Cassidy's Corner

by Henry Hack

  “We’re on the Job,” the driver said.

  “What job?”

  “This Job, asshole. And you’re interfering in a confidential investigation.”

  “Let’s see some ID. I want your shield and identification card.”

  “I told you, numb-nuts, we’re on the Job.”

  The asshole comment had raised Harry to the boiling point. Numb-nuts put him over the top. He drew his gun and shoved it hard into the driver’s ear shouting, “Get the fuck out of the car. That goes for you too, pal,” he said to the passenger.

  “Hey, hey, wait a minute,” protested the driver.

  “Get out now or I’ll blow your brains out,” he said with deadly menace.

  They both got out and Harry forced them to lie face down on the dirty, frozen sidewalk. A crowd had started to gather, but Coppola kept them away. Harry took their guns out of their holsters and retrieved their wallets. He looked at their detective shields and then scrutinized their ID cards. He found they each had two. The one visible through the clear plastic compartment opposite the shield identified them as Detectives Johnson and Parks from Bronx Narcotics. The ones hidden underneath, the real ones, identified them as Detectives Williams and Marrone from Nassau Internal Affairs.

  “Get up and get back in the car,” Harry said.

  When they were back in their seats, Harry threw their guns into the back seat and threw their shield cases into their laps. “Listen to me, you morons. If I ever see you or your two buddies on my beat again, I’ll throw a few slugs into you. You dumb jerks couldn’t tail a trick from the doorway to the curb. You go back and tell your bosses in IAD they’re dumb assholes, too. Even dumber than you, because they sent you.”

  That comment made Jasper and Coppola roll their eyes and shake their heads. Just then, Sector Charlie rode up and Gomez said, “Those guys checked out okay. Just a couple of dicks from Brooklyn Robbery on a stakeout.”

  “Yeah, and these guys are just another couple of dicks from Bronx Narcotics,” Coppola said. “When Harry finishes talking, we’ll let you know who they really are.”

  Lopez looked at his partner with questioning eyes, but Woodall just shrugged his shoulders. Neither one knew what was going on here. Harry had not finished with the IAD guys. He was on a roll.

  “Why don’t you guys go back and ask for a transfer to real police work where you won’t screw your fellow officers for a living, you rat bastards. But, hey, you won’t have to ask for a transfer. You screwed up bad here on this assignment. The Mad Russian will throw you out to the wolves forthwith. Better pull those uniforms and long johns out of the attic; the wind blows cold in Staten Island this time of year. Now get off my beat.”

  “You handled that real professionally,” Jasper said, barely suppressing a grin.

  “I’m sick of those humps doggin’ me. They deserved it.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure they did. But you went totally overboard with the comments about their bosses. Wait’ll they report in. The shit will most definitely hit the fan. Having balls is one thing, Harry, but you are one crazy son-of-a-bitch. Let’s get some coffee and we’ll fill Gomez and Woodall in. Then we have to get our stories straight and our memo book entries in sync. We may all be visiting Boro Headquarters before this tour is over today.”

  ●

  IAD Detective Williams radioed in to his dispatcher and asked for Captain Jansen, the deputy commanding officer. Jansen picked up the microphone and said, “Go ahead, 1017.”

  “Our mission was compromised, Captain. We should speak right away.”

  “Come in to the office forthwith and fill me in.”

  After Jansen got the details from his four men he filled Gregorovich in on the incident. He left nothing out. When he finished, Gregorovich exploded.

  “That cop Cassidy has stepped over the line. I’ll run him off the Job. Who the hell does he think he is? You say he called me a dumb asshole? And referred to me as the Mad Russian?”

  “Yes, Inspector. That’s what Williams and Marrone say.”

  The captain trembled as he noticed Gregorovich’s beet-red face grow even darker. All the veins stood out on his neck and face, and he gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly his hands turned pure white.

  “Here’s what I want you to do, Jansen. Have my secretary get Captain Snyder from the Nine-Five Precinct on the phone for me. We are going to resolve this today.”

