| Special Assignment Chapter 2 |
| "Damn nightmare!" Casey mumbled as she awoke to find that she had spent the night sleeping on the sofa. She stretched her stiff body and thought that she should be grateful for even a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. These days that was a rare occurrence. After having a hot shower to ease the ache in her muscles, Casey dressed casually for work, jeans and t-shirt. She brushed her dark hair up and held it with the silver clip that Evan had given to her. She slipped on the shoulder holster and clipped the badge to her belt before grabbing her jacket and bag to head out to her car for the 25 minute drive to the station. Like every morning, she stopped at the corner bakery for two croissants and a double latte to go. It occurred to Casey as she returned to the car that this routine had become much to familiar. Casey walked through the front door of the 10th precinct and greeted the desk sergeant as she walked towards the offices of the homicide division. She passed by the desk of her partner, Stephanie Andrews and dropped a bag containing a croissant in front of her. Stephanie: "Ooo, bless your heart! I skipped breakfast this morning and I'm starving! By the way, you have a message waiting for you at your desk." Casey(finding the note attached to her telephone): "Capt. Nelson's office.. 9 am sharp! URGENT!" Stephanie had walked up behind Casey and was listening as she read the note aloud. The message gave Casey an uneasy feeling. The last time that she was summoned to his office, she received the news of Evan's death. What could possibly be wrong now? Stephanie: "Being called into the boss's office....that can't be good. (Laughing) Woman, have you been threatening Coleman again?" Casey: "No, but the thought does cross my mind on a daily basis. Who knows, maybe the Captain has decided to suspend me for that little incident from a few months ago." Stephanie smiled at her partner but knew that Casey was still hurt and angry with George Coleman, a 15-year veteran with the unit. He had disliked Casey from the beginning simply because she had rebuffed his advances toward her. When Evan was killed, he had spread a rumor around the office that Evan was a dirty cop who had stolen evidence money to finance his drug and booze habits. Casey had confronted him about the rumor and an argument ensued. When the disagreement began to escalate, Casey turned to walk away. Coleman yelled that Evan deserved to die for being a cop on the take. It was then that she had jumped on him, knocking him to the ground while punching and beating him until three officers could pull her off of him. A lawsuit was threatened against her but Captain Nelson had witnessed the whole incident and let both inspectors off with a reprimand. At nine sharp, Casey knocked on the Captain's office door. Upon entering, she was introduced to two men who had come to Amarillo from San Francisco. Captain Nelson: "Inspector Cassandra Reed, this is Mr. Jonah Solomon of the SFPD, he is representing the office of the Police Commissioner and with him is Captain Ronald Jameson, also of the SFPD, North Beach Division. After shaking hands and exchanging small talk, the reason for their visit was revealed. Solomon: "Inspector Reed, we understand that you were the primary investigator on the Randolph Hopper murder case. What can you tell us about Hector Gonzales?" Casey: "Yes, I was in charge of that case. It has never been solved because Gonzales was the prime suspect and he seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Fifty thousand dollars in cash was taken from the Hopper's home safe and no murder weapon was ever found. We are considering this an on going case. Casey's curosity was now peaked. What did Gonzales have to do with San Francisco? Captain Jameson's voice jolted her from her thoughts. Jameson: "We have reason to believe that Gonzales is involved in a drug smuggling ring that has connections not only in the San Francisco area but throughout Nevada, New Mexico and parts of Texas. There is a small country/western oriented club near the Haight-Asbury section of town. Gonzales has been seen there numerous times with a big-time dealer named Bastille. The club owner had recognized Gonzales and confronted him about the suspicious activity that was taking place inside of the club. Gonzales threatened to kill the owner's wife and burn the club if he didn't look the other way and keep quiet." Casey(giggling): "A Country and Western Club in the Haight? Excuse me, but that just sounds a little strange considering that the Haight-Asbury section is more...well...hippie oriented. I'm curious as to how the club owner knew about Hector Gonzales? None of the leads that we have had place him in that area." Jameson: It's my understanding that you are friends with the owner's. Chuck and Jennifer Tanner? They moved to San Francisco several years ago after his retirement from the Amarillo city council. Casey's heart seemed to skip a beat. Chuck and Jen had treated her like a daughter instead of a neighbor. They had taken care of her after Cody had died and now she had the chance to return the favor by helping them. Casey: "Gentlemen, what can I do to help?" Captain Nelson: "Reed, we are temporarily assigning you to the SFPD to help with this investigation. We believe that by working together, we will get a conviction in California for both Bastille and Gonzales and then have Gonzales expedited back here to stand trial for the Hopper murder." Casey knew what she had to do. "OK guys, when do we get started?" Casey would leave for San Francisco in about a week. She would be met at SFO by Captain Jameson who would fill her in on further details as well as furnish her with a gun and badge. An apartment would be made available for her use while on assignment. Casey agreed to all of the arrangements and the two men left to catch a flight back to California. After the meeting, Nelson asked Casey to stay. Nelson: "You sang with a band while in college, didn't you Casey?" Casey: "Yeah...Why? Nelson: "Well, I picked you for this assignment because of your performing background. You will be going undercover with several officers from SFPD...as the house band at the Tanner's club. I suggest that you brush up on the latest country tunes." Casey: "OH, NO--No Way!! I haven't sang in public for years. I probably can't even carry a tune now." The look on her face was one of sheer terror but Tom Nelson found the whole situation amusing. He had been good friends with Cody and unfortunately for Casey, knew more about her background than she was comfortable with. Nelson: "Sorry Reed, the wheels are in motion so deal with it." Casey: "But Captain, I can't.." Nelson(giving her a stern look): "Dismissed Inspector". * Casey: "Damn it... I can't believe he did this to me!" She was mumbling and cursing to herself as she returned to her desk. Stephanie was at her desk and couldn't help but overhear. Steph: "Don't tell me that he did suspend you." Casey: "No, I'm being temporarily assigned to The San Francisco Police Department to help with a case." Stephanie(surprised): "And the problem with that would be?" Casey slumped down in her chair and gave her partner a sharp look. "The problem is that I have go undercover--as a SINGER!! I can't do this, I hardly know any country songs. (sighing and standing up) Come on, I'll tell you more over lunch." Casey filled Stephanie in on the details of the case over lunch. Stephanie was trying to be supportive and assure her friend that she could handle this assignment Steph: "Come on Case, I've heard you sing. You're have a great voice. All you have to do is listen to a few songs and learn the words. How hard can that be? Casey(mocking Stephanie): How hard can that be? Have you even heard any of the country songs that are playing now? Country songs aren't about- My wife left me and took my pickup truck and dog and boy I sure will miss that dog- anymore. I don't know if I can sing a love ballad and be convincing. Huh, love...I don't even think that I remember what that is. Stephanie: Come on now...it's not that bad. I'll help you. We could find a Karaoke bar where you could practice. (taking a sip of coffee) Relax...you'll be fine. Casey sat back in the chair and thought about the assignment. Maybe a change of scenery was what she needed right now. She had always wanted to visit San Francisco but never seemed to find the time.. The one drawback to going now was that Evan was not there to show her his town. Casey (sighing): "OH MAN... what have I gotten myself into this time?" * * * |
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