“Excellent!” Dinkins exclaimed. “We can add another count of gross insubordination to the laundry list of charges you’re going to be brought up on.”
Harris threw his head back and laughed genuinely.
“Go ahead and enjoy your moment, but I can assure you that you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Commissioner Gerland spat. “Castillo got away from you? What a joke.”
“Are you through?”
“Hell no, I’m not through,” Gerland barked. “But you are, tough guy. Even Blumquist can’t save your ass now!”
The commissioner turned and yanking the door open strode off angrily. Dinkins remained in the room and glared at Harris with open hostility. Harris met the stare with equal venom.
“You really think you’re hot shit, don’t you?” The Internal Affairs chief spat.
“Any time you want it, Dinkins,” Harris spoke, remaining calm. “You just name the place.”
“Is that a threat?!” The man’s face turned red with anger.
“That’s an invitation, asshole.”
“You get the hell out of here and leave this man alone!” A stern female voice sounded from the doorway. Sylvia Blumquist stood with her hands on her hip. Her teeth were clenched in anger.
“Ma’am, we are just trying to get to the bottom of…” Dinkins began.
“Cram it,” Sylvia snapped, cutting the man off. “You couldn’t get to the bottom of a parking ticket!”
“Ma’am, I understand that you’ve been through a great ordeal, but this man violated several rules of engagement and put your daughter’s safety in jeopardy!”
“I said get the hell out of here!” The D.A. screamed again. “You aren’t fit to be in the same room with this man!”
“But…”
“Now!” Sylvia demanded, pointing to the door as all present outside the room watched in stunned silence. Dinkins gave Harris one last look and then spun on his heel and quickly exited.
The second he was gone Sylvia’s disposition changed and she ran to Harris throwing her arms around him. Harris winced noticeably as she pressed against his wound.
“Oh my God,” Sylvia blurted, backing away. “I’m sorry!”
“Please,” Harris smiled at her. “This is nothing. How is she?”
“She’s alive,” Sylvia said beaming. She grasped Harris’ right hand in both of hers. Tears streamed down her face. “She’s alive and she’s safe. There are no words to express my gratitude. I will never be able to repay you for this.”
“You’ll never have to.”
“It’s truly just a miracle,” Sylvia continued. “I honestly thought that I’d never…”
She paused and closed her eyes as she did her best to chase away the mental demons.
“It’s okay, Sylvia. You don’t ever have to think those thoughts again.”
Sylvia turned and walked back to the door. She closed it as a large group of officers peered in. Turning, she approached him again and spoke in a low key voice. “Was it definitely him? Emily told me it was Castillo but I just need to hear it from you for some reason.”
“It was Castillo.”
“And he escaped?”
Harris remained silent. He stared up at the woman.
“Oh my God,” she put a hand to her mouth. “Then he’s still out there. He’s going to try again, this isn’t over yet.”
“Sylvia…”
“I have bodyguards,” she began rambling as her fear and imagination ran away with her. “I have people who will stay with her night and day until this maniac is caught. Do you think he’ll try again? Will he lay low for a while? Jimmy, what happened? What do I do now?”
Harris stared into her eyes. The fear he saw was real and he reached out for her with his right hand. She took it and he squeezed in gentle reassurance.
“Sylvia?” He spoke calmly.
“Yes?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do,” she answered.
“Do you really trust me? One hundred percent?”
“Yes, yes I do, Jimmy. But there’s no way you can be everywhere at all times. He will be more careful next time. He will come for her again. And even if he’s caught he has diplomatic immunity. Oh my God…”
“Sylvia, listen to me,” he interrupted. Harris paused, staring into her eyes. He smiled softly. “You never have to worry about him again.”
Sylvia cocked her head to the side trying to comprehend the man’s words. She paused, studying his eyes and his grim smile. And then the stress left her face as the realization of what he was telling her sunk in. Harris saw her soften. He saw the light bulb come on.
He nodded solemnly.
“Never again?” She implored in a low, hushed voice, her eyes wide with hope.
“Never.” He repeated.
“Oh my God,” Sylvia drew in a sharp breath and released it with a long, rattling sigh. It was if she were expelling all of the fear and anxiety from her body as she exhaled. She smiled and leaned in to hug the man again.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
Tears fell on Harris’ neck and he hugged her back with his good arm. He felt the lack of sleep catching up to him. Now that it was over, he felt himself crashing back to earth. Despite himself he yawned loudly.
“God, I’m sorry,” he said.
“Are you kidding?” Sylvia laughed. “I don’t even know how you’re still conscious. In the past few days you’ve been shot and stabbed and probably haven’t slept a wink.”
“I’m okay.” Harris said as he smiled at her.
“We’re going to get you stitched up and on the mend and then my driver is going to take you anywhere you want to go. Do you want to stay at The Waldorf? Or maybe The Ritz?”
“That’s awfully kind of you, Sylvia. But I just want to go home.”
“Well then my driver is going to take you home.”
