NYPD Blue Fanfiction

Loweonthego's Fanfic

Endlessly

Chapter 3

SCENE 21: Early morning. 15th Precinct. IAB Lt. Thomason is there with Andy, John and some of the nightshift squad. Baldwin and Medavoy enter the squad room.  

MEDAVOY: (Approaching Andy and John's desks.) What the hell happened to you two last night? We lost Flavo and had to call the whole thing off.  

Andy stands up as if he's about to charge like a raging bull into Greg and Baldwin, but then turns and walks away, into the locker room.  

JOHN: (Stands from his desk.) Connie's missing. She never showed up to get Theo at school last night.  

MEDAVOY: (Very remorseful.) What? She's missing? (Taking it in.) Oh man, I wish I hadn't said anything...  

BALDWIN: What do we know?  

JOHN: She went to Theo's school to pick him up after a field trip. A couple of people saw her. Theo's field trip was late returning to the school and when it did get back she wasn't there. Her SUV was there. They're towing it in now, they dusted for prints...nothing.  

MEDAVOY: Aww, man. I guess we should start pulling files, seeing what she's been working on recently.  

JOHN: Rita's on her way in. She'll be helpful with that. (Motioning Baldwin and Medavoy to come closer.) Andy, he, uhm, he and Connie got married last weekend. Andy found Connie's wedding ring on the sidewalk near the truck.  

MEDAVOY: Oh, shit.  

JOHN: Andy, he's pretty torn up.  

BALDWIN: Where are the kids?  

JOHN: The babysitter has 'em.  

Rita walks into the squad room and joins the three detectives at John's desk.  

RITA: Anything new?  

JOHN: No.  

RITA: Where's Andy?  

JOHN: Locker room.  

RITA: (Taking a seat at Connie's desk. She is visibly shaken.) I don't believe this.  

Thomason joins the detectives.  

THOMASON: Ortiz, I want you to review all the case files you and McDowell have been working on for the past couple months. Anything standing out at all, anything unusual, we'll look into it further. Baldwin and Medavoy will help you with the files.  

RITA: Sure thing. I'll get started now.  

JOHN: What do you want us to do?  

THOMASON: For now, work your cases. Baldwin, you and Medavoy, go over to the school.

See what you can find. Maybe someone saw something. (Baldwin and Medavoy walk to their desks before heading out of the squad room. Thomason heads towards his office.) Clark, I need to talk to you.  

Thomason enters Rodriguez office and begins dialing his phone. John Clark looks around as the detectives begin to go to work. He felt like things were beginning to fall apart all around him. Andy was still in the locker room. Baldwin and Medavoy headed out to canvas the neighborhood around Theo's school. Rita was pouring over files from Connie's file cabinet. Suddenly, he hears...  

THOMASON: Clark!  

JOHN: (Brought back to the present, he turns and heads towards Thomason's office.) Yes, sir. What did you need to see me about?  

THOMASON: Come on in and close the door.  

JOHN: What's up?  

THOMASON: (After closing the door, Clark takes a seat.) How long's it been since you got your shield?  

JOHN: Since I been in the squad, about two years.  

THOMASON: Sipowicz been your only partner, since you made Detective?  

JOHN: Yeah.  

THOMASON: Clark, tell me something. What's the connection between Sipowicz and McDowell? Why was she picking up his kid last night?  

JOHN: (Fidgeting slightly.) What do you mean? They're friends, co-workers. She was helping him out, we were on that surveillance last night. (Noticing John Irvin arriving to work. Rita informs him of Connie's missing status.) They're both single parents, you know.  

THOMASON: You sure that's all?  

JOHN: Yeah, why?  

THOMASON: Why don't you locate your partner and get back on your case load --- for now.  

John Clark exits the office and returns to his desk. John Irvin is visibly shaken as Rita gives him a hug. Andy walks out of the locker room and takes a seat at his desk. He looks beaten. He's tired, and his eyes are red. He takes out a sheet of paper and starts writing notes.  

PAA JOHN: (Slowly approaching Andy.) Detective, I just heard. (He's left almost speechless. He bites his lower lip and closes his eyes, tightly.) If I can do anything, just let me know. (Overcome with emotion, John Irvin enters the locker room to gather his composure.)  

ANDY: I gotta get outta here for a little while.  

JOHN: You want me to come with you?  

ANDY: I don't need no hand holding - from anyone.  

Andy walks over to Rita's desk.  

RITA: Andy. How ya doing?  

ANDY: Here's a list of some of my recent cases. (He turns to leave, stops and turns back to Rita.) Connie, she never pissed anyone off enough to do this. They were after me....and.....they got me

.

