Return to Innocence
Part 14
The more Peter thought about the District Attorney's announcement, the angrier he became. It was not that he disagreed with the charges that were to be filed. . .at least he was pretty sure that was not the reason for his anger. It was the fact that the District Attorney had made the determination before talking to the parties involved.
Peter's mind drifted back to his conversation with Barnes earlier that morning. The domineering captain had said that he would address the District Attorney's questions, but logic would have dictated that the DA would want to get all of the versions of what had occurred before making such an major statement to the press.
Peter resolved to talk to Barnes himself. He would ask for an explanation for why there had been such an urgency to bringing the charges. . .why standard investigative procedures weren't followed.
Peter stood from his position on the couch and headed for his bedroom. He slipped the robe off and began to hurriedly dress. "You are leaving?" Caine asked, following his son into the smaller room.
"Yes. I need to talk to Barnes. Something is going on here. There's gotta be a good reason for why they are filing charges so soon; why they aren't talking to us first." Peter pulled his shirt over his head and tucked it into his jeans.
The sound of the phone interrupted. Peter picked up the cordless phone from its cradle, "Hello."
"Hey, Kid," Peter immediately felt relief at hearing Kermit's voice.
"Hi Kermit," Peter responded.
"Simms wanted me to call. . .she's worried about you," Peter smiled to himself. It was apparent by the tone of Kermit's voice that the Captain was not the only party worrying.
"I'm hanging in there." Peter sat on the edge of the bed. "What have you heard?"
"About the shooting, not a lot." Kermit's paused for a moment. "According to Simms, the official response is that the Task Force raided Watson's apartment on the basis that he was dealing to school kids. They entered the place with a warrant and Watson shot back and hit Hampton." The voice became suspicious and suddenly quieter, "By all accounts, it appears to be an open and shut case. But I shouldn't have to tell you that. . .you were there."
Peter closed his eyes, flashes of memory assaulting him once again, "Yeah, I was there."
"You need anything? Anything I can do?" His friend offered.
"Not right now. There are some things I need to check on first. Tell Simms that I'll stop by later today. . .you know, check in."
Kermit chuckled, "Yeah, why don't you check in with the Captain. I think she'd feel better if she saw you were really in one piece."
"Thanks Kermit. . .Thanks for calling." Peter placed the phone back on its cradle.
"Kermit was concerned?" Caine asked.
Peter grinned, "Well, Simms was concerned. . .but Kermit called."
Caine matched his smile, "Kermit was concerned." He paused for a moment, "He is a good friend."
"Yeah, he is." Peter was suddenly silent, lost in thought.
"Peter?" Caine questioned upon seeing the pensive look.
His father's voice broke his concentration. He stood and grabbed his gun and keys from the drawer of the nightstand, sliding the weapon it into the holster. "Sorry Dad. I have to get out of here. I'll check in with you later." Peter started to walk to the front door and then stopped, turning to look into the older brown eyes, "I assume you'll be at the hospital, with Watson." Caine nodded, saying nothing. "Okay. I'll stop by there. Maybe I'll know a little more about what's going on by then."
"Peter?" Caine said before his son could exit the apartment. Peter turned and Caine walked up to him, extended his right hand and gently touched his cheek, "Thank you for caring." Peter closed his eyes and nodded. Caine's hand didn't leave his cheek, "I love you, my son."
Peter knocked on the doorframe of Barnes' office, startling the older man, who appeared to be fully concentrating on a file laying open on his desk. Barnes' looked up in surprise and then glanced at his watch, "Detective Caine. You're not supposed to be back in here until 2:00. My watch says it's only 1:00."
Peter took a tentative step into the office, "I wanted to talk to you."
"Of course, Son. Have a seat." Barnes' gestured to the chair across from his desk. Peter settled in the chair, but could not get comfortable. "How you holding up? Did you get some rest?"
