The Mentor

Luke Fox lounged across his work station with a hand supporting his head, while he re-read over all the evidence from his three active murder cases.

He desperately hoped something would jump out at him from the pages, but there was nothing. He continually kept coming up empty.

Normally, he would have already established firm leads on a suspect, or better still, wrapped up these cases by now. But all three remained unsolved with no suspects, or any likelihood of arrests in the near future. That was a fact not lost on his lieutenant.

‘Fox…’ Lieutenant Husken bellowed across the bull pen.

Luke’s focus shifted to the voice. Husken’s head had poked out from his office door. He beckoned towards Luke. ‘My office,’ Husken said, then retreated back into his office.

The stern-faced lieutenant stood at his side of the desk when Luke entered. He gestured to the visitor’s chair. ‘Sit,’ he firmly directed.

Luke slid into the chair and watched Husken take his seat. Three files sat neatly to the side of Husken’s desk. Husken slid them closer and opened the top file.

After a short read, his stern focus shifted to Luke. ‘Claire O’Connor…’ Husken said.

Luke nodded. He knew where this was heading.

‘The journalist found murdered in her Brooklyn hotel room…’ Husken continued. ’Where are we at with that…? It’s been over ten weeks…’

Luke took a deep breath. He rested his elbows on the desk. His eyes fell heavily to the report that was open in front of his boss. It pained him to have to admit it, but he pushed through.

’Nothing has changed with that one, Boss…’ Luke began. ’It’s still the same-same. I keep coming up empty,’ Luke said. ‘No witnesses. No trace evidence. There is nothing because it all took place in the privacy of a hotel room.’

Husken held an unconvinced glare on Luke while several uncomfortable seconds passed, before responding.

’There has to be something…’ Husken said. ’There has to be some evidence that would identify a killer. She didn’t strangle herself.’

Husken’s sarcasm hit Luke’s ears hard. It was a firm reminder of his recent failings. In Luke’s mind, he couldn’t do the impossible. If there was no evidence—there was no evidence.

’The room had been wiped down afterwards,’ Luke began. His tone was defensive. ’Evidence had been removed from the room. I checked the hotel security footage and—’

Husked held up a hand to Luke. ‘I’m aware of all that…’ He gestured to the file. ’I’m asking if you have anything new…any new leads to identify the killer.’

Luke shrugged. ‘I got nothing…’ was all he offered.

Husken glared at Luke, clearly dissatisfied with the response. He closed the folder, then opened the second folder and read from it.

‘John Bishop… found shot and killed in his car in Dumbo, six weeks ago…’ Husken glared at Luke.

Luke couldn’t hold the Lieutenant’s glare. His eyes dropped. It was difficult for him to report that he also had nothing. ‘I suspect the killer was from the Projects, but no-one is talking down there,’ Luke said.

’Got a weapon? Got a witness? Got a suspect? Got anything…?’ Husken extended impatient hands out to his side.

Luke shook his head. ’Nothing.’

Husken sighed. He closed the folder and opened the third folder. ’Linda Fulton… This is now over three weeks old,’ Husken said.

Luke fell back in his chair. He hated where this was heading. ’I liked the husband for that one… but he has since been cleared.

’The husband claimed to have disturbed the offender, who fled but we’ve got nuthin’, not even a workable description,’ Luke said.

Husken closed the file and clasped his hands together on the desk. He held a firm glare at Luke, allowing a moment of silence to pass by, before commenting.

’These are three cases that I expected you would have had something for me by now… The Luke Fox I know would’ve had something by now...’ Husken said.

’What happened to that go-getter that came here six years ago…? What happened to that fighter… that guy who never gives up... no matter what…?’ Luke’s head lowered.

’I want that guy back,’ Husken said. ’You need that guy back…’

‘I’m just in a bit of a slump at the moment, Boss…’

‘Bullshit…!’ Husken snapped. ‘You’re not in a slump... You’re a shadow of your former self.’ Husken flicked the back of his hand at Luke.

‘You’re letting this broad effect your life.’ Husken glared at Luke. ’So she walked out on you… get over it. Mix some cement in your morning coffee, or something and harden up.’

‘It’s not that easy, Boss. Eight years we were together… Eight years,’ Luke said. ’We were planning to get married and everything… Then out of the blue… she dumps me… She gives me the old, It’s not you, it’s me speech…’ Luke’s eyes fell heavily to his lap.

’Frankly, Fox, I don’t give a shit,’ Husken snapped. ‘All I care about is the clearance rate of your cases. You have gone from one of my best detectives to…’ His top lip curled, as he regarded Luke with an up and down glower. ‘I don’t know what you are, now…’ Husken shook a disappointed head.

He glared at Luke’s bowed head. ‘If you’re not up to it, let me know now. If you don’t think you’ve got what it takes any more to be a detective, just say the word and I’ll re-assign the cases. I need results and I can’t wait until you get your shit together.’

’I’ve got this, Boss…’

‘Do you…? Do you really? Coz I’m not seeing any evidence of that. All I’m seeing is someone who was once an A-Grade investigator, to… to this…’ he flicked a disrespectful hand at Luke.

Husken continued. ’I remember we talked a while back after you solved that North Brooklyn murder, about how you were chasing promotion to Detective Second Grade… Back then I’d have said you were a shoe in… But now… I’m not even sure you are worthy of carrying a gold shield.’

The Lieutenants words rocked him. They hit his ears hard. His head dropped and his shoulders slumped. He had nothing to offer in his own defense. He navel gazed while Husken continued.