Andy turns and walks out of the squad. Rita quickly walks out behind him.  

RITA: (Reaching out for Andy's arm.) Andy, don't give up. We're not giving up.  

Rita goes to give Andy a hug but he pulls away and flees down the stairs. As he heads down the stairs he passes a familiar looking face going up the steps. Andy can't quite place the face right now, he doesn't have time, he's got some place to be.  

John Irvin looks up from his desk as someone enters the squad room.  

PAA JOHN: Can I help you?  

FRANCO: I'm Detective Franco. I was told to report to Lt. Thomason by the Borough.  

PAA JOHN: Of course, now I remember you. (Rising to shake her hand.) You used to be in Anti-Crime didn't you?  

FRANCO: Yeah, I did, a while back.  

PAA JOHN: (Shaking Franco's hand.) John Irvin, I'm the civilian aide. I was then...when you were in Anti-Crime.  

FRANCO: Yeah, John, I remember you. How ya been?  

PAA JOHN: I've been fine, thank you.  

Lt. Thomason walks over and meets Franco and PAA John.  

THOMASON: You must be Detective Franco, the borough told me you were on your way. (Motioning towards Rita.) You'll be working with Ortiz, for now. (Pointing to Connie's desk.) You can use this desk here.  

FRANCO: Mary Franco, sir. I'll introduce myself to Ortiz and get started.  

THOMASON: All right. You need anything, let me know.  

Mary Franco looked around the squad room. It hadn't changed much over the last couple years. She'd been a little nervous about walking in, too many memories. She was glad she hadn't seen too many familiar faces, but the one she wished she could see more than any of the memories that still haunted her was Danny Sorenson. She thought about him every day. Now, here she was, seated in the desk next to his old desk. Mary put her purse away and headed over to Rita's desk.  

FRANCO: Hi. I'm Mary Franco. I guess I've been temporarily assigned here by the borough.  

RITA: Rita Ortiz. So, you're a detective?  

FRANCO: Yeah, in the floater pool for now, since I made detective. Someone on a leave or something? They said it might be a while.  

RITA: (Feeling the pain of what some were considering had already happened....her partner Connie was gone, not going to return.) Want some coffee? (Heading towards the coffee room.) I'll get you updated on what's happening.  

SCENE 22: A couple hours later. A park near Andy and Connie's apartment. Andy is seated on a bench - watching parents push their kids on the swings. Andrea joins Andy, holding Michelle.  

ANDREA: Andy, have you heard from Connie?  

ANDY: (Reaching for Michelle.) No. (He makes some faces at Michelle and she begins to laugh.)  

ANDREA: This just isn't right. Everything is going so good.  

ANDY: (He doesn't want to hear that - what he's already been saying to himself.) You got Theo off to Katie's?  

ANDREA: Yeah, she came and picked him up about 9:00. Andy, if it's a problem, I can take care of both Theo and Michelle for you guys....as long as you need.  

ANDY: It's not Connie they want. They're after me. They'd know about Theo. He's safer at my ex's place in Jersey. (He hugs Michelle tightly before returning her to Andrea. Michelle is the closest link he can find to Connie right now and he doesn't want to let her go.) You have a key to the apartment, go get whatever you need for Michelle and don't go back - unless you hear from me.  

ANDREA: (She gathers up her things and starts to head off with Michelle.) I've got everything I need for Michelle. Let me know if I can do anything. Anything at all -- for you or Connie.

Andy leans over and gently kisses Michelle on the forehead.  

ANDY: Yeahl.  

ANDREA: I mean it. Call me, Andy.  

Andrea turns and walks away. Andy watches as she and Michelle head off down the sidewalk and out of the park. He was all alone now, or at least that's how he felt. His head was spinning, he hadn't slept more than a couple hours in the past few days. He felt like he needed to do something but he didn't know where to begin - he'd pissed off a good number of people in his career. Where should he begin? Andy had to do something. He couldn't just sit here. At least he felt Theo and Michelle were safe now, he didn't need to worry about them. Andy got up and walked toward his and Connie's apartment. He needed Connie now more than ever - and he was certain she'd been taken away from him by someone trying to get to him. At least in their quiet apartment he could feel her presence, be around her things, feel her with him.  

SCENE 23: Late-Afternoon. 15th Precinct. Baldwin and Medavoy are talking with Thomason in his office. Rita and Franco were looking paperwork. John Clark walks in and places his radio in the charger stand by PAA John.  

RITA: (Joining John at his desk.) What did you found out?  

JOHN: He met the babysitter and Michelle at the park by the apartment. Then he went inside and he hadn't come out when I left.  

