Chapter Nine

Benji

It was just past six o’clock and I was heading back to my office after a crazy day in court when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw Stephen’s name on the screen.

“Hey, mate,” I answered.

The first thing I heard was the sound of his twins crying in the background, which immediately made me wonder what was going on.

“Benji, hey, it's Trinity,” she said.

“What's happened, Trin? You're calling from Stephen's phone. Where is he?”

“Peters came to the house about ten minutes ago and arrested Stephen. He's at the station. He asked me to call you.”

“I was just walking back into my office, but I’m turning around now. What did they say?”

“Not much, Benji. We were about to feed the kids and get them ready for bed when the doorbell rang. Stephen went to check and told me it was Peters with three cop cars. He told me to stay in the kitchen with the kids. Maybe five, ten minutes later, he called me out.”

“He said to call you, then Clint and Mia to come over. They arrested him for the murder of Special Agent Daniel Rodriguez. Before they handcuffed him, he told them he had nothing to say and that he was invoking his right to legal counsel.”

“And did they have a warrant?”

“Yes, they did. I didn’t see it, but Peters was holding a piece of paper out to Stephen. I took a photo of Stephen before they took him, just in case they got too rough, and then I called you.”

“Okay, I’m on my way now. I’ll see what I can find out and then I’ll call you back, okay?”

“Thank you, Benji.”

“Look, Trinity, I know we don't know each other very well, but I’ve known your husband and Clint for a long time. I’ve got this, okay? You can trust me.”

“I do, thanks, Benji. I better go, the kids are pretty upset.”

“No worries, talk to you soon.”

I hung up and raced to the station. I parked and went in to find out what Detective Peters was up to.

“Back again, Mr. Ramirez,” the duty officer said.

“Just one of those days. I believe Detective Peters is holding one of my clients.”

“Take a seat and I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Thanks.”

I don’t hate all cops, just Peters. He’s reckless, always jumping the gun without having all the facts. I waited for about ten minutes before the duty officer came back.

“I apologize for the wait, Mr. Ramirez. Unfortunately, Detective Peters has advised that your client won't be able to receive visitors tonight.”

“I suggest you get Peters to come out and tell me that himself.”

“Of course, Mr. Ramirez.”

He went back and after another fifteen minutes, Peters finally came out.

“What is it, Mr. Ramirez!”

“I understand from your officer here that you are refusing my right to speak with my client tonight.”

“I refused the right to speak to him as he is going through booking to interrogation.”

“If you are taking him to interrogation, then you are well aware that under the rights and freedoms charter, my client has the right to speak with legal counsel without delay upon being detained.”

“If he requests it, he does.”

“He did, detective.”

“I can assure you he certainly did not, Mr. Ramirez.”

I decided to call his bluff.

“That’s where we differ, Detective Peters. I spoke with Mrs. Gotti on the drive over here. She told me that as you were arresting Mr. Gotti at his home, he instructed his wife to call legal counsel to meet him at the station.”

“That implies his request in your presence. More interesting is that Mrs. Gotti told me she recorded that conversation. Shall we use that at the arraignment hearing to confirm the judge's interpretation of that request?”

“He asked his wife, Mr. Ramirez, he did not ask the police. There’s the difference.”

“Again, incorrect, Detective Peters. I believe the conversation went, and I quote, ‘Mr. Gotti initially asked his wife to get his phone and call Benji and ask him to meet him at the station.’”

“I’ve also been made aware that later in that conversation, after Mrs. Gotti told you to stop making a fool of yourself after you falsely arrested her not so long ago, Mr. Gotti turned to you and specifically said he would not be speaking to you until his lawyer was present. So don't waste your breath.”

“That is a direct, factual, and accurate request for counsel in any court of law. If you want to continue denying my client's rights under the charter of rights and freedoms, then under Habeas Corpus, I will be left with no alternative than to recourse in law on my client's behalf and have you reported for unlawful detention and imprisonment.”

“Take a seat, Mr. Ramirez, and I will have someone let you know when your client is out of booking.”

“Fabulous, Detective Peters. I look forward to it.”

I waited for about forty minutes before I was taken to an interrogation room where Stephen was waiting. Surprisingly, he seemed to be taking it well and was smirking.

“You look amused,” I said.

“I am.”

“Care to explain?”

“Not out loud here. I don't trust that prick at all.”

“So, how do you plan on letting me in on the joke then?”

“Benj, go through the process with them tonight. File a motion to dismiss ready for arraignment tomorrow, and I’ll fill you in once we arrive at the courthouse for the pre-arraignment counsel hearing.”

“Alright, mate. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I've watched you enough.”

“Then you learned from the best.”

“How's my wife and kids?”

“You got a good woman there, mate. The kids sounded tired and upset when she called, but she said she was calling Clint and Mia right after. I said I would call her the moment I left and update her.”

“Cheers, send her my love and the kids.”

“Of course. Well, see you tomorrow morning then.”

“See you then.”

I left the police station and got in my car. I was going to call Trinity to update her, but decided instead to stop by on my way home. When I arrived, I noticed Clint and Mia's car in the driveway.

I approach the door and ring the bell. Knowing Clint, he’ll peek out the side window before opening the door. So, I raise my middle finger in anticipation.

Clint chuckles, “Haha, jerk. I’m coming.”

I shake my head, “I knew you wouldn’t have changed.”

Clint laughs again, “I had, actually. Got too comfortable until the cops started this mess again. How’s he doing?”

“Surprisingly good,” I reply. “You wouldn’t happen to know why, would you?”

“Beats me, mate. I didn’t know what was going on until Trinity called me tonight.”

“And how’s she doing?”

“She’s okay, mate. She’s a strong girl.”

Mia’s voice floats from inside, “Who is it, Clint?”

“Babe, it’s all good. It’s just Benji.”

Mia calls out, “Come in, Benji. Want a cup of coffee?”

“Would love one, thanks. Where’s Trinity? I wanted to update her on Stephen.”

“She’s upstairs, getting the twins to bed. They’re a bit unsettled after tonight’s disruptions. She shouldn’t be too long.”

Mia suggests, “Let me make the coffee and I’ll run up to let her know you’re here. I’ll watch the kids, gives me a chance to check on Willie too.”

“Okay, baby,” Clint agrees.

Mia heads upstairs after making the coffee.

Clint turns to me, “So, he’s really okay?”

“Yeah, mate. But I’ve got a bad feeling about this one.”

“How so?”

“This feels personal with Peters. He’s not backing down.”

“Probably because it’s one of their own?”

“Maybe.”

We sip our coffee in silence, waiting. It’s not long before Trinity and Mia come back downstairs.

Trinity greets me, “Hey, Benji. Thanks for coming by. A phone call would’ve been fine, but I appreciate it. How’s he doing?”

“Really good. Too good, actually.”

“Seriously? I half expected him to be annoyed like last time.”

“He was laughing and joking, which is not like him at all.”

“Funny you should mention that. He was the same here before they arrested him.”

“Anything that triggered it?”

“Nothing I can think of. He answered the door and told me to wait in the kitchen. When I came out, they had already told him he was under arrest and showed the warrant.”

“Well, I guess we’ll find out at the arraignment tomorrow. He didn’t want to mention it at the station. He didn’t trust Peters not to eavesdrop, even though it’s illegal. He must know something we don’t.”

“Thanks, Benji. I hope so.”