“I have my car here.”
“Nonsense. I’m not taking no for an answer. I will have a staffer follow in your car but you are getting driven home. I believe I might even have some good scotch in the limo,” she shot him a sly grin. “For entertaining important guests of course.”
Harris chuckled. “Of course.”
“And I don’t want you to worry about those jackasses for even a second,” she said gesturing towards the door. “I’ve got plans of my own for that Dinkins motherfucker.”
“Sylvia!” Harris gasped sharply, feigning shock.
“Hey,” she spoke bluntly. “You don’t think I rose to this position by letting people walk all over me, do you? That gutless lackey has got a surprise coming his way.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“You have my number. You need anything you call me. Understand?”
“Got it.”
“I’ve got to get back to Emily, now. We will talk soon.”
Harris simply nodded. Sylvia stared into his eyes with unmasked adoration.
“I will never be able to repay this debt. I love you, Jimmy.”
“There is no debt,” Harris said with a sheepish smile. “Go take care of that girl.”
She patted his face lovingly and then turned and walked out the door.
The nurse, who was waiting for them to finish, walked into the room. She had a hypodermic needle and a tray with a stitch kit on it.
“Shit,” Harris sighed, eyeing the needle.
“Oh brother,” the nurse laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those?”
“No. I’m not going to faint if that’s what you mean. I just don’t like needles.”
“Well,” the jovial nurse continued. “Strangely enough, you hero types never do.”
She laughed and closed the door.
Good Cop Bad Cop
72
The New York Gazette set record sales numbers for the next three days. Christi Sellinger was vaulted to super star status overnight and became Amer
ica’s darling with her cute and whimsical self deprecating wit. She was a perfect candidate for the royal treatment, completely devoid of entitlement or arrogance. She remained humble through it all and gave full credit to Harris in every interview.
Her story was superbly written and gave graphic detail describing everything from her first encounter with Harris in the gym, to the Carlo’s bust and then finally to the showdown with Castillo. She, of course, omitted certain details that would have gotten Harris into legal trouble.
A city and statewide manhunt began for Salvador Castillo with a reward of $100,000 for information leading to his capture offered by Sheldon Blumquist himself. The police were run ragged with false tips and sightings of the missing Columbian drug lord turned diplomat.
The tabloid rags had a field day with the story and one even suggested that Castillo had been spotted with Elvis in the Fiji Islands. They also suggested that Christi was having Harris’ love child. And so it went.
Christi, whose desk now sat in a corner office overlooking the park, was finally relieved of her human interest responsibilities. She was given the plum title of Senior Crime Reporter. She also received a large bonus and hefty pay raise, most likely given to dissuade her from taking one of the many lucrative job offers she’d received.
Emily went home to her parents Oyster Bay estate flanked by a crack team of psychiatrists and a large security detail. And while Sheldon remained in the city at his Manhattan apartment, Sylvia took an extended leave of absence and doted on her daughter. She spent as much time with Emily as her daughter needed and the two cried and held each other for the first three days. And then on the fourth day, they shared a laugh together and Sylvia wept as she saw the light coming back into her girl’s eyes.
Harris had spent the first two days being grilled about the case. From internal affairs questioning to reporters shoving microphones in his face every time he left his office or home, everybody wanted to get the facts from the man the press had dubbed, Super Cop. In the end, he was reinstated and given a letter of commendation by the mayor.
It was reported that Harris had been under suspension before solving the case and Deputy Commissioner Dinkins, when asked, vehemently denied persecuting him for personal reasons. He even got on board the Harris bandwagon and publicly praised the officer who had rescued Emily Blumquist. Harris was soon exonerated from any further inquiries into both the brutality charge and Castillo’s disappearance. The mayor made it very clear, he was a hero and that was that.
All of the national news outlets offered Harris large sums of cash if he’d appear on their shows or give exclusive interviews. He declined every one with the exception of an after the fact interview with Christi Sellinger of the New York Gazette.
The Mayor, along with the District Attorney, spoke of appointing a special crime division within the department and the only man who could head up such a division was James Harris. Harris hinted that he might take the promotion to captain, and the appointment, provided he did not have to sit behind a desk.
Bonnie reached out to congratulate him for what he’d done. She told him that although this didn’t change anything, at the very least she would meet with him to discuss their marital situation although she would remain at her mother’s house.
Before long, the story began to wind down and other headlines dominated the news. Christi began working on a story surrounding a string of bank robberies in northern Long Island. Sylvia took her first budget meeting although she did so in her home. And Harris went back to chasing down the new meth ring that had surfaced in Harlem.
Life returned to its normal chaotic pace.
Good Cop Bad Cop
Epilogue
“May I help you?”
“James Harris here to see, Mrs. Blumquist,” Harris spoke into the intercom.
“Yes, sir. You are expected.”
The large, iron gate swung open and Harris pulled his Camaro through the opening and started down the long driveway towards the opulent, Oyster Bay mansion.
