Chapter One

Grand Larceny detective and cop Nathan Luke, a young, intelligent twenty-five-year-old working in the NYPD, and his squad were at a victim's house in Manhattan, New York.  NYPD Detectives Nathan Luke, and his partner of three years Lane Forrest were standing in the living room facing the victim. The victim's name is Scott Foremost, who is being questioned as a victim of a credit card fraud.

Scott was asked if he knew anyone who might have given his credit card information to. Detective Nathan was standing next to Lane, who was five-years-older than Nathan, and Lane was writing down his notes in his pocket notebook as he was questioning Scott. Scott was sitting inside the living room on the couch.

Two grand larceny detectives like Nathan and Lane, in the NYPD's Grand Larceny Division in the NYPD's Detective Bureau, would start by examining the first police report, gathering and examining physical evidence from the crime scene, speaking with the victim and other witnesses, and performing background checks on potential suspects. They would also utilize various resources such as forensic analysis, surveillance/footage, digital data from social media platforms, and financial records.

When necessary, they would secure search warrants for locations related to the case, and they would work to compile all the evidence in a way that is ready to be presented to the district attorney. Nathan sighed and he was listening to Scott as he was being questioned.

"What was your last purchase?" Lane asked.

"Uh, a couple of t-shirts. I went shopping at Walmart," says Scott.

Nathan rubbed his eyes with his fingers using his left hand and he was feeling tired. As an NYPD Detective, Nathan was required to wear an NYPD Detective badge and carrying a Glock 19. It's protocol. With three years of experience as a Grand Larceny detective, Nathan loved his job ever since. He was assigned to the Grand Larceny division after working as a patrol officer at twenty-three. He graduated from the police academy at twenty-two and worked as a patrol officer from ages twenty  to twenty-three. Nathan is also a divorced father and a ex-husband. He also has a five-year old son named Milo. His ex-wife is named Ella. He hasn't seen his son Milo or his ex-wife Ella since he was twenty-three after Ella filed for a divorce.

Nathan turned around and had to be excused from the conversation between Lane and Scott and he sighed as he walked into the hallway in Scott's house, after leaving the living room. Inside, Nathan leaned against the wall, leaned over with his hands touching his knees, and he sighed as he closed his eyes as his head spun. The room was spinning and Nathan sighed once more hoping for the dizziness to stop.

Lane excused Scott from the conversation and he came out of the living room, walked into the hallway and he saw his partner Nathan leaning over. Lane walked up to Nathan before Lane gently put his hand on Nathan's back and asked if Nathan needed to go home.

"No, I'm fine," Nathan said. Nathan stood straight up. Nathan rubbed his eyes once again using his fingers. He opened his eyes and looked directly at Lane.

"Are you sure?" Lane asked.

"Mm-hm," answered Nathan.

"You should tell someone," says Lane.

"Who? IAB?" Nathan asked.

"No. You can notify the commanding officer," Lane said.

Nathan coughed persistently and his cough had been going on for weeks now. He was wheezing. "I am sure she will understand that you need to resign from the department, but Nathan, you're sick. You need to take it easy," says Lane.

Then Nathan closed his eyes again and said, "No, Lane. I'm not going to. I'm fine. Really," answered Nathan. He opened his eyes for the second time. He looked away from Lane and stared at the floor.

Lane said in a whisper, "You have cancer, Nathan. You need to notify Mrs. Brown," says Lane.

Mrs. Ellison Brown is the commanding officer of the NYPD. She and Nathan are good friends. Ellison gets along well with Nathan. He's like a son to her.

"I can't lose my job. This job means everything to me, Lane," Nathan said.

"Look, you've been through a lot. You being sick plus your divorce  and not having to see your son Milo since you were twenty-three. It's been two years, Nate. You haven't spoken to Ella ever since. I remember when I first met her, she was pregnant with Milo at the time. How old were you then? Twenty? I haven't seen her since. I also remember she was excited about the fact you promoted detective. This was around the time Milo was born. I am sure Milo has been wanting to see you ever since you and Ella divorced," Lane explained.

Nathan nodded his head and said, "Yeah. Ella doesn't ever want to see me. She hates me. I mean, she has every right to hate me," says Nathan.

"She doesn't hate you. She just hates what you did to her and to Milo," says Lane.

