by Henry Hack
“Thanks, Lynn. I’ll be in my office, or in Sergeant Becker’s.”
Susan returned to her office, sat down in the chair across from Rita, opened her coffee and unwrapped her roll. She took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, looked at Rita and said, “I don’t know what to make of this case. Winston came out of his coma early on New Year’s morning. It was a surreal interview.”
“First, tell me how Cassidy got your panties off.”
“You won’t help me out here until I spill the details of my love life, is that it?”
“Seriously, you have to tell me everything; it may help me to help you figure out what’s going on with the case.”
“Okay, here it is.” She related all the details of the previous few days, leaving nothing out – lunch at the diner, Harry’s roust of the surveillance teams, his persistence to go to dinner on New Year’s Eve, dinner at Mario’s, the lovemaking back at Harry’s apartment and the call by Hunter to go to the hospital.
“So tell me, how was the lovemaking?”
“It was wonderful.”
“Or maybe you thought it was wonderful since it was a long time between rolls in the hay. I might think it was wonderful if I screwed Frankenstein, for crying out loud.”
“No, Harry was all I could have asked for.”
“Does he have a big one? After all, he’s mostly an Irisher.”
“I didn’t bring a ruler into bed. Whatever he had, it fit just fine.”
“Now for the big question – are you in love with him?”
“I believe I may be heading in that direction.”
“And how is this affecting your judgment and objectivity on your investigation of the lovable Officer Cassidy?”
“Let me tell you about the interview at the hospital and hear my conclusions. Then you tell me if I’m being objective.”
“I’m listening.”
Susan summed up the interview and then said, “Two things concerned me. When I asked Richie if Harry had choked him, he didn’t nod right away. He looked at me for several seconds and then shook his head no. I believe he lied to me and he covered up for Harry.”
“Why the hell would he cover for Harry? They hate each other.”
“I can’t answer that, but I’m telling you we have five statements that Harry choked Winston. I believe the witnesses, and so do the investigating detectives.”
“You impress me as being objective so far. Continue.”
“The second thing is the statement from Winston asking me to tell Harry thanks for saving him. I’ll play that part of the tape for you now.”
They both listened to the words twice and Susan said, “He grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes and then said those words.”
“Another mystery. What in God’s name did Winston mean by that? How could Harry have saved him?”
“I have no idea, but I want you to be there when I ask him. Hunter offered an opinion Winston may have been referring to one of the two uniformed cops who pulled him out of the car and transported him to the hospital. Maybe in his condition he thought it was Harry.”
“That’s as good a guess as any. What do you think?”
“I think there’s more here than meets the eye. I think Harry is holding back something, but I don’t know what.”
“I agree. Your objectivity is fine. Let me hear the entire interview now.”
They played the tape three times and Rita said, “Unless Mr. Winston wakes up again, or Officer Cassidy provides an explanation, I think you have to close this case.”
“That’s what I feel. I’m glad you agree. We’ll see what Gregorovich says after the briefing.”
Just then the phone rang in Rita’s office and Lynn asked for Susan. “Your meeting is set for 11:30, Sergeant. The inspector is looking for a complete case review and suggestions for finalizing it at this meeting.”
“Thanks, Lynn. Would you do me a favor and reach out for Detectives Charles Hunter and Nick Faliani? Tell them to report to me here at eleven sharp.”
“Sure, I’ll confirm with you when I notify them.”
“Rita, I’m assuming after this meeting I’m going to have to interview Harry one more time. I want you in there with me. Not just for the case, but for your opinion on where I should go with him in the future.”
“Having second thoughts?”
“Yes. I could fall deeply in love with Harry and live happily ever after, but if I thought he was not truthful with me now, I would always feel uneasy. I mean, it’s obvious he didn’t stab Winston, but I know he choked him despite Winston’s denial. And I feel he’s hiding something else from me, and until I find out what it is, and determine if I can live with it, I’m very worried about committing my life, my love and my career to the handsome and charming Officer Harold T. Cassidy.”
“Good thinking. I hope this works out for you, but if it doesn’t, throw him over to me. I don’t have such high scruples as you. I’m older and a lot less particular. He was circumcised, I hope?”
“Yes, he was,” Susan said, smiling and shaking her head at Rita’s question.
“Now if only he were Jewish…”
They had a laugh that eased the tension that had been building and that promised to get substantially worse as the day progressed. Susan checked her watch and saw it was almost ten o’clock. “I’m going to my office to prepare. Maybe we can grab a sandwich after the meeting and I’ll fill you in.”
“Okay. Keep thinking good thoughts. In any event, you’ll know soon where your future lies.”
Chapter Fourteen
Hunter and Faliani arrived promptly at eleven and met with Susan. She was dressed in a navy business suit with a high-collared blouse and matching low-heeled shoes. Quite the proper businesswoman Nick thought, as he pictured her once more in the skimpy black dress and spiked heels. He wondered what she was like in the sack.
“Detective? Detective Faliani?” Susan asked.
“Yes, Sergeant. I’m sorry…what was that?”
“I asked if you and Detective Hunter had any new opinions or thoughts on the Winston interview.”