RITA: We need to watch him. I have a feeling he's going to be like a ticking time bomb - but most likely when it goes off, it's going to hurt him.  

JOHN: I caught up with the babysitter, Andrea. Michelle is going to stay with her. Theo is with Andy's ex out in Jersey. I gave her my card and told her to call me if she hears from Andy - if she hears anything.  

Mary Franco walks over to Connie's desk and takes a seat. John shoots Rita a look of confusion.  

RITA: John, this is Mary Franco. She's a floater sent over to cover Connie being out.  

JOHN: (Turning to face Franco.) John Clark. Nice to meet you, even if it's under somewhat difficult circumstances.  

FRANCO: Yeah, I understand. (She waits a beat, thinking to herself.) You know, I think we met before. You used to be in Narcotics, right?  

JOHN: Yeah, right.  

FRANCO: I was in Narcotics briefly before I made Detective. Before that I was in Anti-Crime, here in the 15th too. I remember seeing you around back then.  

JOHN: Yeah, you look familiar too. If I can help you out with anything let me know. Did Rita fill you in on what's happening?  

FRANCO: Yeah, she did. I remember Andy Sipowicz. Always heard good things.  

Medavoy and Baldwin join the detectives and update them on their findings at the school.  

MEDAVOY: We talked to some of the parents who were at the school last night to pick up their kids. Nothing stands out except this one teacher remembered a lady, (Paging through his notebook to make sure he gets the specifics right.) about 30, black with long braids, medium build, she asked if Detective Sipowicz had been in yet to pick up Theo. The teacher didn't recognize her as one of the parents or guardians. 

BALDWIN: We didn't get much on the canvas. I thought we might go back tonight about the time Connie was at the school last night and talk to some of the merchants then. Might stand a better chance of finding someone who was there last night.  

RITA: That sounds like a good idea.  

PAA John has been standing to the side of the group listening in on the investigation of Connie's disappearance. As he turns to go to his desk he notices Andy coming up the steps. Before he can say a word, Andy walks in. He'd been listening to the conversation from just outside the office.  

JOHN: Andy, how you doing?  

Andy grabs John by the shoulders and begins to pin him to the wall. Baldwin and Greg step in to stop Andy.  

ANDY: Don't you ever follow me again....you hear me?  

JOHN: Come on, Andy, we're worried about you....and about Connie.  

MEDAVOY: Andy, we are not giving up. We are going to find her. It's our top priority.  

ANDY: (Lashing out towards Franco and Lt. Thomason, who has joined the group after witnessing Andy's entrance.) You IAB scumbag rats, you brought in her replacement already. She's even sitting at Connie's desk. (Andy wheels around to face Greg and Baldwin.) They wanted me, they got me. Here I am.  

THOMASON: Sipowicz, we need to talk in my office.  

ANDY: You mean in Lt. Rodriguez office, don't you?  

Thomason turns and head into his office. John tries to walk up to Andy, but Andy brushes him off and takes a seat at his desk. His eyes dart around the room. The other detectives are feeling his pain and try to stay out of his path. John sits at his desk and faces Andy.  

JOHN: Andy, I know, we all know, how you're feeling. I followed you because I didn't want you to do anything .... to hurt yourself.  

ANDY: You mean, take a drink? (Looking around the room again.) Nobody here knows what I feel.  

JOHN: You can't give up hope. Connie wouldn't give up hope if the tables were turned. You know that. Don't you give up on her.  

Andy stands and walks into Thomason's office.  

THOMASON: Take a seat Sipowicz.  

ANDY: If this is going to be short, I'd rather stand.  

THOMASON: Suit yourself. Look, I've reviewed your file today. I talked to Rodriguez. You've got a checkered past. But you are a good cop. I don't know what the relationship is between you and McDowell - I don't think I want to know right now. I know one thing. We've got a damn good detective missing right now. This whole group of detectives has worked all day - and some all night - looking for any type of lead in finding her. We can't ignore these other cases for long, but for now, we are. We could use your help -- unless you want to go off on your own and worry the others here in the squad that you're going to go drinking --- and be up to your old games. If this McDowell means so much to you, you better snap out of it, and help us bring her back here where she belongs.  

ANDY: (Appears to still be seething inside.) I had to take care of some things today. I haven't had much sleep in the past few days. And I haven't had a drink in years.  

THOMASON: Let's keep it that way. (Standing from behind the desk.) I'm going to keep you looking into McDowell's disappearance. We got this floater in from the pool, Franco, I'm going to pair her up with Clark for now to hopefully wrap up this bank robbery case.  

ANDY: Franco?  

THOMASON: Det. Mary Franco.  

ANDY: (Rubbing his forehead.) Great, just great.  

