Chapter 20: Thanksgiving Throwdown - Part 2
POV: Kole Martinez
Three grocery stores hit simultaneously across Brooklyn painted a picture of coordination that transformed absurd turkey theft into serious criminal enterprise. The squad split up to cover multiple crime scenes, each detective bringing specialized skills to what was rapidly becoming one of the strangest cases in Nine-Nine history.
High-end electronics hidden in turkey boxes. Professional coordination. Military-style precision.
This isn't random holiday crime.
Kole's photographic memory processed security footage from all three locations with mechanical efficiency, cross-referencing behavioral patterns while his enhanced perception identified details that painted an increasingly complex picture.
Same crew, rotating positions. Hand signals. Tactical movement patterns.
The first robbery at Metropolitan Grocery showed three men moving through the store with purposeful efficiency, their coordination suggesting extensive planning and professional training. They ignored expensive alcohol and luxury items, focusing exclusively on the poultry section.
Not random thieves looking for easy targets.
The second hit at Brooklyn Family Market demonstrated the same behavioral signatures—disciplined movement, minimal exposure time, specific knowledge of store layout and security camera placement.
Inside information. They knew exactly where to go and when guards would be absent.
The third robbery at Corner Deli & Market completed the pattern. Professional execution, no wasted motion, escape routes that avoided main traffic corridors and police patrol zones.
Military or law enforcement background. These are trained professionals.
Jake caught the same indicators, his detective instincts recognizing organized crime when he saw it.
"This isn't street-level theft," he announced to the assembled squad. "Look at the coordination, the timing, the tactical awareness. These guys have serious training."
Jake's good at this. Really good. His instincts match what my powers are telling me.
Amy coordinated witness interviews with systematic precision, her organizational skills creating comprehensive database of statements and timeline analysis within an hour of arriving on scene.
"Consistent descriptions across all three locations," she reported. "Three-man crew, specific targeting of poultry section, minimal interaction with customers or staff."
Rosa pursued the getaway vehicle angle with characteristic aggression, using her network of street contacts to track escape routes and potential safe houses.
Everyone bringing their strengths to bear on the investigation.
Exactly how good police work should function.
Kole's abilities worked in concert as he processed evidence from multiple crime scenes. His photographic memory absorbed every detail of security footage, his lie detection identified deception in witness statements, and his combat adaptation analyzed the criminals' movement patterns for tactical insights.
Professional military bearing. Specific hand signals that suggest shared training background. Escape routes that demonstrate familiarity with Brooklyn geography.
Veterans. Former military or law enforcement turned criminal.
While the squad worked the crime scenes, Jessica remained at Shaw's Bar with the civilian support crew, watching news coverage and helping Terry's family maintain the Thanksgiving celebration despite interrupted dinner plans.
She's staying. Not just staying, but actively contributing to keeping everyone's spirits up.
Kole's phone rang as he reviewed evidence at the second crime scene.
"The news reporter just interviewed the manager from the first store," Jessica said without preamble. "He seemed really nervous during the interview—kept touching his collar, avoiding direct eye contact. Reminded me of students who get caught cheating on tests."
Jessica's teacher instincts detecting deception through television coverage.
"Nervous how?"
"Guilty nervous. Like he knew more than he was saying. The reporter asked about security procedures, and his answers felt rehearsed. Too perfect, if that makes sense."
It makes perfect sense. My lie detection would have caught the same behavioral indicators.
"We'll bring him in for questioning."
"Sorry if I'm overstepping. I know you didn't ask for my opinion about your case."
She's apologizing for accidentally helping solve the investigation.
"You're not overstepping. That's excellent observation."
Excellent observation that just broke the case open.
The grocery store manager—Robert Chen, forty-two years old, fifteen-year employee with clean record—cracked under questioning within twenty minutes. His deception was obvious to anyone with basic interview training, but Jessica's behavioral analysis had provided the crucial insight that transformed him from witness to suspect.
