Unto the Least of These . . . (eBook)

3

T.O. dropped his eyes to his notebook, but kept his ears tuned to the two up front, Everyone else had vacated the briefing room. Nobody, except the guys on shift, wanted to spend any extra time here on a weekend.

Jesus had outlined the startup of a new gang task force. The gangs out in LA were getting organized and taking control of entire sections of that city. The concept hadn’t reached here yet, but bunches of kids and motorcycle clubs were already here and they could form up. The city hoped to nip this stuff in bud. Most of the gang style activity here, occurred in the north end, where two of the cycle clubs had picked names and staked out turf. But, the task force felt that another gang might be forming right here in the precinct. So far all they had were a few incident reports. They wanted confirmation.

T.O. found the acknowledgement a refreshing change. A bunch of kids down here were doing small smash and grabs. He suspected that same group beat up and killed Cappy, one of the homeless who lived under Ninth Street bridge. The murder occurred in the Warren. Everybody else in the precinct wanted to classify this as a crime of opportunity, a random occurrence. Stulzman made it his personal mission to squash any thoughts on the subject of gangs. If you didn’t talk about an issue it wasn’t one. Cappy’s case got no priority because he was homeless and had no family to pressure the politicians.

T.O. remained behind to speak to Jesus about his own ideas, but Stultzman dragged his ego out and hopped up on a soap box. T.O. tuned into the tirade.

“… expect me to commit resources to a ghost hunt, to validate some number cruncher’s view of what might or might not be happening in the real world of our streets. Don’t you guys think there’s enough for us to do without adding this bullshit to the list. Nobody is overstaffed down here.”

Jesus extracted his arm from Stultzman’s grip and tossed the hand aside not the least bit intimidated. Good for him. Learning fast where the power resides. Task forces will always upstage precinct bureaucracy. Stutlzman should be aware of that.

Jesus puffed up. “We believe this here is real and not, as you say, some number cruncher’s imagination. If I didn’t agree, I wouldn’t be here.”

Stultzman flushed. “Listen, you little snot, just because you moved onto a task force, doesn’t give you the right to come into my precinct and dictate how I use my manpower. You better remember, not all that many months ago you were a minor part of that pool. I am going to discuss this request with your boss, as well as your attitude and demeanor during this briefing.”

T.O.felt for the kid, Stultzman spared no insult when he got into one of his tirades.

“I’m sure that Captain Blair would be most happy to review all your issues. I ain’t in a position to do so, and now I got another session to do up at the seventh in a few minutes.”

T.O. stuffed the pen in his pocket and started down the center aisle towards the podium. Jesus and Stultzman were still toe-to-toe, nose-to-nose.

Before turning to head for the door, T.O. stopped. “Good to see you, Jesus. Look, I got a couple of questions, so if you could stop by the desk on your way out, I would appreciate it.”

Both men jumped. Jesus lit up with a smile and broke away, coming to the podium, hand extended. “Hey, man. Been too long. Got a lot to talk over. I’m kinda short on time, though. How long ya need?”

“Quick questions, a couple of minutes.”

Stultzman fidgeted in the corner, but he didn’t say anything.

Jesus’ smile broadened to an outright grin. “Be right out.” He turned back to Stultzman and T.O. headed for the door, hesitating long enough to hear Jesus deliver the final blow.

“So you know, the mayor’s office has been given this same briefing, and they’re all concerned. So, if you wanna buck the tide, go for it. I don’t think you’ll find much support from your boss or anybody else. Now, here’s a couple of other things we want done…”

T.O. floated back to his desk, with the grin of an idiot on his face.

Tony cocked his head. “What the hell happened in there?”

“Tell you later when were out of here.”

Jesus came out of the conference room and headed across the now empty bull pen. Still had a smile on his face. “Make it fast, T.O.. I gotta go up to the seventh.”

“First off, great moves with Stultzman.” T.O. nodded in the direction of the briefing room. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen him so flustered.”