THOMASON: You got a problem with her?  

ANDY: (Sarcastically.) Oh, no....she's just my dead ex-partner's ex-girlfriend....and she's sitting at Connie's desk.  

THOMASON: She's a good detective - get over it.  

Andy walks back out into the squad room. He looks over at John and heads in his direction.  

ANDY: Sorry about earlier. I'm not handling this very well.  

JOHN: Andy, we're here for you. Lean on us. We're going to find her and bring her back home.  

ANDY: Yeah, thanks.  

JOHN: Why don't you go home and grab some sleep. I know you're tired. We will call you if we uncover anything.  

ANDY: In a bit.  

Andy takes a seat at his desk and looks around as the squad becomes a hub of activity. John walks over to Franco and Rita.  

JOHN: I think he's settled down a little. So, Mary, you going to join me tonight on the surveillance?  

FRANCO: Yeah, that's what the Lt. says.  

JOHN: I'm going to run home and take a shower. It's been a long ass night and day. How about we meet back here around 9:00?  

FRANCO: Works for me.  

As John starts to head out for the day, Rita walks up to him in the hallway.  

RITA: You got a second?  

JOHN: Sure.  

RITA: John, I know things have been tense between us the past couple months. But when something like this happens, I feel like I, well, both of us have been a little immature. Let's just say it's over and move on, we can be friends, co-workers, can't we?  

JOHN: Yeah, I know how you feel. (Looking back towards the squad room.) It tears me up right now to look at Andy, to know what he must be going through. It makes our disagreements seem so small.... 

RITA: Friends then?  

JOHN: (Hugging Rita.) Good friends.  

John begins to head to the stairs.  

RITA: John, we are going to find her, aren't we?  

JOHN: We have to.  

SCENE 24: Middle of the night. Outside a warehouse near JFK Airport. John Clark, Mary Franco and Julian are seated in the back of a van watching a nearby warehouse.  

JULIAN: If this doesn't pan out, don't put it on me. You coulda had them this morning -- red handed, robbing the First Empire Bank if you hadn't blown it last night.  

JOHN: Julian, I'm tired of hearing you say that. We had a problem. It's over.  

FRANCO: So, Julian, how'd you know about this warehouse meeting?  

JULIAN: I'm sorry, what's your name again?  

FRANCO: Franco, Detective Mary Franco.  

JULIAN: I'm just not used to working with you Ms. Franco. I prefer to keep my sources to myself and Clark and Sipowicz. We've got a business deal, the three of us. I'm doing this because I have two young daughters to take care of - raising them on my own.  

JOHN: (Raising his voice.) Julian! Enough!  

JULIAN: The detective asked me a question.  

JOHN: Something tells me that this is going to be a long night.  

FADE OUT  

SCENE 25: Middle of the night. Andy and Connie's apartment. Andy is in bed when he feels something on his shoulder. He turns over to see what it is.  

CONNIE: (Tapping gently on his shoulder.) You're a big bed hog, move over.  

ANDY: Connie?  

CONNIE: Yes Andy, it's me....now move over.  

ANDY: (Sliding over slightly to give Connie room to climb into bed.) What happened? Where've you been?  

CONNIE: I'm sorry I'm late. I got home a while ago, but didn't want to wake you. You needed to get some sleep, some rest. What time do you need to meet John?  

ANDY: Meet John?  

CONNIE: For your surveillance. (Leaning over Andy and kissing him gently on the forehead.) You really are tired. Maybe I should have let you sleep.  

ANDY: No, I'm glad you woke me. (Putting his arms around Connie and pulling her tightly to her chest.) Come here. I've missed you.  

CONNIE: I love it when you put your arms around me like this. (She begins to kiss him softly on the lips.) You make me feel so safe and secure. (She begins to unbutton his pajama top.) I love you Andy. You hear me, I love you, endlessly. (She begins kissing his chest before moving back to his lips.)  

ANDY: I love you Connie, my God, I love you.  

CONNIE: I know, Andy.  

ANDY: I love you, endlessly.  

Suddenly there is a knock at the door. Andy is startled awake. It had been a dream, but he felt like Connie had just been there, in bed with him. He looks around the bed, it had been so real, he thought Connie must have been there and the last 24 hours had been just a terrible nightmare. Andy looked over at the clock by the bed; 4:03 a.m. Who could be at the door? Or was that part of this dream that had just torn a new hole in his heart. Andy rolled out of bed and walked into the living room. He carried his service revolver with him and made his way to the door in the dark. Looking out of the peep hole he sees nothing. Carefully he opens the door. A small package falls inward as the door opens. Andy looks around and picks up the package and goes inside, locking the door behind him.  

