"What is the nature of that case?"
"A homicide outside Valle Verde. An elderly man was strangled in his home."
"Was an arrest made?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Any viable leads?"
"Not really. More theories than leads right now, sir."
"I will be reviewing all of the open major cases and reassigning them as necessary."
"I'd like to keep that case, sir."
"We will see."
Thursday Afternoon
"Sergeant Gold," the voice on the telephone said when he answered.
"Yes, Lieutenant," he said -- although he could hear Mitchell Sullivan's voice via the open office doorway next to his.
"Please come see me in my office."
"Sure."
Jerrod walked the three feet between their offices and headed to his usual chair.
"Close the door, please."
Jerrod stopped and closed the door as directed before taking his seat.
"What's up, Lieutenant?" Jerrod said to counter the anxiety he felt building inside him.
"I've interviewed everyone in Investigations and reviewed all of the open major cases."
"Yes, sir."
"I have developed a reorganization plan to make this Division more efficient and accountable."
"How do you propose doing that?" Jerrod asked -- instantly wishing he could change the tone and selection of the words of his question retroactively.
The lieutenant paused briefly and made it apparent he had not missed the nuance of the question. "I will be reorganizing this Division into five Sections."
"Okay."
"CSU and the Coroner Section will remain the same with no changes in personnel."
Jerrod nodded.
"The other three sections will be organized by the type of case to insure maximum consistency and accountability. Each Section will be headed by a sergeant. The first of those Sections is: Crimes Against Persons -- Homicide, Robbery, Assault, and Sex Crimes. The second: Crimes Against Property -- Burglary and Theft. The third is: Special Investigations -- all other cases which don't specifically classify as a person or property crime or that are sensitive in nature."
"Sounds good," Jerrod said with a more carefully chosen tone.
"I will be eliminating the 'staff sergeant' position you currently occupy. So, which of those new Sections would you like to supervise?"
"I'd like to stay right where I'm at, sir. I like what I've been doing here. So the 'Special Investigations' position would be my first choice."
"Second choice?"
"Persons Crimes."
"And lastly, Property Crimes?"
"Yes."
CHAPTER 59
December 21, 1990 -- Friday Morning Meeting
"I firmly believe that random assignments lead to random results," Lieutenant Mitchell Sullivan said to start the meeting. "After speaking with each of you, reviewing the current structure, and calculating the use, or should I say abuse, of overtime -- I am implementing a restructure of Investigations to tighten accountability and new procedures to keep expenses to a minimum."
He scanned the room for reactions. He got none.
"Linda, would you distribute the new organizational chart to everyone in the room, please."
Linda stood from her seat and handed each person a single sheet of paper with a diagram on it. Each person, naturally, first scanned the page looking for their name.
"As you can see," the lieutenant said, "Investigations will be divided into five Sections. Each will have their specific designated areas of responsibility. CSU and Coroner are unchanged. Sergeant Rozman will head the Crime Against Persons section with Detectives Yee and Moreno.
Jerrod glanced across the table and saw Brent shrug his shoulders.
"Sergeant Regner will head Special Investigations."
Jerrod looked across the table and found Darrell Regner looking back at him... with a smirk on his face.
"Sergeant Gold will supervise Crimes Against Property with Detectives Boxley, Zippich, and Sutton."
Jerrod glanced at Nate and Zippy seated together under the whiteboard as usual. Both nodded back. Beach was still reading the diagram and didn't look up.
"We will be shuffling some desks around," the lieutenant continued, "Each of the Section personnel will work in the same office spaces. Sergeant Rozman will move into the office with his detectives. Sergeant Regner will be located in the office next to mine, and Sergeant Gold will move down the hall to the larger office with his three detectives. Please move into your new offices this morning."
Jerrod was looking at the lieutenant as he spoke, but could feel Darrell Regner's smug grin across the table.
The lieutenant said, "I will be handling the review of the daily reports and will separate the cases by Section. Each sergeant will, in turn, assign the cases for follow-up to their detectives as they see fit."
"Going forward," the lieutenant continued, "business hours will be strictly from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You are allowed one hour for lunch and that should be taken between 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock. All future overtime and out-of-county travel must be cleared through me in advance."
CHAPTER 60
“It looks like the four of us," Jerrod Gold announced, "are going to be stuck together for a while. And I don't think that's going to be a bad thing."
Jerrod, Beach, Nate, and Zippy had moved their personal effects and two extra desks into the largest office in the Investigations Division. Jerrod took the desk in the corner farthest from the door and along the bank of windows forming the outer wall. Beach took the other desk near the windows and faced Jerrod. Nate and Zippy arranged their desks together so they both faced the windows.
"Property crimes?" Nate said. "Are you serious? Fucking burgs and thefts and forgeries."
"Zippy," Jerrod said. "Close the door."
Zippy peaked into the hallway and shut the heavy wooden door.
