the telephone shattered the silence in Wigmore’s small apartment. It took four rings before his sleepy voice answered hello.
The voice on the other end was that of a man. Feminine, but definitely a man. A man with a slight lisp.
“Hi! I’m the one who’s been admiring you down at the Oceanside Lounge. You know who. I’m the one you winked at the other night, you cheeky devil.”
“I never winked at anyone! Who is this? How did you get my number?”
“You’re a policeman, aren’t you? I’d just love it if you would show me your gun. I’m home now, all alone, or would you like me to come —”
“Listen! Whoever you are, never phone me again!” Wigmore slammed the receiver down.
Seconds later the man called back.
“Hi, big boy! As you can see, I don’t take no for an answer. I live in the pink house across from the Oceanside. I think it would be just divine if —”
Wigmore roared into the phone, “You fucking fag! You don’t know who you’re messin’ with! Now I know where you live! You bother me anymore, and so help me, I’ll take my gun and ram it up your ass and pull the trigger! That’s after I rip your face off and shove it up your ass too!”
Louie Grazia sat at his desk and slurped his morning coffee as he listened to Wizard and Rolly talk on the tape. When it ended he sat with pursed lips, staring across his desk at Jack and Danny.
“What do you think?” asked Danny, feeling uneasy.
Louie stared hard at Jack. “I take it they tried to kill you behind the Black Water when Danny told me you had gone fishing?”
“It wasn’t all that serious. Danny was right there to cover my ass.”
“Yeah, right,” replied Louie sarcastically. “It wasn’t too serious. That’s when you didn’t come to the office for a few days. Which means you got hurt!”
Jack nodded.
“I knew it! Goddamn it, I knew it! You could have told me, instead of keeping me worried about what the hell you were both up to!”
“It was my idea not to tell,” said Jack. “If you know about it and I screw up, then you’re in trouble too.”
“You still should have told me,” he said, harshly. “So tell me,” he continued, his voice softening a little, “how close did they come?”
“It was close,” admitted Jack. “Got my arm drilled and needed a few stitches from a cut on my back, but —”
“Jesus Christ! You were shot?”
“As they say in the movies, it was just a flesh wound. Nothing serious. Finding out who pulled the trigger on Maggie and Ben Junior … it was worth it.” Jack paused and his face became angry and red. “Now we need to find out who ordered them to do it.”
“Have you told your sister and her husband?”
Jack shook his head. “I won’t until it’s over. When I find The Suit. Then it will be over.”
“You’ve done more than enough already. No evidence to arrest, but at least we can point Homicide in the right direction.”
“Homicide? Who’s talking Homicide? It’ll be over when Wizard, Rolly, and The Suit are buried! Not left to some —”
“Damn it, Jack! Cool it! I don’t want to hear that kind of talk. You’re on an Intelligence Unit. Try using some! You’ve gone way beyond what you were allowed. Back off. Give Homicide a chance!”
Jack locked eyes with Louie for a moment, then quietly said, “I apologize. You’re right. I was just letting off steam.”
Jack sounded calm. Too calm, thought Louie. It was the demeanour that a professional would use. A professional killer.
“The problem is,” Jack continued, “we don’t know who the leak is. It could be someone in Homicide. Letting others know means jeopardizing our source, and it could also tip off the leak so that we never find him.”
“Any ideas who that is?” Louie asked.
“I was inclined to think it came from one of the City narcs, but that was just my own bias. I didn’t want to think it was one of ours. The narcs talked to our Homicide Unit about Lenny and me, or Eddy Trimble, each time before things got hot.”
“You think the leak is from Homicide?” asked Louie.
“It’s the secret identity that makes me wonder. City narcs don’t usually wear suits. Homicide do.”
“It could be someone higher up in City. Their bosses wear suits, including Ted Nash.”
“So do our bosses. Finding out may not be easy, but I will,” said Jack with bitter determination.
“What did that kid … Marcie … say The Suit looked like?”
“She didn’t see his face, but described him as slim, with collar-length dark wavy hair.”
“Doesn’t help much. That fits you. What about CC? Do you trust her?”
“As far as I would trust most cops, why?”
“You know she’s not the leak. Tell her that a reliable source said that Wizard and Rolly murdered the kids on instruction from someone who is leaking information. Tell her that they also killed Lenny and tried to kill someone by the name of Eddy Trimble. If that isn’t enough to get a wiretap, mention that they’re also responsible for running a speed connection out of Montreal. Maybe it will lead to The Suit. If she needs a partner, tell her to make sure it’s someone chubby who she trusts completely.”
“These guys would never contact The Suit from their home phones.”
“I agree, but maybe Homicide could get a room bug in or something. Maybe bug their cars. It wouldn’t hurt.”
“These guys don’t talk inside and they change cars like you change shirts.”
“What have you got to lose? Wizard and Rolly already know that you’re on to them.”
“It wouldn’t hurt, except I’m not supposed to be involved in this.” Jack glanced at Danny before continuing. “Wigmore is acting kinky. If I start ducking questions from CC or anyone about who Eddy Trimble is, it won’t be good. Especially if CC does end up bringing the City narcs on board.”
Louie nodded that he understood, then said, “Danny, you pass on the information and take responsibility for any questions or meetings. No need for them to know who Trimble really is. This is only Tuesday. If CC hustles her ass, she could have wire on by early next week.”
Danny squirmed in his chair, then said, “I guess that’s not lying.”
“You’re not lying,” said Louie. “You’re just not disclosing everything.”
“What about