Andy walks slowly inside and takes a seat on the sofa. He carefully looks over the manila envelope and opens it, pouring the contents out on the coffee table. There are a couple Polaroid photos and a letter.  

Andy read the letter to himself: You messed with the wrong man. I got something you want. You want her back, you'll meet me alone, man to man. Show up with your fellow pigs, she's dead. You gotta beg to get her back, maybe she's not worth it. ..it's up to you. 

Andy looked over the letter and dropped it to the coffee table. He didn't want to look at the photos but he knew couldn't not look at them. He picked up the first one, it was Connie seated on a mattress with her hands bound by rope and tape. She looked like she had a cut on her forehead, her blouse was slightly ripped at the shoulder. The moment Andy glimpsed at the second photo he dropped it to the table. He gasped for breath as he looked at it on the table. The photo showed someone shooting a needle into Connie's arm. Connie's eyes were barely open, her head drooping, as she sat in a chair, surrounded by two large guys - Andy thought looked like skells he'd busted before. He picked the first photo up again and traced his finger along Connie's face.  

Andy stood up from the sofa and went to the window, looking out at the NYC street. He was ready to meet this person, if he could call him that, who had taken Connie from him. He was ready now. He didn't want to wait.  

SCENE 26: Outside a JFK area warehouse. John Clark, Mary Franco and several other detectives are wrapping up what turned out to be a successful stake-out. When the bank robbers arrived to divide their spoils the police were waiting for them. Queens officers were placing the last of those arrested in squad cars when their Sergeant walks up to the scene.  

OFFICER #!1: (To John Clark.) My Sergeant says he's got someone you should talk to over there.  

JOHN: Now or at your precinct?  

OFFICER #1: Seems like it's urgent.  

John hands off the suspect to a uniformed officer and heads over to meet the Sergeant - a couple of cars away.  

JOHN: (Shaking the Sergeant's hand.) Detective Clark, 15th.  

MARTINEZ: Sgt. James Martinez. (Shaking Clark's hand.) I gotta guy over here, brother of one of your perps. He wasn't in on the robbery yesterday, just along for the ride today... we picked him up waiting in the car. He's got some smack on him. Says he wants to deal....but he's telling me some kinda wild story. Just doesn't seem real, but I wanted to mention it to you before we took him in to the station.  

JOHN: Like what?  

MARTINEZ: Like he's saying he knows where a kidnapped cop is being held....she's suppose to work in the 15th. I haven't heard anything about it.  

JOHN: (Rubbing his forehead, not believing what has just fallen into his lap.) Yeah, I need to talk to him. Where is he?  

MARTINEZ: (Speaking quietly to Clark.) You mean to tell me there really is a kidnapped cop in the 15th? Oh, man.  

JOHN: She's missing, a detective. It's been about 2 days. IAB, they're keeping it under wraps....for now.  

MARTINEZ: We'll get him back to the station and you can talk with him there, OK?  

JOHN: All right.  

MARTINEZ: (He starts to turn away and stops.) Hey, Clark. You know, I started out in the 15th, Anti-Crime, then got my detective's shield there. I've been out of touch lately. Greg Medavoy, he was my partner. 

JOHN: Really. Greg's a good guy..  

MARTINEZ: Sipowicz still around?  

JOHN: You knew Andy? He's still around. - he's my partner.  

MARTINEZ: That was a good time in my life. I should have stayed in touch better. Haven't talked to Greg in a while.  

JOHN: Let's get back to your station. I'll catch you up on Andy...and the missing detective.

Martinez heads to his car to return to the station in the 77th Precinct. John locates Mary Franco and catches her up on the news Martinez just shared with him and they head off to the 77th Precinct.  

SCENE 27: Morning. 15th Precinct. Baldwin and Medavoy are looking over files from Connie and Andy's recent cases.  

MEDAVOY: Man, Andy has pissed off alot of people over the years.  

BALDWIN: Yeah, but I would bet the same thing could be said about any good cop.  

MEDAVOY: Yeah, I guess.  

Rita enters with a handcuffed suspect and asks Hank if he can get him into an interrogation room.  

BALDWIN: (To Rita as she goes to her desk.) Who's that?  

RITA: You won't believe this. I stop by Bellevue this morning to see how the assault victim, Rich Scott, is doing. I walk in to see hospital security holding this guy...Yuri Stanislov. A nurse walked in on Mr. Stanislov trying to finish Scott off with a pillow over his face.  

MEDAVOY: Wow, it's like you get your suspect handed to you on a silver platter!  

