Case 22 - The Stalker

Case 22 - The Stalker(jpater) Inspector Tina Cassidy entered the detective’s office at the 169th Precinct. “J.P., I need to talk to you,” said Tina to Inspector J.P. Bullet. “What’s on your mind?” asked J.P. “Could we talk about it outside?” asked Tina. J.P. and Tina went outside. “I don’t know if I am becoming paranoid or what but the last couple of days I have had the feeling that someone has been watching me,” said Tina. “I tell you what, when I get off this afternoon, I will go over to your house and stay for a little while,” said J.P.

J.P. went over to Tina’s house and sat down on her couch. She sat down beside him. “I feel like such an idiot wasting your time,” said Tina. J.P. put his arm around her. “I would rather waste a couple of hours making sure you were ok, than to have someone prowling around and then hurt you,” said J.P. “At least let me buy you dinner for coming over here to make sure everything was o.k” said Tina. “You don’t have to,” said J.P. “I insist” said Tina getting up to change clothes and get her purse.

While Tina was changing clothes, J.P. heard something outside. He pulled out his service revolver and went outside. He walked around the house and did not find anything. He went back inside and put his service revolver back into the holster. Tina was sitting on the couch with her purse. “Something wrong?” asked Tina. “I am not quite sure, but I heard something outside your house” said J.P. Tina had a worried look on her face. “When we get back I would like for you to pack a suitcase and come stay with me until I can find out what is going on,” said J.P.

J.P. and Tina went to the Empire City Steak House. “I have never eaten here before,” said Tina. “Me neither, but this is my treat, you can get the next one" said J.P. They walked into the restaurant and saw a couple officers from the Patrol Division eating. “Man! We can’t go anywhere without someone from work seeing us,” said Tina. “You know they will be talking tomorrow,” said J.P. “Unfortunately, I do,” said Tina with a sigh. J.P. started brainstorming and came up with an idea. Tina saw in his face that he had something devilish in mind. “That look scares me,” said Tina. J.P. took Tina’s hand and they walked to the table holding hands. He pulled the chair out like a proper gentleman would and seated Tina.

The next morning at the Precinct Tina was pouring a cup of coffee. Inspector Rebella Lucas came in and took a styro cup and poured herself a cup of coffee. “How was your date last night?” asked Rebella with a smile on her face. “It was not a date,” said Tina. “That’s not what we heard,” said Rebella. “Ok, fine we had a date,” said Tina, who left the room disgusted. Rebella had a confused look on her face at Tina’s reaction to her question. “Probably just pms” thought Rebella as she walked down the hall to the detective’s office.

J.P. and Officer Conner McMasters set up surveillance and watched Tina’s house. Conner noticed Barney B. climbing over the back fence. “There’s Barney B. Climbing over the back fence,” said Conner getting out of the car. “He’s going to run!” shouted J.P. starting the car. Barney saw Conner coming and he turned around and started running. “I knew he was going to run,” said J.P. putting the car in drive. “Stop! You are under arrest!” shouted Conner as he was chasing Barney. J.P. pulled up beside Barney in his car. “Why don’t you quit running and slip into these,” said J.P. holding up handcuffs. “You are not going to catch me,” said Barney. “Suit yourself,” said J.P. who drove ahead of Barney and pulled in front of him. Barney slipped and fell as he was trying to avoid being run-over. J.P. got of his car and instructed Barney to put his hands behind his back. Barney complied and J.P. handcuffed him and helped him to his feet.

Barney was processed and taken to Interrogation Room. J.P. entered the room. “Why were you stalking Tina Cassidy?” asked J.P. “I was not stalking her, I am currently on probation and it would look rather stupid to stalk a police officer,” said Barney. “Then why were you climbing over her fence?” asked J.P. “I was taking a shortcut, there is this guy, street name is Stalker, that takes that shortcut all the time,” said Barney. “I knew you were an idiot, but you are a bigger one than I thought,” said J.P. laughing at Barney. “What do you mean?” asked Barney. “What does a Stalker do?” asked J.P. “They follow people and harass them,” said Barney realizing what J.P. was leading up to. “Oh boy, I am in big trouble now,” said Barney. “Tell me who Stalker is and where I can find him and we will try to work something out,” said J.P. “Stalker’s real name is Gary Fleischman and he lives on Mackenzie Street,” said Barney. J.P. went to the phone on the wall. “Conner would you take Barney back to lock-up,” said J.P. He left the interrogation room.

Officer Oscar Mallet was walking down the hall with J.P. as he was headed to Mackenzie street to pick up Gary Fleischman. “I knew Barney was stupid but I did not know he was so stupid that he would stalk a cop,” said Oscar. “He was not stalking Tina, Gary Fleischman was the one, Barney thought he was taking a shortcut,” said J.P. Oscar shook his head in disbelief.

J.P. went out into the parking garage and got in his car. He turned the key and started the engine. Oscar came up to the car. “I will back you up,” said Oscar. They went to Mackenzie and knocked on Gary’s door. He did not answer. They took out their service revolver and made entry into the house. The house was empty. “He’s not here,” said Oscar. J.P. thought for a minute. He’s at Tina’s house,” said J.P. They went to Tina’s house and saw Gary in the yard looking in the window. J.P. snuck up beside him and tapped him on the shoulder. “We are the police and you are under arrest,” said J.P. Gary surrendered without incident.

J.P. went back to his house and smelled something cooking. Tina was fixing supper. “It was my turn and everywhere we go someone from the precinct sees us together so I decided I would cook dinner." J.P. sat down at the table. “It is over, we caught the guy that was stalking you,” said J.P. Tina brought a plate of spaghetti over. “Let’s forget about work for a while,” said Tina kissing J.P. on the cheek.

Tina was at the 169th Precinct pouring a cup of coffee. Inspector Susie Young came in to get a cup. “Are you feeling any better?” asked Susie. “I am fine,” said Tina. “Rebella said that you had pms the other day,” said Susie. “Rebella!” shouted Tina angrily.

Gary Fleischman was found guilty of stalking and sentenced to 5 years in prison. Barney B. appeared before a judge and was given a warning and released.