Brodricksburg Pt. 01

"It's at least four years old, it's brown and it's ugly."

"If you don't like this suit just say so."

"Okay. I don't like that suit," Carrie said. "Rich is still coming with you, isn't he?" Carrie asked.

"You know Hanratty, he'll never pass up a free meal but why is it so important that he come? You never asked me to bring him to any other fundraisers."

As the chairperson for the fundraiser, Carrie got four free tickets for the dinner dance. Of course I get one of those tickets and Carrie asked me to invite Hanratty.

"There is someone I want him to meet?"

"Oh, shit, you're trying to fix him up again. If he knew that's what you were up to he wouldn't come," I said.

"So don't tell him," Carrie said.

"Who is it this time?"

"Linda Abbot."

"The new girl that works with you?"

"Yes. She saw Rich the day the two of you came by my office. She thought he looked kind of cute."

"Does she know what you're up to?"

"No. I thought it would be more natural if neither of them knew that they had been set up. Linda will be sitting with me and I will just happen to introduce them during dinner and let nature take its course."

"You are something else, Carrie Hobbs. If I didn't love you so much I would be a little afraid of you."

"Why don't you fix yourself some bacon and eggs with some whole wheat toast," Carrie suggested. "Have a good breakfast for a change instead of going to Dunkin Donuts for your daily fix of sugar."

"You know I never eat donuts," I said.

"Yeah, right," Carrie said with a smile. "Well, I have to get ready for work. Just make sure you eat a good breakfast before you go."

Carrie works as a legal aid for Mitchell and Horne, the city's largest law office.

"I will. Bacon and eggs sounds good."

As soon as Carrie left the kitchen I tossed a Pop-Tart in the toaster and filled my traveling mug with coffee. When the Pop-Tart popped up I wrapped it in a napkin, grabbed my coffee and briefcase and headed out to my car.

*****

Brodricksburg, PA

*****

It was the middle of February but we had only had one significant snowfall so far. Most of that snow had already melted but it was a cold morning and the sky was a dark gray color. It was already spitting snow when I backed my car out of the garage and it looked like it was going to get a lot worse before the day was over.

I drove up route 32 along the river and when I saw the "Welcome to Brodricksburg" sign I thought about how little Brodricksburg had changed since I was a kid growing up on the south end of town. The population of Brodricksburg in the seventies was less than 45,000. In the last twenty years the population had only grown to about 58,000. But that was about to change.

Brodricksburg is about fifty miles north east of Philadelphia on the west bank of the Delaware River. It was originally the site of Fort Brodrick, built in 1757 to protect settlers in the region from attacks from the French and their Indian allies during the French and Indian War. Fort Brodrick was rebuilt and expanded after the American Revolution and was used to billet troops during the Civil War. The fort was closed in 1868 and remained closed until 1920, when it was restored and became a state park. The city of Brodricksburg grew up along the riverbank north of the fort. In the late 1890s Brodricksburg had become a steel mill town but eventually lost out to Allentown and Bethlehem. By the end of the Second World War the steel industry in Brodricksburg was gone. Because of the proximity to Philadelphia, Brodricksburg became a bedroom community for wealthy lawyers and doctors who wanted to live along the river and were willing to make the fifty-mile commute to the city each day.

Over time the old mill workers were forced to leave because they could no longer afford to live in Brodricksburg. By 1950 the population of Brodricksburg had leveled off at 45,000 and remained about the same until five years ago. With new roads and more train service, Brodricksburg is again growing. Now there are several developers buying up land around the city with plans for several new subdivisions. It was beginning to look like there would be a lot of growth in Brodricksburg over the next fifteen to twenty years.

I was still thinking about the coming changes when I pulled into the parking lot behind the station. While getting out of my car I saw something that I had rarely seen in my five years on the Brodricksburg Police Department: the chief's car in the parking lot before seven o'clock in the morning. Chief Pasiak had been a Brodricksburg police officer for over thirty-five years and had been chief for the last fifteen. He usually doesn't come into the office until nine o'clock and he usually leaves by 4:30 PM each day. No one complains about the chief's hours because the city of Brodricksburg loves Chief Pasiak.

