Try Me
Previously: Jeannie has a nightmare and visits a friend who gives her some insight on a crucial piece of evidence.
To catch up on The Spring, visit the chapter index here:
10:16 AM - Friday, November 6, 2014
San Francisco Federal Building, 90 7th Street, San Francisco
Paco and Jeannie juggled two fresh trays of Starbucks cups as they passed through the metal detectors at the door of the Federal Building, surrendering badges and firearms while they were cleared to move on. Mark’s phone call was brief indicating little but the need for more caffeine.
Upstairs, another round of ID checks at the desk allowed them through a pair of locked metal doors and into a large open-plan office that didn’t look any different from any of the tech start-ups that were housed throughout the city. The two proceeded according to instructions, moving all the way down the hall to the right, where they found Mark inside a small inner office, his FBI jacket draped over the back of his chair, badge dangling from a lanyard around his neck.
“We brought you presents.” Jeannie said, placing the cardboard tray on his tidy desk. Mark huffed in gratitude, reaching for the largest cup and taking a long gulp.
“This is your office?” Paco asked with his characteristic cheer, “I thought it would be bigger for being such a badass.”
“Nope. I’m kind of a junior badass.” Mark took another deep drink off of the coffee, closing his eyes slightly. Jeannie noted the dark circles, making his blue eyes look sunken. “How was your errand this morning, Jean? Productive?”
“Yes, very. I’ll get a more detailed report later today, but the bracelet is back with Amanda.”
“What’s it worth?”
“My friend estimated around $45K —” Mark blew out a low whistle. “Yeah. How did it go for you guys?” Jeannie asked softly, sliding into a chair against the wall, Paco following into the other chair. “What did they find?”
“A lot. All of the family computers and phones, paperwork, calendars…We got Tripp’s laptop and phone — Raj is going through it now.” Jeannie’s eyes got wide.
“Do you think the video —?”
“I’m hoping, but he’s going through it carefully. I don’t want this rushed. I told the DEA those were the main things we wanted to get a hold of ourselves and they were fine with it. They also located the rest of the Trick-or-Tito’s — they were in the garage fridge like everyone said. Looks like they were all sealed up though, so likely no tampering, but we’ll save them for Amanda to compare.”
“What about drugs?” Paco asked, taking his own sip of coffee.
“That I’m not so sure about.” Mark shrugged slightly, his jaw tight. “They found a few things in the kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, that kind of thing. They found a few vials and bottles in Tripp’s room that are being tested, but drug-wise the haul wasn’t much. At least not enough for the DEA.”
“Could someone have tipped them off?” Jeannie asked, her face pale. She knew if someone had warned the Hartmans it likely came from her side.
“Not sure. We’ll see what shakes out.” Mark grumbled. “This is the waiting time — they have to go through everything and see what they can use in a case. For us, we have the Tito’s, the phone, the laptop — I think if we focus on Tripp, the DEA can dig into the father and —” A sharp electronic tone came from the phone on Mark’s desk, making them jump. “Greenberg.” Mark answered, tone short. “Got it. No — send them up here.” He slammed the phone down and pushed his chair back, his eyes on Jeannie. “It seems your gang is here Jean.”
“What—?”
“— your Sergeant, Lieutenant and the Captain are on their way up here and apparently they want to know what’s going on. Did any of them call you?” Jeannie suddenly looked nervous.
“N—no, I haven’t heard from them all morning. I was waiting until we knew more before I went to debrief—”
“—well, debrief happening right now. Let me do the talking. It’ll be fine.” Jeannie’s mouth gaped as Mark heaved a sigh and finished his coffee, chucking the empty cup in the waste paper basket. “There’s a conference room two doors down on the right — you two wait in there.” Mark disappeared the way they’d just come in while Paco led her into the conference room whose lights blinked on as they entered.
“I feel like this is bad.” Jeannie whispered.
“Don’t worry, we got you.” Paco reassured. “Local PDs and federal agencies — it’s just a dick swinging contest…sorry, poor choice of words.”
“No, I know it is. But right now I feel like they set me up just to take me down.” She shook her head and licked her lips slightly. She exhaled a shaky breath and straightened her shoulders, “I won’t let them.” She finished in a faint whisper. Paco gave her a slight smile.
Mark led the way into the conference room, eyes flaring at them both. This was an unnecessary interrupting in their already busy day. The three navy uniforms followed, led by the Lieutenant who didn’t waste time.
“Who do you think you are, Hagen, withholding details of a federal raid?” Jeannie felt her color rise. “Under whose authority to did you decide to keep this to yourself?”
“Under my authority, sir.” Mark countered, dangerously quiet. The Lieutenant reeled on him, the Sergeant and Captain stopping just inside the door and closing it. “Hagen is detailed to this case per the Captain, as you know, which means that for the duration of the investigation, Hagen is under my command.” Mark gestured to the Captain who moved to the other end of the room. “She has been invaluable to this team and this investigation.”
“Hagen is an officer of the San Francisco Police first and foremost,” The Lieutenant sneered. “I’ll have you written up on insubordination.”
“You forget sir —” Jeannie jumped in quickly, tamping her voice down, “in this matter, I don’t suborn to you as Greenberg just said. I am detailed to this investigation which is under the purview of two federal agencies. I am not going to compromise this investigation by disclosing elements of the case to outside agencies.”