RITA: Really! And get this....Our victim, Scott, he neglected to tell us that he was having a little thing on the side with Stanslov's wife. One of you want to join me for this?  

Rita takes her jacket off and heads off to the interrogation room. Baldwin follows her. As they go in, Andy enters the squad room and walks to his desk. Greg watches and approaches Andy.  

MEDAVOY: How you doing Andy?  

ANDY: (Ignoring his question.) Where is everybody?  

MEDAVOY: Baldwin and Rita are in the Pokey Room. Nobody else has made it in yet.  

ANDY: (Sarcastically.) Glad to hear everyone is working so hard.  

MEDAVOY: (He's had enough.) You know Andy; Baldwin, Rita and I stayed here until 3 a.m. reviewing these files. We've been making calls, talking to some of the CI's....I don't want to hear it from you. Where were you last night?  

Greg walks away. Andy picks up some messages on his desk and looks them over. Lt. Thomason walks in and greets Andy and Greg before heading to his office.  

MEDAVOY: (Walking back over to Andy's desk.) Andy, one of the files we were looking at last night was the Money T case. You know, from last fall. It got handed over to the Feds and we couldn't get any answers about the outcome of the case.  

ANDY: I think he got 30 years for distribution of narcotics. I'd doubt he's out already....  

MEDAVOY: Still might be worth a call or two. I'll get on it....as soon as the Feds show up for work....bankers hours, you know.  

ANDY: (Quietly, knowing he was a bit rough earlier with him.) Thanks Greg.  

Thomason heads out to Andy's desk.  

THOMASON: The guys over at 1 PP are going to make a statement this afternoon about McDowell's disappearance. Thought you'd want to know. They're going to announce a reward for information.  

ANDY: Great. Then every yahoo out there will be calling in with bogus information.  

THOMASON: Let's hope we get something working before the announcement....hold it off a little.  

ANDY: Yeah, we have to.  

FADE OUT.  

SCENE 28: Squad Room, 77th Precinct. John Clark and Mary Franco enter and are greeted by Sgt. James Martinez.  

MARTINEZ: He's in Room 3, down the hall. Name is Tommy Gladden. We ran him, has a couple minor drug infractions for pot, a public intox. Doesn't sound like a hardened criminal.  

FRANCO: We'll talk to him, see what he wants to deal. (Looking at John.) I'll give Thomason a call, tell him what we got.  

JOHN: Let's talk to him first, I don't want him and IAB running over to talk to this guy before we have a chance. 

Franco agrees and the two detectives walk into Room 3 to talk to Tommy Gladden. Gladden is seated at a table with a uniformed officer. Gladden looks like a kid, at 18 he really still was. John Clark takes a seat while Mary Franco walks around to the other side of the table and faces Gladden.  

JOHN: So, Tommy. I understand you've found yourself in a little bit of a predicament today.  

TOMMY: You could say that.  

JOHN: We're going to be talk to your brother and a couple of his friends down the hall in a few minutes. And as I see it now, you look like you were part of their group who robbed the bank yesterday.  

TOMMY: (Jumping up from his seat.) I didn't have nothing to do with that bank robbery.  

FRANCO: (Pushing him back down in his seat.) Relax, Tommy. We hear you might have some information to help us out --- you help us, we help you. That's how it can work.  

TOMMY: (Relaxing a bit.) I just went for a ride with my brother last night. I needed to get out of the house for a while.  

FRANCO: Why's that Tommy?  

TOMMY: Our mom, she and her old man were warring...you know, fighting. I couldn't take it anymore. So, when Jimmy says he's going for a ride.....I went. Jimmy said he'd buy me breakfast after he finished up his business.  

JOHN: You knew what that business was, didn't you?  

TOMMY: No. Jimmy hadn't been home in days, I didn't know where he was going. I just wanted to get out of the house.  

FRANCO: Where'd you get the smack, Tommy? You and Jimmy stop somewhere before taking care of business?  

TOMMY: No, I picked that up earlier.  

JOHN: Where was that?  

TOMMY: Look, I wasn't involved with the bank thing. If I tell you where I got the smack, we can work something out with the charges, right? I mean, I told the other cop what I heard when I was there.  

FRANCO: What was that Tommy?  

TOMMY: We got a deal?  

JOHN: If your information is right, we'll have a deal and make these charges go away. (Standing and pulling Tommy's chair very close to him.) If you're wasting our time, you'll be lucky to see daylight in the next 10 years.  

TOMMY: I'm not shitting you man. I'm telling you what I heard and what I saw.  

FRANCO: Why don't you tell us Tommy, tell us what you saw, what you heard.  