"After Ella lost the baby, it was hard on me. After we lost Maggie, I was so angry at Ella. We got into arguments. Milo was just three-years old at the time. I should have been a better father to him," says Nathan. Lane doesn't say another word. He felt bad for his partner. "I shouldn't have told Ella that her miscarriage was her fault. I regretted saying that to her every single day," Nathan said.

"Try to talk to her. Tell her that you are sick so you can start spending time with your son again," says Lane.

"I can't tell her. It will break her heart. I don't want to make things any worse for her," Nathan said.

"Okay. Well uh, I'm sure she can handle it. Just tell her, Nathan. You're sick and unfortunately, the chemo is causing you to feel this way. You shouldn't have come to work like this," Lane said.

Nathan sighed and Lane could tell that his partner was really sick. The dizziness, the sweats, the nausea, and the fatigue, he's dying of cancer. Nate felt a sudden wave of nausea. "Oh gosh, I'm gonna be sick," Nathan said, covering his mouth with his hand and rushing past Lane heading to a bathroom.

After entering the bathroom, Nathan shuts the door. Everyone heard him vomiting. Nathan was embarrassed by the fact that he vomited in Scott's bathroom. Lane went to check on Nathan and he headed to the bathroom. He heard Nathan throwing up and coughing, along with gagging and retching. Lane sighed, and he knocked on the door.

"Nathan?" said Lane.

Nathan was leaning over the toilet facing the toilet bowl and had his arms resting on top of the toilet seat and kneeling on the floor and continued to throw up.

"Nathan?" Lane said, knocking on the door.

"I'd just need a minute, Lane," says Nathan, sighing.

"Look, not to sound all rude, but you might want to hurry up before Scott finds you in his bathroom," says Lane.

Nathan closed his eyes and he flushed the toilet. He wiped his teary eyes before he stood up from the cold hardwood floor and turned around facing the sink to rinse his mouth with cold water. After turning off the water, Nathan opened the door and he saw Lane standing in front of him.

"Are you alright?" asked Lane.

"Yeah," answered Nathan.

"Okay, I am gonna take you home. We will go back to the car, and I'll drive you back to the police station. Then you can go home after we return to the station." says Lane.

Nathan sighed. "Yeah. Okay," answered Nathan.

He sniffled and wiped his mouth using his fingers before he stroked his hair to the side and he walked past Lane before walking away from the bathroom and leaving Scott's house. Scott followed Nathan and together they'd left Scott's house.

Once a tired Nathan came home early from work, he walked into his apartment before he shut the door and sighed. Before he turned around and laid his car keys and wallet beside the table standing next to him, Nathan went straight to his bedroom.

But as he headed to his bedroom, he was so exhausted. Once Nathan walked into his bedroom, he walked up to his bed and sat down. Nathan had to think for a moment before he looked at the picture frame of him and Ella and baby Milo being born at the hospital.

Nathan turned away from looking at the picture frame and he swallowed. He could taste the vomit and the bile in the back of his throat. Nathan had a flashback of him and Ella arguing and remembering telling Ella that it was her fault for losing the baby. They were going to have a daughter. Her name was gonna be Maggie Elizabeth Luke. Once the flashback had ended, Nathan got another phone call coming in from the hospital and it was the receptionist from the cancer unit in the hospital.

"Hello, I am wondering if Nathan Luke is available?" Macey said.

"This is Nathan Luke," Nathan answered.

"Hi, Mr. Luke, the reason I am calling you, is because you have your next appointment coming up in a few days. It's scheduled for September 11th, which is on Monday, at 10:30AM. Are you able to come to the appointment?" Macey said. She was sweet and kind to Nathan.

"Yes," says Nathan.

"Okay, good. Just wanted to confirm your next appointment. We will see you Monday, Mr. Luke."

"Okay, thank you," Nathan rubbed his eyes, hoping for the heaviness in his eyelids would go away. Eventually he removed his hand and fingers from his eyes.

"No problem, Mr. Luke. You have a great rest of your day," answered Macey. She hung up and Nathan closed his eyes before he took his cell phone and placing it on top of his nightstand that was standing next to his bed. Nathan coughed once again and he heard himself wheezing. Once he finished coughing, he sighed.

-

Until the next day, Nathan decided to go see Ella, his ex-wife. After Nathan arrived at the house, where he also used to live before the divorce, Nathan got out of his car and shut the door before walking up to the back door of his former home. Nathan knocked on the door and he sighed. After Ella opened the door, she was in shock when she saw her ex-husband Nathan standing at her back door.

"Nathan?" Ella said.