It had been five days since Emily had been rescued and the reporters had finally vacated the District Attorney’s street. The story had played itself out on a national level and as the news cycle goes, the press had moved on to other things.
Harris hadn’t seen Sylvia since being swarmed by reporters and top police brass at the hospital. His knife wound had been little more than a scratch and required only seven stitches to close-up. Now the stitches were about ready to come out and he hardly noticed the dull ache.
He pulled up to the house and stepped out of his car. Instead of the normal aide or assistant greeting him at his car, it was Sylvia herself who opened the front door and walked quickly towards Harris with her arms spread wide. Her face beamed with joy and she wrapped him in a fierce bear hug.
After releasing him, she reached up and placed both of her hands on each side of his face. She planted a closed mouth kiss directly upon his lips. Harris turned red with embarrassment and smiled meekly at the woman.
“Oh stop it you big baby,” she joked. “You’ve got a lot more of those coming and I will dole them out whenever I damn well feel like it.”
“Hi, Sylvia.”
“Hi Jimmy, how are you?”
“I’m tired of ducking the press if you want the truth,” he laughed. “But other than that I’m fine.”
“The life of a superstar, I’m afraid. Come in, I’ve got lunch ready for us.”
She turned and walked back into the house with Harris trailing her. They breezed by two large security guards stationed in the hallway just past the foyer. They both nodded to Harris with respect. There wasn’t a person in the country that wasn’t familiar with who he was and what he’d done. He returned the nod with mutual deference.
Sylvia led Harris through the house and into the kitchen. There were two places set at the kitchen table as well as a large serving plate filled with sandwiches, mixed fruit and vegetables. Two steaming cups of coffee sat in front of each place mat. Sylvia took one chair and motioned to Harris to take the other.
“How is she?” Harris asked as he sat.
“She’s home. That’s all that matters right now,” Sylvia said as the smile left her face. The subject of Emily’s condition was a sensitive one that she did not share with many people.
“I understand,” Harris said softly.
“It’s going to be rough, Jimmy. The physical damage is the easy part. Bodies heal.”
“I know. But she has your strength.”
“No,” Sylvia replied solemnly. “I fell apart. If Emily hadn’t made it back….”
She looked away, unable to complete the sentence.
“Don’t do that,” Harris replied. “You held it together. I don’t know another human being who could have handled all the things that were thrown at you.”
“”You’re wrong, Jimmy. I was a basket case. In fact I only did one thing right the entire time she was missing.”
“What was that?”
“I came to you.”
Harris smiled at her and shook his head. “You were in an impossible situation.”
Sylvia lifted her mug and took a sip.
“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Harris asked.
“Of course not.”
“What are your plans regarding Sheldon?”
“Well,” she began slowly. “I guess I’ll have to get around to filing for a divorce eventually. I can never forgive him for what he did.”
Harris remained silent. He looked at her with empathy.
“And I’ve already ordered a full investigation into the real estate deal and how he may have used my office as leverage with the state board.”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s in our high rise in Manhattan. He asked to see Emily but I told him to go to hell.”
“Are you going to tell her?” Harris asked cautiously. “Everything?”
“I’ve given that some thought and decided, yes. She has a right to know after w
hat she endured.”
“For what it’s worth, I agree.”
“Thank you. It doesn’t make a difference anyway since the entire matter will be public record before long.”
Harris grabbed a small tuna sandwich from the large plate and took a bite. He chewed thoughtfully and laid the remainder of the sandwich on his smaller plate. Sylvia watched and wondered how long it would take him to broach the subject, or if he even would. Finally, she decided to bring it up herself.
“So, I guess you heard that they found Castillo?” She asked nonchalantly, with just a trace of a smile.
“Yeah,” Harris answered as he continued to chew. His face betrayed nothing. “I heard.”
“They pulled him from the East River last night,” she continued. “Initial reports say he was beat up pretty bad before being dumped in the water.”
Harris nodded. “New York can be a dangerous place.”
“My guess is that after he escaped from you, he must have run into somebody that he shouldn’t have messed with,” Sylvia smiled broadly as she ended the sentence.
“It would appear,” Harris answered showing no emotion.
“Anyway, Commissioner Gerland says that they have no suspects at this point.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes,” Sylvia answered, her smile growing broader. “Although he did say that he was putting his best men on it.”
Harris finally returned the smile. He shook his head as he grinned and thought of Mullin and Danforth.
Sylvia grabbed a piece of pineapple and took a healthy bite. The two ate in silence for a moment.
“Did you hear that Deputy Commissioner Dinkins tendered his resignation yesterday?”
“No kidding?” Harris asked, genuinely shocked. “I hadn’t heard that.”
“Well, it hasn’t been made public yet. Gerland will announce it later in the week with a press release. They want to keep it low key.”
“I wonder why?” Harris asked.
“Well let’s just say that the mayor was extremely unhappy with some of the decisions that were made by his office.”
“Well,” Harris remarked. “I’ll have to send him a card.”
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