TOMMY: OK. (Trying to think back....almost like he can't remember yesterday.) My friend, Ricky, and I, we went to score some smack yesterday afternoon. We went where we always go...over on Avenue D and 2nd. Ricky and I, we run into Jamar, we went to high school with him. He's working security for E-Z.  

JOHN: Who's E-Z?  

TOMMY: He runs the store over there. You know, he's selling the junk. I make the buy, Ricky, he's talking to Jamar. Jamar tells us E-Z, he snatched a cop, right off the street. Says she's pretty hot, that we should take a look, that she's in the room down the hall.  

FRANCO: So, did ya? You know, take a look?  

TOMMY: Yeah. She was hot, like Jamar said.  

John gives Tommy a slap in the back of the head and stands up and walks around the room, trying to calm himself down.  

TOMMY: (Protesting loudly.) Why'd you do that?  

JOHN: She's a cop and you go take a look like it's the zoo. What the hell....  

FRANCO: Come on, Tommy. Continue your story...I'm listening.  

TOMMY: So, the cop, she's in a chair - all tied up, you know. Jamar said E-Z had to grab her to keep his boss happy. Something about the cop's husband had him arrested, messed up his operation, something like that.  

JOHN: How did she look? Beat up? In good shape?  

TOMMY: I think she was in the zone, you know, passed out. But I don't know for sure, I wasn't that close to her.  

FRANCO: (Sliding over a piece of paper and pen.) Write down the address where this was at.  

TOMMY: We got a deal then?  

FRANCO: If this works out, we'll take care of you on the drug charges.  

Tommy starts writing as John Clark and Mary Franco exchange glances. Franco walks to the door or the room and calls an officer in to watch Tommy. Franco and Clark exit the room. Sgt. Martinez joins them in the hallway..  

MARTINEZ: Looks like this guy's going to be able to help you out.  

JOHN: Yeah, we gotta call Thomason.  

MARTINEZ: (Stopping John before he walks away.) Hey, the missing detective, who's she married to?  

JOHN: Andy Sipowicz.  

FADE OUT  

SCENE 29: Mid-Afternoon. Outside a rundown Brownstone, Avenue D in Alphabet City.

John Clark, Mary Franco, Medavoy, Baldwin, Rita and a SWAT team are parked in vans near the Brownstone Tommy said Connie was being held hostage in. A car with Lt. Thomason and Andy pulls up nearby. The signal was given for entry into the Brownstone and the large contingency of police swarm the house. Andy enters the hallway last and frantically searches for the officers who would have located Connie. Baldwin exits the room in which Tommy indicated Connie was being held hostage and sees Andy heading towards him.  

ANDY: Where is she?  

BALDWIN: It looks like she was here, but they must have moved out.  

Andy walks into the room. He recognizes it from the Polaroid photos he received earlier, there's the chair and the same bed with the slightly dingy wall behind it. He feels defeated, so close...but she's not here.  

RITA: (Joining Andy, Baldwin and Lt. Thomason.) The bodega owner downstairs says everyone cleared out of here about two hours ago.  

ANDY: Did he see Connie with them?  

RITA: All he said was they loaded several large boxes in a van and took off. He was complaining because they blocked his loading zone.  

THOMASON: Let's get back to the squad. We'll let Crime Scene go over this place for prints and anything else they find. I'll get some guys to canvas the area, see if they come up with anything.  

Everyone except Andy and John exits the brownstone. Andy walks around looking at the random pieces of furniture left behind in the brownstone.  

ANDY: I can't stand it...look at this place. They were holding her here.  

JOHN: (Walking over to Andy and placing his hand on Andy's shoulder.) We are going to get her back. Believe that.  

ANDY: They contacted me.  

JOHN: Who did?  

ANDY: They sent me a message that they wanted to talk to me. They sent me two photos of Connie...all tied up. She's hanging tough, she fought them....she has some cuts and bruises.  

JOHN: You told him didn't you.....Thomason?  

ANDY: I didn't tell anyone. I'm waiting for them to contact me.....they want me, not her.  

JOHN: Andy, you gotta tell Thomason.  

ANDY: I'm heading home. If they want me, they'll find me there. I'm going to wait for them. I'll get her back.  

Andy heads out the door. John watches from the hallway as Andy heads down the stairs. He understands where Andy is coming from but feels like Andy is shouldering too much of the burden and responsibility for Connie's disappearance. Andy's teetering on the edge. John knows if anything happens to Connie, Andy will be pushed over that edge. He's got to do something...but what?  

SCENE 30: Late Night. Scene opens in a small restaurant in The Bronx. The camera follows a young black man, carrying a tray of food, through the kitchen and up the rear staircase to a small apartment. He opens the door and enters. Connie is laying on a mattress, her hands bound together and then to the headboard on the bed. She looks tired and emotionally drained..  

