New York Chief of Detectives (26 page)

“Do you think it really worked?”

“It worked for now, but it won’t work forever. When the mayor get’s back, there’ll be a price to pay unless we have Harrison exonerated or locked up.”

“The mayor is in Ireland and is not due back for another five days. I think he comes back on Sunday. What are your chances of getting to the bottom of this by then?”

“It’s hard to say, but my gut tells me they’re pretty good.”

“I hope you’re right, Patty!”

“So do I Commissioner, but just look at what has occurred. We paid one visit to Harrison’s office and not so much as even hinted why we were there. We were met by his lawyer, who wanted a list of questions we might ask; we were confronted by his security guards, and now they’ve pulled out all the political stops to make sure we can’t get close. I mean they got a judge to issue an unprecedented court order for us to stay away from him after one visit. There has to be someone in Harrison’s pocket, and even more, they’re scared to death about something. The NYPD would pose no threat to them unless it’s something illegal. Those fingerprints at the Blue Goose Cantina are just the beginning. We’ve rattled their cage, and they’re scrambling. I think they ‘protesteth’ too much!”

CHAPTER 54

Wednesday April 14-Day 13

Organized Crime Control Bureau Equipment Warehouse

Borough of the Bronx, New York

1400 Hours

The
remote location of the New York City Police Department’s Organized Crime Control Bureau is in a nondescript warehouse building in the Bronx. It is surrounded by concertina wire and has several large trailers in the parking lot, making it look somewhat like a trucking company. Inside the warehouse, the surveillance vehicles and equipment were stored. There were yellow cabs, Con Edison Trucks, mail delivery trucks, both Federal Express and United Parcel Service Trucks, and a very large truck that said “New York City Housing Inspections Division.  Inside a caged area were all types of surveillance gadgets that could be checked out by detectives for use in undercover investigations. It was a “bat-cave” type operation that even James Bond would have been proud to have.

In addition to the task force, there were a half dozen OCCB Detectives and a supervisor there. Rosa Sanchez had drawn the layout of the inside of the house, for the group. Aerial photographs were displayed showing the locations of the pole cameras and possible locations for the surveillance vehicles. They’d parked undercover cars in a space near the house so that there would be room for the big surveillance van. They gave Rosa several wireless cameras to stick near the door and inside the house. They also showed her how to change the batteries, in case the surveillance went for a long time. Pat asked Bryan Flannery to brief the OCCB guys.

“Hello, guys, I’m Captain Bryan Flannery with the Rodriguez Task Force. We’ve reason to believe that some Latino gang bangers may be responsible for, or at least involved in, the death of Detective Rodriguez in Queens a week and a half ago. These gang bangers have been threatening the residents, trying to pressure them into selling their homes. The house in question belongs to Maria Diego. She is 68 years old and has agreed to cooperate with us. Our goal will be to arrest the gang bangers and try to roll them for information as to who is behind these threats. Detective Rosa Sanchez will be inside the house and will be wired. She’ll be posing as Maria’s niece. Typically, these threats have been late at night. We’d like to be in place by 1600. The only person we think for sure might be involved is a gang-banger named Salvatore Cortez. He’s from El Salvador and is connected to the 9-24 Gang in Queens. He likely has MS-13 ties as well. However, Ms. Diego couldn’t pick him out of a photo line-up, so he may be keeping his distance. If Detective Sanchez is in trouble, she’ll say the word ‘Geronimo.’  That’ll mean for everyone to move in immediately. Are there any questions?”

One of the OCCB detectives spoke up.

“How long are we going to run this operation, Captain?”

“You should plan on two or three days. We’ll divide you into shifts and assignments and will do this only at night. Detective Sanchez and Ms. Diego will leave during the day.”

“Thanks, Captain. Tony was one of our guys, and we’ll work as long as you need us.”

“I appreciate it, and I know that goes for everyone in the room. Chief O’Connor, do you have anything?” Bryan asked.

“Thanks, Captain, I just want to say that there has been a lot of death involved in this case, and we’re not exactly sure what role these gang bangers play. We do know that they can be very dangerous. Therefore, take every precaution and keep your guard up. We want to overwhelm them with manpower and firepower if an arrest goes down, in order to discourage any resistance or gunplay. This is important to our case. Tony was a dear personal friend of mine. We will catch his killer! I’ll be available if you need any additional resources. Good luck tonight!”

Pat discussed some details with Bryan and with Ray Capese, the OCCB Chief. His cell phone buzzed.

“Pat O’Connor.”

“Patty, it’s Longstreet here. Our little meeting at City Hall has hit the fan and we have a scheduled overseas call with his honor, the Mayor, at 4:00 pm in my office, I need you to be there. Moorefield was salivating when he called me.”

“Thanks for the good news, Commissioner. I’m sure his honor just wants to support us in our efforts to seek justice.”

“Not likely, Patty. I’m seriously wondering if we’ll still have jobs.”

“Guys like that often let their mouths overload their asses. If we do our job, it’ll be okay, but we have to stay on target.” 

CHAPTER 55

Wednesday April 14-Day 13

Police Commissioner’s Office- One Police Plaza

Borough of Manhattan, New York

1545 Hours

At
1545 hours Pat walked into the Police Commissioner’s office accompanied by Queens County District Attorney, Richard Chambers. The commissioner was clearly not expecting the district attorney. Pat broke the silence.

“Commissioner, I believe you have met the Queens County DA.”

Chambers offered and received a handshake from the commissioner.

“Richard Chambers, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Thank you for being here, but I’m certain that his honor, the mayor, is not expecting anyone but Patty and me.”