"The new lieutenant has his reasons for moving us around. Blanchard was a blast to work for, but he's gone. We can still dictate how much fun we have doing property crimes. It's all a matter of attitude."
"I'll show you some attitude," Beach said. "It feels like we're being punished."
"Look," Jerrod said. "Let's just take our cases and work the shit out of 'em. If we get a series of crimes that look connected; we'll work on them as a team and get some people in custody and return some property to some victims. Everyone will be happy and Sullivan will stay off our asses."
"They're still just property crimes," Nate said.
"The way I see it," Jerrod continued, "If we get results and no one is complaining -- we'll just sail through quietly and he'll leave us alone. Eight to five. Take our hour for lunch every day. Easy."
"Did Sullivan take the Jelinski murder from you?" Beach asked Jerrod.
"No," Jerrod said. "And I was surprised. Rozman didn't want it and I guess it wasn't juicy enough for Regner."
Zippy chuckled.
"That's nice," Nate said. "Anything happening on that case."
"Nothing," Jerrod said. "Absolutely nothing. We really need a break."
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Zippy opened it and Linda walked in with a one inch-tall stack of papers.
"Today's property crimes," she said. "A few need follow-up."
"Thank you, Linda," Jerrod said.
"Thank you, Linda," Beach, Nate, and Zippy parroted... in unison.
"Can I get a new black Sharpie out of Fort Knox?" Beach asked.
"Just bring me the old one," Linda said over her shoulder as she walk out of the office.
Jerrod looked through the stack of reports and separated the "cold" ones from the others which needed some follow-up.
Jerrod asked, "You guys want me to assign these cases based on the type of crime or geographic area?"
"How about we split the county into four areas?" Beach suggested. "Take whatever comes with the area."
"How about three," Jerrod sai
d. "And I'll take the odd cases that are too chicken-shit to assign to one of you guys and then cover when one of you is gone."
"How about north, central, and south," Nate suggested. "I'd like central."
"I'll take south," Zippy offered.
"North's fine with me," Beach said.
"Settled," Jerrod said as he reassembled the crime reports and made new stacks.
CHAPTER 61
Two Years Earlier -- April 1988
Lilly and Marty Verdugo were spending the night with their grandmother as Jerrod Gold and Nikki Verdugo enjoyed a candle-lit Italian dinner at Tomei's on the Willowmere Wharf.
Jerrod raised his glass of Chianti. "Cheers."
"Cheers," Nikki said as there glasses met and made a sharp "ting."
"What, exactly, are we celebrating, Deputy Gold?"
"Our one year, three months and...," he looked up as he did the math, "twelve days anniversary."
"I think that's worth a celebration," she said as she sipped her wine.
"I have a proposal," he said. "Please hear me out."
"You have my full attention."
"We've been together for awhile, but live in different cities. I like your condo and don't at all mind staying there..."
"But?"
"You and the kids have slept at my place a few times and they seem to like it there. Marty even made a little friend down the block."
"What are you asking?"
"I'd like you and the kids to move... in... with me... in Valle Verde."
"I don't know." She took a long drink of wine.. "My work... schools... my mom. They're all in Willowmere and Mesa."
"You told me the lease on the condo was almost up and there was going to be a rent increase in a month or so."
"That's true."
"I cover the expenses on my house on just what I make. I'd like my house to be... well... our house."
"That's a pretty big move."
"All I ask is you think about it."
CHAPTER 62
May 1988
"We really like our room," Lilly said.
"Yeah... we like it," Marty added as she spun around with her arms outstretched.
"We're going to be living here now," Nikki said. "With Jerrod."
"I'm going to build some shelves for all your toys and books," Jerrod said.
"Do we still get to go to our school?" Lilly asked.
"After the summer break, you'll be starting in a new school. Here in Valle Verde," Nikki said.
"Okay, Mom."
* * *
"Time for bed, girls," Nikki said. It was a few minutes to eight o'clock.
"Jerrod. Will you read to us?" Marty asked.
"Sure."
The girls were under the covers of the queen-size bed they shared.
"What do you want me to read, girls?"
"Where The Sidewalk Stops," Marty said.
"Where The Sidewalk Ends," Lilly corrected.
Jerrod picked up a hardback copy of Shel Silverstein's book of poems and drawings from the nightstand.
"What's your favorite poem?"
"The one about rain," Lilly said.
"Yeah, the rain," Marty said.
Jerrod read the short poem named "Rain" in an intentionally slow and soft voice.
"The next one," Marty said.
Jerrod read "Two Boxes."
"I like that one," Lilly said.
"This is a long one," Jerrod said. "True Story."
As he read, he peaked and saw four little eyes closing.
"One more," Lilly whispered. Marty was already asleep.
"This one is too scary," Jerrod whispered. "Boa Constrictor."
"Next one then."
Jerrod flipped the page. "The next one is called...," Jerrod's voice cracked. "I'm going to read the one after that, okay."
"Okay," Lilly said.
Jerrod read "Invention" and watched Lilly fall away.