  “Yes, sir,” he said, happy to leave the office.

  ●

  “Nine-Five Precinct, Captain Snyder speaking.”

  “Please hold for Inspector Gregorovich,” said Lynn Margolin, Gregorovich’s secretary.

  “Snyder?”

  “Yes, sir. Good morning, Inspector.”

  “Save your good mornings, Captain. What the hell is going on in that precinct of yours? Is it out of control?”

  “Pardon me, sir.? Out of control?”

  “Snyder, find your Officer Cassidy. Put him in your vehicle and respond to my office forthwith. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And if you don’t know what’s happening in your own command, just ask Cassidy. I’m sure he’ll be happy to tell you. Now move.”

  With that Gregorovich hung up on the stunned captain. Snyder picked up the phone and dialed the desk sergeant. “Sergeant, have Sector Baker pick up Cassidy and transport him to Hempstead Avenue and Nassau Boulevard. I’ll meet them there.”

  “Yes, sir,” Sergeant Miller said.

  When the dispatcher radioed Sector Baker with the message, Harry was still in the back seat. The five cops had just finished their memo book entries and drained their coffee containers. “Man, that didn’t take long,” Coppola said. “Bad news travels fast. The Mad Russian must be on the rampage. Are you set to go, Harry?”

  “Let’s do it.”

  When they arrived at the intersection they observed the captain standing outside of his vehicle, not a good sign. The three officers got out and saluted. He did not salute back. Snyder said, “You two guys go back on patrol. Cassidy, get behind the wheel and drive to Boro Headquarters. We’ll talk on the way. We just got a forthwith to Inspector Gregorovich in IAD. He is obviously very angry. Care to tell me why?”

  Harry told him the by-the-book version, how he made the tails yesterday, had them checked out today, and how they refused to produce ID, forcing him to pull them out at gunpoint.

  “And you had no idea they were cops?”

  “No, sir. Those addresses sounded like mob places to me. And since they were so easy to make, I figured they couldn’t be any type of law enforcement. I’ve never encountered such poor surveillance before.”

  “I’m sure Gregorovich will appreciate hearing that. Harry, what the hell is going on here?”

  “The Russian is out to get me. It’s as simple as that. He can’t get me for the Winston caper, so he’s pissed off and vindictive.”

  “Do you think you can tough it out with Gregorovich?”

  “That prick doesn’t scare me.”

  “Maybe he should. He scares me, and I’m a goddamned captain.”

  Chapter Ten

  Miss Livermore greeted them cordially and called inside to announce their arrival. Five minutes later her intercom buzzed and Ms. Margolin said, “Marie, please have them come into the inspector’s office.”

  They walked in and Gregorovich motioned for them to be seated. The secretary left and closed the door. The IAD commander wasted no time and said to Captain Snyder, “Did Officer Cassidy fill you in on his actions earlier this morning?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And what do you make of it?”

  “It appears he followed proper police procedure in this case, Inspector.”

  “And Cassidy? Is it proper police procedure to put a gun to the head of one of my detectives and threaten to blow his brains out?”

  “I’m not answering that question, or any other, until I have a PBA delegate present.”

  Good move thought Snyder, but noticed
the color rise in Gregorovich’s cheeks.

  “You’re not a target. You don’t get a rep.”

  “I am a target in the Winston case.”

  “This has nothing to do with the Winston case.”

  “I disagree; it has everything to do with that case. Why were your morons.... excuse me, your men following me, if not to further that investigation?”

  Harry had him and he knew Gregorovich realized it. The inspector picked up the phone, dialed Jansen and said, “Captain, check the interview rooms. Find a PBA delegate that can be spared and bring him to my office.”

  Four minutes later, Police Officer Ted Marks, PBA delegate from the Nine-Three Precinct, was ushered into the office by Jansen and told to take a seat. The inspector hammered hard again and again, but Harry never flinched and stuck to his story. Gregorovich could not shake him and finally, after an hour, he said, “Get out of my office, but I’m telling you Cassidy…” Gregorovich caught himself up. Not a good move to threaten a cop in front of a PBA representative.