“I don’t mean to disrespect you, Commissioner, but this is a Queens County case and I will not allow it to be politicized by anyone. For God’s sake, this involves the murder of one of your own detectives.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, Richard, it’s just that the mayor is very sensitive to political issues and influential citizens. He has to be very careful.”

“You’re damn right he does, because he and his little chief of staff are coming very close to crossing the line on obstructing justice. I assure you that I’m not afraid of the political fallout. I’m also an elected official, but I will not compromise my professional integrity for any reason or any person.”

“I can’t argue with you, and I certainly don’t disagree with you. It’s just that the wrath of New York City Hall doesn’t always have a conscience. A lot of good people could get jammed up in the politics, including Patty and myself.”

Pat spoke for the first time. “I’m 100% willing to take that chance. I owe it to Tony Rodriguez.”

The conversation was interrupted by the phone ringing. Commissioner Longstreet answered it

“Robert Longstreet.”

“Bob, this is the mayor. Is that loose cannon O’Conner in there with you?”

“Chief O’Connor is here.”

“Put me on the speaker phone.”

“Yes sir.”

Longstreet put the mayor on the speakerphone.

“Chief O’Connor, I’m very disappointed in the way you talked to my Chief of Staff, and I very well may ask that you be transferred to another command. I’m in Ireland representing this city, and I’ve been constantly distracted by your shenanigans involving one of our most respected citizens, Donald Harrison. What part of drop this investigation did you not understand?”

“Mr. Mayor, I think you should know that we have the Queens County District Attorney with us, and this investigation falls under his prosecutorial jurisdiction.”

“This is a private conversation, and I’d like to have him leave the room please.”

Richard Chambers moved closer to the speakerphone. “Your honor, this is District Attorney Richard Chambers. I’m not leaving the room, but I feel that it is my absolute duty to let you know where I’m coming from. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the sensitivity shown by Chief O’Connor and his detectives while conducting this investigation. They’ve been discreet and have been able to keep a media lid on their efforts. This is a difficult investigation that now involves at least three murders in my jurisdiction of Queens County. This includes the murder of one of New York’s finest. Certain evidence in this case has created the possibility that Donald Harrison may be involved. In essence, you’ve asked us to ignore that evidence, and because of his bank balances, pursue no further leads. Mr. Mayor, you’ve not reviewed the evidence in this case, nor are you qualified to do so. That is why we have professionals like Patrick O’Connor and the dedicated men and women who have been working this case. I trust that they will evaluate the evidence, and if Donald Harrison is not involved, they’ll prove it. If he is in any way involved, I’m quite confident they’ll prove that also.”

“I appreciate your Boy Scout obedience, counselor, but you don’t understand how this city works. It breathes life out of the political climate. It’s what makes this city tick.”

“I may not understand politics, Mr. Mayor, but I do understand the law and the criminal justice system. The scales of justice aren’t supposed to be tipped one way or the other by the weight of the wallet.”

“I don’t like what you’re insinuating. Who’s your boss?”

“I’m responsible to the voters of Queens County, because I’m an elected official just like you are, Mr. Mayor.”

The mayor directed a question at Longstreet. “Commissioner, how do you weigh in on all of this pompous posturing?”

“Mr. Mayor, I have full confidence in the NYPD’s ability to sort out the facts correctly. Patrick O’Connor is one of the best Chief of Detectives that this city has ever known. He’s been directly or indirectly responsible for solving some pretty heinous crimes. He understands the job, and he does it flawlessly. In my opinion, our only option is to let him finish his job. Let him get to the bottom of this thing.”

“In the meantime, we create an enemy of one of the richest men in the city. After this, he’ll use his horsepower to go after me and the NYPD.”

Pat interrupted the mayor. “Excuse me, Mr. Mayor, the way I see it is that if he’s innocent, the public will never know about this, unless he leaks it, which would be stupid. On the other hand, if he’s guilty, who cares? I’m sure you and everyone else will want to stay as far away from him as possible.”

“Okay, let’s suppose I say to go on with the investigation. Who will know about this conversation?”

Richard Chambers answered. “Mr. Mayor, I’m not trying to be difficult and neither is Chief O’Connor or the Police Commissioner. We’re sworn to uphold the laws of the State of New York, and that’s all we’re trying to do. Your orders to cease this investigation are unlawful, plain and simple. They can’t be enforced, and these men, therefore, are under no obligation to obey them. If carried out, I believe they constitute the crime of obstruction of justice. If it ends here, then our conversation is history. If there are more threats from you or your staff, they will be repeated in front of a grand jury. That’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”

The mayor let out a deep breath.

“Robert, get this thing wrapped up. Maybe, somehow we’ll all survive.”

“Mr. Mayor, I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.”

Longstreet hung up the phone, and then paused for what seemed like an extended time. He then stood up and looked out his window overlooking Manhattan. He didn’t say a word. Pat broke the silence. “Commissioner, Ole’ Teddy Roosevelt would have been proud of you!”

“Thanks, Patty, I appreciate it. At least you can go back to being a jazz trumpet player if you have to. This is all I have. I could never stomach being an attorney again.”

Richard Chambers smiled, causing the commissioner to comment. “No offense, Mr. DA.”

Chambers responded with a smile. “None taken, Commissioner.”

Richard Chambers stood up and shook hands with Commissioner Longstreet. “Commissioner, I have a trial starting tomorrow, so I need to get back to the courthouse. Let me know if I can do anything else to help.”

“Richard, you were brilliant and you saved our bacon!”

“Thank you, Commissioner. I have no problem handling conflicts, as long as I know I have the law on my side. I just have to realize that my tenure may be short!”

“Well, I certainly hope not.”