An urgent call from the former boss

We can all agree that Vince was in utter shock once he heard that I was worth more than he thought and more than I informed him of. I think he was also shocked of how much that I do with the money, the shelters – for pets and humans – the repairs of apartment buildings, paying rent for people, paid for my brother’s restaurant, etc.

After getting back to the apartment with our left overs, the gelato and the bazillion cheesecakes, we had the point people and their assistants swing by to take the cheesecakes to their respective places. Once everything was taken care of, Vince and I just plopped on down on the couch to watch TV; we didn’t care what was on. I was kinda dozing off when my personal phone went off. As I was reaching for it, Vince asked me to not answer it; I did anyways.

“D. What’s up? This better be an emergency,” I said. “It’s my one day off this week and I don’t want to be bothered.”

“Well, it kinda is. Let’s just say that you’re my one phone call,” D said.

“Ok,” I replied. “What do you want me to do about it?”

“Whoever arrested me found out I used to be your boss and had asked me if I wanted to call my lawyer or if I wanted to call you. Since I don’t have a lawyer, I figured I’d ask you. Would it be possible for you to come down here?”

“Look. It’s my day off. I’m at home with my husband and I’m supposed to take it easy because I’m pregnant. Is this a misdemeanor or are you charged with something more serious?” I asked.

“They’re telling me that I need to get off the phone. Please just get here! I need you,” D said.

“Fine. My husband and I will be there soon. I can’t guarantee that I can get you out of this and there’s no way I’m letting you use my lawyer,” I said and hung up.

I quickly explained the situation to Vince. He wasn’t too thrilled in going to meet my former boss but he agreed to come with me. I hopped into the shower to wake up and got dressed in a pair of jeans, a turtle neck, a sweatshirt, a baseball hat and a pair of running sneakers. While Vince was in the shower, I threw my phones, my wallet and two bottles of water into my purse. Moments later, Vince appeared and we walked in silence the two blocks to the PD.

When we entered, I showed my badge and we were waved through and headed to the chief’s office.  I ran to the chief’s office and found him on the phone. As soon as he saw me, he hung up the phone.

“Al, what’s going on?? Why was D arrested?” I asked.

“Come in, close the door and have a seat,” Al said. I did as he had asked.

“What’s this about? Why was I called?? Why couldn’t he call a lawyer? I know he has one on retention,” I said.

“He was arrested for aggravated assault,” Al said.

“I can’t see that! What did he use? A toothpick?” I asked.

“People aren’t always as they seem and you know that. He actually used a revolver,” Al said.

“Did he shoot anyone?” I asked.

“No,” Al said. “It’s better if you play twenty questions with him instead of me.”

I nodded and left the office. I headed to the holding cell where D was being held. I asked one of the officers to bring D into one of the interrogation rooms so I could speak with D privately. The officer rudely asked me who I was. I smirked and showed him my badge and PD identification. The guy immediately escorted D.

“Uncuff him and offer him a bathroom break,” I said.

“Who do you think you are?” the officer asked.

“I out rank by a few miles, buddy. I can have you suspended for disobeying orders of superior. And in case you didn’t read my id like you were supposed to, I am one of the lieutenants of the Homicide Department and one of the five Assistant Chiefs,” I said.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said shakily.

“I don’t have all day and neither do you. You have a limited amount of time to charge him with something before the three day period time is over,” I said as I saw him struggle. “You know what, give me the key and I will uncuff him myself as well as escort him to the men’s room.”

“My apologies, ma’am,” he said as he gave me the key. “Please forgive me. It’s my third month on the force.”

“Vince, watch D,” I said as I walked to the young officer. “How old are you?”

“Ma’am?” he asked.

“How old are you?” I asked again. “I want to know how old you are.”

“I’m 25, ma’am,” he said.

“The ma’am thing is getting old; just call me Lieu, ok? I was 20 when I joined the force and I’m 30 now; my birthday is in a few weeks,” I said. “I understand that you’re nervous and that you’re a bit afraid of my authority. Do you have an older officer as a mentor?”

