Report #3270, Transcript Section #52
(Operation SANDMAN)
©2001 Shane Ivey

Keeper:
All right... when we left off last time, the team had sent Barry Knight, PI, out to scope out Peppy Hekman with intent to abduct the poor lad.

Rogers:
Thats right we were gonna go Libndberg

Keeper:
Anyway... Knight headed out to do his urban recon, which leaves the rest of the team at the safe house, waiting.

Rogers:
Roughly how long will it take Knight to get things set?

Keeper:
There are news reports to go over and internal FBI, DEA, and CIA memoranda to review to catch up on the "official" status of the Breckenridge case, but mostly it's back to waiting.

Keeper:
He said he expects to be able to move against Peppy tomorrow night.

Rogers:
I think maybe we should set up a meeting with MAddy and see if we can get any more info out of her.

Keeper:
Kelley went with Knight, by the way, to back him up in case of trouble.

Rogers:
OK so I'm going to set up a meeting with Maddy at the Church or preferably some neutral venue outside Harfleur

Lundquist:
I agree. We might be able to get some more info out of Maddy. You can talk to her while the others are snooping on this Peppy.

Rogers:
OK so I'm gonna ring Maddy

Keeper:
You dial the church, and she answers after a couple of rings. "Southside."

Rogers:
"Hello Maddy its Dr Rogers"

Rogers:
"Maddy, can we meet to talk?"

Keeper:
(Special success Idea roll for Rogers says - are you sure that's the name she knows you by?)

Davros has joined the conversation.

Keeper:
(Welcome aboard, Davros)

Keeper:
Davros, the team is slowly getting back into the operation after their little goverment-sponsored "vacation"...

Knight:
I wasn't involved in that was I...small fish

Keeper:
Heh, right... They decided to send you and Kelley out to watch the movements of a drug dealer named Peppy Hekman, whom you bought some "Dreaming Man" from a couple of weeks ago.

Keeper:
The plan back at the beginning of the op was to scope out a drug dealer, abduct him, and interrogate him about his sources of the DM drug.

Keeper:
That plan got put on the back burner after encounters with some undercover goons around Southside AME church turned into open war at the Breckenridge offices in midtown.

Knight:
mumbles that plans always seem simpler at the begining

Keeper:
And that's the plan now - follow up on early leads now that the Breckenridge case seems to have quieted down.

Knight:
If that means no super men with AK-47's and black choppers then its gotta be good

Keeper:
Presumably.

Rogers:
Anything for a quiet life

Keeper:
So... Rogers, Lundquist? Anything to add?

Knight:
So whats Mr Helman been upto..?

Knight:
Hekman even

Lundquist:
I think that covers it, Keeper...

Keeper:
It takes you a while to scope out Hekman's usual haunts and track him down, Knight. When you find him, he's doing the usual: marking time on a stoop with a few friends.

Knight:
I will get some pictures if the camera is not in hock

Keeper:
You get some quick photos of Peppy and his crew from across the block. After a few minutes, Kelley looks around. "Going to get conspicuous here if we stick around. How do you want to handle it?"

Knight:
Try and get Hekman someplace else?

Keeper:
He nods. "Yeah... I mean, do you want to split up, let me watch him on foot while you watch him from the car? Might not stand out as much as having the same car in his line of sight all day."

Knight:
Lure him to a bar or something so that we can monitor the exits?

Keeper:
"Bar might work... we have to make contact when none of his friends are around, though."

Knight:
Well if your offering to do the legwork then I will not complain

Knight:
Ahhhh thought before going in all guns blazing...sounds like a plan!

Keeper:
"He already knows you as a customer. He might go along if you want to meet him someplace. But if his friends see you making contact, and then he disappears off the face of the earth, that blows any chance for you to keep working in this neighborhood safely."

Knight:
But aproaching him while his friends are there will make it easier to gain his trust again

Keeper:
"True, but they'll know your face afterward. If they see you again while we're on the op, things will get a little complicated."

Knight:
If we can keep it that they don't figure it out then we will have ears in there court after Hekman goes mission. By the time you guys have finished the op then all his buddies over there are likely to be underinvestigation themselves"

Keeper:
Kelley's phone rings as you're speaking. He flips it open. "Yes. Yeah. Hold on." He sets it down and punches a "speaker" icon. You hear Rogers' voice on the other end.

Rogers:
"Kelly can you talk?"

Keeper:
"Affirmative. Knight's in the car with me."

Rogers:
"Good what's it look like over there?"

Knight:
Yea so no kinky talk

Rogers:
"OK so what are you guys planning?"