Inside job. Chen provided security schedules and inventory information in exchange for percentage of profits.
"The electronics were already in the turkeys when they arrived," Chen confessed during formal interview. "I just had to make sure the crew knew which freezer cases and what time the delivery truck would be unguarded."
Smuggling operation using holiday food as cover. Brilliant and completely insane.
With Chen's cooperation, Rosa tracked the criminal crew to their fencing operation in a warehouse near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The arrest went smoothly—professional criminals who recognized when their operation had been compromised and surrender was preferable to violent resistance.
Military veterans. Discharged honorably but struggling with civilian employment and financial problems.
Desperation rather than greed. Still criminal, but understandable.
The squad returned to Shaw's Bar as heroes, carrying recovered electronics and the satisfaction of closing a complex case through teamwork and investigative excellence. The civilian support crew had maintained the Thanksgiving celebration, keeping food warm and conversation flowing despite the detective exodus.
Jessica still here. Still helping. Still fitting in like she belongs.
"How did it go?" Jessica asked as the squad filtered back into the bar, reading their expressions for signs of success or complications.
"We got them," Jake announced with satisfaction. "Thanks to your behavioral analysis of the store manager."
Thanks to Jessica's observation. She solved the case through pure human intuition.
Jessica flushed with embarrassment at being credited with police work.
"I just noticed he seemed nervous. You would have figured it out anyway."
"Maybe," Rosa said with rare approval, "but you figured it out faster."
Rosa giving Jessica credit. That's significant recognition.
Charles whispered to Jake with characteristic oversharing, "She's got Martinez powers too! Pattern recognition, behavioral analysis, investigative instincts—it's like they're professionally compatible!"
Professionally compatible. If only Charles knew how compatible we really are.
Captain Holt acknowledged Jessica's contribution with formal precision that carried surprising warmth.
"Your observational skills contributed materially to case resolution," he said seriously. "The NYPD appreciates civilian assistance when it leads to successful prosecution of criminal enterprises."
Holt treating Jessica like honorary detective. Official recognition.
Jake raised his beer with theatrical ceremony.
"To civilians who are better cops than actual cops!" he declared.
Better cops than actual cops. The irony is that Jessica's natural abilities mirror my supernatural ones.
The squad toasted while Jessica laughed with obvious delight at being included in their professional celebration. Kole watched her integrate seamlessly with his chosen family, heart full of love and breaking with accumulated deception.
She belongs here. With them, with me, in this life I've built on borrowed identity and impossible circumstances.
And tomorrow she flies back to LA, leaving me to maintain the lies that make this connection possible.
The evening wound down with promises to repeat the celebration, exchanges of contact information for future social events, and the particular warmth that came from shared success and genuine affection.
Found family. Real relationships built on mutual care and respect.
For Jessica, anyway. For me, it's all contaminated by fundamental dishonesty about who I really am.
As the Nine-Nine family gathered their things and prepared to head home, Kole realized that Thanksgiving had accomplished something he hadn't expected. Instead of proving he could maintain his double life indefinitely, it had shown him exactly what he was risking with every lie he told.
This is what I could lose. All of it. The moment anyone discovers the truth about my impossible existence.
Jessica linked her arm through his as they walked toward the subway, both carrying the comfortable fatigue that came from good food and better company.
"I love your family," she said simply.
I love your family.
They're not really my family. I'm just borrowing them, like I'm borrowing everything else.
"They love you too."
That's the problem. Everyone loves people who don't really exist.
And eventually, inevitably, that's going to destroy everything we've built.
December approached with promises of Christmas complications, deeper relationship development, and shadows watching from the periphery. But tonight, walking through Brooklyn with Jessica's warmth beside him and the squad's acceptance warming his chest, Kole allowed himself to pretend that borrowed happiness might be enough.
Just for tonight.
Tomorrow the lies begin again.
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