| Reality Check Chapter 14 |
| Harvey had spent the better part of Tuesday morning catching up on the paperwork that was piled on his desk. This was the one aspect of the job that he disliked the most. Even with all of the modern computer technology, it was still important to have the written reports filed away in case of emergencies. He was working on his third cup of coffee just trying to stay awake for a few more hours. Working the split shifts hadn't been as bad as anticipated. It actually gave him more free time to spend with Jerry ...that is, when Anna allowed him to visit. A quick nap before reporting to CJ's was most definitely on the agenda for this afternoon. He had lost quite a bit of sleep the night before but he wasn't complaining. The ringing of the phone provided a much needed distraction. "Inspector Leek, SIU. How can I help you?" "You don't really want me to answer that question, do you? Casey asked teasingly. "I'm sorry to call you at work but I had to thank you for these beautiful roses! I don't know which touched me more, the flowers or the card." Harvey leaned back in his chair and smiled as he heard the excitement in her voice. He was so glad that he had taken the time to stop by the florist this morning. "I was hoping that you would like them. I think that my favorite was the red and white ones. Something about the way they were entwined ..." Casey heard his voice trail off and read between the lines. "Gotcha thinking about last night, huh?" "Sounds like you have me figured out already". Harvey propped his head up on his hand as he pondered the idea of an early rendezvous. "You know, I have the afternoon free. Just say the word and I'm yours." "Harvey, you have no idea how tempting that sounds but I have a meeting this afternoon. Maybe we could arrange something for later tonight." "I guess that I can wait until tonight. It'll be difficult but you're worth the wait." He hung up the phone and tried to focus his attention on the reports. Unfortunately, his mind kept drifting to an image of Cassandra wearing his tie-dyed t-shirt. * Casey and Christine dressed early and waited for the guys to arrive to discuss their plan. They had prepared themselves mentally for dealing with Bastille but they weren't prepared for their partner's reaction to their clothes. Oscar: Oh, Hell No! There's no way that we'll let you two on stage wearing those outfits. Casey: I appreciate the fact that you want to protect us from the wolves, Oscar, but we have to do something. Can you think of a better way to get in good with Bastille? If so, I'm open to suggestions." Brooks: It's just that what you're talking about doing is more than a little dangerous, Casey. We don't want to see you or Christine getting hurt. The problem is, I can't think of a better plan. What about it guys...you got something better or do we back our girls up? Toby and Oscar looked at each other and then at the women. Oscar walked over to Casey and Christine and pointed his finger at them. "Alright, we do this thing your way. BUT...no stupid moves. If I see you doing something that I think is over the line, you're outta here. Got that?" The women agreed to be extra careful and the men agreed to keep their feelings in check. "I don't have a good feeling about this" Toby remarked as the group made their way to the stage. * At the SIU, Nash Bridges was giving last minute instructions to his crew. Nash: Harv, Antwon and Ronnie, you three will set up inside of the club. You will observe and assist only if necessary. An Officer Grant is in charge of surveillence and he and his partner are monitoring from a room near the back of the club. Captain Jameson will meet with you and issue the communications equipment that you'll need. Cassidy and Rachel will handle things here at the SIU while you guys are on assignment." Cassidy's hopes for participating in her first major drug bust were dashed. "Dad, why don't you let us go into the club as well. You know...two females with no escorts. We might have a chance to get close to one of the suspects." Nash understood her eagerness to help but he had to honor Jameson's request. "Sorry Cass, Captain Jameson specifically asked for veteran cops to be assigned to this case." Cassidy: But Dad, you know that I... Nash pointed his finger towards her desk. "Officer Bridges, I believe that you have your orders." Cassidy pouted and mumbled "Sure...fine." as she walked to her desk. * Harvey, Antwon and Ronnie arrived at the club and met with Captain Jameson who issued the equipment and ran through a sound check with each of them. They found a table that was centrally located in the club and provided the best view of the entire room. Harvey placed an order for three beers and a bowl of pretzels to make them appear to be regular customers. Ronnie: "One beer only guys" Harvey and Antwon looked at Ronnie and then each other. It was the first time that he had ever given them an order and they found it rather amusing. Harvey had mixed emotions about this assignment. He liked the idea of being close to Cassandra but at the same time he worried about protecting her. He was certain that Baptiste was having her followed but he still didn't know why or by who. Until he had more information, he would have to keep a watchful eye on her. * As if on cue, Bastille, Baptiste and Gonzales arrived at the club and made their way to the back table. Chuck Tanner personally walked back to take their drink orders. "What can I get for you?" Gonzales