Parked next to the chief's car was a plain blue Chevrolet Malibu that I hadn't seen before. I gave it a quick look and headed into the building.

*****

Brodricksburg Police Station

*****

My office cubicle is on the third floor and it is my habit to take the stairs so that I get at least some exercise every day and I like to get my heart pumping first thing in the morning. The stairs come out on the third floor next to the chief's office, so I looked in as I passed. Chief Pasiak was sitting at his desk talking to a man, maybe thirty years old, with short brown hair. He looked like he would be about six feet tall if he was standing and probably didn't weigh more than 170 pounds.

Before I went to my desk I checked to see if Captain Ross was in his office. He wasn't. Ross usually arrives just before eight o'clock. I guessed that whatever was important enough to get the chief into the office before seven in the morning didn't involve Ross. Not being included in an important meeting would piss Ross off. That made me happy. Anything that pissed Ross off made me happy.

"Hey, Lieutenant. How you feeling this morning?" asked Sergeant McKinstry.

"Not too bad, Mike," I replied to the desk sergeant. "Just remind me to wear my vest next time we play. I think my ribs got rearranged by some of those elbows under the basket."

"Oh, come on, quit your bitchin'. You guys gave as good as you got. It was a good game though."

"Yeah, good game to you because you guys won. We'll get you next time."

"Looking forward to it, Lieutenant."

"Why so formal? You weren't calling me Lieutenant when you were talking trash last night."

"I don't think those names would be appropriate in the office, do you?"

"No. I believe you are right about that," I said. "Got the OAR sheets?"

"Got 'em right here," Sergeant McKinstry said as he handed me the Overnight Activity Report.

I took the reports to my desk and read through them and as usual found little of importance. The benefit of living in a small town like Brodricksburg is that the crime rate is very low. That's great for the citizens of Brodricksburg but very boring for a police officer, especially a homicide detective.

When I was finished with the reports, I got myself a cup of coffee and took the newspaper out of my briefcase and started doing the crossword puzzle. I was trying to remember the name of a small Russian city, four letters, located near the Caucasus Mountains when there was a sudden loud crash behind me.

I jumped up so fast that my chair fell over. I spun around to find Hanratty standing behind me laughing his head off. He had intentionally dropped a trashcan on the floor behind me.

"You asshole, you almost made me crap my pants."

"Sorry, Hobbs, couldn't resist," Hanratty said. "I saw you concentrating so hard I just had to wake you up."

"You know, the chief is here," I told him.

"Yeah, right. It's only 7:45."

"Take a look. He's is his office meeting with someone."

Hanratty peeked over the top of our cubicle and looked toward the chief's office.

"Oh, shit. He is here. You think he heard that."

"How could he miss it?"

"Just what I need, get the chief pissed at me," Hanratty said. "Captain Ross already hates me."

"That's what I like most about you, Hanratty, the fact the Ross hates you."

"Gee, thanks," Hanratty said. "Who's the guy in with the chief?"

"Don't know."

"Got any guesses?"

"Nope."

"Curious?"

"Not unless it affects me," I said.

"Well, then let's hit the streets before the chief comes out."

"In a minute, I need to relieve myself first."

"Make it fast; I'm hungry."

For Hanratty 'hitting the streets' was a euphemism for "Let's go to Dunkin Donuts."

Hanratty's idea of a good breakfast was coffee with cream and two sugars and two glazed donuts. Other than at breakfast, Hanratty took good care of himself. He worked out three or four nights a week so he was in excellent shape. At six feet three inches tall and weighing just over 190 pounds, he and I were built very much alike, which caused some of the guys on the squad to refer to us as the bookends.

When I returned to my desk after taking care of my business, Hanratty was looking a little agitated.

"What's up?"

"The chief stopped by while you were in the john. Said he wants to see you in his office now. I hope it's not about me dropping that trashcan."

"You worry too much. Relax, I'll cover for you."

"Thanks, you're a real pal," Hanratty said.

*****

The Assignment

*****

"Morning, Chief," I said as I walked into Chief Pasiak's office.

"Brian."

"Hanratty said that you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah. Come on in and close the door."