Jesus chuckled. “Well, I don’t take orders from him no more, so I sure as hell ain’t gonna take no shit.”

T.O gave him a thumbs up. “Question 1, your people think this gang is based down here. Why is that?”

“Well, we can’t be sure of that fact, but all the action we’re lookin’ at happens in this precinct, small thefts, smash and grab, that sort of thing. Could be wrong.”

“Oh, I think you’re right enough. I’ve tried to tell that idiot, but he doesn’t want to hear it. But isn’t this the Centurion Motorcycle Club’s turf? Could they be behind this stuff?”

“Yes, it is, but the Centurions don’t pay much attention to this area. Gone big time. Drugs are their major source of income now. There isn’t much of interest for them down here and small heists ain’t their style no more. We think the new gang is taking advantage of that vacuum to start up. If they establish a foothold, a war will break out at some point.”

T.O nodded in agreement. “Second; you mentioned the murder of the homeless guy in the Warren as a possible gang activity. Didn’t you also say you guys had a witness?

Jesus looked down at the floor for a few seconds then met T.O.’s gaze. “Not to the murder, but the preliminary chase and beatings— Henry.”

“Henry is your witness? How’s he involved? Why the hell didn’t somebody come to me?”

“Hey, man, don’t jump on me. I got this intel yesterday. Homicide did the original investigation and passed him over as unreliable, but his reports were very consistent on the details. Multiple questioning didn’t seem to shake Henry’s story either.”

“So, I assume you are giving me permission to talk to Henry about this?”

“I’m telling you because I want you to lean on him. Learn what you can, but let’s keep this part between us girls, here. I’ll send the original homicide reports down to you. We can’t link the killing to the other activity right now, but I see we can’t rule a connection out.”

T.O. nodded. “You’re familiar with the drill down here, Jesus, we only give the Lieutenant what he asks for and sometimes not even that.”

“Ahh, one more thing, and this one you guys ain’t gonna like. I asked for you two to be reassigned to the second shift. Should be happening very soon. Hope you don’t mind?”

Tony snapped to attention as if he had been slapped in the face. “Come on! That’s going to ruin what social life I got, and that ain’t much to begin with. You’re killing us.”

T.O. chuckled. “Relax. You’re young. You’ll recover. Think of my situation. I need to convince a wife of the merits of having me out nights instead of sacking out snoring in front of the TV. Want to trade places?”

Tony held up his hands and shook his head. “No thanks. I’ve met Ellen, I’ll leave that one to you.”

T.O. chuckled again. “Smart man. Okay, Jesus, we can handle the change. When does it take place and how did you sneak it by ‘his nibs’?”

“Not sure I reached any kind of agreement with him. You were in there.” Jesus shot a glance over toward the briefing room then leaned in towards the desks. “Look, the key here is that we need people who can convince the folks in the precinct, the bridge community specifically, to talk to us, when and if something goes down. Like it or not, you two are it.” Jesus placed his hands flat on the desk top and reduced his voice to a whisper. “Be aware that how Stultzman handles this situation is being monitored, so do the requisite amount of bitching when he tells you, but don’t make too many waves. Got it?”

Tony let out a low whistle. T.O. grinned like the Proverbial Cheshire Cat. “Oh we’ve got it all right.”

“If nothin’ happens in two days, I want you to call me . Knowing Stulzman though, I suspect he’ll tell you guys at the worst possible time. In fact, don’t be surprised at having to pull a double.”

T.O. glowered at Jesus, a scowl that melted into a grin. “Damn it, don’t do me too many more favors. At this rate, they won’t be worried about paying me a pension, but will have to pay my wife survivor benefits.”

“Got to leave, I’m late.” With that he sprinted for the elevators. “Thanks guys” came floating back over his shoulder.

T.O. resisted the urge to reorganize the desk top after Garabedian’s makeover. Plenty of time for that when he was...