knew that Tanner was nervous about having them at his club and played on that fear. "Why don't you send back a bottle of your best Champagne. On the house, of course!" Chuck walked away angry while the three hoods laughed at him. Bastille: I sold the escort service today. All of the ladies will be well taken care of by the new owner so that's a done deal. Hector, we need to shut down the other operations within the next two days. What kind of progress are you making? Gonzales: "I'm having what I call a liquidation sell tomorrow at the compound on Harrison. Interested parties can purchase anything in inventory and in any amount. Cash and carry...No questions asked. No names and no contracts. There will be a two hour buying period and then after that, everything goes up in smoke. Word on the street is that there are quite a few interested buyers. Bastille: Contact me when you close it down. And Hector...No stupid mistakes. We don't need the cops making us after coming this far. Now...on to the other business at hand. What about the players on the inside? Are they co-operating? Baptiste: Everything's a go. The trucks are ready and waiting for you to give the word to move. Bastille: Good...That's good. Set it up for midnight Thursday night. Baptiste: But, I thought that you said we wouldn't finalize plans until Friday. Why did you change your mind? Bastille: Because, my friend. So far, we have kept the police totally in the dark. The trick is to stay one step ahead of them at all times. (raises his glass) Gentlemen, to outsmarting San Francisco's finest. * Backstage, the girls took a moment to check their outfits in the mirror again before going out. Christine was wearing tight fitting black leather pants, sleeveless vest and boots. Casey was wearing a short, black leather skirt with a black lace blouse. The knee-high boots provided the finishing touch to her outfit. She adjusted the push-up bra that she wore and chuckled, "It doesn't hurt to give mother nature a little help". Christine laughed and remarked, "We look like a couple of biker chicks!" Their partners watched in disbelief as the women made light of a serious situation. The group walked out to the stage and Casey told them, "Let's get this over with gang." The Enforcers took the stage as the crowd began cheering. From the sound of the whistles and yells, it was apparent that the women's new look was working. The band began to play and the crowd gathered around the stage to dance. The song was very uptempo and was perfect for Casey's plan. Taking the microphone off of the stand, she stepped down from the stage and began making her way through the crowd to the back of the room. She mingled with the crowd and danced with a couple of men before she found herself standing in front of Bastille's table. She made eye contact with Ramone Bastille and held his gaze as she sang. Harvey couldn't believe what he was seeing. "What the Hell is she doing?" He was on his feet looking towards the back of the club and Antwon had to grab his arm to keep him from doing anything rash. "Calm down Harv! Ronnie's watching out for Cassandra. See, he's over by the bathrooms." "Get back to the stage, Cassandra. You don't know who you're dealing with, baby." Harvey was trying to will Casey away from the table. When the song ended, Casey smiled at Bastille and returned to the stage. Her plan had worked. Bastille was totally smittened with her and sent an associate to invite the women to join him for a drink. Casey took Oscar aside and told him to contact Grant and Harrow. "Tell them to make sure that the recorder is working!" Oscar, Toby and Brooks stood watching as the women returned to Bastille's table. They were visibly upset and worried about their partners. The North Beach Officers weren't the only ones concerned. Casey had not seen Harvey or the disapproving look that he was giving her. "No-o, I don't like this. Is she going back to his table? What could she possibly be thinking." Harvey was losing his patience with Cassandra. Antwon was doing everything possible to keep him calm, but it was quickly becoming a losing battle. He decided to contact Grant for information. "Hey, you guys are picking up the conversation at that table, right? We're a little concerned about the ladies." * As the women walked toward the table, Bastille and Gonzales both stood up and invited them to sit down. The girls accepted their offer of a drink and began making small talk. "Why don't we dance" Bastille suggested when the music slowed. He led Casey onto the dance floor and pulled her into a close embrace. A little too close for her comfort. "So tell me Ramone, what line of business are you in?" "Inport/export", he replied. He didn't want to talk about business, he was more interested in getting her to leave with him. "Why don't we get out of here and go back to my place." Casey felt extremely uncomfortable being held so tightly and she couldn't help but notice the way he was eyeing the front of her blouse. "You are very straight forward aren't you? But you seem to forget, I work here. I don't get off work until the wee hours." Casey had hoped he would drop the subject, but no such luck. Bastille: If I tell the owner that you are leaving with me, he won't refuse. Casey found him to be totally repulsive and knew that she had to think of something quick. "I'm afraid that the timing is bad. It's a girl thing, if you get my meaning. I would love to be with you though. What about Thursday night? I could