Knight:
We just saying that the perp is in a lousy place for a pickup

Rogers:
"OK so can you watch him and then take him under better circumstances or do you need help for crowd control - I was planning on trying to meet Maddy from the AME Church and trying to get some more information from her."

Knight:
"You want us to just keep watching this guy till you milked her?"

Rogers:
"Kelley's the expert in this kind of thing - if he things things look good - go for it but personally I'd rather we were there to back you up. Keep watching I'll contact Maddy and arrange our meeting, then I'll get back to you."

Knight:
"We will keep an eye on him then" ...looks at Kelly..."your the man"

Rogers:
"I'll get back you ASAP."

Keeper:
Kelley shrugs. "We can keep in touch by phone. Let's drive around the block until we're behind our current position. Let me out and I'll see if I can surveil him from the ground while you move the car down the street. I'll let you know when he moves and which way to go to follow him."

Knight:
Knight nods in agreement, pulling into the street cutting up a taxi

Keeper:
The cab honks and you hear a stream of Arabic profanity.

Knight:
"YA MOTHER WAS A HAMPSTER!"

Keeper:
Rogers, Lundquist, what are you doing back at the safe-house?

Rogers:
"I'm going to phone Maddy now what are you doing Mark?"

Lundquist:
"Well, I was wondering if you'd mind doing me a favor."

Keeper:
By the way, Lundquist was asking about getting medical tests done - Meredith sent the same team that handled that stuff before and they did a work-up on everybody on the team. Everyone came up clean. Rogers, Cabot, Keen, and Kelley all had residual traces of sedatives and hallucinogenic drugs in their systems, but that's all.

Rogers:
"What do you need Mr L?"

Lundquist:
"I want you to do a drug test on me, Rogers--check to see if I was exposed to DM, or heroin, or anything. I'm not sure I trust Meredith's people."

Rogers:
"I'll do the tests on you Mr. L I don't trust them either."

Lundquist:
"Does it take long? You still need to go talk to Maddy."

Rogers:
"I can arrange that and do the test will only take a few hours - dobt if Maddy will be free straight away anyway"

Lundquist:
"Good enough."

Keeper:
Rogers, you get the bloodwork done on yourself and Lundquist. It takes a half hour or so. You'll get results in a couple of hours.

Rogers:
"OK Mr. L I'll ring Maddy now"

Knight changes the channel on the radio looking for the Jazz Channel

Keeper:
Rogers, the phone at the church rings twice before she answers. "Southside AME."

Rogers:
"Maddy? Its Dr. Membry."

Keeper:
(Whoa... Windows just had a big General Protection fuck-up on me... if I crash out, stay here and I'll try to get back in quick.)

Keeper:
"Doctor... Oh. What can I do for you, Dr. Membry?"

Rogers:
"I was hoping we could meet up for a talk about things Maddy."

Rogers:
"Are you free today?"

Keeper:
"Well, things are very busy right now. We have a guest pastor coming for the services tomorrow, and there's a lot to do. But if you want to come tomorrow, I'll be here."

Rogers:
"I can't make tomorrow Maddy and it is quite urgent, not something that can be discussed over the phone I'm afraid, is there any chace you could meet me today? How about for lunch - my treat"

Keeper:
(What's your Persuade skill, Rogers?)

Lundquist:
(from the webpage, he's got 30%)

Rogers:
(but she trusts me remember I tried to help the pastor)

Keeper:
"Can't be discussed...?" She sighs. "Dr. Membry, you were very kind after... what happened. But things are hard enough right now. Carl is still in trouble, and we're trying to keep the church together... Look, if you want to come by the church today, I might have a few minutes to talk to you."

Rogers:
"OK I'll see you later today Maddy - what time suits you best?"

Keeper:
"Between six and seven."

Rogers:
"OK I'll see you outside the church at 6 bye for now Maddy" Rogers hangs up

Rogers:
"Hey Mr.L whats the statu with Carl?"

Lundquist:
"Carl's in trouble. Looks like they're framing him, near as I can tell."

Lundquist:
Do I remember anything else, Keeper?

Keeper:
Not much more to it - Detective Kluwer of the 116th precinct went in to talk to the pastor at the church and claimed to find drugs in Carl's little closet of a workshop. Carl ran for it, and Kluwer shot him. A screwdriver was on the ground next to Carl.

Lundquist:
"We ought to lean on that cop, Kluwer, whatever his name was. See what his part is in all of this."

Rogers:
"Can we do anything to help him? Get me some leverage on MAddy and the church or maybe some negative leverage - anyway we can threaten the church or rather for you to do that?"

