CHAPTER XXIV

09:00

Lieutenant Detective Williams was sitting at his desk In the 28th Precinct when he received an APB email on his phone and on his computer. His eyes shined with glee as he read the request by both a Detective Lindsey and her Commanding Officer, who were both of the 23rd Precinct. He got up in a rush and went to the OIC for the day, Captain Hilton. He showed Hilton the email before eagerly returning to his office to print out two copies of the incoming APB. He also drew up an APB and an arrest warrant for the person of Jeffery Deaver and his white Tahoe. Normally, a junior officer would submit the arrest warrant and he would authorize it because he could, but he felt he had to move fast.

He forwarded the APB email to Lieutenant Detective O'Malley and Detective Perez over at the 52nd precinct. As he waited impatiently at the printer for the email APB printouts and his arrest warrant, he called for his gear and began reaching out to members, on or off duty, involved with Operation: Chulo. He also alerted Chief Tech Specialist, Detective Quiñones, of the proceedings. She came upstairs from Hardware and asked him to wait for her to gear up since she, too, was on the special task force. A few minutes later and his team, amongst others, gathered to discuss making the arrest on Jeffery Deaver.

CTS Detective Quiñones was reading the printouts that had come from the 23rd Precinct and the arrest warrant issued and signed by none other than Lieutenant Detective Williams. Her eyes shot up at that - he was now signing off on his own arrest warrants? The man was becoming a tyrant. She watched and listened to him finish up his pep talk of his team.

"We also need bodies at the back of that building so three of you cover those possible exits. Masks and vests secure, shields up, NO SIRENS! We're taking some of trucks, quietly - he's just a few blocks away. We roll from the lot in five."

"Lieutenant Detective," CTSD Quiñones began. "I'm looking at the communiques, sir..."

"Yes, Detective?" She showed him the printouts.

"Sir, he's not wanted. They're asking for an APB on White Tahoes in Harlem."

"If we did this by the books, we wouldn't get anywhere," Lieutenant Detective Williams responded, recounting to CTSD Quiñones the words of Lieutenant Detective O'Malley at the 52nd Precinct yesterday morning: "Can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs, CTSD Quinoñes." As Lieutenant Detective Williams turned and walked out of the room, CTSD Quiñones frowned. The line between right and wrong was blurring again and she didn't know on which side she would eventually find herself.

The task force and some other cops gathered in the parking lot of the 28th Precinct and began preparing to leave. CTSD Quiñones observed Lieutenant Detective Williams, fully in control, in his element; his blood was up and he was physically excited. This was what he lived for, the big busts. Unfortunately, this may be what he died for as well. The convoy set out, silent in its subversive intent.