“No, Lieu, I do not,” he said.

“Ok. Here’s my business card. My private number is on the back. When you’re ready, call me or text me and I’ll mentor you. How does that sound?” I asked.

“Very good, Lieu,” he said. “Oh. Lieu? My name’s Joe but everyone on my block calls me Joey.”

“Joey? Well, now that you’re an officer, I think that you should go by Joe. Try encouraging the guys from East Harlem do the same,” I said.

“How’d you do that, Lieu? How’d you know that I’m from East Harlem?” Joe asked.

“Accents and languages are my thing. I’m originally from Jersey but doesn’t sound like it; it’s like I lost my accent. I speak Italian, Czech, Russian, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Polish and Lithuanian fluently,” I said.

Joe was impressed and said so. I urged him to call me tomorrow and he promised to do so. I gave him his handcuffs and the key back. He took both and escorted D into the bathroom; as they emerged a few minutes later, they were laughing.

“Thank you, Joe. I can take it from here,” I said.

“But he’s a dangerous criminal,” he said.

“And he’s my former boss,” I said. “Have you heard of Charles Manson? Do you know what he’s done?”

“Yes, I do, Lieu,” he said.

“Well, Joe, Charlie’s the dangerous criminal.  I interviewed Charlie face to face for five days. With a criminal record like his, I was not allowed to have my weapon nor my badge nor a radio nor my cell; he was also uncuffed. My safety was at risk every second that I was alone with Charlie in a 4 by 6 cell. That first day, I grew a pair. Let me tell you about D.

He’s a terrible boss and short tempered, but he is NOT dangerous. D didn’t lay a finger on you since you arrested him and he sure as hell didn’t lay a finger on you in the men’s room. I can guarantee you that D is harmless,” I said.

Joe nodded and walked away. Vince joined us and we went into the interrogation room. I briefly stepped out to make sure no one was around and re entered the room. I locked the door from the inside just to make sure that no one entered.

“Okay, D. Here’s the deal. Right now, I’m not a cop; I’m only here to listen what happened,” I said. “I need to know everything just in case we need to call you a lawyer.”

“A few buddies and I go to a local bar to watch the football game. Quite a few people are there. Well, everyone’s drinking more than they should and everyone’s getting loud. Someone said something to insult another patron. At that point my buddies and I paid our tab to leave; we didn’t want to get involved with insults and a possible brawl," he said.

"What happened next?" I asked.

“I’m not entirely sure how it started but as we left, we got into a scuffle which turned into a fight. Someone pulled a gun and I fought for it. I won and I back handed the guy who I wrestled for the gun. Part of the butt of the gun hit him. Sometime during the scuff turned fight, the police were called and eventually came. The one guy was sent to the hospital; the one I wrestled for the gun and back handed. I heard he needed stitches. I was arrested and here I am,” D said.

“Look, D. You need a lawyer. I can’t get you out of this. It has nothing to do with my rank and position. Okay, so the guy pulled a gun and he didn’t threaten you or your buddies with it. He tried to use it as a scare tactic. It worked for you because you wrestled him for it. IF you were threatened, I can see you back handing him. But you weren’t threatened and your life wasn't in danger. It would’ve been a simple assault if you just used your hand. It got upgraded to aggravated because the gun hit him even though it was an accident,” I said.

“Could I use Kay as my lawyer? I got rid of mine,” D said.
“No you can’t. It would be a conflict of interest. She’s not only my bestest friend in the entire world but she’s also my lawyer. If you used her services, it would appear that I either pressured you to use her or I’m paying her to help you. I’m not willing to risk her career and reputation, nor mine for that matter. What I can do is give you a list,” I said as I pulled a list out. “We’ll step out so you can take your time. By the way, here’s your phone.”

He took the list and his phone. Vince and I left and went to the chief’s office. We explained the situation.