Lundquist:
"Well, we can sure tell her we're helping him, whether we are or not, eh?"

Keeper:
Carl said Kluwer planted it there. Kluwer's being checked by IAB, but Carl's in the hospital ward at Rikers.

Lundquist:
And the IAB guy doing the checking was Daniels, who's been compromised by... something.

Rogers:
"Can we get him transferred to a hospital out of prison?"

Keeper:
Not without somehow officially clearing him in the investigation.

Lundquist:
"We can tell her that the Justice Deparment is looking into the matter as a civil rights violation by the NYPD."

Rogers:
"Thats good can you set that up officially or are we just going to tell her that?"

Lundquist:
"Just tell her that, for now. We can arrange something later if she wants proof."

Lundquist:
"You can sound convincing, though. This shooting is pretty shady. DoJ might get into it on their own, anyway."

Rogers:
"OK we'll take that tack then - so shall we go help Knight and Kelly?"

Lundquist:
"Yeah, I guess... Not sure if I'm going to be much help though, this isn't really my thing."

Lundquist:
"I figured on staying here and running down a few more leads. But I could drive you down there and provide backup for your meet with Maddy."

Rogers:
"That's true, but well we can see if they do I said I'd check in."

Lundquist:
"I'm a little too famous since the Ezekiel shooting to go in with you, but I could be lurking nearby in case you suddenly need help."

Rogers Phones Knight

Knight jumps as his phone rings

Keeper:
Game time, it's about 4:00 PM

Rogers:
"So whats the situation with you Knight?" "I have a meeting between 6 and 7."

Knight:
Whats Prapee doing?

Keeper:
Last time you checked with Kelley, Pepe was still hanging around with his friends. He took a couple of orders, made a couple of deals, that's about it.

Knight:
"we're holding for an opening"

Rogers:
"OK Just be aware that between 6 and 7 myself and Mr.L will be busy if you do it be carefull."

Rogers:
"We're gonna do some lab tests for now, you have anything you need?"

Knight relays this information to Rogers

Knight:
"I'm always careful"

Knight:
"A case of burbon would be good or something for the constipation I am gonna have after being on this steak out"

Rogers:
"I'll get you a bottle." "I'm off" Rogers hangs up

Rogers:
"Mr. L lets get those test results and head over to the church."

Lundquist:
"Right."

Keeper:
While Rogers is doing the bloodwork, Knight, you get a call from Kelley a little while later.

Keeper:
"Hekman's moving," he says in a low voice. "Heading north. Has one of his gang with him."

Keeper:
"I'll pace them and let you know if they turn. You get them in sight from there while I catch up."

Keeper:
Rogers, you get the blood tests done. You're both fine.

Lundquist:
Well, so much for that theory then.

Rogers:
"Well thats one less theory anyway"

Lundquist:
GMTA, Rog.

Keeper:
Knight, you got a call from Kelley a few minutes after talking to Rogers.

Keeper:
"Hekman's moving," he says in a low voice. "Heading north. Has one of his gang with him."

Keeper:
"I'll pace them and let you know if they turn. You get them in sight from there while I catch up."

Knight pulls carefully out into the traffic to get in position

Knight:
"I am on the move"

Keeper:
After about five minutes he calls again. "They're heading west on... hold on, let me get the street name..."

Keeper:
"West on 16th Avenue."

Knight gets his bearings and trys to get the perps in sight

Keeper:
"Get behind them there and watch for a change of direction. I'll hustle to catch up."

Knight:
"On my way"

Keeper:
Knight, you're used to this kind of thing - a quick u-turn and a couple of turns later and you have Hekman and his friend in sight, a half a block ahead, strolling casually past other pedestrians.

Knight slows to keep them in sight...checkin his mirrors for Kelly

Keeper:
They reach the next corner and split up. Hekman keeps going along 16th, but his friend heads north onto 24th street.

Knight follows Hekman

Knight:
Knight calls Kelly "They split, sticking with Hekman"

Keeper:
"You still on 16th?"

Knight:
"Yea..just down from the Spud-U-Like"

Keeper:
His voice is uneven from jogging. "I'm a short block north, should be parallel to you... Meet me at the corner of 16th and 24th if he keeps walking."

Knight:
"Understood" Knight keeps driving, marveling at he energy of youth

Lundquist:
(Hey, I'm going AFK for a minute or two... BRB ASAP)

Keeper:
You drive slowly along, pulling over now and then to let Peppy keep his lead. Other cars pass you by.

Keeper:
You get to 24th Street. Peppy crosses it and keeps going.

