FORGOTTEN

by Hastings, Gary

  Pat shook the hand of each member of the task force. He got hugs from Mary McDonald and Karla Adams. He detected a tear in Bryan Flannery’s eye. Pat thanked him for commanding the task force and walked out of the room without saying another word. He knew he had made the right decision, but worried about what the consequences of not having Daniel Pellegrino in custody would be. The possibilities scared him to death.

  Chapter 82

  Saturday, June 4 - Day 137

  Maggie’s Parker’s Apartment

  Borough of Manhattan, New York

  1800 Hours

  Six weeks had passed without any trace of Daniel Pellegrino. He had been named a United States Marshal’s Top 15 Fugitive and wanted notices had been distributed world-wide, courtesy of Interpol. They had received a few calls which were quickly discounted, but it seemed Pellegrino had fallen off the face of the earth. Pat felt depressed and defeated. He hated to admit he and his team had been outsmarted by a corrupt lawyer. He had even reached out to Ken Helms again and was assured if the CIA could locate him; Pat would be the first to know. The FBI was silent about the entire matter. Not even Pat’s trusted friend, Mike Wilson, offered any information.

  The weather was warm in New York, and Pat had planned a special evening with Maggie. They had tickets to attend a concert at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, featuring one of Pat’s favorite trumpet players. After that, they had late dinner reservations at the Soul of Tuscany, a well-known restaurant in Little Italy.

  Pat was dressed in one of Maggie’s favorite suits. It was a light-feeling navy blue suit which was comfortable in the warm summer night. He wore a crisp, starched, white shirt and a conservative gold-patterned tie. He took a cab from his apartment to Maggie’s building. He took the elevator up to her floor and was greeted with a big smile at the door. Maggie was still dressed in her slip, which Pat found exciting. He made himself at home while Maggie was getting dressed. He took off his jacket revealing his holstered .357 Magnum revolver and sampled some snacks Maggie had put out on the table. Maggie joked about it. “Aren’t you a well-dressed symphony fan?”

  “It’s like American Express. I never leave home without it.”

  “I follow your lead on that, my dear. At times, this can be a dark and dangerous city.”

  “Especially when seen through a cop’s eyes, but tonight we’ll see one of the things I love about New York, the arts. This city has everything to offer. The concert should be great!”

  “I’m looking forward to it, Pat.”

  “I know you’re just saying that because you know how much I like this stuff. It will be too loud for you from the first note.”

  “Probably so, but I’m looking forward to it because it makes you happy and gets your mind off the NYPD.”

  “We need to leave soon. I think we should catch a cab. Parking near Carnegie Hall on Saturday will be impossible.”

  Pat and Maggie finished their snacks and headed for the door. Maggie was wearing a beautiful black dress with gold trim. She had her black purse over her shoulder. Pat and Maggie had just got on the elevator when Maggie stopped.

  “I forgot my cell phone, Pat. I need to grab it. Why don’t you get us a cab and I’ll meet you out front.”

  “That sounds good. I’ll see you in a minute.”

  Pat took the elevator down to the garage level and stepped out into the parking garage. He started walking toward the street when he caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his left eye. Turning his head, he saw someone in a camel-colored blazer standing beside one of the concrete columns. It was Daniel Pellegrino!

  “Why couldn’t you just leave this alone?” Pellegrino screamed. “You have ruined everything. You just couldn’t mind your own damn business!”

  Pat reached for his revolver as he saw Pellegrino raise a handgun which appeared to have a silencer on it.

  Doink, Doink, Doink…..

  Pat dove under a car as he heard glass breaking in the cars beside him. The silencer was very quiet. He had to let Maggie know before she walked out into the garage from the elevator. He tried his cell phone but he couldn’t get a signal. He heard another shot and could hear Pellegrino’s feet coming closer. He had to get between the elevator and Pellegrino. Seeing a flash of the tan blazer, Pat raised his magnum firing two quick shots. Varooom …Varooom … The magnum roared like a howitzer in the parking garage. It was deafening. He had missed his target, but Pellegrino would have no doubt he was armed. Pat kept watching the elevator door. He had to get closer. He decided to make a run for the concrete column nearest the elevator door. He had to keep this bastard from getting to Maggie.

