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Daisy Daisy opened her eyes a moment before the alarm was playing, looked at the time, turned off the alarm and got up quickly out of bed. Looking through the window he noticed that the first rays of sun tinged deep red sky and cumulus clouds announcing a storm. We hope that the rain lowers the temperature - thought Daisy - the heat for some 'days is unbearable.
Napoleon, tabby, pointed out its presence by emitting a loud meowing and rubbing its tail on the bare legs of Daisy.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Are you hungry eh? Now comes the jelly>>. The cat followed her into the kitchen, she took the box of biscuits and a bowl filled with white and then began to Napoleon. These promptly thanked purring. Stroked him gently for a few minutes later, looking at his watch, he decided it was time to take a shower.
out of the bathroom wrapped only by a towel, returned to the kitchen where he saw the empty bowl but there was Napoleon. Perhaps the cat was looking for a cool corner of the house to rest. Took the coffee from the shelf, filled with ground coffee from her and placed her on fire. Arabica, strong taste, it was his favorite. He hated the freeze-dried coffee, preferring to get up few minutes before the morning but did not renounce his abundant energy breakfast. He waited for the coffee bubbled and inhaled the aroma deeply, he filled a large cup and drank a sip still hot. He was buttering toast when the sound of a car aroused his attention.
Daisy lived in Escondido, a remote mountain area, located about fifty miles from San Diego. The house of stone, plastered with white lime red-tiled roofs, surrounded by a meadow of lavender purple, stood out in that arid land with patches of ocher yellow grass parched from the sun and rare patches of green for the presence of giant cactus or some low shrub. The cars passing by in those areas were rare and Daisy did not wait for anyone. Not that day. Not at this time.
She rose and looked out the kitchen window and saw a blue truck lift a trail of gray dust, headed right toward her. It was no more than a hundred feet and was able to read the words "FedEx Express" on the body. Deliveries. Someone sent a package by mail. She
a bathrobe and went to wait for delivery at the door.
The man, a guy in his thirties, tall, thin, with Capellini and blue uniform, got out of hand in hand with a package. A box with one side more than eighty centimeters. Daisy thought of a bunch flowers.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;one delivery Miller> Margaret, "said the boy.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Interaction io, grazie>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Here this is for you. If you do not mind, I should make myself a firmetta here>>. The poses a clipboard with a sheet on which was written his name and address, and a pen.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Ecco here where I put a croce>> waited a moment, then said goodbye \u0026lt;\u0026lt;The thank you and good giornata>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Good morning also she>>. Daisy returned the greeting and then waited until the man fell into the van, put in motion and then move away by the inevitable cloud of dust.
He took the package home, looked at whether there was any note that would make her understand who the sender, but did not find him, then untied the bow and looked within.
The smile vanished from his face. To be a flower it was, a long-stemmed chrysanthemums dry. Dead, she was thinking. The envelope was inside, in plain sight. He took it carefully, holding the edge, trying not to leave his footprints. It could be an object of crime considered. He took the ticket and read the message: "Now keep your mouth shut, it is better for you if you do not speak." Daisy remembered what he should do in the morning.
Margaret Miller, Daisy as they called the family, tall, late payment, the deep green eyes inherited from his mother. He was not yet thirty years old but has been working for five years at the San Diego Police Department, the sdpd. As a child
Daisy Police had wanted to work in and follow the footsteps of his father. Finished high school, he entered and graduated with honors. She had always been the cleverest of his class. Punctual, attentive, always devoted to his work, was also the first to be promoted lieutenant. He assumed the position of detective and this was his first survey.
A simple thing, just to get familiar with the work, said his superior, Captain Fred Garcia. An anonymous letter had indicated the presence in a luxury apartment in the city center, around a ring, almost all minors and illegal immigrants from Mexico. So said the informer.
When Margaret and his team raided the building, found nothing strange. He had imagined the scene as well. Clients Looking hastily dressed, girls run away screaming and still bare. What I did not expect, however, happened just minutes after clients and prostitutes were filed handcuffed. A woman, tall, blond, with delicate features, in peace and quiet, even stunned the noise, came up to her and handed an envelope with a transparent plastic bag filled with white powder.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Do not expect so soon, you're not already gone more than a fortnight ago, say it to his colleague. However, inside there are the usual two thousand and that is top quality>> the woman said, turning to Margaret, indicating the bag then peremptorily added
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;time vacated the girls and forget about clienti>> ;.