’You need to show me that you are able to put all that personal stuff behind you and focus on your work. You need to move on. You need to get me results, otherwise, your position as a detective will come under further scrutiny and review…’

Husken paused. He regarded Luke while several seconds passed. ’And based on what you’ve shown me so far, it could very well be considered untenable.

’You won’t have to worry about getting that promotion… You’ll no longer be a detective. Can I make myself any clearer…?’

Luke shook his lowered head. He had never been on the end of an old fashioned reaming from his boss before. He had always been a successful investigator, so for his boss question his work ethic and acumen, it cut deep.

Since becoming a detective and joining the 84th Precinct six years ago, Luke had one goal; to be promoted to Detective Second Grade, which was a merit based promotion. And he worked hard to achieve the necessary results required to be considered for such a promotion.

But not only did his promotion look lost, he learned that he could be busted back to uniform, unless he could turn things around and get some results. To a competitive, high-achiever like Luke, that would be devastating.

A knock on the lieutenant’s office door broke the extended silence, and Luke’s wallowing in self-pity. One of Luke’s detective colleagues entered the office.

‘We’ve just had a report of a young girl that’s gone missing in Boerum Hill, Boss. Mother found the front door ajar when she woke this morning. When she checked her daughter, she wasn’t in her bed…’

’How old…?’ Husken asked.

‘Ah, eight. Suspected abduction. The first responders are calling for a detective to attend. Who do you want to send?’

Husken rubbed a thoughtful hand across his chin. His eyes flicked to Luke. Several seconds of contemplative silence passed while he regarded Luke. His eyes narrowed.

‘I’m gonna give this to you, Fox…’

Luke’s eyebrows arched. His mouth fell open. ’But… I’ve already got three on my plate, Boss…’ Luke extended a hand to the files on the desk. ’We’ve just talked about the difficulties I am having with them.’

’I am aware of that,’ Husken said. ‘This is a fresh case… A fresh start, and quite frankly, it will be your last chance to show me you still have what it takes.’ Husken held Luke’s gaze.

’Solve this one, and do it quickly. Prove me wrong… The ball’s in your court, son. Don’t let me down. But more importantly… Don’t let yourself down.’ Husken flicked a hand towards the door. ‘That’ll be all.’

Luke pushed himself from his seat and stood. He glared unfavorably at the Lieutenant, before exiting the office.

As he ambled back to his desk, he wondered how he would fit this latest case into his busy workload.

vvv

Ten days on from when Husken gave Luke his last-chance ultimatum, Luke was seated at his desk reviewing his case files.

While ten days was not a lengthy time frame for any criminal investigation, he knew he should’ve had something to work on by now.

Problem was, he had nothing. He was no closer to solving this latest suspected child abduction, let alone the other three murders he already had on his books.

The stress and pressures of the day’s work, combined with the lack of physical activity from having sat at his desk most of the day, finally started to take its toll. He struggled to remain focused. He fought to keep his eyes open.

Luke checked the time. It was 9.35pm. His leaned on his arms while his helpless gaze scanned the records and statements stacked and spread across his desk.

He fell back in his chair and locked frustrated fingers behind his head. He was better than this. He was one of the most successful investigators in the division, so why was he struggling with these latest cases?

After fourteen hours straight, Luke decided he’d had enough for the day. He quickly secured his case files away, then made his way out of the building, leaving only the cleaning staff behind.

Before the elevator reached the ground floor, Luke decided to head to nearby Barnaby’s Bar, for a well-earned night cap, or three.

Luke ambled the short distance to Barnaby’s Bar with hands buried deep into his pockets, and his shoulders rounded.

The fresh air from the short stroll failed to distract him from his troubled thoughts and worries, but he arrived with a hard-earned thirst.

The affable barman, Benny, stood at the end of the bar, nearest the door polishing glasses when Luke arrived. He greeted Luke when he entered.

‘Hey… Here he is…’ Benny said. ’How are you this evening, Detective?’ He sounded genuinely interested, rather than the standard banal greeting.

The cop in Luke scanned the bar’s patrons before responding. ‘I’m hanging in there, Benny…’ Luke said. ’A little thirsty… But I’m still hanging in there, at this stage.’

Benny jabbed a finger at Luke. ‘Now thirsty I can help you with, Detective,’ Benny said. He smiled his trademark grin that illuminated his entire face.

He set up a glass and collected a bottle from the back of the bar. ‘Hey, you missed everyone tonight,’ Benny said. ‘I think they’ve all gone by now.’ He passed a quick glance towards the rear of the room.

‘There were quite a few of your colleagues in earlier,’ Benny said. He poured Luke a shot of Jack Daniels straight up.

On most nights after 5pm, the detectives from the 84th could be found occupying the booths located towards the darker, more private, rear corner of the room. It was an area local’s affectionately referred to as the “Cop’s Cave”.

As soon as Benny finished pouring, Luke lifted his first drink, and emptied it with a flick of his head. He replaced the glass on the bar. ’Keep ‘em coming Benny.’ He slapped an open hand on the bar.

’Tough day, eh...?’ Benny said.

‘More like a tough month, I’d say...’ Luke said. He watched his next round being poured. ‘Set me up with another six of these,’ Luke said. ‘That’ll do for a start.’

He jabbed a thumb towards the rear of the room. ‘I’ll take them down the back. Just bring them on down to me when you’re ready, Benny… Thanks.’

Luke scooped up his freshly poured drink and made his way to his usual spot, down in ‘The Cave’.