, including Police Lieutenant Kevin Cole and Private Investigator Matt Cooper. It was just by sheer luck that neither of these two men had been in the Suburban when the bomb exploded, killing Captain Michael Burke, Detective Scott Sheldon and Patrolman Lucy Bristol. The sixth candidate that these people were on their way to interview never even knew he’d been chosen to join this task force. After the bombing, the idea of the task force died along with the three members. Lieutenant Cole had no further interest in pursuing the formation of the group of crime fighters, but he did make himself a promise to find the people responsible for the bombing. Now he needed Matt Cooper to help him do just that, since having them found through regular channels would only result in prison sentences for the perpetrators.

  It had been six days since the tragic incident in the police parking lot. Matt and his P.I. partner, Benny Briggs had both attended the funeral along with Kevin Cole. The air hung heavy with smoke from the rifles used for the twenty-one gun salute each deceased victim got. It was a strange feeling for Matt to see so many police officers and patrolmen that he’d known over the years to be crying. Captain Burke was well liked by everyone in the department. Detective Sheldon had many friends as well. The relative newcomer, Lucy Bristol, had had the bad luck to be chosen for the task force because of her honesty and spotless record. If only she had had at least one blemish on her record, she might still be alive.

  After the closed casket funeral proceedings had concluded, Kevin pulled Matt to one side, looking around to make sure they were alone. “Matt,” Kevin said, “You know what I’ve got to do and I will do it with or without your help. It would be easier with your help, but I can do this alone.”

  “Not as long as I’m still drawing breath,” Matt said. “Those were friends of mine, too, and I want these guys just as bad as you do. You can count on my help, Kevin.”

  “I wanted to take some time off,” Kevin said. “And I’d have gotten it except now with the captain gone they put me in charge until they can find a replacement for him.”

  “That should be your job,” Matt told him. “You’ve earned it.”

  “I don’t want it,” Kevin said. “The captain of any precinct is too far detached from what’s really going on out in the real world. I’d go stir crazy tied down to the captain’s desk.” Kevin let out a deep breath. “I’ll take charge for now, but as soon as the new captain comes in, I’m going to ask for two weeks off. I’ve got it coming and I have a good use for those two weeks.”

  “I’ll just bet you do,” Matt said. “Let me know when that happens and I’ll arrange my vacation around that same time period. Benny can handle the office, even if it means bringing Elliott or Gloria in just to work the office while Benny’s out on a case. When do you expect the captain’s position to be filled?”

  “I don’t know,” Kevin said. “But it had better be soon or that trail will grow cold while I’m waiting.”

  “You have my number,” Matt said, laying one hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “Meanwhile, I’d better get back and take care of my own business.”

  “Thanks, Matt,” Kevin said and walked away.

  Matt found Benny mulling around near the snack table. “Come on, Benny,” Matt said. “We’d better be getting back to the office. We still have a business to run.” The two of them drove back to the office they occupied in the Cahuenga Building, third floor in the front. Matt found it
extremely difficult to keep his mind on his business. He kept drifting off into what-if land. What if Olivia and Tom had not come home? What if he had met Kevin at the twelfth precinct that morning? What if Kevin had not gotten that last minute call? So many things could have played out differently if just one incident had been altered. He decided it was better not to dwell on it.

  Matt picked up his phone and called his wife, Chris at home to let her know he would be coming straight home after work but that he’d be going out again after he changed his clothes. He assured Chris that he’d tell her all about it after the fact and that it was better if she didn’t know about his plans at this point. She agreed not to pursue it for the time being.

  It was shortly after five-thirty when Matt pulled into his driveway and killed the engine. His twins, Nicky and Veronica were playing in the yard and rushed up to greet him when they saw his car pull into the driveway. The three of them walked into the house together. Matt kissed Chris and told her not to hold dinner for him. He retreated to his bedroom and emerged ten minutes later to be greeted by a surprised and disappointed look from Chris.

  “You’re not going out looking like that, are you, Matt?” Chris said, her hands on her hips.