JAMAR: (Closing the door behind him.) I brought you a sandwich and some fries.  

CONNIE: (Not saying anything for a moment...then quietly) Thanks, but I'm not hungry.  

JAMAR: You need to eat.  

CONNIE: Jamar, you seem like a nice guy. You don't want to be mixed up in this. I'm a cop, that means the death penalty.  

JAMAR: (Throwing his hands up and turning away.) You don't understand.  

CONNIE: I want to. Tell me.... talk to me about what I don't understand.  

JAMAR: These guys, they're family. And we take care of our family.  

CONNIE: Jamar, I have a family. I'm married and we have two kids. I love them dearly and I want to see them again. I understand family, but family doesn't put you in danger, in jeopardy of loosing your life by doing something stupid like this.  

There is a knock at the door and Jamar looks through the peep hole and opens it. A large, muscular man walks in and looks around the small apartment.  

E-Z: (To Jamar.) You did a good job, getting her moved so fast.  

JAMAR: I told you E-Z, I could take care of business for you.  

E-Z: T's going to be by later to deal with her. I don't want anything else to do with her.  

JAMAR: You want me to stay until he gets here.  

E-Z: No, I think it's time I show our friend here a good time....with a little farewell party.  

E-Z takes a black leather bag from his jacket and begins to prepare his fix of heroin. He walks over and rubs his hand across Connie's face. She pulls away quickly at his touch. E-Z doesn't take well to being rejected and backhands her across the face. Connie lashes out by kicking him in the stomach, which sends him to the floor.  

E-Z: (Taking the hypodermic needle and walking towards Connie.) I got something to calm you down baby...then you'll enjoy the party a whole lot more.  

SCENE 31: Early Morning. A phone rings in a bedroom of a Brooklyn apartment. A hand reaches for the phone - the camera pulls back to reveal Diane Russell, just waking up.  

DIANE: Hello.  

JOHN: Hi Diane. You probably don't remember me, my name is John Clark, I'm Andy Sipowicz's partner.  

DIANE: Yeah, I remember you John. I think we met about a month ago, when I stopped by the 15th. What's up?  

JOHN: I'm sorry I've called you so early but I might have a problem. I hope you can help me out.  

DIANE: What's the problem?  

JOHN: I don't really know where to start...I'm afraid Andy's drinking or about to drink. He won't listen to me or ask for any help. I thought you might talk to him...you might be able to help.  

DIANE: What's happened to make him want to take a drink?  

JOHN: Connie, she's missing. We think she's been abducted. Andy's not holding up too well.  

DIANE: Where is he?  

JOHN: I watched his apartment last night. He went to TJ's Tavern, just down the block. Stayed about an hour or so, then went home.  

DIANE: Did you go into TJ's while he was there?  

JOHN: No, I stopped in later. The bartender said he ordered Scotch, nursed it the whole time....didn't think he took a drink.  

DIANE: Where are the kids?  

JOHN: Theo's in Jersey with Andy's ex. Michelle is staying at the sitters.  

DIANE: John, thanks for calling. I'll stop by and see him this morning...I'll give you a call later - at the precinct.  

JOHN: Thanks, Diane. I wasn't sure who to call...I've heard Andy mention you before. You've been through a lot together.  

DIANE: Yeah, we have. Andy...he's special, he means a lot to me.  

JOHN: I'll wait to hear from you.  

Diane hangs up the phone and sits up in bed. The bedroom door opens and Victor Carerras walks in, holding a breakfast tray.  

CARRERAS: Sorry the phone woke you. You answered it before I could get to it.  

DIANE: That's ok. It was a call I needed to take.  

CARRERAS: (Sitting the tray in front of Diane and then taking a seat next to her.) I thought you might like some breakfast in bed, since you don't have to get up and go to work today.  

DIANE: (Leaning over and giving Carreras a kiss on the cheek.) Thanks. (Taking a sip of juice.) I'm going to have to run out for a little while...an old friend needs me to stop and see him.  

CARRERAS: (With a tinge of "fake" jealousy...more curiosity.) An old friend?  

DIANE: Andy Sipowicz, I worked with him in the 15th. He was Bobby's partner. He's going through a tough time right now.  

CARRERAS: I've got some paperwork to do. Maybe we can take in a movie this afternoon, get some dinner out.  

DIANE: (Taking the tray and placing it on the bedside table. She leans in to Carreras.) Sounds like we've got a date.  

CARRERAS: I like that....(He leans forward to kiss her gently on the lips.)  

DIANE: (Pushing him down on the bed.) I like this more.....