Brooklyn Nine Nine

Chapter 14: The Line Between Law and Compassion

Jake sat at his desk, running a highlighter across his case notes while sipping on coffee. His mood was lighter than usual. Maybe it was the rising Facebook stock, maybe it was the full eight hours of sleep he finally got, or maybe he was just… in a good groove lately.

Captain Holt stepped out of his office.

"Detective Peralta," Holt called.

Jake looked up immediately. "Yes, Captain?"

"I'm assigning you a solo case. There's been a series of small burglaries hitting local mom-and-pop shops around Brooklyn. Mostly petty theft but consistent enough to raise concern." Holt handed him a thin case file. "Pattern suggests the same individual. Your discretion and efficiency are expected."

Jake nodded, already flipping through the file. "Understood."

Amy, from her desk, raised an eyebrow. "Solo case? Look at you, the lone wolf Peralta."

Jake grinned. "Yeah, well… I'm like Batman. But with less brooding and more snacks."

Boyle leaned over. "Be safe out there, buddy. And remember: small businesses are the heart of the community."

Jake chuckled. "Thanks, Boyle. I'll keep that in mind."

Jake stood outside the Benson Street Deli, one of the latest places hit. The glass door still had tape across it where the thief had broken in overnight.

Mr. Patel, the elderly shop owner, explained what happened.

"They only took cash and a few snack items," Mr. Patel said, shaking his head. "Didn't even touch the register's electronics. Strange, right?"

Jake scribbled notes. "Any security footage?"

Mr. Patel sighed. "Camera's been broken for months. Haven't gotten around to fixing it."

Jake nodded, thanked him, and moved on to the next location.

Three stores. Same pattern. Forced entry, small cash amounts missing, and oddly… food items like bread, instant noodles, and milk.

"This isn't your typical smash-and-grab," Jake muttered to himself.

Jake set up a solo stakeout near Manny's Corner Store, the next logical target based on the timeline.

Sitting in an unmarked car, eating sunflower seeds, he kept his eyes on the shop's entrance.

Hours passed. At 6:15 PM, movement caught his eye.

A thin teenager in a gray hoodie approached the back door, glancing nervously over his shoulder. In one swift motion, the kid picked the lock and slipped inside.

Jake grabbed his radio. "Peralta, on scene. Suspect just entered the premises."

He moved quickly but quietly, pulling his badge and gun.

Inside, the kid was stuffing cans of soup and a few dollar bills into a worn-out backpack.

"Hey," Jake called out, gun lowered but voice firm. "NYPD. Put the bag down and turn around, okay?"

The kid froze, then slowly turned. He couldn't have been older than sixteen. Skinny, pale, scared.

Jake noticed something else—the kid's clothes were threadbare and too small.

"Look, I'm not here to hurt you," Jake said calmly. "Let's just talk. Hands where I can see them."

The kid's eyes started to water. "I just needed food… for my sister. I swear… I'll put everything back. Please don't arrest me."

Jake kept his tone steady. "What's your name?"

"Tyler," the boy whispered.

Jake lowered his radio. "Okay, Tyler. Let's step outside and figure this out."

Jake sat across from Tyler, a bottle of water and a granola bar on the table between them.

After getting Tyler's statement, it was clear: Tyler and his eight-year-old sister had been living in an abandoned building for two months. Their mom had disappeared, and they'd been fending for themselves.

Jake rubbed his forehead. This wasn't just a burglary case anymore.

Rosa knocked on the door, poking her head in. "You good with this kid, Peralta?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for checking."

Terry walked past too. "Child Services already contacted. They'll send someone over."

Jake exhaled. "Thanks, Sarge."

Jake sat at his desk, finishing the arrest report, carefully wording everything. He made sure Tyler's cooperation and circumstances were clearly noted.

Boyle approached with two cups of coffee. "Tough case?"

Jake nodded, accepting one cup. "Yeah. It's not always black and white, you know?"

Amy, passing by with a stack of files, overheard. "Everything okay?"

Jake gave her a small smile. "Let's just say… this job keeps you on your toes."

Gina leaned over the divider from her desk. "If you need me to start a charity GoFundMe for the kid, let me know. I have influencer-level reach."

Jake snorted. "Thanks I appreciate it, Gina."

Before Child Services arrived, Jake sat with Tyler one last time.

"Listen," Jake said softly. "You're not a bad kid. But what you did… breaking and entering… that's serious. You need help, and now you're gonna get it. The right kind."

Tyler nodded, tears in his eyes but looking a little more hopeful.

Jake stood up. "Someone's gonna be here soon to take care of you and your sister. It won't be easy, but it'll be safer than where you've been."

As Jake stepped out of the room, he let out a long breath.

Amy was standing nearby. "You handled that well, Jake."

Jake smiled, a little tired. "Yeah… being responsible sucks sometimes."

Amy laughed lightly. "But… worth it."

"Yeah," Jake said, looking back at Tyler through the glass. "Worth it."

And with that, Jake returned to his desk, ready for whatever the next case would bring.