I closed the door and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the Chief's desk.

"Does this have something to do with the FBI agent you were talking to earlier?" I asked.

The chief's mouth dropped open and he just stared at me for a few seconds.

"Now, how in the hell did you know I was talking with the FBI this morning?" Chief Pasiak asked.

"I saw his car in the parking lot. Blue Malibu with government plates. Saw him in your office when I came in. Not too hard to spot those guys. Nice suits and short hair cuts," I said.

"You never cease to amaze me, Brian. You don't miss a trick do you?" Chief Pasiak said.

"It's all that great police training I've received."

"Yeah, right. Sometimes I feel like we are wasting your skills here but I would hate to lose you."

"Thanks, Chief."

"Well, you were right. This is about my meeting with Agent Van Horn," the chief said. "What we are about to discuss cannot leave this room. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Agent Van Horn has presented us with a very delicate situation. It seems that the FBI has been investigating a company called Comprehensive Supply Corporation - CSC for short. They sell automotive and heavy equipment parts and supplies to the government and hold similar contracts with several state and local governments. Agent Van Horn said that a couple of months ago, CSC participated in a large business show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The FBI had some undercover agents at the show keeping a close watch on the CSC folks to see what they were up to."

"So how does this involve us?" I asked.

"Among the things that the agents reported was that CSC entertained several people representing different states and local governments. One person that they entertained repeatedly was a city official from Brodricksburg," the chief said.

"Who was the city official?"

"Stanley Buske."

"The Commissioner of Works?

"Yes. Agent Van Horn said that Commissioner Buske had at least two lunches and a dinner with the CSC folks. The FBI has no proof of any illegal activity but it was obvious to the agents that CSC was trying to win favor with Commissioner Buske. Agent Van Horn stopped by to give us a heads up so that we could do our own investigation into the Commissioner's activities. So you can see why this is so sensitive."

"Holy shit. Buske is one of the Mayor's closest friends. This could get ugly real fast."

"That's why it is so important that we keep this whole thing between the two of us. I want you to look into this. See if the Commissioner has compromised himself. No one else can know about your investigation. If it gets out that we are investigating Commissioner Buske and if he hasn't done anything wrong or at least something that the DA is willing to prosecute him for this will turn into a three-ring circus. This could cost both of us our jobs. I can retire but you still have your whole career ahead of you. So, if anyone asks you what you are doing just refer them to me. Any questions?"

"No questions. If the Commissioner is doing anything illegal, I will find out."

"You are the only person I can trust to handle this. The others either don't have the necessary skills or they are tied too closely to the Mayor and other city officials to be trusted."

That last was the Chief's way of saying that he would not trust Captain Ross with this investigation.

"This shouldn't take up all of your time but you will have to make up an excuse to tell your partner. I know you trust Hanratty but I would prefer that he not know what you are working on," the Chief said.

"No problem. I'll just tell Hanratty that I am doing a personal favor for you. He won't ask any questions."

"Good."

"What's the time line on this?"

"However long it takes," the Chief said. "I don't want you to rush your investigation. Take your time and do it right."

"I will, sir."

"Keep me informed."

"Yes, sir."

"Did the Chief ask you about the noise?"

"No. You're in the clear."

"What did he want?"

"He asked me to do him a personal favor. I really can't discuss it with you. Sorry."

"Got ya. No questions, right?"

"Right."

"Okay. Can we hit the streets now?"

I knew Hanratty would understand.

"Yeah, let's go."

*****

The Investigation Begins

*****

After stopping at the donut shop, I asked Hanratty to drop me back at the station before he headed over to the high school. Our usual practice was to drive by the local schools and make sure there were no drug dealers or pedophiles hanging out on the school grounds. This was an idea I had proposed three years earlier. I had suggested that any officers that were not busy should drive by the schools and question anyone they found hanging around the school grounds. Since we implemented this program drug dealing at the schools had declined dramatically and there had been no reports of students encountering pedophiles or flashers at any of the Brodricksburg schools.

Once back at my desk I made a list of the questions that had been forming in my mind all morning.

Why was Commissioner Buske meeting with CSC in Las Vegas?