  “It’s all part of the plan that I’ll explain later,” Matt said. “I can’t go where I have to go dressed like I always dress. I have to look somewhat downtrodden and grubby in order to fit in. That’s all I can say for now. Please just be patient and I’ll tell you all about it when I finish.” He leaned in to kiss Chris goodbye but she leaned back, away from him. Matt had to smile at the effect he had on his wife from one simple change of clothes. He kissed his fingertips and waved at her as he was leaving. At least he was sure his disguise was effective.

  Matt parked a full block from Arnie’s Tavern in downtown Los Angeles and walked the rest of the way. The place was dark and dirty and looked like a place where blue collar workers could feel right at home. Matt found an empty stool at the far end of the bar and slid up onto it. He held one finger up to get the bartender’s attention. “Gimme a glass of tap beer,” he said and then remembered all his money was still neatly folded in his wallet, which also held his P.I. badge and identification card. “I’ll be right back,” he told the bartender and slid off the stool. He found the men’s room down a small hallway and let himself in. He was alone in there and quickly retrieved his wallet, emptying it of several bills, which he stuffed into his right front pocket before returning the wallet to his hip pocket.

  Matt returned to the barstool and grabbed the glass of beer that had been placed in front of his stool. The bartender quickly came over to where Matt sat and said, “Two bucks.” He held his hand out and waited as Matt dug into his front pants pocket and produced a five dollar bill, laying it in the bartender’s outstretched hand. A moment later the bartender laid three singles on the bar in front of Matt. Matt scooped up the singles and stuffed them back into his pocket. He picked up his glass of beer and carried it over to an empty table in the corner. He sat there watching two men play pool across the room.

  Matt took a few sips from his glass before getting up from the table and walking over to where the two men stood shooting pool. He looked at the man who was not shooting at the moment and said, “Can I play the winner?”

  “You mean you wanna play me, in other words,” the man said.

  “Pretty confident you’re going to win, aren’t you?” Matt said.

  The man didn’t reply, but just gestured with his head at the table. Matt watched as the other man sent the cue ball rolling but missed his shot. The first man looked at second man. “Might as well get comfy, Jake” he said. “That was your last shot.”

  “Cocky little shit, aren’t you, Stu?” Jake said.

  Jake knew what he was talking about because he made the next eight shots in a row. He laid his cue on the table and held his hand out to Stu, who quickly laid a dollar bill in it. Jake turned his attentions to Matt now. “Still wanna shoot one?”

  Matt didn’t answer, but just pulled a cue stick out of the rack and chalked it up. Jake gestured with his head toward Stu. “That’s Stu and I’m Jake,” he said.

  “Matt,” Matt said without offering his hand. Neither of the men offered theirs either.

  Jake pointed to a triangle rack hanging from the side of the cue rack. “Loser racks and breaks,” he said.

  Matt pulled the rack off the nail, laid it on the table and proceeded to fill it with pool balls, alternating solids and stripes as he did. He positioned the rack of balls and carefully pulled the wooden triangle free, hanging it back on the nail. Matt chalked up his cue once more, all the while eyeing up the table from the opposite end. He bent over, sighted down the length of his cue stick, cocked his arm and blasted the group of fifteen balls with all he had. The nine ball went into the corner pocket and Matt called stripes as his. He made the next two shots but missed on the third try. The fifteen ball bounced off the corner cushion just short of the pocket.

  Jake made a show of stepping up to the side of the table with the cue ball and smirked at Matt, probably to let him know the game was over for Matt. Jake sank six of his seven balls but missed dropping the seven ball. Now Matt had another chance. Matt sank the next four balls, leaving him just the eight ball. He looked over his options and pointed with his stick at the far corner pocket. “Three banks to this corner pocket,” he announced, patting the pocket nearest him and to his right. Jake didn’t look worried. Matt did the mental calculation in his head, figuring the degrees of angle needed to pull off such a shot. After adjusting the angle of his cue stick, Matt pulled his arm back and struck the cue ball with a medium degree of force. It hit the eight ball, bouncing it against right side rail. From there it hit the rail on the short end of the table before bouncing off the left side rail and sailing straight as an arrow to the corner pocket near him. When it dropped, so did Jake’s face.