  They all arose and Harry said, “Inspector Gregorovich, sir. I’d like to have a word with you in private.”

  Marks said, “Officer, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re a target and….”

  “I know, and I understand. I appreciate your concern, but I would still like to speak with the inspector alone.”

  Snyder wondered why the hell Harry wanted to do this. He was stressed out and he did some crazy shit this morning. If he was alone with Gregorovich, would he slug him? Or worse yet, empty his gun into the Russian?

  “Captain, Officer Marks, please leave my office and close the door behind you,” said the inspector. When they left, Gregorovich said, “What’s on your mind, Cassidy?”

  “I lied to you, Inspector. My whole story is a lie, and I know you know it. I made your guys in five seconds yesterday. I was so pissed off I planned this whole charade this morning to prove to you I’m not a fool.”

  “Yeah, I figured that out, but you have it covered pretty well. Why are you confessing now?”

  “Because, regardless of what you may think of me, I respect you, and your rank, and the nature of your position. But most of all, I don’t want to lie to someone who was a good street cop.”

  “And who told you I was a good street cop?”

  “My Uncle Mike,”

  “And just who is your Uncle Mike?”

  “Retired Deputy Chief Michael J. Cassidy.”

  There was an immediate softening in Gregorovich’s posture, and the tension seemed to drain from him. “Your Uncle Mike was my first sergeant. A great boss and a great teacher. How is he doing? I went to his retirement party, you know.”

  “He’s doing fine, Inspector. He said to say hello.”

  “Does he know what trouble you’re in? I’m surprised he hasn’t called me.”

  “I asked him not to call you. He told me to level with you, and that’s what I’m doing. Would you hear me out?”

  “Go on.”

  “Call off your surveillance. They’re not going to find anything except stuff you can find following any cop. If you want to get me for having a free cup of coffee or taking a leak without notifying the signal monitor, that’s what you’ll get. I know you think I had more to do with the Winston case than I’ve told your investigators, and I respect your right and duty to follow up on that. In fact, I have another interview with Sergeant Goldman shortly, where I’m sure she’ll run me over the coals. But please, Inspector, I’m a good street cop, too. Let me do my job.”

  “You did all that this morning to send me a message? To tell the Mad Russian you wouldn’t be pushed around? And you now admit you lied to me?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And you think just because your uncle says I was a good street cop I’m going to ignore all of this? That I’m not going to write you up and run you off this Job? You’re taking an awful risk.”

  “Yes, I am, but I hope you’ll do the right thing.”

  “Get the hell out of my office. Oh, and tell your Uncle Mike hello from Pete.” A trace of a smile appeared briefly on his lips as he finished speaking.

  “I will, Inspector. Thank you for listening to me.”

  Harry left Gregorovich’s office and Captain Snyder looked at him with questioning eyes. “Are you all right? I expected to hear gunshots.”

  “I’m fine, Captain.”

  “What went on in there?”

  “We had a meeting of the minds, I hope. I have an interview now with Sergeant Goldman. I’ll get a ride back to the precinct from the delegate. Thanks for backing me up in there. You’re a stand-up boss, and I won’t forget it.”

  “My pleasure. Good luck with this mess. I hope it’s over soon.”

  ●

  Harry knocked on Sergeant Goldman’s office door. “Come in,” she said.

  He greeted her with a smile, and she smiled that beautiful smile back at him that made his knees tremble.

  “I called for your delegate, Officer Vitale. He’s on the way.”

  “Thanks. Any luck with finding our Mr. Serenenski yet?”

  “Hunter and Faliani are in Queens looking for him right now.”

  “Good, the quicker they find him, the quicker you can wrap up your inquisition.”