"Hey, Ella," says Nathan.

"What are you doing here," says Ella.

"I wanted to see Milo. Is he home by any chance?" Nathan wondered.

Ella sighed. "Yeah. Just come on in," Ella said.

Ella shut the door after Nathan entered the house, and she sighed, before turning to face Nathan.

"What do you want, Nate?" asked Ella.

Nathan takes a deep breath and he doesn't know how to tell Ella that he's sick and is dying of cancer. "Well uh, I wanted to see how you were doing," says Nathan.

"We haven't seen each other in two years. But I'm good." Ella said, sighing. She wasn't too happy to see her ex-husband. Not for what happened two years ago.

"Yeah? That's good. That's good. Um, where's Milo," says Nathan.

Ella sighed and said, "He's upstairs in his bedroom," says Ella.

"Oh," says Nathan, nodding his head.

"I'll go get him," says Ella, walking past Nathan before she heads up the stairs and goes to Milo's room.
"Honey, you will never guess who's here," says Ella, opening the door of Milo's room.

"Daddy?!" shouted Milo, in excitement.

Milo rushed out of the bedroom and headed down the stairs and shouted, "Daddy!!" before he hugged Nathan.

"Hey buddy," says Nathan, while hugging his son Milo and kissing his forehead.

"Daddy, I miss you!" Milo said.

"Yeah? I have missed you too," says Nathan.

"Guess what?" Milo said.

"What?" Nathan said.

"I made straight A's in school!" Milo said.

"That's great! I'm so proud of you," says Nathan, smiling at his son.

"Daddy? When are you gonna come live with us again?" Milo asked.

Nathan was kind of in shock when Milo asked him that question. How did he know that he and Ella divorced? "Uh, I don't know, buddy. But I want you to know that no matter what, I will always be there for you," says Nathan.

"I know Daddy. I just haven't seen you in a while," says Milo.

"Uh, well daddy's been really busy. You know your daddy is a policeman," says Nathan. Ella sighed and was hoping that the only reason Nate showed up at her doorstep was because she wanted for Nate to apologize for what he said after she lost the baby.

"Cool," says Nathan. "I want to be a policeman too when I grow up," says Milo.

"Just like your daddy, huh," says Nathan, smiling.

"Yeah," answered Milo. "I love you, daddy," answered Milo, continuing the conversation with his dad.

"I love you too, buddy. So much," answered Nathan.

Milo looked directly at Ella. "Mommy, can Daddy come to the baseball game on Saturday?" wondered Milo.

"Oh I don't know, honey, your daddy is a very busy man," says Ella. She looked at Nathan and Nathan sighed. He could tell Ella wasn't too happy about the fact he showed up unannounced after two years.

"Please," says Milo. Ella chuckled, "I mean, if your dad wants to come, then yeah," answered Ella.

"Yes! Daddy, you get to see me play baseball," says Milo, smiling at his dad.

"Yeah? So, do you want to be a policeman and a baseball player?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah," answered Milo.

"Okay, honey, go wash up, It's almost time for dinner. Victor will be here soon," says Ella.

"Okay, mommy," answered Milo. Nathan smiled at his dad. "Are you staying for dinner, Daddy? I miss you!" says Milo.

"Oh uh, no buddy, I can't. Daddy has to go back home. But maybe some other time," says Nathan.

"Okay, daddy," answered Milo.

Nathan put down Milo and Milo walked up the stairs and headed to the bathroom to wash his hands. Ella sighed and she walked up to Nathan.

"He really has missed you," says Ella.

"Yeah. I miss him too," answered Nathan. Nathan sighed, "So um, who's this Victor guy," Nathan wondered.

"He is my boyfriend. Just in case you were wondering," says Ella, furiously.

Nathan nods his head. "Oh," Nathan said, chuckling.

Ella could tell by the look on Nathan's face really bothered after she told him she was dating a guy.
"Hey. I know it's been two years since we last saw each other—but I do not want Milo to think that you're back in his life again. I don't want him to think that we're getting back together. Okay?" Ella said, walking towards Nathan.

"Oh uh. Yeah, I understand." Nathan said.

"I mean it, Nathan. I do." Ella said.

"Yeah. I get it," answered Nathan.

"Okay. I wanted you to know that I'm still trying to understand why you blamed me for losing Maggie," answered Ella.