“Outside agencies? We are your agency.”
“Alright Lieutenant, I get that you want to throw your weight around and mark your territory here, but this is the better way for all of us to ensure a solid case and a prosecution.” Mark put in.
“Prosecution? Of what?” The Lieutenant yelled in Mark’s face. “Of a prominent family who does good in the community?” Jeannie scoffed from across the room, the Lieutenant spinning at her.
“If you have something to say, Hagen, spit it out.” She offered a wry smile and shook her head at him. “Speak, officer, or you’ll be written up.”
“I won’t speak about the specifics of this case with you.”
“I’m your Lieutenant —”
“And he is my Captain, and yours.” Jeannie said, gesturing to the Captain across the room. “And I won’t speak about this case with you because you, sir, are compromised. The fact that you entered this building today could possibly call into question evidence tampering or could somehow taint the investigation. You coming in here and blustering at us while we’re doing our job could blow the entire thing — unless that was your whole intention?” Jeannie tilted her head at him.
“What the hell do you mean by that, Hagen?” The Lieutenant growled, his teeth glaring.
“I mean that you have an image in your office at the PD that shows you, Jim Hartman, Vincent Parisi senior, and Con Sullivan all together at a golf tournament. Everyone in the precinct has seen it. Did you honestly think I was going to run to you about a federal raid at your friend’s house?” The Lieutenant’s face grew red, nostrils flaring. “And from what I understand, the four of you go way back — we looked into the old yearbooks at Xavier and found you with Parisi, Hartman, and Sullivan — class of 1990, wasn’t it?” Jeannie paused, thinking of the pages Owen had printed out which were still in her purse at home. “You trained me sir, did you think I wouldn’t follow-up and make some connections?”
“Hagen —” The Captain began quietly from the other side of the room. The Sergeant stood akimbo watching everything.
“—you are lucky, all of you — “ Jeannie said glaring at the Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Captain in turn, “you’re lucky I wasn’t even involved in this raid. I didn’t even know about it until this morning. Because if I had been involved, I’d have to tell the AUSA Melinda Haag all about it, wouldn’t I? Unless you’d like me to perjure myself to a US attorney?” She glared at the Lieutenant. Mark and Paco shared the merest of glances, both turning back to Jeannie who had become something terrifying. “Did you forget, sir, that my father was once a judge? Or did you forget that every Academy student has to learn all about the Atherton Report from 19371, and its subsequent fall-out. Dozens of officers lost their jobs and one even killed himself in disgrace. Is that something you want? Because I will blow this entire case sky high if you want.” The Lieutenant stared at Jeannie, eyes blazing. “You forget sir, I don’t need this job. I have a vast education and plenty of opportunity to do other things.” Saying this outloud, Jeannie realized how true it was; she straightened her spine again, feeling a new wave of confidence move through her. “Can you say the same about the rest of the people under your command? The many officers with families who will be out of work once the DOJ initiates a corruption investigation at the SFPD?”
“Don’t you dare threaten me, Hagen.” The Lieutenant growled.
“Why not? You just threatened me.” Jeannie stared him down. “And you may think that your friend Jim Hartman is prominent member of this community, but make no mistake —” she paused, voice lowering, “I’ve seen what he does to his children.” The Lieutenant recoiled slightly at this, trembling with rage. “Or didn’t you know about that?” Jeannie whispered finally, staring at him coldly.
“I’m writing you up.” He spat out in a whisper.
“You’re not,” she countered, eliciting another eye flare from the man. Jeannie glanced at the Captain who was staring at her wide-eyed, and the Sergeant who seemed to have a different look about him. She thought it may be pride. “You’re not doing anything against me. The moment you do, I’ll go to Internal Affairs and tell them I’m being retaliated against and I’ll cry sexism. I will sue you and the department and I’ll win.”
“You’ll be on third shift forever. I’ll have you picking up every piece of human shit off of 6th Street for weeks. You’ll be peeling up ODs out of the gutter and praying you don’t get stuck when you go through their pockets.”
“Try me.” She stared at him. The Lieutenant finally broke, looking at the Captain for some sense of agreement. “You will do nothing, sir. And every time you think you’re going to do something, you’re going to thank me for keeping my mouth shut and for staying well out of the raid that went on this morning.” Jeannie inhaled sharply, looking to Paco and Mark, and then to the Sergeant and Captain on the other side of the room. “Now, I’ll leave the room so Greenberg and Mayfield can give you all a debrief about the case.” Jeannie moved to the door, floating on adrenaline.
“You’re staying, Hagen.” The Captain finally said from the end of the room. She turned to look at him warily. “You’re a part of the case; you’re staying.” The Captain looked to Mark. “Greenberg?”
Mark nodded. “Stay, Hagen.” He gave her the merest hint of a smile.
In 1935, San Francisco District Attorney Matthew Brady empaneled the Grand Jury and hired the FBI agent Edwin Atherton to investigate police corruption. His report, subsequently named the “Atherton Report” named 67 police and 24 government officials in a complex network of graft around prostitution, gambling, and other criminal activities. This report prompted dozens of SFPD police officers to quit or lose their jobs, some went underground, one killed himself and his family. The entire police commission was forced to resign.