Knight looks for Kelly

Keeper:
He appears out of an alley just down the street. A few seconds later, he piles into the car, sweating and breathing a little heavily - but not much.

Knight:
Knight carries on after Peppy "So you get the donughts?"

Keeper:
Hekman keeps strolling. It's just passing 5:00, but the summer sun is still high and hot.

Keeper:
Kelley shakes his head. "Ate them all myself."

Keeper:
Hekman crosses 23rd and keeps going.

Knight:
"No wonder your so fat then and slightly out of shape...when you want to take him?"

Keeper:
"Good question... You want to look for a place to grab him while he's walking, or see where he's heading first?"

Knight:
"I say take him before he gets there..otherwise we will have to wait for whatever friends he has to go there to go away"

Keeper:
"All right... Let's see if he stays on 16th. The cross streets are a little busier."

Keeper:
Basically, the streets heading to or from Atlantic are busier than the streets parallel to it.

Knight keeps tailing

Keeper:
When Peppy reaches 22nd Street, he turns right.

Knight keeps tailing..looking to see how many people are about

Keeper:
It's Saturday afternoon, summer - it's pretty active. Not crowded and congested, but there's always at least one car and a couple of pedestrians in sight.

Knight:
"Kelly..you better call Lundquist..Our boys heading his way"

Keeper:
(Oops-no, he's heading the other way - he turned left - typo on my part)

Knight:
(Doh!!)

Keeper:
"Looks like Southside's the other way. Same street, though."

Keeper:
"What do you think? Want to try to grab him and risk witnesses? Or keep tailing him?"

Knight:
"My mistake, not enough donughts!"

Knight:
"How quickly you think you can bundle him in the car?

Keeper:
"Shit. Depends on how much of a fight he puts up. If I can get next to him before he sees us, I can taser him and dump him in the car."

Knight looks down the street to see if there is an opening where this may be possible "How I about I talk him into the car"

Keeper:
"I don't know... I can't see him just getting in a car."

Keeper:
Peppy crosses 17th Avenue and keeps heading south.

Knight:
"Well he struck me as being quite friendly when I spoke to him before"

Keeper:
He keeps strolling along. "Yeah, maybe," says Kelley. "You think he's friendly enough to go for a ride with you and a stranger?"

Knight:
"Sure...you can be my nephew from outa state!"

Keeper:
Between 17th and 3rd Court, you notice the last car in sight turn off a couple of blocks ahead. You have a few blocks clear of vehicles. For a few seconds, anyway.

Keeper:
Kelley narrows his eyes as he looks ahead.

Keeper:
He picks up his phone and hits a button.

Keeper:
Lundquist, your phone rings.

Knight times the approach so Kelly can make the grab...

Keeper:
"Answer the fucking phone," Kelley mutters, his eyes scanning the street.

Lundquist:
"Yeah?"

Keeper:
"Our boy's heading for Third Court. Do we grab him or let him walk?" You recognize Kelley's voice.

Lundquist:
"If you can do it discretely, do it. If not, wait for dark."

Keeper:
The phone clicks as he disconnects.

Knight looks at Kelly...."We wait?"

Keeper:
"All right," he says, climbing into the back seat. "Come up behind him and slow down. I'll get out and try to grab him from behind."

Knight pulls up slowly behind Hekman

Keeper:
Again, you're good with cars - you keep the engine running low as you pull up, and Kelley piles out, opening the door just enough to give him room. It doesn't slam shut as he surges ahead, a hand-held taser in his right hand.

Keeper:
Peppy, looking hot in an old fatigue jacket, starts to glance back toward the car as Kelley reaches him and jams the taser up under the jacket at the small of his back.

Keeper:
Peppy's eyes widen and he grunts chokingly and flops to the sidewalk.

Knight helps Kelly into the car with him

Keeper:
Kelley grabs Peppy by his collar - Peppy's at least a few inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter than Kelly - and hauls him to the car, where you help stuff him in the back seat.

Keeper:
"Let's go," says Kelley, slamming the door shut as he gets in back and shoves Peppy out of the way.

Knight pulls away making sure no one has watched them

Keeper:
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... or safe house, anyway...

Keeper:
Rogers and Lundquist, you have an appointment. Doing anything else?

Lundquist:
I don't think so... Rob, you got any ideas? I think I should be taking advantage of this opportunity to rest up a bit more, while I got the chance.

Rogers:
Sounds good to me if you guys want to play on I don't mind but its 1:45am here and I have work tomorrow

Keeper:
Okay, we can start here next game.