Cocaine and money to bribe the police. Margaret was stunned. She, the daughter of a policeman, not the least thought this could happen. Justice. It had to do justice. To expose and arrest those who shame the name of the police had become his goal.
not led to the central woman. In exchange for a confession promised a substantial reduction of sentence. In his report would not have reported that the prostitutes were underage or illegal immigrants, with a couple of years, if she would manage. In return, however, would have denounced her pimps and corrupt police. Margaret Miller got those names.
next few days, without notifying Garcia, Daisy picked up information about John Green and Steve Morrell, the two corrupt cops. They were called by colleagues and Stasky Hach. Two men who appeared more than two cowboy policemen. At the back had a decent career with numerous arrests, some praise. They were well taken by few and feared by most. Often talked to their standard of living quite high and not suited to their payrolls. A year earlier they had also refused a promotion. They preferred to street work, they said.
John and Steve were assigned to their patrol in the area of \u200b\u200bthe city and had never reported the presence of prostitutes in the district. Performed periodically raided the apartment house converted into appointments and then, in exchange for money and cocaine, pretended to forget everything. Over time they also stopped making the raid, they had made an agreement with the managers and they had agreed a fixed tangent. Had it not been for that anonymous letter, Fred Garcia never would have decided to take the team of Margaret Miller.
Fifteen days later, Margaret thought he had enough evidence to arrest them. He presented with photographs, statements and video recordings to the Head of Department and denounces all. Garcia, upright man and friend of Margaret's father, presented the whole affairs. For the two men shot the suspension and left the internal investigation. That day Margaret would have presented at trial and testify. It was the main witness for the prosecution.
Margaret Miller began to get scared. Someone really asked it to keep my mouth shut? Someone would also hurt. It was perhaps appropriate to compromise? He thought of his father, paralyzed in a wheelchair because he had protected his body with a hostage by gunmen for a robber. He had recovered his legs, he. And what would you do? His ideals thrown in the toilet at the first hurdle? He even risked her life. He testified.
Daisy ended up eating toast and drinking coffee still warm even though he had not so hungry. He went to get dressed. A blue suit, but it handy to overshadow her feminine charm. Collected the hair in the mirror and made it a lock that stopped with the hairpins. Only a trace of makeup, just to prove to their male counterparts who did not neglect his appearance but that was not there to show off. He threw in the trash and pack the dried flower, too many hands had touched, but kept the ticket. Once in the district would have required the testing laboratory a series of tests to detect footprints or other tracks that enable it to identify the sender. Napoleon called to greet him but the cat was already in dreamland. He left home thinking that Remedios in the afternoon, the maid, he'd feed the cat and tidying the house.
The engine of his black Toyota was assured, powerful and reliable. Suitable for through that bumpy road with little traffic. Usually arrived at the gates of the city, crossing no more than four or five other cars. Four kilometers from his house there was the first presence of life, a drugstore where he often stopped to refuel or buy something they needed. That morning he jumped the rest. She was concerned but not afraid. With him was his gun. Upload.
The radio was on and the announcer read the latest news reports interspersed with songs of country music. Margaret noticed only by accident that the huge truck was following her. The truck driver had to have hurry, he wanted the open road, he pointed out trumpeting as they could.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Passa, passa, berth hours if you so much fretta>> said aloud, even if it could not be heard on the other motorist. He stopped the SUV on the edge of the roadway to give way but was surprised when the truck instead of overtaking stopped about ten meters from her.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;What vuoi, you no longer want to correre?>> Daisy and sped off again. The truck did the same, indeed accelerated even more, fell on her dry. The shock was tremendous, just opposite lock braking and managed not to fall into a ravine and to keep the vehicle on the road.
This is a madman wants to kill me, thought Margaret. Scared, but unharmed, he drew his gun, crouched in the seat ready to shoot. From the truck he saw no property, but he knew that someone was there and wanted something from her. Margaret opened the door and jumped out, one hand holding a pistol and shot the driver in the other pulled out his badge.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Polizia San Diego, falls with never alto>> screamed. No one answered, the windows were blacked out, did not understand what he was doing his opponent. They did not answer but showed signs of life by accelerating and colliding again his Toyota. Margaret exploded a shot in the air, but the car disappeared in a flash. One caveat, this is just a warning, she thought Margaret. The next time it could not end like this. Daisy, his hands trembling, wrote down the license plate number. I do not lead anywhere but it's worth groped, she thought.
arrived an hour late to the department, Laura Lopez, just saw the greeting:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;What faccia, but you successo?>>
Laura Lopez was the personal secretary Margaret . Forty years, married with two children. Gentle character and always cheerful. It was soon become best friends with Daisy.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Nulla of che,… I did not sleep well and I had an accident, but nothing serious I have not done niente>>, is justified.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Here is the documentation of this. In ten minutes you have to testify, are you ready?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes, all right. Listen, I need a favor, I know the name of the owner of this vehicle>> Daisy drew from his pocket a piece of paper, where he had written down the license plate of the truck
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;is quite an urgent>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not are problemi>>. Just as Laura finished talking affairs office door opened, Fred Garcia appeared to call to testify. The door closed behind her.
