Bronx Requiem(95)

Wilson asked, “How would you link the gun to Derrick Watkins?”

Palmer answered, “Trace the ownership. Maybe find people who saw him with that particular weapon.”

Wilson didn’t bother to argue the point.

Palmer continued, “We’re also working on obtaining witnesses who saw the initial altercation at Bronx River Houses.”

“Hopefully witnesses without criminal records.”

Palmer didn’t respond to Wilson’s gibe. He slid paperwork toward Wilson and said, “Here’s my affidavit identifying Ciro Baldassare as the man who fired on me at the Mount Hope murder scene. With the help of other detectives in the squad, we’ve identified him as an associate of James Beck. He’s still on parole. If nothing else, we can violate him right now for possession of a weapon and attempted murder of an NYPD detective.”

Ippolito returned to the meeting, but hung back letting Palmer take the spotlight.

“And here’s more information we worked up on known associates of James Beck. One of them is a man named Emmanuel Guzman. You can see his record there. He matches the descriptions provided by a witness who saw the shooting of Jerome Watkins on Hoe Avenue. We’ll follow up and see if she can ID Guzman.”

Palmer continued. “Here’s an image from a security camera in the Housing Authority parking lot near the scene.” He slid a copy over to Wilson. “The shorter man looks like Guzman. The taller black man we believe is an ex-convict by the name of Demarco Jones. Both of them served time with Beck. Both are still on parole. We should be able to get them locked up just on suspicion, and for being in the company of a known felon.”

“Where’d you get all this information on Beck and the others?”

“Most of it is from a report filed by a detective in the Seven-Six. There was a major incident with Beck last winter. Deaths, injuries, a fire. It’s all in there.”

By the time Palmer finished, Wilson had no choice but to agree he would get arrest warrants for Beck, Guzman, Jones, and Baldassare. But Wilson was no fool. He said, “Tell me gentlemen, putting aside James Beck, do you want these men arrested for parole violations, or the crimes you’ve accused them of?”

There was a moment of silence, and the wily Ippolito said, “Either, or. One way or another they’re off the streets.”

“Well, if you intend to convict them for new crimes, you’ve got a lot of loose ends to tie up. Particularly Beck. He’s not on parole. I’d prefer not to issue warrants and arrest any of them until you deliver everything you’ve promised.”

Palmer attempted to say something, but Wilson talked over him.

“Hear me out. Today is Friday. I suggest you take the weekend to get what we need to make these arrests stick. I need murder weapons, timelines, hopefully corroborating witnesses who aren’t known associates of the victim, witnesses or affidavits explaining how Beck tracked down Derrick Watkins. I’ll need the crime-scene report from the shootings on Hoe Avenue. And at some point, I’ll need an explanation as to why Watkins, Williams, Guzman, and Jones were all at the same location. And, of course, by the time we get to trials, if we get there, I’ll need more.”

Lieutenant Levitt broke in., “Mr. Wilson, it’s a complicated case, but we should get these men off the street and in jail as soon as possible. Right now you have more than enough to get indictments. We’ll have much more by the time you go to a grand jury. And everything we’ve promised by the time this gets to trial. We need arrest warrants to get things rolling.”

“You’ll have them. But let’s be clear. I am not interested in cases involving parole violations. I’m not interested in bringing charges against a dead man. Beck is the prize here, gentlemen. But he has no criminal record, and he’ll have first-rate representation, not some overworked Legal Aid lawyer. And there’s every chance a judge will grant him bail, which he very likely will be able to post. I want everything I can get before I have to arraign him.

“And, don’t forget, you could end up arresting these fellows in three different boroughs, so you’re going to have to coordinate with at least three precincts. And with whatever division chiefs are going to supply you with ESU, or whatever else you need.

“Not to mention, if I can’t get them all into the Bronx system, we could be arraigning them in three different courts. You’re going to need time to organize the arrests.”

For the first time, the precinct commander, Captain Jennie, broke in. “Agreed. We’ll pull everything together over the weekend, but will you agree to get us warrants Monday the latest?”

Wilson nodded. “Yes, depending on your progress.”

Frederick Wilson didn’t waste any time leaving. He shoved his legal pad and documents into his briefcase, said, “Stay in touch,” and left Levitt’s office.

As soon as the office door closed, Jennie said, “All right, listen up. The word has come from on high. The department wants to take down Beck. Obviously, certain people aren’t happy with him being a free man. So you two get out there and get as much done as you can. Levitt and I will start coordinating with borough command and the detective division and everybody else we’re going to need. Where are you two going to start?”

Ippolito said, “Back at the Bronx River Houses for more witnesses.”

Palmer said, “And with CSU and ballistics.”