jryan62
Jul 24 2008, 08:51 AM
I restarted this thread since I couldn't edit the other one.
Chapter 1
Goren arrived home and showered and but didn't shave; he never shaved on weekends. He looked in his closet to decide what to wear; he wanted to look nice but not seem over eager. He grabbed a pair of dark slacks, dark t-shirt, dark stripped button up shirt and dark jacket. Women always said he looked nice in dark colors, but he hadn't picked a tie, since he wanted to appear casual. He sprayed on some cologne, took one last look in the mirror then walked out of his apartment. He drove to Queens and found Antonio's. There was a line outside. "Oh geez," he thought to himself. "Maybe I should have called for reservations." He parked his car and went to stand in line. He felt out of place; everyone else was coupled off and he was standing all alone. What would Autumn think of him showing up like this? He put his hands in his pocket, lowered his head in defeat and began to walk away. [/size]
"Hey Bobby!" Valdez called out.
Bobby turned around to see his old friend Ray Valdez from the 2-9.
"Where you going?" asked Ray.
"Well the line is long and I don't have a reservation so..."
"Ah come on in, I know the owner. He always has a place for the guys in blue. Hey have you heard that chick Autumn sing? You know she is a cop too? Man she is a chica bonita. But don't tell my wife I said that," he laughed.
"You're a dog Valdez," snarked Bobby as he walked in with Ray.
"Yes I am a pit bull," he laughed. "Hey Carmine, I need a table for my friend here Bobby, something close to the stage area. He is a Major Case Detective, a very important man," smiled Ray as he patted Goren on the back.
Then Bobby saw her, everything around him seemed to disappear, no sound, no people; all he saw was her on the stage. She was dressed in a red off the shoulder evening dress, with a slit up the side to her mid thigh, her hair was curled and pulled back, flowing down her back; she wore a little more makeup than she did at work but not too much; she was a vision and he was locked in a trance.
"You coming Bobby or you going to stand there with your mouth hanging open all night?" laughed Ray. "She doesn't look bad for a rat." He elbowed Bobby in the ribs.
But Bobby didn't hear a word he said; he was still caught in her spell. She sounded as beautiful as she looked. The waiter came and asked him if he was ready to order but he didn't hear. The waiter walked away. But Bobby was awakened from his trance with a slap to the back.
"Strange finding you here!" said Logan, as he sat at the table with Bobby. "They have a full house tonight, but Valdez said you were here alone so figured I would sit with you. Damn that girl can clean up good," he said as he looked up at Autumn on the stage.
"What are you doing here Logan?" asked Bobby.
"Same as you Goren. Knight has been telling me how good the food is here and I have to listen to her sing in the car all the time, so figured I would come and hear her with the band," answered Logan.
"Thought you didn't like Italian food?" asked Bobby.
"I never said that, I love pizza," said Logan. "Where's the waiter? I need a drink."
Bobby rolled his eyes. This night wasn't going as planned. A date with Logan wasn't what he had in mind.
Logan and Bobby ordered their food. After the meal, Autumn went around to the tables to talk to the patrons.
"Well look who's here," she said as she sat down at their table. "I see you both decided to try the veal parmesan, so was I right, is it the best?"
"Uh, yes it's very good and Uh you were very good too," said a tongue tied Logan nervously.
"Oh geez," thought Bobby when he heard how Logan reacted.
"Yes it's good but you should try Sal's, theirs is very good too," said Goren.
"I will have to remember that. Maybe we can have a taste test one day," smiled Autumn.
"You ready to go Hun?" said John, as he walked up to Autumn and put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek.
Autumn stood up. Logan and Goren stood up and looked up at John. Who was about 6'8, and about 280 lbs.
"Just a minute John," she said. Autumn made no attempt to introduce John to Goren and Logan.
"Hi, I am John Thomas, Autumn's boyfriend," said John as he reached to shake Goren and Logan's hands and pushed Autumn aside.
Autumn wasn't smiling, "John this is Detectives Goren and Logan they work in Major Case with me."