The room was very large and well lit almost entirely occupied by an oval table in walnut. The placeholders indicating the name and the function of those present. At the head of the table, three places: Marcus Wood, William Johson and Ken Brown. Constituted the committee affairs. Would decide the fate of the two police officers, the readmission or permanent expulsion from the department with the subsequent criminal trial in front of the ordinary justice. To their left: John Green and Steve Morrell, accompanied by their lawyer, Larry Coleman. To the right of the table Fred Garcia, Margaret Miller and Dolores Gray.
Margaret rested on the floor beside him, the bag, took out the papers and documents that Laura had prepared and laid them on the table. For a few seconds there was total silence and embarrassment took the bottle of water placed before her, filled his glass and drank only a sip. He began to observe a one-to present.
Marcus Wood, a tall thin, in his fifties. He wore a black suit with white shirt and classic tie Oxford. Perennially tanned and wearing glasses blacks. He arrived home affairs for a recommendation of her father. He had a playboy reputation and everyone knew who put the horns to his wife.
William Johson had over sixty years and was nearing retirement. Medium height with a prominent belly. A few white hairs. He believed in his work. In his youth he was a policeman inflexible and incorruptible. Directing the affairs with the same passion then.
Steve Morrell, the only color. Fifty-five years old, married with three children. He was promoted to his political contacts and friendships rather than the merits of work. Interested in the next elections, tried to exploit his position to appear in newspapers as possible.
Dolores Gray was a lawyer, an official of the department and an expert in legal affairs. Assisting the prosecution. Very young. Not very high but the blond hair and blue eyes made her, that usually define a beautiful woman. Margaret had known little but knew that it was said that she was intelligent and well prepared. William Johson's eyes were fixed on her.
Margaret Miller found himself face to face for the first time, with Green and Morrell. He was not afraid of them. He wondered if it was one of them or both to deliver him that flower. Perhaps they were the ones who also have to pay because someone cut off the road that morning. Clearly did not intend it out, because they only wanted to frighten if something serious had happened to the suspects would fall on their own. It had to be present and retract the allegations.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Buongiorno detective, know why it has been called to testimoniare?>> said in a stern tone William Johson, who as the oldest member, served as chairman of the committee.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes>> said Margaret dry. He knew he had to meet with synthetic sentences, using precise technical terms, possibly simple.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Do you know what are the consequences of false statements, or simply not true based on his remarks personal and not supported by evidence?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Well, then we can start. The word defense lawyer>>.
Larry Coleman was a fat man with a clear bottom that tried to disguise baldness with a large carry-over. Very unpleasant person but a shark on the job, were very few jobs in which his clients were convicted.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Thank you for giving me the floor, Mr. Chairman. We know the charges that the District intended to refute my two cared for and I would like to ask a few questions to Lt. Margaret Miller>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Granted. We're here to help>> answered the William Johson.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Tenente Miller, is true that the investigations conducted by her on my two assists starting with a statement of Miss Alesha Cox?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Sì, she was to me those names for the first volta>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Gestire around a ring of minors and illegal immigrants from Mexico is a reato?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Sure, ten to twenty years in prison>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not Alesha true that Ms Cox has had a reduction of punishment for having issued a statement accusing my two assistiti?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;This is a practice often consentita…>>. The defense lawyer interrupted Margaret.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Risponda with a yes or express opinions without no, personali>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;In this case were not considered personali, I request that Lt. Margaret Miller may end the frase>>. Dolores Gray interrupted, in turn, the defense attorney, addressing Johson.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Negata, simply reply with a yes or NO>> to the committee chairman was not interested in explanations, but only the bare facts.
Daisy spoke again and answered the question of the lawyer Coleman
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Another question. It 's true that the evidence you provide: photos, videos, statements and all material found in it date back to the days prior to April 10?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;When has officially taken up inside l'inchiesta John Green and Steve Morrell?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;The 12 aprile>>
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Quindi tests were obtained upon his own initiative without having been officially personale, l'incarico his superiore, Fred Garcia?>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not could I ask you to open a formal investigation without first having some evidence that substantiate the testimony of Mrs. Cox …>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Please reply with a yes or no, Lt.>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Yes>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Not other domande> I> ended Larry Coleman.