“No, Sergeant. Just what we discussed that night.”
“Detective Hunter?”
“No, nothing further.”
However, Detective Pop Hunter had a very strong opinion of what really happened at the Nest and in the parking lot on that cold Christmas morning, but he was not about to voice it now, or ever, if that was possible. He had to walk a fine line here, and he certainly didn’t want to hurt Harry if he could possibly avoid it.
“All right,” Susan said. “It’s time. Let’s go see if the inspector is ready for us.”
Ms. Margolin led them into the inspector’s office and after a brief exchange of hello’s and Happy New Year’s, he said, “Let’s get right down to it. First, Detectives Hunter and Faliani, give me a summary of your investigation so far. Be brief on what we all already know and emphasize the new material.”
Pop Hunter did the briefing up to the point of the visit to the hospital.
“Then you have no new leads, and still no name to attach to the suspect?”
“No, sir. If we don’t find him soon, say in a week or two, I would have to believe he skipped out of the area.”
“And you’re convinced this guy is the perp?”
“Yes, Inspector. In fact we got a positive ID from the victim himself.”
“What? When…?”
“Excuse me, sir,” said Pop. “This is brand new information. I’ll let Sergeant Goldman take it from here.”
Susan briefed the inspector on the hospital visit and the interview with Winston. They listened to the tape twice. Gregorovich said, “Are we in agreement that we now definitely feel we have three suspects and the one in the composite was the main assailant?”
They all nodded in agreement and said, “Yes, sir.”
“Okay, now let’s discuss the internal investigation of Officer Cassidy.”
Pop Hunter arose from his chair and said, “Shall we leave now?”
/> “Not on your life, Hunter. Sit back down. You’ll leave when this meeting is completely over. Let me warn you two again. Whatever is said in this office is, and will remain, a confidential internal matter. You will not divulge the contents of this discussion with anyone without my express permission. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Pop and Nick said.
“Good. Let’s talk about the choking incident. Are we all in agreement, despite what the upstanding Mr. Winston nodded, it appears from the witnesses statements that Officer Cassidy did indeed choke Richie Winston?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Can anyone venture a guess as to why Winston denied it? Why is he covering up for Cassidy whom he despises? Anyone?”
“Inspector,” said Nick. “From what follows on the tape, Winston seems to believe Harry did something that saved his life, so he doesn’t want to rat him out over the choke.”
“Very good, Detective. My thoughts exactly. Anyone have a different opinion? Good, let’s move on. Sergeant Goldman, based on these facts do you feel we should prefer charges and specifications for police brutality against Officer Cassidy?”
“No, sir, I do not.”
“Why not?”
“We’d never get an affirmative finding at a departmental trial.”
“Explain.”
“The witnesses are not credible due to their criminal backgrounds, and the victim isn’t cooperating. In fact, he denied it. Even an inept, underpaid PBA lawyer would rip our case to shreds.”
“I agree, but are there any circumstances that would allow us to prevail at a trial?”
“Yes, if Cassidy admitted he did it and signed a statement to that effect.”
“When you interview Cassidy again, do you think you are capable of getting a written admission from him?”
“No, not without a positive response to that question from a polygraph test.”
“But we have no polygraph at our disposal at this time, do we?”
“No, sir.”
“And with all those fancy interrogation seminars the Department sent you to attend, at great expense to the taxpayers I might add, and all your knowledge and skills, you’re telling me you cannot obtain an admission in this case?”
Susan squirmed in her seat and started to perspire under Gregorovich’s relentless questioning, but she also started to get angry. She answered, “No, but I’d like to add I don’t feel any interrogator could get that admission, even one as good as Detective Hunter, or even one as good as you, sir.”
“Why is that, Sergeant?”
“Cassidy’s a veteran street cop, a survivor. He does nothing that’s not in his best interest to make it through the day alive and well. And confessing to this is not in his best interest. His attitude is like a hardened criminal’s – if you got me, lock me up. If not, get the hell out of my face.’”
Gregorovich smiled and said, “Very good. I agree again, even though I hate to admit I myself would not be able to crack him. You’re right, but you will ask him again anyway, won’t you, Sergeant Goldman?”
“Yes, sir, I will.”
“Okay, we will not prefer charges of police brutality at this time. Now can anyone tell me what Richie Winston meant when he told Sergeant Goldman to give Harry his thanks for saving his life?”
Silence was the response, so Gregorovich said, “Let’s take a five minute break for coffee and think that question over.”
As they left the office, Pop Hunter was afraid the inspector had arrived at the same conclusion he had. He still wouldn’t volunteer it until pushed, but the Russian could push very hard. Susan headed for Rita’s office, leaving the two detectives alone and wondering.
“Jeez, Pop,” Nick said. “This guy is something. He’s frying Sergeant Goldman. Thank God I don’t work for him.”
“Yeah, he has her on the hot seat, but I think she’s handled it pretty well so far.”
“Pop, any ideas what Winston meant? I got the feeling Gregorovich has something figured out and is testing us.”
“I agree, but the only thing I can come up with is what we figured out in the hospital. Richie must have mistaken one of the uniform cops for Harry. I can’t think of any other scenario, so I’m going with that.”