"Ella, I—"

Ella raised her hand. "Stop. I don't want an apology from you right now. But from now on you can spend your time with our son, since for two years he's wondering whether if he would ever get a chance to see you again. He has really missed you. But unfortunately things between you and me are still very difficult. But I expect you to be a better father for our son. Got it?" Ella said.

Nathan nods his head yes. "I get it."
He swallowed.

Ella took a deep breath and said, "Good. Milo's game starts at 2 in the afternoon. He needs to be at the game by 1:45."

"Yeah. Yeah. I'll be here," says Nathan, smiling at Ella. Ella nods her head. She took another deep breath and sighed. Nathan told Ella she will see her on Saturday. Once Nathan turned around and opened the door—he stepped out of Ella's house. Ella walked towards the door and watched her ex-husband walk to his car. Nathan entered the car and he shuts the door after sitting in the driver's seat. The car made a noise after Nathan turned it on with his car keys. He drove away and Ella shuts the door.

When Nathan was back at the police station the next morning on a Friday, at eight-thirty, he was sitting at his desk along with his partner Lane. They'd been speaking to each other discussing the Scott Foremost case about him being a victim of credit card fraud.

For a team of grand larceny detectives like Nathan and Lane, at the NYPD, investigating credit card fraud is a detailed and involved process that depends on cooperation with financial institutions and other law enforcement agencies.

The extent of a detective like Nathan is a workload and the amount of money involved usually affects how thoroughly the case is pursued. The detectives in the team share responsibilities and follow a structured process, which typically includes the following steps.

Initial case review and division of duties. A case usually starts when a victim reports the crime to the police, often after contacting their bank. Sometimes, the case may come from a bank or federal agency if they discover a larger fraud scheme. The detectives review the report to assess whether the incident fits the definition of grand larceny in New York, which is based on the monetary value of the theft. Detectives like Nathan and Lane must evaluate the likelihood of solving the case.

They look for clear and direct clues, such as clear video footage, a traceable pattern of activity, or a link to more serious crimes. Cases connected to organized criminal groups or involving large sums of money are considered more urgent. The team divides the initial investigation.

Nathan would focus on gathering paper documents and handling legal procedures, like obtaining subpoenas, while the other deals with fieldwork, such as speaking to victims and collecting surveillance footage from businesses. Nathan and Lane would also apply for warrants or subpoenas to obtain detailed records from the credit card companies and the stores where the card was used.

"How are you feeling from the other day," asked Lane.

Nathan took a deep breath and said, "I'm alright. I'm just tired," says Nathan.

"Hm. I can understand that. The side effects are really getting to you. I still think you should resign." Lane explained.

Nathan leaned back on his chair and he sighed. "Lane, I've been a cop since I was twenty-three. I'm not letting my cancer stop me from ruining my career," says Nathan.

"I get it. But Nathan, I—" Nathan interrupted Lane, "I'm fine, Lane. Please stop worrying." Lane nodded his head and said, "Okay." Nathan sighed and said, "So, this guy has been using Scott's credit card to steal his data, and using Scott's personal information to open a new account," explains Nathan.

"Yeah. He also gained access to the skimming devices," says Lane.

Nathan sighed and he rubbed his eyes with his fingers, trying to ignore the fatigue symptom of his chemo he received at his last week's appointment that was making him even more tired than usual. He was feeling sick to his stomach again.

"Well uh, we can try to question any witnesses that may have witnessed the fraud before Scott did," says Nathan.

"Yeah," answered Lane.

Nathan leaned against the desk and grabbed a file of paperwork, he sighed looking down at the first page of the paperwork. He flips the pages and he nods his head no.

"Okay, so we do have Scott's mother Rliza Foremost, she was spotted seeing with Vasko. What do you think what's that is all about?"

"Apparently, she knows this guy. Who stole Scott's five thousand dollars before Scott reported the fraud," says Nathan.

"Then we should go talk to her. If she knows this guy, then maybe we can get a quicker look at who this guy is if she's able to confess," says Lane.

Nathan sighed and he looked at his watch which was on his wrist. "Hey uh, it's now five in the evening, Mrs. Foremost should be home from work," Nathan said.

"Okay. But maybe you should stay here on desk duty. I can go question her." Lane said, sighing.

"Stop Lane, look I appreciate you being all concerned about me, but I'm fine. Seriously," says Nathan, getting up from his desk.

Nathan and Lane stood up from their chairs; they grabbed their things together. They'd both eventually left the squad room together before walking out of the police station and heading to the unmarked police car.