Episode 1 - Scene 1
“C’mon into the chambers, Jimmy” Judge Phelan said with a wry smile. “What is it you want to talk about?”
“Your trial today, have you heard any of these names before, Judge?” McNulty asked.
“Please, Jimmy, in here you can call me Mr. Phelan,” he said with a laugh. “To be honest, no I haven’t.” He took off his robe and sat down at his desk.
“That’s because nobody’s investigating these guys. These Barksdale fuckers are selling dope and dropping bodies all around West Baltimore. And we’ve got nothing real on ‘em”
“No weight, no guns, no names?”
“As far as I know, nothing that goes above street level, but you’d have to ask Narcotics. But I’m seeing these bodies, and the name I’m hearing whispered is Barksdale.”
“So why haven’t we heard anything about them so far?”
“They’re smart. One of the guys in your courtroom today: Stringer Bell, a top Barksdale lieutenant. Taking notes.”
“Taking notes on my case?”
“Yes sir. The corner boys are using pay phones, and the top men are meeting only face to face, no phones at all. We’ve got nothing to go on.”
“And you’re catching bodies?”
“I think so.”
“Dammit!” Judge Phelan slammed his fist down on the table. “So neither Narcotics or the Western are willing to pick this up, because it’s too hard.”
“Yeah, but I think we can make a case, with some time, manpower.”
“Well, shit Jimmy, I guess I’ve got to make some calls. But you better not be fucking with me!”
“Would I do that to you, Judge?” McNulty asked, with an impish smile.
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“Sit down, Cedric” Deputy Commissioner Burrell waved at a chair in his office. “We’ve got something to talk about.”
“Yes sir. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve got something to offer you, Cedric. How do you feel about leading a Major Case Sqaud?”
“Deputy!” Lieutenant Daniels sputtered. “I’d be honored. What’s the case?”
“Some judge has got a bug up his ass about some drug ring in Western Baltimore. You ever heard of Barksdale?”
“Yeah, my squad has made some buy busts the name comes up, but it never goes anywhere. We’ve rolled up to above the corner level once, but never further than that.”
“That’s fine. I don’t think we’re going to need much more than that.”
“Sir?”
“This is political shit. Do you want to deal with political shit, Cedric? I don’t think you do. You get me a few names, get me some drugs and some money to put on a table, and we’re satisfied.”
“That’s all you want this Major Case Squad for?”
“We don’t have the money for much else. So, you take this assignment, take some men, and put something together. You’ll have a couple months. You make this quick and easy, and you’ll have a friend. You don’t,… well, you know what I’ve got in this desk drawer, right?”
“I believe I do. Deputy Commissioner.” Daniels stood to leave.
“Cedric.” Burrell dismissed him. “Oh, and Cedric? Good luck.” An oily smile sent Lieutenant Daniels on his way.