"I work in IAB with Autumn. That's were we met. When she is finished with you Major Case guys she "will be" coming back to us," John said as he put his arms around her shoulder. "Well dear it's getting late, time to go. You have talked enough to "these" people."
"Well thanks guys for coming. See you Monday," smiled Autumn.
John grabbed her arm and pulled her through the crowd.
Goren and Logan looked at each other.
"Is it me, or is something wrong with that picture?" asked Logan.
"It's not you," replied Goren.
"Maybe I should go talk to that guy," said Logan.
"And say what, Logan?" asked Goren.
"I don't know but she seemed uneasy around him, and he seemed a little pushy," replied Logan.
"Yeah a little too possessive. She seemed a little embarrassed by him. But we can't just go up to him and accuse him of abuse. Have you noticed anything, any bruises or marks?" said Goren.
"No but he is a cop; if he is hitting on her, he would know not to hit her in the face," said Logan.
"But she is a cop too. The day I worked with her she seemed strong willed and her own person. I can't see her putting up with a man that would abuse her," said Goren.
"Yeah but did you see the size of that guy? She is only what, 5'2" 105-110 lbs? He could snap her like a twig if he wanted to. Maybe she is too afraid to leave since he is a cop. I say let's just check him out," said Logan.
"Ok, we will run him through the computer and see if he has anything in his jacket," said Goren.
"Well you ready to go?" said Logan.
"What now?" asked Goren.
"What better time? Late Friday night, squad room probably almost empty, why wait?" said Logan. "Unless you have something better to do?" smiled Logan.
Goren looked at Logan, he had nothing better to do his; original plan was shot to hell. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Ok, let's go," said Goren.
When they arrived at One PP it was almost deserted. Only a few detectives were there working on cases. Goren grabbed his laptop out of his desk drawer and set it up and logged into the NYPD intranet. He pulled up John Thomas.
"John Thomas 42, he was in the Marines infantry division before joining NYPD. He started out on patrol in the Bronx then vice. He had a few write-ups for unnecessary force against a few pimps, no charges filed. A hooker claimed he said would let her off if she slept with him, she said this after he arrested her. He was suspended after beating up a john who had sex with a 12 year old prostitute. But was cleared by IAB, by Detective Autumn Knight," said Goren. "Then two years later he joined IAB."
"Interesting, but nothing I wouldn't have done. Perps always claim we rough them up. Hooker could have been lying. And I would beat a man who was sleeping with a 12 year old," said Logan.
"But seems after meeting Autumn and she cleared him, he might have developed an unnatural infatuation with her," said Goren.
"Maybe someone just needs to talk with her," said Logan.
"Yeah, maybe you should, you're her partner," said Goren.
"Me! I have only worked with her for two weeks, and I have to work with her for at least another two to three months till Wheeler comes back. If we are wrong and I talk to her do you know how miserable those months will be?" said Logan. "No, I think you should talk to her, you're the psych person around here."
"How am I going to get a chance to talk to her alone?" said Goren.
"You're a smart guy Goren. You will come up with something," smiled Logan.
Logan and Goren went home. Goren tried to think of a way to get Autumn alone to talk to her. The next morning he called her.
"Knight, this is Goren. Eames is out of town for the weekend. The Captain called there is a dead body in an abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn. I need a partner on this, since we worked together before I was wondering....." asked Goren
"Sure Goren, just give me the address. I will be right there," said Autumn.
[size="3"]Goren hung up his phone and thought, "Maybe I better put on my bullet proof vest for this."
jryan62
Jul 24 2008, 08:59 AM
Stormy Knight Chapter 2
Autumn arrived at the warehouse. She noticed no police cars, no crime tape, just Goren as he sat on his car.
"I think you have some explaining to do, Lucy," she snarked.
"I need to talk to you and this was the only way I could think of," he explained.
"You couldn't invite me out for coffee? You call me out on a cold December morning to an abandoned warehouse on the false pretense of a crime scene. Are you going to try and take advantage of me Goren? You might be a big guy, but I do have a gun and I can fight pretty well," said Autumn as she kept her distance.
"Oh my God, no! That's not what I have in mind. I just want to talk, I swear. You can stay over there if you want!" Goren raised his hands and shook his head like he was disgusted at the thought he would force himself on a woman.
