also, let’s get some tech guys out here. Locate any commercial surveillance cameras within a hundred miles of here and check them out. If they raise hell about letting us view them, get a court order.”
“I’ll get someone on it immediately.”
Pat could see the army of media trucks starting to assemble outside the restricted area of the crime scene. He knew that it was only going to get worse. He wanted very little released, because he trusted only a few people to handle it. He decided that in this case, he could only trust one, himself.
“Guys, this will be a tough case. We’ll be running it out of the Chief of D’s office. I want the detective team that caught this case and Lieutenant Stanton to remain. No media statements should be made without my authorization. Let’s be sure we look under the little rocks under the rocks on this one. Canvass the entire neighborhood, guys. Let’s get to work.”
Everyone left the command post except for Pat O’Connor, J. J. Stanton, Mike Logan, and Mary McDonald.
“J.J., since your guys caught the case; I want them to stay on it, but report to my office. I’ll assign a boss out of my command to run it. No offense, but this case will be bigger than can be handled at the precinct level. “
“I agree, Chief. We have more than enough on our plates already to keep us busy.”
“I’ll make sure Mike and Mary keep you in the loop.”
After making these assignments, Pat was informed that Tony Rodriguez’s wife, Caroline had been notified of his death by the OCCB command. He felt such emptiness thinking about it. Pat O’Connor decided it was time to feed the media vultures. They were always looking for a feast, but this time they were going to get only a few crumbs.
“Good afternoon, I am Patrick O’Connor, Chief of Detectives. At approximately 0830 hours this morning, a body was found in the vacant lot behind us. The victim has been identified as Detective Anthony P. Rodriguez of the New York City Police Department. His body will be autopsied by the medical examiner’s office, and we may be able to release more information at a later time. We’re collecting forensic evidence and pursuing the leads we have developed so far. I’m sorry, but I will not be taking questions. There’ll be a press conference at 1000 hours tomorrow at One Police Plaza in the media room. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.”
With a barrage of questions being asked, Pat turned and walked away, knowing he had told them absolutely nothing of value.
CHAPTER 4
Saturday, April 3-Day 2
3312 Plaza Terrace
Borough of Queens, New York
1115 Hours
Robert Earl Longstreet had been the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department for just under two years. Prior to that, he had been a prosecutor in Manhattan and a former NYPD Lieutenant. Pat O’Connor had a good relationship with the commissioner, but occasionally, he had to dodge a few political storms. Pat refused to play the political games and often reminded Commissioner Longstreet that it was always politically correct to solve cases and lock up perps.
Pat saw the commissioner’s car pull up to the crime scene and instinctively walked over and met him.
“What’ve we got, Patty? I heard on the news that you were pursuing leads, so that’s good.”
“So far we’re not pursuing squat. I said that, so the guy that did this will get nervous and screw up. I want him to think we’re close.”
“Do we know what Rodriguez was investigating?”
“No, but we’re going to find out. I knew this guy, and he was a stand up detective, a good cop.”
“Okay, my friend, you run it, and I’ll handle city hall.”
The commissioner spoke briefly to a few other command officers and left the scene.
Dickie Davis approached Pat. “Ray Capese is trying to reach you, Chief. He’s called several times.”
“Thanks, I’ll call him.”
Raymond Capese was the three star chief in charge of
“I’ll get someone on it immediately.”
Pat could see the army of media trucks starting to assemble outside the restricted area of the crime scene. He knew that it was only going to get worse. He wanted very little released, because he trusted only a few people to handle it. He decided that in this case, he could only trust one, himself.
“Guys, this will be a tough case. We’ll be running it out of the Chief of D’s office. I want the detective team that caught this case and Lieutenant Stanton to remain. No media statements should be made without my authorization. Let’s be sure we look under the little rocks under the rocks on this one. Canvass the entire neighborhood, guys. Let’s get to work.”
Everyone left the command post except for Pat O’Connor, J. J. Stanton, Mike Logan, and Mary McDonald.
“J.J., since your guys caught the case; I want them to stay on it, but report to my office. I’ll assign a boss out of my command to run it. No offense, but this case will be bigger than can be handled at the precinct level. “
“I agree, Chief. We have more than enough on our plates already to keep us busy.”
“I’ll make sure Mike and Mary keep you in the loop.”
After making these assignments, Pat was informed that Tony Rodriguez’s wife, Caroline had been notified of his death by the OCCB command. He felt such emptiness thinking about it. Pat O’Connor decided it was time to feed the media vultures. They were always looking for a feast, but this time they were going to get only a few crumbs.
“Good afternoon, I am Patrick O’Connor, Chief of Detectives. At approximately 0830 hours this morning, a body was found in the vacant lot behind us. The victim has been identified as Detective Anthony P. Rodriguez of the New York City Police Department. His body will be autopsied by the medical examiner’s office, and we may be able to release more information at a later time. We’re collecting forensic evidence and pursuing the leads we have developed so far. I’m sorry, but I will not be taking questions. There’ll be a press conference at 1000 hours tomorrow at One Police Plaza in the media room. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.”
With a barrage of questions being asked, Pat turned and walked away, knowing he had told them absolutely nothing of value.
CHAPTER 4
Saturday, April 3-Day 2
3312 Plaza Terrace
Borough of Queens, New York
1115 Hours
Robert Earl Longstreet had been the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department for just under two years. Prior to that, he had been a prosecutor in Manhattan and a former NYPD Lieutenant. Pat O’Connor had a good relationship with the commissioner, but occasionally, he had to dodge a few political storms. Pat refused to play the political games and often reminded Commissioner Longstreet that it was always politically correct to solve cases and lock up perps.
Pat saw the commissioner’s car pull up to the crime scene and instinctively walked over and met him.
“What’ve we got, Patty? I heard on the news that you were pursuing leads, so that’s good.”
“So far we’re not pursuing squat. I said that, so the guy that did this will get nervous and screw up. I want him to think we’re close.”
“Do we know what Rodriguez was investigating?”
“No, but we’re going to find out. I knew this guy, and he was a stand up detective, a good cop.”
“Okay, my friend, you run it, and I’ll handle city hall.”
The commissioner spoke briefly to a few other command officers and left the scene.
Dickie Davis approached Pat. “Ray Capese is trying to reach you, Chief. He’s called several times.”
“Thanks, I’ll call him.”
Raymond Capese was the three star chief in charge of