"I'm okay, Sir. Thank you for asking." Maintaining respect for his superior was becoming more and more difficult for the young detective.
"I suppose you've heard the news. The DA's going to nail the Watson bastard for capital murder," the captain leaned back in his chair, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. "It's about time the justice system came down on our side."
Peter shifted his weight, still trying to find some comfort, "That's what I would like to talk to you about."
Captain Barnes leaned forward, eyeing the serious look in the detective's eyes, "You're worried that he might get off; that he won't pay for what he did to Michael. You've probably heard that Stacy Pardchek is going to defend him. She's good. . .slick. But he won't walk away from this. I guarantee it, Detective." Barnes' eye contact didn't waiver. Caine could see cold vengeance in the man's eyes.
"No. . .uh. . .no, that's not what I wanted to talk about." Peter could feel his heart begin to race, apprehensive about the words which would follow.
"What's troubling you, Son?" Barnes said, and Peter felt himself stiffen. Those were the words his father used. From his father they were said with sincerity. Peter doubted that the words carried the same weight coming from Barnes' lips.
"I was just curious about how the DA could announce that charges were going to be filed against Watson for capital murder when we haven't even met about our reports. You said we would go over them later today?"
Captain Barnes' smiled and leaned back in his chair. The look on his face was the same look given to a toddler by a patient parent. It conveyed tolerance, but was patronizing at the same time. "Well, Detective, it's quite simple really. The DA was receiving a lot of pressure to move swiftly on this case. Everyone from the Mayor, to Senator Brown, to the Fraternal Order of Police was calling his office demanding that action be taken. Since the facts were so straight forward, Barta felt comfortable bringing the charges."
Peter's eyes narrowed in confusion, "So our reports were all the same?"
Barnes' nodded. "Yep. For the most part, at least. Any differences were so inconsequential that Barta didn't think they were worth losing time over."
Peter sat silently. He had his answer. The case was on the fast judicial track because of public pressure. "Thank you, Sir." He stood and started to leave the office.
"Caine?" Barnes' booming voice stopped him. "You did good last night. I'm proud to have you as a member of our team."
Peter nodded, not knowing how to respond. He only wished he could feel the same pride that was evident in the Captain's words.
Once he was out of the office, breathing became easier. Peter glanced at his watch. He had forty-five minutes left before his shift started. He looked around the squad room, and felt a twinge of loneliness. Some of the faces in the room were familiar, but none were friends. He wished desperately that at least one person in the room were someone he could count on.
Sighing deeply, he decided to make his way to the break room. As he exited the double doors of the squad room, he was startled by the familiar voice of Stacy Pardchek, "Peter?"
Peter smiled inwardly. . .a friendly voice. "Hi Stacy. I figured you'd be at the hospital with your client."
"I just came from there. Your father showed up and agreed to keep Watson company." Stacy chuckled, "I don't know how he did it, but he has the guards convinced that he is Watson's priest. I think he even mentioned something about being there to 'calm his chi' " She shrugged, "Who am I to prove him wrong?"
Peter laughed. "Well, my father does have a way with people. And based upon everything else that's happened, your client is going to need all the chi calming he can get."
Stacy became suddenly serious, her voice just slightly louder than a whisper. "Actually, that's why I'm here. You're father said you came into work early. Can we talk. . .unofficially."
Peter frowned and looked into the attorney's eyes, "You trust me?"
"Always have, Peter," Stacy smiled.
"Always?" Peter responded skeptically.
Stacy grinned, "Well, maybe not 'always.' But things changed." She became serious again. "I need to talk to you as a friend. A man's life may depend upon it."
"Watson's." Peter inhaled deeply. He had known since his father had become involved in this case that a time would come when he would have to put the badge away and instead, be Shaolin. During the night, after Michael's death, his own anger and rage precluded this. But now, with the events of the morning and the conversation with Barnes, Peter was prepared. He was prepared to hear all sides, prepared to discover the truth.
End Part 14
To Part 15