Margaret, flushed, he read on the faces of Garcia and Gray discontent and realized that things were not going well. The defense lawyer stood up, approached the Board and began his harangue:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Gentlemen, the evidence on the basis of which you intend to acknowledge my two assists were obtained illegally and not following the proper procedure. Even assuming that they are reliable and sufficient, which we object, before a ordinary process can not be made. The judge immediately integrate my clients. Photos and videos can also be explained as the attempt made by my two clients, to get to know the names of operators and organizers of prostitution. Miss Alesha Cox's statements can be explained as mere statements made to obtain a reduction of the sentence ...>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Lords of the Commission, asked to stop the pleading of the defense lawyer. I need to speak with the Lieutenant and Captain Miller Garcia>>. The defense lawyer Dolores Gray had understood the intentions of Larry and intuition that the Commission has deleted the process. It was useless to fire them, an ordinary court would have decreed their reinstatement, more than the two would be transferred to other assignments with some reprimand. Next was to try to defeat a counter displace Larry Coleman and convince the commission.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Allowed. Stop the session for ten minutes>> William Johson said.
Margaret Miller, Fred Garcia and Dolores Gray is flat in a room adjoining the office. Dolores began to speak:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;After hearing the allegations of Larry is correct, a court would not allow the ordinary process no proof, if you insist with them, the police would lose the job. The committee members have understood that not proceed and the whole thing will be shelved. There's only one thing to do, ask for a suspension of the internal process and ask for a more detailed investigation to bring new evidence for the prosecution in a presentable ordinary process>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;But it will be impossible to find new ones. Must be careful, there are idiots>> Margaret said. Garcia interrupted:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Dolores is right, Margaret. We must try everything else will go up in smoke. All right, ask a extension of three months>>.
are back in the office, the process resumed. The lawyer spoke Dolores Gray:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Signori, Margaret Miller, the lieutenant and captain Fred Garcia, ask the temporary suspension of this internal process to enable to carry out further researches for a period of three mesi> ;>.
Larry interjected firmly:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Another three months of suspension? Three months without a paycheck? This time is not tolerable for my clients. I ask that the process is canceled and that is readily integrated>>.
Marcus Wood, William Brown and Ken Johson looked for a moment between them, Marcus took the floor:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;The commission, after hearing the parties, out to vote. Within twenty minutes will be issued the sentence>>.
were the minutes slower than the life of Margaret, it seemed that he would spend a whole pending the ruling. She was disappointed by how it had happened, not least if the suspect and the disappointment in his mind was great. A wire saw him smile on the faces instead of Green and Morrell which whispering with their attorney to be sure that if fared.
quarter of an hour had passed when the committee returned. Johson took a sheet and read out the sentence:
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;... will be granted an extension of one month to carry out more detailed information on the behavior of John Green and Steve Morrell. The survey, however, should not be led by Lt. Margaret Miller but by other staff, chosen directly by Captain Garcia. Meanwhile, John Green and Steve Morrell will remain suspended from office>>.
defeat. To Margaret it was a total defeat. His investigation had been cleared for more would have to pass the ball to someone else who certainly would not be able to find anything new. That was the blackest day of his career.
Margaret returned to her office. Around them the absolute desert. The news must have been leaked and now she had become un'appestata. One to keep at bay, the two colleagues accused of innocents. From now on would be a tough life to the department. He put the bag with the documents on his desk, sat down and leaned his head on the table, he wanted to scream and cry of despair.
Laura Lopez knocked on the glass door and entered without waiting for a response from Margaret. With one hand she held a cup of coffee she had purchased just prior to Sturbucks, the other with a note written on a post-it.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;So how you feel dear, do not say anything. I just wanted to let you know that you have done everything for me how it was done, are the laws that often protect the dishonest ...>>. Margaret raised her head, looked disconsolate.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Grazie Laura, cara, but today you are very …>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;You have to lift you up and react. For starters there's what you want to>> Laura poses coffee, even though he knew he was crazy for that type \u0026lt;\u0026lt;About that number plate. And 'stealing of a truck today, the complaint was made about ten. The owner was carrying a load of goods from Escondido in San Diego, had stopped at a gas station to refuel and then went to the bathroom, someone has set in motion and was carried off the truck with full load. What is strange is that it was found a few hours ago, battered but with all the goods intact. It is not a theft ...>>.
\u0026lt;\u0026lt;Thanks Laura, you've done your duty. I think I go home now, I need to rest>>.
Margaret Miller got into his Toyota crashed and went home. It was late afternoon and was driving when it started to rain. It was one of the most intense downpours that struck the west coast in the last ten years.
(continued)
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