  Pat started to run and he got another glimpse of Pellegrino firing the silenced pistol at him. Pat returned fire, firing three more rounds of the powerful .357. At least, it kept Pelligrino’s head down.

  Pat quickly retrieved his fully loaded second revolver from his ankle holster and then reloaded the other revolver quickly with the speed loaders from his pocket. He was consumed by his worry for Maggie. His ears were ringing from the magnum, and he had difficulty seeing or hearing Daniel Pellegrino. Pat realized he had to move. Maggie would be there any second. Pat put both revolvers in his hand and took a deep breath. He was startled by two quick shots and a third single shot. They were definitely not fired from Pellegrino’s silenced pistol.

  Pat took a quick peek around the concrete column and saw a very dead Daniel Pellegrino lying on his back on the concrete pavement. He was bleeding profusely from the head. Pat cautiously walked around the column and saw Maggie Parker in a crouched position with her Sig Saur P-229 pointed at Pellegrino’s body.

  Pat looked down at the body. He could see blood, brains and bone fragments hanging out of the back of Daniel Pellegrino’s head. He could see Maggie had put two rounds in his chest. Pellegrino was wearing body armor. She ended it with a third shot to the center of his forehead, just as the Secret Service had trained her. A silenced .22 pistol was lying beside the body. Maggie shouted to Pat. “Are you okay, Pat?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Is he dead?”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “You better call it in.”

  Pat walked to meet Maggie. They hugged and assured each other they were safe. Pat walked to the curb and called in a 10-13 (Officer Needs Assistance) using his cell phone. He took his Chief of Detectives shield out of his pocket and stuck it on the outside of his suit pocket. Maggie did the same with her Secret Service badge. They could hear sirens in the distance. Pat turned to Maggie.

  “Thanks for saving my life. How did you know?”

  “I started down the elevator and I started hearing that canon of yours going off. I knew in my gut it was Pellegrino. I got off one floor up and went down the stairwell. He was headed toward the column you were behind. He saw me and turned raising the pistol. I had no choice but to end it.”

  “He’ll never kill again, Maggie.”

  “The main thing, Pat, is we’re safe now.”

  Chapter 83

  Saturday, June 4 - Day 137

  Maggie Parker’s Apartment - Parking Garage

  Borough of Manhattan, New York

  1900 Hours

  In just a few minutes the parking garage was crawling with police officers and detectives. A 10-13 by the Chief of Detectives received a massive response. The area around Pellegrino’s body had been sealed off with yellow police line tape. Pat had notified Commissioner Longstreet, and Maggie had called her Assistant Director in Washington. There would be an IAB investigation, and the Secret Service would conduct its own administrative review of Maggie’s actions. Pat knew it would be justified.

  Pat gave a preliminary statement to the investigating detectives. There were a number of cars with damage from the shooting. Pat saw Commissioner Longstreet and his protection detail standing at the crime scene line. He walked over to the commissioner, who asked him to have a seat in his big Suburban.

  “I hope you’re okay, Patty.”

  “
I’m fine. Maggie Parker saved my life.”

  “I’m very happy about that. Before you can say ‘I told you so,’ I want to acknowledge that the gut feeling of yours was right. You could read this bastard’s mind and you knew he would resurface. You have a gift about these things, Patty, and I’m proud to have you as my Chief of D’s.”

  “Thanks, Commissioner. It was Pellegrino’s decision that it had to end it this way and not ours.”

  “I’m well-aware of that. Take care of yourself, Patty. We’ll convene in the morning at One PP. I’ll need your help with the press.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  Pat walked over to Maggie, who was talking to a detective.