"Geez, does the thought of being with me turn your stomach that bad?" she snipped.
"What? No, but I wouldn't...Wait, don't change the subject," said Goren.
Autumn sat on her car. "Ok, what was so important you dragged me out of my warm bed for?"
"Last night, Logan and I noticed...." He began to explain.
"Oh so Logan is in this too?" she shook her head.
"Just let me finish," pleaded Goren.
"Fine, go ahead," she folded her arms across her chest as she stared down Goren. Her dark brown eyes burned into his.
"Your boyfriend John was a little off," said Goren.
"Well he isn't really my boyfriend and yes he is a little off. But what business is that of yours and Logan's?"
"The way he pulled you through the crowd and seemed very possessive. We were concerned you were possibly being abused," said Goren. He tried to look into her eyes to see her reaction. But she had looked away.
"Listen I appreciate your concern. But I can take care of myself. He isn't my boyfriend; I tell him not to introduce himself as my boyfriend. I am a big girl and can handle this on my own. So you two need to just back off. Now that you got me up early and got me freezing cold, the least you can do is buy me breakfast," she said.
"Yes well I guess I could. How about the diner around the corner?" asked Goren.
"Fine with me," she replied.
They both got into their own cars and drove around the block to the diner. Goren wasn't sure what to make of the meeting. But she told him to back off, what else could he do?
Monday
One Police Plaza
"Eames and Logan are attending a recertification class, so I need you two to work together again," Ross explained to Knight and Goren. "Dr. Mason Wilkes, cardiologist, has been missing since Saturday. I need you two to check with his wife."
Goren and Knight got all the information from the captain and headed to the Wilkes' home. Knight wasn't her usual perky self. She was quiet and withdrawn.
"You ok?" asked Goren, as he drove the SUV.
"Sure, why you ask?" she replied as she turned to look at him.
"You just seem quiet. No radio, no singing and no talking today. Was it because of Saturday?"
"Maybe," she answered.
"Listen I am sorry, if I crossed the line. It's just that....when I was younger...my dad..." Goren was uneasy about going into his private life but felt he had to explain.
"Let's just drop it ok?" said Autumn. Then she turned and stared out the window.
"Ok, but if you need someone to talk to," he added with concern.
She didn't respond. She just kept looking out the window.
Goren thought "I can get into the minds of criminals but a woman, forget it."
They arrived at the Wilkes home and knocked on the door. Amanda Wilkes opened the door. They introduced themselves and walked into the residence.
"Mrs. Wilkes when was the last time you saw your husband?" asked Goren.
"Saturday. He had a seminar. He called around 5pm and said he would be late. When I woke up Sunday he wasn't home yet. I called a few friends of his but they hadn't seen him. The police told me they couldn't do anything until he had been missing for 48 hours. But this morning I called the commissioner and he sped things up," she cried.
Knight was going through his desk while Goren spoke to Mrs. Wilkes. One desk drawer was locked. She found a key taped to the bottom of the center drawer and unlocked it. She found multiple receipts.
"Is there anyone who had any grudges against your husband?" asked Goren.
"No, no one," she replied.
"We are going to look around his things. Here is my card. If you hear anything or think of anything please give me a call," said Goren.
"Thank you, I will let you do your work," she said as she walked out of the room.
"You finding anything?" asked Goren.
"In his locked drawer, he has receipts from Leo's Bar and Grill for every Saturday, signed by Sandy with a happy face and he tips 100 %. Wonder what she does to earn that?" snarked Autumn.
"Hmm, maybe we should talk to this Sandy ?" said Goren.
"Let's check his financials first, credit cards and bank records. Maybe this marriage isn't as perfect as it appears. If Mr. Wilkes has been fooling around maybe Mrs. Wilkes got rid of him," suggested Autumn.
One Police Plaza
Knight and Goren poured over Wilkes financial reports and credit card receipts. Mr. Wilkes had charges to pay-by-the-hour motels to his own private credit card. He had charges to Leo's Bar and Grill every Saturday night, also on Friday nights he was going to a topless bar. His wife had increased his life insurance policy from 1 million to 5 million. Knight called and found out Sandy would be at work at 7pm that night. Goren and Knight decided to meet her at Leo's so they could question staff and question Sandy .