He got no reply when he said: "Goodnight, ladies. I love you."
"They're out already," Jerrod to Nikki as he quietly closed the bedroom door.
"Thank you for doing that. They love when you read to them."
"You love it... 'cause I have a magical voice that can bore kids to sleep fast."
Nikki laughed. "What was the poem you skipped?"
"Scary snake thing. Bad for bedtime."
"No, the one after that."
"You won't understand."
"Try me."
"That poem was named... 'Hector The Collector.'"
Jerrod and Nikki cuddled in bed.
"Thanks for telling me about your friend, Hector. I had no idea. I'm so sorry."
"That's okay. That thing happened a long time ago, but I still think about it all the time. Thanks for listening."
They were quiet for a few minutes.
"I like this," Nikki said. "Neither of us having to pack a bag to spend the night anymore."
"You know, a few years ago," he said, "I was drunk off my ass out on that sofa and when I looked around -- I realized I was the only living thing in the whole house."
Nikki put her hand on his face.
"Now this house is full of life with you and the girls here. It's our home now."
"It is our home now," she whispered. "It is our home."
CHAPTER 63
Two Tears Later -- December 24, 1990
"Merry Christmas, Brent," Jerrod said as he stepped into Sergeant Rozman's office.
"And Happy Hanukkah to you, Jerrod," Brent replied.
"Uh... sorry... I didn't know you were... uh..."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just messing with you. Happens all the time."
"What exactly does one do for... Hanukkah? I have no clue."
"With your last name, 'Gold,' I thought there may be a little Jew in you too."
"I don't know what I am," Jerrod said. "You may just be right. I'm kind of 'vague-denominational.'"
"Hanukkah actually started a couple weeks ago and it lasted for eight days. This was a tough one."
"Why's that?" Jerrod asked.
"My wife and I separated a few weeks ago. She took the kids. She took the dog. She'll probably take the house too. We're going to do the divorce papers after the holidays."
"I'm very sorry to hear that."
"This job is about all I have left... and it hasn't been that much fun lately."
CHAPTER 64
December 27, 1990 -- Thursday Morning
At ten o'clock, Linda walked into Property Crimes office.
"Sergeant," she said with an unusual excited tone in her voice. "There's a woman on hold. She says she has some information about a murder case... but I think she's drunk."
Jerrod said, "I believe 'murders' would fall under the Crimes Against Persons category in the new lineup. We only handle property-related crime here. Perhaps Sergeant Rozman would be the more appropriate person to talk to."
Linda shook her head. "The woman said the she thinks she knows who did the murder--"
"Again, Linda," Jerrod interrupted. "Rozman would be--"
Linda pushed the palm of her up and interrupted Jerrod.
Zippy's eyes got big.
"Listen to me," Linda said as her tone changed to one of a mother speaking to a small child. "The caller said the victim had been strangled with a blue bathrobe sash."
"Holy shit," Zippy said as he looked at Jerrod.
"Sorry, Linda," Jerrod said. "Please send the call through."
* * *
"What did this woman say exactly," Stan Walsh asked as Jerrod drove his white Buick south on the PCH from Mesa.
"Sounded like she'd been drinking," Jerrod said. "But she said her soon-to-be ex-husband told her Walter Jelinski was strangled... in his house... with a sash from a blue bathrobe."
"Who's the ex-husband... to be?"
"We've already talked to him," Jerrod said.
"Not Nick Usher?"
"No, one of Donny Jelinski's other buddies... from The CrowBar."
"
Which one?"
"The one you interviewed... Alan DiStefano.
Patty DiStefano had enough alcohol on board to be at least twice the legal limit to drive a vehicle in California. It was only ten-forty-five.
The brunette forty-two year-old sipped from a coffee mug as they talked in the kitchen of her home. Her ranch-style house was nestled near a grove of redwoods in the foothills north-west of Valle Verde.
"Coffee, gentlemen?" she asked as she stood and staggered to the coffee maker. A bottle of Jim Beam bourbon stood on the kitchen counter... its cap on the counter next to it.
"Pass on the coffee," Jerrod said. "But thank you."
"Patty," Stan said. "You called the Sheriff's Office to talk about a murder case."
"And your ex-husband is involved somehow?" Jerrod added.
"He's still my husband and he still lives here," she said as she sipped from her mug. "We're getting a divorce, but no papers have been filed yet. We got in another argument this morning before he left for work. I'd like to see him arrested."
"Okay. Let's cut to the chase," Jerrod said. "What is his involvement in the murder?"
"Okay," she said as she sat down and placed her hand along her face. "My husband, Alan DiStefano, has been friends with Donny Jelinski since high school. They drink together at The CrowBar and Alan has tried to give Donny work a few times. Donny just quits or gets hurt or who-knows."
"About the murder?" Stan pushed.
"Yeah, okay," she said as she rubbed the side of her face. "Alan told me about Donny's dad getting killed in his house. I had met Donny a couple times, but didn't know the dad."
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