New York Chief of Detectives (25 page)

“Yes and no. We can’t tell exactly, but it’s a pretty narrow area. It looks like Pellegrino was at home. His cell phone received a call from Harrison at 2245 and he was hitting two cell towers close to his home. Harrison, on the other hand, was in Queens, within 300 feet of the Blue Goose Cantina. Within a one hour period we have Harrison, Cortez and DeCarlo in the same area, based on the GPS.”

“What’s the latest time these cell phones put them in the area of the Blue Goose?”

“Harrison called Pellegrino at 0315 hours. Cortez called another number at 0327 hours, probably on a throw-away phone, and he was still in the grid. DeCarlo called Cortez at 0429 hours, and he was near Harrison’s residence. These calls clearly place them in the area.”

Pat was pleased by the new information. He thought out loud to the task force. “We now know for sure they had the opportunity to kill Tony. We have a pretty good idea that the motive has something to do with these real estate purchases. We still don’t know why Curtis Gee was killed and who the crispy critter is and why he was killed. I’m confident we’re on the right track. Does anyone have anything else?”

George McBain spoke up. “I do, Chief. The bar we found in the ceiling had a small trace of Tony Rodriguez’s blood on it. We were in such a hurry to do the others that the results didn’t come back until a few hours ago. You said we’d established the opportunity and motive. I think the pry bar provides the means, at least for Tony’s murder. I think it’s likely the murder weapon.”

“I don’t guess we have anyone elses’s  DNA on it, do we, George?”

“It is being processed for swabs that were taken in addition to the blood, but we have no results as of yet.”

“Thanks, George. Maybe we’ll catch a break, and it’ll be one of these stellar citizens.”

Bryan Flannery came to the front.

“With the exception of Mary and Mike, everyone should report to the OCCB office at 1300 hours tomorrow. We’ll be working a long shift, maybe till morning. Say your prayers that one of our little gang bangers will feel ‘froggy’ tomorrow night. Get some sleep, and rest up for a long night tomorrow.”

Pat sat at his desk and reviewed his notes. He realized that a lot of important pieces to this case had been established today. However, there were a lot of unanswered questions. They were far from having enough to make an arrest, but the case had a lot more information together at 2100 hours than it did twelve hours before at the 0900 briefing. Pat left a message for Angie Wilson that he would be in late on Tuesday Morning. He looked forward to sleeping late. He called Maggie and touched base before leaving the office. He told her they were making progress without going into any details. Donald Harrison might have his next White House junket interrupted, but he’d save that line until they could prove he was involved in a crime. In his gut, he knew it would be soon.

CHAPTER 52

Wednesday April 14-Day 13

Chief of Detectives’ Residence

Borough of Manhattan, New York

0630 Hours

Pat
was in a deep sleep when his phone started screaming at him on the night stand. He looked at the clock, and saw that it was 0630 in the morning.

“Pat O’Connor.”

“Patty, it’s Longstreet. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Well, actually we’re working on something tonight, and I planned to come in around noon.”

“Sorry, but you’ll have to change your plans. I’ve been ordered to City Hall by the Mayor’s Chief of Staff. He wants to know what’s going on with Donald Harrison. Apparently Harrison’s lawyer, a Daniel Pellegrino, got a judge to sign some type of restraining order against the NYPD ordering us not to contact him or go upon the premises of DHA International. He says that the mayor is all fired up and obviously wants our asses for breakfast. We’re supposed to be at City Hall at 0830.”

“Wonderful!” Pat said in a sarcastic tone. “Do you think his honor will provide breakfast?”

“Like I said, the only bacon will come from our rear ends. I think the mayor’s still out of town and we’ll be dealing with John Moorefield, his Chief of Staff.”

“Isn’t that the one they affectionately call ‘Little Hitler?’”

“That’s the one. He has the short man syndrome, big time, and generally hates the NYPD. I’ll be in your office at 0815, and we’ll go together.”

“Okay, Commissioner. I need to put a rush on it, and I’ll see you in a few.”

Pat turned the light on and sat on the edge of the bed. He called Dickie Davis to let him know of their earlier-than-expected departure, and Dickie agreed to pick him up in an hour. Pat started the coffee and headed for a shave and a shower. He couldn’t stop thinking how much this upset him. He thought to himself that it wasn’t so much the political crap that got to him; it was the fact that he was not going to get to sleep in this morning.

Pat picked a power tie to go with his black Brooks Brothers’ suit and sharply creased white shirt. He grabbed a cup of coffee as he put his ankle and belt holsters on and put his guns in their holsters. John Moorefield was not going to ruin his day if he could help it.

He walked out of his high-rise at 0740, and Dickie was waiting. Dickie was dressed in sweats and a fanny pack.

“Sorry, Chief, I was getting in a run when you called and I was almost two miles from home. I have my clothes in a suit bag, and I’ll shower and change at One PP.”

“No problem, Dickie, you can go back home if you want to. My guess is that the commissioner and I’ll be at City Hall a good while this morning, undoubtedly learning how much more the Mayor’s Office knows about running an investigation than we do.”

“That’s why I’ve never wanted to get promoted.”

“You just have to learn to pick your battles, and stand your   ground. Their bark is almost always worse than their bite.”

CHAPTER 53

Wednesday April 14-Day 13

Office of the Mayor-New York City Hall

Borough of Manhattan, New York

0830 Hours

Pat
and Commissioner Longstreet entered the executive offices at New York City Hall precisely at 0830. The receptionist immediately ushered them into the mayor’s office, where John Moorefield was waiting behind the mayor’s desk. Moorefield was wearing a herringbone sport coat with a yellow bow tie. He did not bother to stand, but his 5’3” diminutive height would have seemed to give him a disadvantage when dealing with two of New York’s senior police officials. He motioned for them to sit down in front of the giant desk. Pat could sense that “Little Hitler” was enjoying every minute of this. He was intoxicated with the power.