Leo's Bar and Grill
6:30 pm
Knight and Goren arrived and took a seat at the bar.They introduced themselves to the bartender and asked for Sandy .
"She isn't in yet. Can I help you?" he said.
"Do you know this guy?" Goren showed him a picture of Wilkes.
"Yeah he comes in here every Saturday. Orders a T-bone medium and bourbon. He always sits at Sandy 's table," he answered.
"Anything else you can tell us?" asked Autumn.
"Nope, that's all I know about him. Can I get you two a drink while you wait?" he asked.
"Uh, I will have a white wine," said Autumn.
"Glenlivet," said Goren.
"Well I guess we will just have to wait for Sandy ?" said Autumn.
They sat in silence and waited. The bartender came back in 20 minutes.
"Hey, Sandy just called. She said her Aunt just died so she had to leave town so she won't be coming in. Can I refresh your drinks?" he asked.
"Yeah sure," said Autumn.
"Make mine a double," said Goren.
"Great! Yeah, I bet her Aunt just died. Bet she doesn't even have an Aunt," said Autumn angrily.
John walked in with a few of his friends and noticed Autumn at the bar.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were working," asked John.
"Hey John, yes I am working," said Autumn. She got up from the stool and walked away from Goren with John.
Goren just watched intensely and finished his drink.
"We were waiting for a witness but she didn't show up. So we were getting ready to leave. But that really isn't any of your business anymore. I told you I didn't want to see you anymore," she said.
"So what now you're screwing him? I come here with my buddies and I see you here with that RAT.You know how that makes me look?" yelled John.
"Calm down, I am not screwing anyone and if I was that wouldn't be your business. Now please leave before you make a fool out of yourself," she said as she turned to walk away.
"You're the one making me look like a fool," he yelled. "Don't walk away from me!" He grabbed her arm and jerked her back.
Goren jumped up and grabbed him and pushed him up against the bar. John let go of Autumn and punched Goren in the eye, knocking him down. John's buddies came running. The bartender jumped from behind the bar.
"Ok, that's enough, get out," he yelled at John and his friends.
John looked at Goren and spat on him. Autumn got down on her knees beside Goren. He tried to get up.
"No, just lie down a minute," she said in a low calm voice. "Get me some ice," she told the bartender. "I am so sorry, Goren," she looked at him so tenderly.
"I think I need another drink," he said.
The bartender and Autumn helped him get up.
Bobby's Apartment
He refused to go to the hospital so Autumn drove him home and helped him to his apartment. Bobby got his bottle of Glenlivet from the cabinet and poured a glass.
"I think you've had enough of that," she said.
"It helps with the pain," he said.
"If it hurts that bad, let me take you to the hospital," she pleaded.
"Not physical pain, ego pain," he replied.
"Goren, he suckered-punched you, didn't give you a chance. John is a coward. It takes a bigger man to take it and not fight back," she smiled at him.
He looked at her and smiled. "Thanks for saying that and my name is Bobby."
"Well Bobby, sit on this stool so I can clean up the cut and put a bandaid on it for you. Then I think you need to go to bed," she ordered.
He stumbled to the stool and sat down. He was swaying side to side. He leaned in to her and smelled her hair.
"You smell so good," he said.
"You're drunk," she laughed.
He rubbed her arm. "Your skin is so soft," he said.
"Sit still so I can clean this cut," she started to feel uneasy.
He leaned his head into the nape of her neck and started kissing her. She closed her eyes. She allowed herself to be pulled into him. He wrapped his arms around her. He found her lips and they shared a kiss. "You're so beautiful," he said as he looked deep into her eyes.
She wanted to give herself to him, but she snapped back to reality. "This is wrong, I have to go," she said.
"Wait, what's wrong?" he asked.
