Posted by Kim on 7/16/2001, 9:25 am Reynolds rose from his desk to shake Mac's hand and motioned for him to take a seat facing his desk. The councilman sat on the edge of his desk as he addressed Mac. "You may know Commissioner, I'm taking additional interest in budgetary matters and I want to talk to you about some recent large expenditure requests recently requested by your department. I believe that the expenditures are for overtime and extra security regarding the Moreno trial." Mac raised his eyebrows a bit at the mention of the topic. The request for additional money was submitted only two days ago. With the normal bureaucratic red tape a politician wouldn't have seen the paperwork for at least two weeks. How is it that this councilman is questioning the requests only 48 hours after the paperwork was prepared? Mac held his temper as he spoke evenly and hopefully slowly enough for this penny-pinching bureaucrat to understand his explanation. "Councilman Reynolds, you must be aware that Anthony Moreno is one of the most notorious and dangerous crime bosses in the northeast United States. Having enough evidence to bring him to trial is just the start of the process to bring him to justice. Moreno and his associates are absolutely ruthless and will stop at nothing and will do whatever it takes to sabotage his trial. That includes intimidating witnesses. The police department has to allocate additional resources to see that witnesses and people associated with the case are protected." Flipping through some papers in a binder, Reynolds paused and peered at Mac through his glasses as he noted, "Commissioner, I can understand that some police resources are needed during the trial. But some of these requests...? For example, why is so much money being allocated to A.D.A. Jensen's security?" "Her safety was actually threatened by Moreno," Mac countered as he looked at Reynolds in disbelief. " I was there and I heard the threat myself." "That was probably bluster or anger on Moreno's part," Reynolds said dismissively. He asked, " Has any attempt been made on Ms. Jensen's life?" "As of yet, no," replied Mac as he stared incredulously at the Reynolds. Does this idiot think that because no attempt has been made then no security is needed? Reynolds' next statement confirmed Mac's thoughts. "Then my first suggestion would be to scale back or eliminate the security. I really do think that it is a waste of time and money. I spoke to the DA about this and he had no problem with my request." Mac refused to even argue this point with the councilman. He'd head to the mayor's office immediately after lunch with Dara to insure that Dara's security would remain in tact. Reynolds continued to the next issue. "Also, I can understand the extensive security for the witness Bannion for the trial. But the money requested for his lodging and care seem a bit excessive to me. I need more details about exactly what these expenditures are." "Only myself and 2 officers on the force know that information and we can't detail it to you or to anyone else without jeopardizing Bannion's safety," was Mac's steely reply to Reynolds last request. "After the trial is completed and Bannion is put in a witness protection program, I will have no problem going over every receipt and expense with you. But until then I can give you no more details regarding Bannion's security details." It occurred to Mac that Reynolds would not be the first nor last politician to be associated with organized crime. The councilman has always been a lightweight on the city council and his unusual interest in budget matters related to the Moreno case was extremely suspicious. To confirm his suspicions Mac asked, "Do you have any specific budget concerns which are not associated with the Moreno case? Perhaps we can come to some agreement on those now." "I really expect to come to an agreement with you on all of these budget issues Commissioner, regardless whether they relate to the Moreno case or not," retorted Reynolds. "As a public official I am entitled to know important aspects of the Moreno case," he blustered as he drew himself up and stood to face Mac. "Not when it comes to the safety of those involved with this case you're not," declared Mac. We can take this up with the mayor if you wish and I'm sure that the FBI would have some interest in this matter also. Let me know when you want to meet on this issue again and we'll all get together and work out any problems that you may have." Mac grabbed his coat and left the office. If Reynolds is sniffing around for information for Moreno, any attention drawn to Reynolds' interest in the trial would be undesirable, from both Moreno's and Reynolds' points of view. Mac doubted that Reynolds would continue pestering him for information, but the attempt was indicative of the fact that Moreno would leave no stone unturned in getting out of the charges. Mac was still pondering his meeting with Reynolds when he saw Dara leaving the police station. He was relived to see Officer Allen walking a few paces behind Dara. Mac called to Dara and asked her to wait for him as he rushed to join her.
Dealing with politicians is definitely one of the downsides of being the police commissioner, Mac thought as he made his way to Councilman Reynolds' office. For some reason the councilman requested an immediate meeting to discuss some budget details but Mac really had no idea what the issues were to be discussed. The receptionist informed Mac that the councilman was waiting for him and he proceeded to councilman Reynolds' office.
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