“Me, too. We’re together on this. I wonder what Goldman’s going to say? If this is a test, she’s the one most concerned about failing.”
“Here she comes now.”
Susan joined the two detectives. She looked nervous. She had just come back from Rita’s office where she had filled her in on the hammering she took from Gregorovich and the question he had posed to them before the break. Rita agreed Susan should also stay with the mistaken identity story. There appeared to be no other explanation. Gregorovich returned and motioned them all back into his office saying, “Let’s proceed.”
When they were seated he said, “Sergeant Goldman, you go first.”
Susan explained Richie was probably confused and mistook one of the uniformed officers for Harry.
“Detective Faliani?”
“I agree.”
“And Detective Hunter, our ace homicide investigator, what do you think?”
Pop stayed with the same version.
“What you three are telling me is we still have a mystery here? And after all your time devoted to this case, none of you can offer an alternative explanation? Let me give you something to ponder. When Cassidy returned to the bar he wore civilian clothes. How the hell could Winston have possibly confused him with a uniformed rescuer?”
Dead silence once again, and none of them dared look the Russian in the eye.
“Maybe Officer Cassidy will clarify that, Sergeant Goldman, when you interview him again,” said Gregorovich, in a mocking tone.
Susan bit her tongue and said, “Perhaps, sir.”
“I suggest you find out. Arrange to get Cassidy over here with his delegate for a follow-up interview forthwith.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“What are you waiting for? Get out of my office right now, and go do your job.”
Susan, red-faced, left the office. Pop and Nick wished they could crawl under their chairs. The Russian, his anger obvious, turned toward them and said, “Faliani, go get some coffee. Shut the door on your way out.”
“Yes, sir,” said a relieved Nick as he left the office. He walked past Goldman’s office. It was empty, but the door to Sergeant Becker’s office was closed. He knew Goldman was probably in tears. That Mad Russian did a number on her. What a prick. And was he now going to do a number on Pop?
●
“Detective Hunter, you sorely disappoint me,” Gregorovich said.
“Sir?”
“You know damn well what went on that night at the Bird’s Nest, and you know damn well what Winston meant when he asked Goldman to thank Cassidy for saving his life. Don’t you?”
“I know no such thing, Inspector.”
“Ah, a play on words. Let me strike know and re-state the question your investigative skills have allowed you to deduce. What most likely happened to cause Winston to say those words?”
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at.”
“Hunter, let’s me and you cut the crap. I didn’t expect Faliani to figure this out, but I expected Sergeant Goldman to, and it surprised me when she didn’t. But you figured it out. I know you did. Let’s talk completely off the record.”
“Off the record, Inspector? Is there such a thing in Internal Affairs?”
“No, but I’ll make an exception now. You’ll have to take my word.”
“Whose word? The word of the Commanding Officer, Nassau Boro, Internal Affairs? Or the word of Pete Gregorovich, former street cop?”
Gregorovich smiled and answered, “Pete Gregorovich, street cop.”
“How do you want to go about this? Harry is my friend you know.”
“I know, I read the case file. You came on the Job together. Did you stay in touch?”
“Yes, we socializ
ed with our wives for many years. Then Harry and Peggy got divorced over a year ago and the relationship cooled off. In fact, I hadn’t seen or spoken to Harry in about six months until this investigation threw us together.”
“Has Harry confided anything to you not on the record?”
“No, sir,” he lied.
“What about Winston’s words?”
Pop hesitated and said, “It is very difficult for me to propose a theory that implicates Harry.”
“I understand. I’ll give you my theory, and you comment when I’m done.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I believe Harry came back to the bar as he stated, but he didn’t leave when he said, which would have been before the attack.”
Pop nodded, and Gregorovich continued, “Harry had a lot of beers. He was in his car when Richie left the bar and went through the alley to his car. He saw the three perps enter the alley and he remained in his vehicle while they stabbed and shot Winston. He saw them run out of the alley and drive off. Only then did he leave his car to check the parking lot. He discovered Winston dying and told him he would go for help. He ran to the callbox, picked up the phone and then hung up, leaving Richie to die. The sector car found Richie minutes later, and Richie concluded Harry had called them which was why he asked Goldman to thank Harry for saving him.”
“That’s some damning scenario, Inspector.”
“Yes, it is. It’s a betrayal of his oath. Does that scenario match yours?”
“Unfortunately, yes. But it’s difficult to believe Harry could do something like that. How can he live with himself?”
“He can handle it because Winston survived. If Richie dies, I think Officer Cassidy may crack. How does he appear, Pop? How is he acting?”
“He was way down at the beginning of the investigation, but he seems a lot better now, especially since Winston came out of the coma. Remember, he felt a lot of people thought he stabbed Richie himself.”
“I have a problem with Goldman not figuring this out. Do you think she’s covering for him?”
“Why would she do that? From what I’ve seen, she’s been focused and relentless in her investigation.”
“Maybe so, but I’m noticing things – a change in her demeanor. You don’t suppose there’s anything going on between them, do you? Some hanky-panky?”