"You're drunk, go to bed. See you in the morning," she said and left his apartment. She would never forgive herself for taking advantage of a drunk man.
jryan62
Jul 24 2008, 09:02 AM
Stormy Knight Chapter 3
Autumn climbed into her car. She began to second guess herself, maybe she should have stayed. It felt great in his arms and his lips, so soft and tender. She rolled down her window to allow the cold night air to cool her down. "Maybe she should turn around?" she thought. "No, no, you're crazy, you just got out of one relationship with a cop, you don't need another."
Finally she arrived home and parked in her driveway. She reached for her coat and realized she had left it at Goren's-damn. She would call him in the morning and have him bring it into work. She hoped he was too drunk to remember what happened tonight. The cold air hit her like a ton of bricks as she ran for the front door. She quickly opened the front door and got inside. She placed her keys and badge on the table by the door. She rubbed her arms with her hands quickly to try and warm up. She adjusted the thermostat so the heater would kick on.
She noticed her answering machine blinking. She hit the button to listen to her messages as she flipped through her mail. They were all from John, "Autumn please call me, I am so sorry," beep.... "Autumn where are you?" beep... "Please forgive me," beep.... "You're with him aren't you" beep...
She ran her fingers through her hair and thought "What am I going to do? How do you get rid of a guy who won't go away?" But sleep was overcoming her and the two glasses of wine had her thoroughly relaxed. She headed for her bedroom. She went to her dresser and locked her gun in her safe and looked in the mirror. She removed her earrings, put her hair in a ponytail, and decided she was too tired to remove her makeup tonight. She slipped out of her clothes and put on her nightgown. But then something caught her eye. She saw him standing behind her. She turned around.
"What are you doing here..? How did you get in? Get out!" she yelled as she tried to look for a way out of the bedroom, but he had her cornered.
'"Where you been, Autumn? You were with him weren't you?" asked John as he walked toward her.
"John you have been drinking and you're not thinking clearly. You're in enough trouble already. Now you're breaking and entering, think of your career. Just turn around and leave and we can just forget all about this," she pleaded as she tried to remain calm. Hoping her calm voice of reason would reach him.
"I loved you. But what did you do? You just spat in my face," he sat on the bed with his back to her. "All I wanted to do was make you happy. The sex was great wasn't it? I bought you flowers, took you out to dinner and even took you dancing. I treated you like a queen. Then you just threw that all back in my face."
She tried to walk out the room while he had his back to her, but he grabbed her by the arm and threw her on the bed.
"Well all I want is one last time, you and me," he ripped off her nightgown and pinned her down with his body.
"No, John don't do this, please!" she screamed.
She struggled to fight him off. She got one arm free and punched him with all her might. He punched her three times in the face. She was dazed and almost blacked out. He tried to hold her arms above her head and undo his pants at the same time. When he went to take off his pants she was able to move her legs and kicked him in the groin, sending him onto the floor as he cried out in pain. She got up and grabbed his gun from its holster. He grabbed her leg causing her to fall to the floor. She turned and put the gun to his head.
"Stop! Don't move or I swear I will shoot!" she cried. Blood was dripping from her forehead, nose and mouth. One eye was almost swollen shut. She scooted away on her butt backwards, not lowering the gun, and when she made it to the phone, she dialed 911.
Goren knocked over the phone when it rang. "Oh my head," he thought. He finally reached the phone.
"Goren," he responded.
"Goren, this is Ross. Detective Knight is in the hospital, she was attacked by her ex boyfriend. He is a cop in IAB. He beat her up pretty bad. He is making allegations toward you. I think you should get down here and make a statement to IAB," suggested Ross.
jryan62
Jul 24 2008, 09:11 AM
Stormy Knight 4
Hospital ER
"Oh God, who could do this to a woman," said nurse #1.
"They say it's the cop in cubical #6," said nurse #2.
"Stop staring Nurse we have seen this before, start an IV D5 normal saline 125 cc an hour," said the doctor. "We are going to need a CT scan of her head."
"Doctor she has scratch marks on her inner thighs," said nurse #1.
"We will need to do a rape kit," said the doctor.
"What's going on?" she thought. She couldn't open her eyes to see. She heard all this commotion going on around her. She must be in a hospital. What happened? Try to remember, "Oh, my head, why does it hurt so much?" Then she blacked out again.