Moorefield walked around for a few seconds and then sat at the desk. He removed his gold, wire-rimmed reading glasses and spoke curtly. “Gentlemen, I’ll get directly to the point. I’m so infuriated with both of you that I’m inclined to fire you both on the spot. I’ve talked to the mayor, and I’m certain that he is in 100% agreement with me. Donald Harrison is a pillar of this community and has done more to help underprivileged children than anyone I know. He’s been a long-time supporter of the mayor and is well-known by the administration in Washington. To think you could talk to him like a common criminal is ludicrous. We were served with an order this morning, granting an injunction against the NYPD, to prevent you from having any contact with Mr. Harrison or DHA International, unless you have a valid warrant or other valid court order in your possession.”

Moorefield handed the commissioner a copy of the order. Longstreet carefully read it, and then handed it to Pat. In all his years of police work, he had never seen such a ridiculous order, but he knew that money talks. He made a note to check up on the judge who signed the order. His name was Julius Cornelius. Pat had never heard of him. He handed the order back to Moorefield. Moorefield took a cell phone call and stepped outside the office. He returned with another man whom neither Pat nor Longstreet recognized. Moorefield introduced him. “Gentlemen, this is Frank Montalvo. He’s an aid to U.S. Senator Clancy. The senator is very upset about how this matter involving Donald Harrison is being handled. This is just the kind of abuse that gives law enforcement such a black eye.”

Montalvo was about thirty-five years old. He was wearing a dark blue suit, with the required United States Flag lapel pin. He had an abundance of flowing blonde hair, neatly combed above his ears. Montalvo spoke nervously. “Our main concern is that we respect Mr. Harrison’s rights. We recognize the influence of this man and his legacy of doing the right thing for so many people. It’s silly to think he could be involved in anything criminal. Mr. Moorefield has assured me that this police inquiry has been stopped in its tracks, and I’m assuming an immediate apology from the NYPD will be forthcoming.”

The commissioner tried to respond several times, and Moorefield would hold his hand up for him to stop. Finally, Moorefield responded. “Gentlemen do we understand that whatever you were trying to investigate regarding Donald Harrison is now officially closed?  I hope that you realize that it was a stupid mistake, and it’s forever over.”

Pat was about to explode. He’d been afraid that something like this would occur. He was steaming inside, but took a few deep breaths to regain his composure. The commissioner was speechless. Pat wondered if he would just sit there and allow them to undermine the countless hours of manpower spent on this investigation. Pat decided to take charge.

“Before I say anything, I want to get this straight. I want to be sure I understand what you’re asking.”

Pat reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small digital recorder and placed it on the mayor’s desk where Moorefield and now Montalvo were sitting.

“This is a digital recorder, and I’m recording at this time. This is Patrick O’Connor, Chief of Detectives of the New York City Police Department. I’m in the New York City Mayor’s office along with Police Commissioner Robert Longstreet, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, John Moorefield, and Frank Montalvo, an aid to U.S. Senator Clancy from New York. I have just been given an order from Mr. Moorefield to cease and desist any further investigation of Donald Harrison or DHA International. Is that your understanding Commissioner Longstreet?”

Longstreet was astounded by Pat’s offensive move, but went along with it.

“Absolutely, Chief O’Connor! That’s what we were told by Mr. Moorefield.”

Moorefield looked like he was going to faint. He was white as a sheet. Pat asked him directly.

“Mr. Moorefield, do we understand your directions to us?”

Moorefield didn’t respond. Pat repeated the question, but there was still no response. Moorefield’s fair complexion was turning even paler.

Pat continued his dialog. “Just minutes ago, Mr. Moorefield you were threatening to fire both the commissioner and me. What is it that you’re asking us to do?”

Moorefield spoke slowly and was dripping with perspiration. Senator Clancy’s aid, Montalvo, had actually moved completely away from the desk and well away from the recorder.

Finally, Moorefield spoke. Pat could see his Adam’s apple jumping with fear.

“The mayor is out of town. He’d asked me to convey his wishes that we respect this court injunction and make sure we comply with the law. That’s all I have done.”

“Thank you for clearing that up.” Pat said with a high degree of sarcasm. Then he dealt his best hand.

“Gentlemen, this morning we’ve had a lot of threats and orders coming from this office and all this implied pressure from Senator Clancy. Not once has anyone asked us about the nature of our investigation. Not one person from the NYPD has spoken to Donald Harrison. However, because of his financial status, it’s been assumed that we were in the wrong and that Mr. Harrison is not in any way involved in misconduct. I’m actually not at liberty to discuss the case with either one of you, due to an order from the Queens County District Attorney. I do believe that you gentlemen have attempted to obstruct justice this morning and this recording will be turned over to the District Attorney for review. If you obstruct my investigation into anything, we will arrest you both, regardless of your jobs. I’m certain Commissioner Longstreet will concur and back me up on this promise.”

Longstreet responded. “Chief O’Connor is a dedicated professional and will do what he has to do in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. If he says he’ll have you arrested, you should absolutely know that he is serious.”

Pat threw out a final question. “Gentlemen, do you have any further questions or directions for us?”

There was no answer. Pat made a final comment. “Then I’m to assume that we’ll proceed with our investigation without further obstruction.”

Pat picked up the recorder and walked out of the Mayor’s Office. They didn’t say a word until they were out of City Hall. Pat motioned to a bench, and he and the commissioner sat down to talk.

“What in the hell happened in there, Patty?”

“We turned it around on them, Commissioner. They were all set to have our asses for breakfast, and we left with them worrying whether or not they were going to get locked up for obstruction of justice.” Pat said with a smile.