How does the city choose suppliers?

Does Commissioner Buske have input to that choice?

Who does the city of Brodricksburg buy its automotive and heavy equipment parts from now?

Did the commissioner violate any laws or do anything unethical while he was in Las Vegas?

I sat looking at my short list of questions for a minute thinking about where to start. I picked up the phone and called the city clerk's office. An assistant to the City Clerk named George Thomas answered the phone on the second ring. After identifying myself, I told George that I was interested in finding out how I should go about ordering some new GPS equipment for our police cruisers.

"Lt. Hobbs, you will need to fill out a purchase order and submit it to procurement. They will then check to see if any of our contracted suppliers carry the item you want and if they don't procurement will contact several vendors and get prices for the item. They will then order the item from the lowest priced provider," George informed me.

I then asked George whom in procurement I should talk to for more information.

"Hang on a sec and I'll transfer you," George said and was gone before I could even say thank you.

"Procurement, Dan Martin speaking," the voice on the phone said.

"This is Lt. Hobbs, BPD," I said and then repeated the same question I had asked George Thomas.

Dan Martin gave me basically the same answer that George had.

"Those GPS devices would most likely be ordered on our automotive supply contract," Dan said.

"Who holds that contract," I asked.

"A company named Comprehensive Supply Corporation," Dan said.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck bristle.

"When did they get the contract?" I asked.

"About three years ago," Dan said. "We bid the supply contracts every year and CSC was the low bidder for the automotive supplies for the last three years."

"If I wanted to set up a contract to order items that are not covered under an existing contract, how would I go about it?" I asked.

"We would have to put together an RFP and posted it publicly so that vendors could bid on it."

"What's an RFP?" I asked.

"Request for Pricing."

"How would I put one of those together?"

"Well, we would help you with that but if you want to see how it's done you could look at some of the RFPs in our files."

"If I came over there later this week, could I look at some of the RFPs and the responses you received from vendors?" I asked.

"Of course. These files are all opened to the public but we don't have them here. They are kept at the City Clerk's office."

I thanked Dan for his time and put the phone down. I was surprised at how easily that had gone. I had learned that CSC was the city's supplier for automotive parts and supplies. I already knew that the Brodricksburg Department of Works maintained all of the city's vehicles and purchased all of the maintenance and repair parts for those vehicles and Stanley Buske is the Commissioner for the Department of Works.

What I didn't know and would have to find out was, if CSC had won that contract in a fair bid or did they have help from the commissioner?

I wasn't sure how Buske could have influenced the contract award but if he had it would explain the meetings the FBI had observed between CSC and Commissioner Buske while he was in Las Vegas. They were giving him some perks for his assistance.

I decided then that I was going to have to find out more about Commissioner Buske's trip to Vegas.

*****

Friday Evening

*****

It was 6:50 PM when I pulled into the parking lot of the Brodricksburg Inn. Carrie had told me to be there at seven o'clock so I had ten minutes to kill before I had to walk into the ballroom. This would be the seventh time in the last three years that Carrie had acted as chairperson for one of these charity dinner dances. After the success of Carrie's first dinner dance three years ago, every charity in town wanted her to run their fundraisers. To her credit, Carrie is an excellent planner and organizer but she just didn't know how to say no. Carrie had organized dinner dances for the Red Cross, the Heart Fund, the Cancer Society and she even did the Policemen's Ball. Her current effort was for the Brodricksburg Memorial Hospital Building Fund. In addition to all that she served on the Brodricksburg Board of Education Planning Board.

I had been by her side at every one of these occasions. One thing that Carrie had made clear to me after the second event she put on was that if she told me to be there at seven o'clock she meant exactly that. She didn't want me to arrive early because she that when I arrived early she was too busy with last minute details to talk to me so my being there made her nervous. She also didn't want me to come late because of my job. Any time I am late for anything she begins to worry.

So I waited until 6:58 before I got out of my car and headed into the Inn. When I walked into the ballroom, Carrie was checking seating assignments at the tables against her master chart. When she saw me she smiled and held up a finger to indicate that she would be with me in one minute.

When Carrie was finished checking the seating she came over and kissed me.