James Patterson: Worst Case

“Hey, how are things up there? That party was fun. Man, was I trashed.”

“Not more than me,” I said. “Listen, I just found out we were right when we thought there was something funny about the Hastings kid’s kidnapping. It turns out it was complete bullshit. The kid cooked it up with his Russian squeeze. They did it to rob his father. Nice, huh? Little early Father’s Day present for the old man.”

“Wow,” she said. She was silent for a long beat.

“When Francis X. and I got into our shouting match, he said that today’s youth was worthless. Sometimes I think maybe he was right. Maybe this world has lost its way.”

I tried to say something then, but when I opened my mouth, no words came out. I only wanted what all parents want, a nice place for their kids to live in. It was scary and painful to think of all the crazy, bad things that could happen, the kind of bleak future that might await them.

I looked out at the water. Though the day was bright, the air whistling in through my cracked-open window was harsh, biting, frigid.

“I don’t know about the world, Emily,” I finally said. “All I know is that Mooney is dead, and we’re still on the job.”

I started the car and cranked up the heat.

“That might not exactly be happily ever after,” I said, “but what the hell. It’s a start.”

We managed to get hold of Detective Michael Bennett for an extremely rare interview…

How long have you been working in the police force?

I’ve been a cop for sixteen years now. I started out with the NYPD before doing a stint with the FBI before I got married. These days I’m back with the NYPD as a senior detective on the Major Case Squad. I’m a troubleshooter, negotiator; I guess really I’m just whatever is needed by whoever needs it.

What is the hardest part of your job?

There are many tough parts to the job but one of the things I find the hardest is telling people that someone close to them has been murdered. But seeing the pain on their faces makes me all the more determined to track down the killers.

So what is the most satisfying part of your job?

Well it’s certainly not the salary! Plus the hours are demanding and don’t allow me to spend as much time with my family as I’d like to. But when a case comes together and you find the person who has brought misery into the lives of good people, it makes all the sacrifices worthwhile.

Have you ever considered quitting the NYPD to do something else?

Since the major hostage incident at St Patrick’s Cathedral a couple of years back, people have made me out to be a bit of a celebrity cop. I had some nice job offers to do things like corporate security management for ABC, and I guess I considered it fleetingly. It would be a lot safer for myself and my family, I’d have regular hours so could spend more time with my kids, plus we would be a lot better off financially. But when it comes down to it, I’m not ready to hand in my shield just yet. Despite all the crap that comes with it, I love being a cop, it’s who I am.

It must have been terrifying for you when Billy Meyer (aka the Teacher) got into your apartment and held your family hostage?

It’s every cop’s worst nightmare that the guy you’re chasing gets to your family. The only time I’ve felt fear like it was when I heard my wife had cancer. I’ll never allow danger to get that close to my family again. I couldn’t bear to lose them too.

Losing your wife must have been devastating. What kept you going through that time?

It was the hardest challenge that I’ve ever had to face. It’s left a permanent hole in my heart. I still miss her every day. If it wasn’t for the kids, I wouldn’t have made it through. They give me a reason to wake up in the morning. I also hold on to the hope that, if there is a life after this one, I might be able to see her again.

As a single father, how do you manage to do such a stressful job whilst looking after ten children?

Well I get a lot of help from Seamus, and Mary Catherine is a lifesaver. I wouldn’t be able to do it without her. She can take ninety-nine percent of the credit for how the kids have coped without their mother. My kids are by far the greatest achievement in my life. Even when I’ve had a real tough day, when I come home all that fades away and although it isn’t exactly peaceful, to me it’s bliss.

It sounds like you’d be lost without Mary Catherine.

I would, totally. She’s an amazing woman. She feels like part of the family now. Although I don’t know how she puts up with us sometimes.

What do you do in your spare time?

As you can imagine I don’t get a lot of spare time! But what time I do have I spend with my kids. I coach my son Eddie’s basketball team. He’s on the JV. Ricky plays on the varsity squad. When things get stressful I put on some eighties rock music — there’s nothing like a bit of AC/DC to help you unwind.

What does the future hold in store for Michael Bennett?

Well I hope I can keep doing the job I love. I think I’ve got a few years left in me yet!