  “Pat, they took my gun, but I have my .380 upstairs.”

  As they started to walk toward the elevator, Pat saw the FBI Assistant Director in charge of the New York Office, Roger Whitaker, and another unknown agent approaching. He looked at Maggie and commented. “This ought to be good.”

  “Chief O’Connor, are you alright?” Whitaker asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  “That’s good.”

  “I’m sorry about your source here.” Pat gouged.

  Roger Whitaker’s face went blood red. His anger was obvious. “How could you possibly know that information?”

  “Because, Mr. Assistant Director, this is my city. I’m the Chief of Detectives and it’s my business to know. Now would you please get out of my crime scene? There is work to be done by the real professionals now.”

  Whitaker was speechless. He was blood red and Pat never broke his piercing stare. The agent with him could not look Pat in the eyes. Pat decided to fire one last thought-provoking comment. “When you look in the mirror, how can you live with the fact you helped a cop-killer escape? You made a deal with the devil. Was it worth it?”

  Whitaker remained speechless. Pat threw one last dagger. “Well, was it?”

  Whitaker turned and walked away without saying a word.

  Chapter 84

  Monday, June 6 - Day 139

  NYPD Press Room - One Police Plaza

  Borough of Manhattan, New York

  0900 Hours

  Pat met with the Deputy Police Commissioner for Public Information (DCPI), Nancy Peters, along with Commissioner Longstreet and Chief of Department, Robert Conrad. The case was discussed in detail. The DCPI tried to talk about how to spin this investigation in order to do some damage control as to why the NYPD missed this in 2001. Pat would have no part of it, insisting that it be told exactly the way it happened. After some tense moments it was decided the DCPI would introduce Police Commissioner Longstreet, who would then introduce Pat, who would summarize the investigation.

  The press room was crowded with reporters. He was pleased to see Margaret Butelli with two younger ladies he assumed to be her daughters, seated near the front. Gloria Moses was seated near them. The task force members were seated at the back of the room. Pat was glad they were there. The DCPI started the briefing. “Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am Nancy Peters, Deputy Police Commissioner for Public Information. I’m happy to say we have closed a major investigation. At this time, I’d like to introduce the Police Commissioner of the City of New York, Robert Longstreet.”

  Commissioner Longstreet walked to the podium. He was wearing a navy, three-piece suit with his shiny gold, five-star Police Commissioner’s shield displayed in his suit pocket.

  “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press. We are pleased to announce major developments in a homicide investigation. The NYPD has worked tirelessly under the leadership of our Chief of Detectives in solving this crime. I commend our entire Detective Bureau and especially the members of the investigative task force assigned to this investigation. I will now ask our Chief of Detectives, Patrick O’Connor, to bring us up to date regarding this investigation.”

  Pat walked to the podium.

  “On September 8, 2001, Retired New York City Police Detective First Grade, Forrest Butelli, was brutally murdered. The body was discovered in a car in Central Park. It had been staged to appear as a suicide. The Butelli family refused to accept the death of this fine man as a suicide and persistently demanded justice from the NYPD.

  After evaluating their concerns, an investigative task force was formed to re-examine Retired Detective Butelli’s death. Through an extensive criminal investigation, we determined that his death was a murder committed by a retired New York State Court Officer, Harry Pittsford. Pittsford was killed in a shootout with the New Jersey State Police on January 31 of this year.

  Our investigation determined that Pittsford also killed a well-known New York City attorney, Nathanial Moses, in a hit and run automobile incident, where he was run over and intentionally killed. We now know these deaths were ordered by a former New York City attorney, Daniel Pellegrino. We have also determined the motive for these crimes, and it goes to the very core of our criminal justice system.

  Nathanial Moses was an honorable attorney, who played by the rules. He became concerned that certain cases handled by Daniel Pellegrino were consistently being dismissed in the Kings County Courts. Not knowing the depth of the corruption, he contacted Forest Butelli, seeking his assistance.