  “Harry, what was all the commotion around here? Jansen was agitated like I’ve never seen before. He yelled at four of his detectives and Gregorovich was as red as I’ve ever seen him. Then you and your boss come in unexpectedly for a closed door session. What gives?”

  Harry told her the story of the morning’s encounter with the surveillance, ending it before his one on one with Gregorovich.

  “I can’t believe you did that. You are one wacky cop.”

  “I told you it would be war if I saw the surveillance again.”

  “And Gregorovich bought your phony story? I can’t believe it.”

  “He had no choice, but then we had a one-on-one chat. I think we understand each other now. We discovered we have a mutual friend.”

  “Your Uncle Mike?”

  At first Harry was surprised, but then he smiled and said, “You sure have been doing your homework. Does my file reveal everything about me?”

  “Not everything, but quite a lot.” Her intercom buzzed and Miss Livermore announced the arrival of Joe Vitale. “Please escort him to interview room two, Marie. We’ll meet him there.”

  ●

  Susan began by repeating the rules about the video and audio recording. When she finished she stayed behind the desk and picked up a letter and said, “This anonymous letter came in to the DA’s office on Tuesday afternoon, December 27. The writer is accusing you of stabbing Richie Winston. Here, you may read it.”

  Harry took the letter which was enclosed in a plastic cover sheet and read it. He shrugged his shoulders. “He’s lying, and obviously Serenenski wrote it.”

  She then handed him the second letter saying, “This is a follow-up received on the morning of December 29. You may read it also.”

  She noticed Harry seemed surprised by the existence of the second letter, in contrast to his somewhat bored reaction to the first one.

  “Same bullshit. He’s lying. It’s Serenenski again trying to cause me grief for arresting his brother. Case closed. When Hunter and Faliani find him, they’ll get the truth out of him.”

  “Officer Cassidy, please think carefully before you answer my next question. It is important you give a truthful response.”

  “Are you implying I have been untruthful?” he said, and wondered why he was so attracted to someone who was apparently trying to do him in.

  “No, at least not so far today.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She ignored his question and said, “Have you ever seen either one, or both, of these letters before I showed them to you today?”

  She probably knows me and Hunter are tight. I have to be very careful here.

  “Officer? My question?”

  “I’m thi
nking it over very carefully, as you suggested.”

  A real wiseass. And over the edge, too, pulling that stunt with the surveillance teams this morning. Why the hell am I so attracted to him?

  “Yes, the first one,” he said.

  “When and where did you see it?”

  “In the squad’s office, maybe on Wednesday, or Thursday. It was with the case file Hunter and Faliani had put together on the Winston case.”

  “Did Hunter or Faliani show you the letter?”

  “No, I was curious seeing it was in plastic, so I picked it up and read it.”

  “Did you make any comments to them about its contents after you read it?”

  “No, it was bullshit then, and it’s bullshit now. It had to have been written by the guy who was there when I went back to the Nest – our friend Serenenski.”

  “And you didn’t think it was important to tell Hunter and Faliani you went back to the bar?”

  “No, and you blasted me for that, and I agreed you were right. Must I say it again? You were right and I was wrong. Happy now, Sergeant?”

  “There’s no need for sarcasm, Officer.”

  “Sorry, I consider myself duly admonished.”

  Susan bit her lip and glared at him. She said, “This interview is over. It is 11:47 a.m., Friday, December 30. Prepare a to/from/subject report on your responses as in the previous interview.” She got up and walked briskly out of the room, slamming the door.

  “Looks like you upset the good sergeant,” Joe said.

  “I’m up to my eyeballs with this crap. When are they going to give it up?”

  “Who knows? Hang in there. Wanna go for coffee before we write this up?”

  “You go, Joe. I gotta see somebody. Meet you back here in fifteen minutes.”

  Harry walked into Susan’s office unannounced. She looked up and said, “I didn’t hear you knock, Officer.”

  “Oh boy, is Sergeant Susan pissed off at Officer Harry? Maybe I’m the one who should be pissed off, ever think of that?”