arrange to take off a little early." Bastille: "I'm afraid that I have a business meeting at midnight on Thursday. Sorry." "He said Thursday", she thought "They've changed the day". It was more important than ever that he allow her to accompany him to the meeting. Using her most seductive voice, she told him "I know that you own a limousine. I'm sure that we could think of something to do while enroute to your meeting." She lightly kissed his cheek and continued, "You could pick me up here at the club and then we could..." She was telling him exactly what he wanted to hear. In his mind, she was his perfect match. "I'll pick you up here at 11:45 Thursday night." Casey: Until Thursday then. "Until Thursday." Bastille told her, kissing her cheek. "Goodnight". He motioned to his men to leave while Casey and Christine joined the other band members backstage. "They've changed the meeting to Thursday night. Probably to throw off anyone who might have caught onto their plans. I've set up a date for midnight Thursday night. We've got to get with Jameson and have him contact Bridges. Everything has to be moved up a day." Brooks: "Casey, I don't like the idea of you being alone with him. I don't have to tell you what a dangerous man he is." Casey admitted that she frightened too, but it was something that she had to do. "With a little luck on our side, we might have this thing wrapped up by the end of the week." Grant and Harrow appeared with news from Capt. Jameson. "We are to meet at the captain's office tomorrow morning around eleven to discuss a new game plan. I told him about the conversation that Bastille had with his men. And get this...it appears that we are about to be introduced to the SIU guys who have been helping us. They'll be at the meeting tomorrow." * Casey noticed that Harvey and his friend were sitting at the bar. She walked over to hug him but he pulled away and walked over to sit down at a table. Antwon wasn't quite sure what to do so he introduced himself. Antwon: "Hi Cassandra, my name is Antwon. I really enjoyed the show." Casey: "Thanks Antwon, It's nice to meet you. I understand that you are Harv's new partner." She smiled at Twon but noticed that Harvey looked rather upset. " Would you excuse me, Antwon" she said before walking over to the table. "Harvey, what's wrong?" ( no reply) "Harvey?" He was trying to control his anger but finally got up from the table and took her hand. "Come with me". * They walked out to the parking lot but before they reached his car, Harvey turned and confronted her. Harvey: "Just what the hell are you doing? That guy is a known killer, Cassandra. How could you sit with him and have a drink and then dance with him like... THAT!" Casey looked confused: "what does "like that" mean? Harvey, what's your problem?" Harvey was astonished by her nonchalant attitude. "What's my problem? My problem is that you were associating with a dangerous criminal, Cassandra! Hell, if you two had danced any closer, you would have needed a condom for protection." Casey couldn't help but laugh at his remark but it only added to his anger. "Oh yeah...fine. Go ahead and laugh. Making time with some lowlife is really funny." "Harvey, I know what I am doing. Trust me" Casey reached up to turn his face so that he was looking at her. "Sweetheart please, just trust me." He pulled away from her and walked to his car, snatched the beret from his head and threw it into the open window. He folded his arms and leaned against the Cruiser with an angry look on his face. Casey didn't know what to say to him. She was still under orders so she couldn't tell him about the assignment. And even if he knew of the assignment, she would not allow him to put his life in danger. Harvey sighed and finally spoke. "Cassandra, just explain to me what it is that you were trying to accomplish by playing up to this guy tonight. And what's with the sexy outfit?" "Harvey, I can't explain right now." Harvey glared at her. "Can't or won't" His blue eyes suddenly looked stone cold as he stared at her with anger and disbelief. Casey could feel his resentment but there was nothing that she could say or do to appease him. "Harvey, please don't push this." Harvey just shook his head and looked down at the ground. "I guess that what happened between us last night meant nothing to you. You sleep with me last night and then think about screwing some other guy tonight. Is this a regular pattern for you? Going to a different man's bed every night. Tell me, Cassandra. Do you tell every man that you sleep with that you haven't had sex in a while? Is that a part of the trick?" His words hit her hard causing her to lose control and slap him. She began to cry when she realized that she had hit him. "Do you really believe that I would do something that horrible, Harvey? Do you think that just because I sing with a band it means that I jump into the sack with any man who asks?" His silence only added to her anger. "DAMN IT, HARVEY. ANSWER ME!" He finally look at her and coolly replied: "Maybe that is what I think." Casey felt as if he had torn her heart from her chest and ripped it to pieces. She held up her hands to stop the arguing and began to back away from him. "Fine... believe what you want." She quickly walked back to the club as the tears began to flow uncontrollably. Harvey knew that he should call out to her, but the words wouldn't come. He got into his car and squealed the tires as he left the parking lot, tears in his eyes. * * * |
 |
 |