  After his retirement from the NYPD, Mr. Butelli operated a private investigative service known as Manhattan Investigations. He launched an investigation into these allegations and was successful in developing significant corroboration of the misconduct alleged by Attorney Moses. Unfortunately, Pellegrino became aware of his interest and plotted the cold-blooded murders of both Forrest Butelli and Nathanial Moses.

  Daniel Pellegrino was no stranger to the NYPD. He was already wanted on charges of being an accessory after the fact to the murder of a New York City Police Detective Second Grade, Anthony P. Rodriguez, last year. Pellegrino fled as a fugitive and left the country.

  He returned to New York, under an assumed identity, and on Saturday evening, he was killed in a gun battle with the NYPD and the United States Secret Service. This reign of death is over.

  I would like to echo the Police Commissioner’s praise for the members of this investigative task force, and I would also like to acknowledge the assistance provided in this investigation by the United States Marshal’s Service, the United States Secret Service and the police in Dedesfeltd, Germany. I will not be taking any questions at this point, because the investigation is continuing.”

  Pat walked off the podium and headed back to his office. He called Maggie to check on her. She seemed to be handling the shooting well. He knew the press would eventually learn of his involvement and probably have something negative to say about their relationship. He didn’t care. Tonight, he would get the best night’s sleep in months.

  Chapter 85

  Monday, July 10 - Day 174

  The Steamboat Cafe

  Borough of Manhattan, New York

  1900 Hours

  It had been over a month since the press conference. Things were just starting to get back to normal. Tonight was a celebration of sorts, with most of the task force being there. The families of Forrest Butelli and Nathanial Moses were also invited. When Pat walked in, he could see that most of the people invited were in attendance. The owner, Sam Spicer, had put together a delicious buffet, and the jazz band had been augmented with Judy Carter sitting in with Warren Downing’s house-band. Pat brought his fancy gold trumpet and sat in with the band on a few numbers before dinner.

  Maggie arrived just before dinner and Sam seated her at Pat’s table. Pat was so glad she was there. The shooting incident had brought them even closer together. Pat knew she was a special woman, indeed.

  They enjoyed the New Orleans buffet, and after dinner, Sam served some of his famous New Orleans Pralines and Cream Ice Cream. It was soon time for the festivities to begin. Pat walked up to the microphone and began. “Good evening everyone. This is a special night for many reasons. We’re celebrating our successes, but also pausing to reflect on some very special people. I’d lik
e to ask the family of Forrest Butelli to come forward.”

  Margaret Butelli, her daughters, and their husbands came forward. One of the daughters was carrying a baby. Pat spoke in a warm tone. “Seven months ago, this remarkable woman came to me and expressed her concerns regarding the death of her husband, Retired Detective First Grade, Forrest Butelli. She wouldn’t accept it as a suicide, and we now know she was absolutely right. Not only did Forrest Butelli serve this city well, he continued his service with integrity in the private sector. It’s my honor to present to his family, the Chief of Detectives’ Award for Distinguished Service to the New York City Police Department.”

  Everyone stood up and the applause was deafening. Margaret Butelli and each of her daughters hugged and kissed Pat on the cheek. She made one parting, tearful, remark. “Thank you for restoring my husband’s honor. We’ll never forget you, Chief O’Connor.”

  Gloria Moses and her family were also called to the podium. Pat again made remarks. “As police officers, we often end up on opposite sides of attorneys, although we both serve the same criminal justice system. We have different roles. Nathanial Moses believed in the integrity of our judicial system and was disturbed when others did not. He had the courage to come forward and ultimately gave his life for this courage. It’s my honor to present to his family the Chief of Detectives’ Award for Distinguished Service to the New York City Police Department. It is my regret these two fine gentlemen are not with us to receive them. I’m certain the members of these two families feel their presence here today. My thoughts and prayers are with these families forever.”