CHAPTER 18: The School Threat
The precinct was unusually tense for a Monday morning. Jake had barely stepped in when Holt called him to his office.
No morning coffee, no half-hearted banter with Boyle. Just a serious summons that cut through the usual routine.
Inside, Holt sat behind his desk, arms folded. Rosa stood off to the side, already briefed and unreadable as always.
"Peralta, you're needed at Roosevelt Middle School," Holt began. "There's been a bomb threat."
Jake blinked. "Wait—the Roosevelt? The one where we did the tech theft case last week?"
Holt nodded. "The same. Principal Lawson specifically requested you. Apparently, you made an impression."
Rosa added dryly, "The janitor said you're the 'nice detective with the big hair.'"
Jake rubbed the back of his neck. "Guess I'm building a brand."
"Don't let it go to your head," Holt said flatly. "Rosa will accompany you. NYPD's bomb squad is already en route, but you'll provide support and help with crowd control and interviews. And… make sure your personal connection to the student body doesn't affect your judgment."
Jake tensed slightly but gave a curt nod. "Understood, sir."
Roosevelt Middle School was swarming with flashing lights and police tape when Jake and Rosa arrived. Officers were directing streams of confused and scared children to the nearby evacuation zones. Parents were already beginning to gather on the sidewalks.
Jake scanned the crowd until he spotted Principal Lawson, looking equally anxious and relieved.
"Detective Peralta," Lawson said, approaching quickly. "Thanks for coming. I know it's not protocol, but… the kids trust you. Especially Tyler."
Jake gave a faint smile. "I'm glad I made an impression. What's the situation?"
Lawson nodded toward the main office. "We received a typed note slipped under the door this morning. Said there's a bomb somewhere on school grounds. We locked down immediately and called it in."
Rosa leaned in. "Any threats made in the past? Suspicious students? Anyone suspended lately?"
Lawson shook her head. "No... nothing like this. The school's been quiet."
Jake's eyes flicked toward the sports field where the kids were gathered. He spotted Tyler sitting on the grass, fidgeting, Emily beside him, trying to comfort him.
"I'll talk to a few staff members," Jake said. "And I'd like to check in on the kids too. Quietly."
Rosa raised an eyebrow. "You want me to check for any parent drama?"
Jake nodded. "You read my mind."
Jake crouched near Tyler without making a scene. "Hey, champ."
Tyler looked up, tense but clearly relieved. "Detective Jake?"
Jake smiled gently. "Just here to make sure everything's okay."
Emily gave him a small wave. "They made us leave during math class. I was kind of okay with that."
Jake chuckled. "Honestly, same. You two doing alright?"
Tyler nodded quickly. "We're fine. But… is there really a bomb?"
Jake looked him in the eye. "We're taking it seriously, but I promise, everyone's doing everything to make sure you're safe."
He handed Emily a small packet of gummy bears from his coat pocket. "Emergency snacks."
She smiled and took them. "You always have food."
"Detective superpower," he whispered, standing up. "Stick close to the teachers, okay?"
Back inside the building, the bomb squad had completed their sweep. Holt updated Jake and Rosa over the phone.
"False alarm," he said. "No explosives found. But take this seriously, detectives. This could be a test run."
Rosa frowned. "You think someone's testing police response times?"
"Possibly. There've been two similar threats at other schools this month. Both false alarms. I want eyes on every angle."
Later at the precinct, Jake sat at his desk, poring over reports. Rosa tossed him a bottle of soda before sitting across from him.
"You okay?" she asked, more softly than usual.
Jake sighed. "Yeah. Just… I know it was a false alarm, but seeing the kids like that—Tyler, Emily—it hit harder than I expected."
Rosa nodded. "Because you care. That's not a bad thing."
He looked at her. "You know, you're surprisingly supportive for someone who once threatened to tase me because I stole your stapler."
Rosa sipped her coffee. "Still would. But I can multitask."
Jake smirked, then turned serious. "You think these threats are going to keep coming?"
"Maybe," Rosa said. "But we'll be ready. And whoever's doing this? We'll find them."