  Matt smiled and held out his palm. “I believe that was for a dollar,” he said.

  Jake grudgingly paid Matt the dollar and immediately said, “Double or nothing?”

  “Loser racks,” Matt said and stood by while Jake racked the next set of balls. Before he got a chance to break the rack, a uniformed police officer walked into the bar. Matt knew him and didn’t want to be recognized and have his cover blown. He quickly turned away and headed for the men’s room again. He stood just inside, peeking out the door until the cop left the bar before he returned to the pool table.

  Jake hesitated about breaking the balls and just stared at Matt. Matt stared back. “You gonna break or are you just gonna stand there?”

  “What’s with you?” Jake said. “As soon as that cop showed his face in here you disappeared like a fart in the wind. You wanted for anything?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Matt said. “Now, are you gonna break or not?”

  “You don’t wanna talk about it, that’s fine with me,” Jake said and broke up the rack up balls. None of them went in and Jake stood back, allowing Matt access to the table. Matt sized up his first shot, but before he could execute it, Jake laid his hand on the cue ball and picked it up.

  Matt stood upright, a scowl covering his face. “That just cost you the game, my friend.” He held his hand out for another dollar. Jake didn’t respond. Matt snapped his fingers and stretched his palm out again.

  Jake dug a dollar from his pocket and held it out, withdrawing it just as Matt reached for it. “It would be worth a buck just to hear your story,” he said. “So what is it with you and cops?”

  “A guy could get himself seriously hurt sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong,” Matt said. “What’s it to you anyway?”

  “Just curious,” Jake said. By now Stu had stepped closer to the two men and suddenly Matt felt outnumbered and figured he’d better not play this scene so tough.

  “Too bad that one wasn’t in that car that blew up last week,” Matt said. “As it is, that’s three less pigs in this world. It’s a start anyw
ay.”

  Jake and Stu exchanged glances and then Jake turned to Matt. “What would you know about that?” he said.

  Matt bent over the table to shoot at a ball—any ball—and ignored Jake. Jake didn’t like being ignored and grabbed the end of Matt’s cue stick. “You’re gonna talk about this whether you want to or not,” he said, pulling the stick out of Matt’s hands.

  Matt made eye contact with Stu and then glanced back at Jake. He forced a phony smile and a weak laugh. “I just wish I could have been there to see it. Man, that must have really been something. Must have been quite a pork roast in that Suburban.”

  “And just how did you know it was a Suburban?” Jake said. “The papers didn’t say what kind of vehicle it was.”

  “Lucky guess?” Matt said and backed away from the two men. He headed for the front door but felt a strong grip on his shoulder. He spun around to find Jake’s hand clamped onto his shoulder. Jake spun him around and Matt could see the switchblade in Jake’s hand. Jake gestured with his head toward the table Matt had been sitting at before he started playing pool. “How about you and me go and sit down and talk about this thing?”

  “Why not?” Matt said and let Jake lead him to the back of the room. The two men sat and Matt looked around the room, trying to see what had become of Stu. He was nowhere to be seen.

  “Now suppose you tell me what you know about that bombing,” Jake said.

  Matt was almost certain he’d hit a nerve with this guy. Maybe he was getting too close to the truth to suit Jake. Maybe Jake wanted to know what Matt knew before he took him out behind the bar and sliced him up. He couldn’t be sure.

  “Tell me what you know about that bombing,” Jake said.

  Matt and Jake talked for several minutes before Stu made another appearance. He’d probably gone to the men’s room. Matt didn’t know for sure and wasn’t that interested. Stu sat between Matt and Jake and Matt thought he saw a subtle exchange between the two men. So this was how it was all going to end for him, Matt thought. The two men grilled Matt for another couple of minutes when the front door opened and Lieutenant Cole stepped in, flanked by two uniformed patrolmen. Matt breathed easier now. He was never so glad to see Kevin as he was at this very minute. To Matt’s surprise, Stu held up a hand and summoned the three police over to their table. Stu got out of his chair and stood close enough to Kevin to whisper something that Matt couldn’t hear.