“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 Axle and Nails?” asked Danny. “They killed Crystal.”
“That’s a card we could use later. See how this plays out first. We don’t have the manpower to be everywhere at once. Concentrate on Wizard and Rolly. They’re the ones who want to kill Jack. If they make a move we need to know immediately!”
“Understood,” said Danny.
Louie pointed his finger at Jack and said, “You stay in the background! Especially where Wizard and Rolly are concerned! We’re going to have to figure out a way to cover your ass and make sure —”
“I’ve thought of that. I told our friend to tell them that we’ll be out of town for a while. That should give us breathing room enough for us to find out who The Suit is.”
“And how do you expect to do that?” asked Louie.
“You’re right about running wire. When it’s on, we’ll run surveillance on Wizard and Rolly. I’ll get our friend to meet them and say he just heard from me that I found out who The Suit is. With luck, they’ll either panic and say something, or they’ll go warn him and we’ll follow them and find out.”
“And if Wizard and Rolly decide to find you first?”
“We rattled their chains good last night. They’ll be so paranoid that they’ll be looking over their shoulders at everyone. We’ll lie low the rest of this week. Give them a little time to cool off and for CC to get the wire up and running. Then do it. Once we find out who The Suit is, I’ll arrange for Wizard and Rolly to find me. I’ll pick the time and place.”
Louie shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll make sure that both you and Danny get an invitation. It will be a formal affair. Dress in black and bring sniper rifles.”
“Damn it, Jack! That’s not —”
“Hey, Louie! Lighten up! I’m just joking.”
Louie looked at Jack’s eyes. Jack stared back and didn’t blink. He was supposed to think Jack was telling the truth. He knew better.
chapter twenty-nine
Later that afternoon, Wigmore was putting his work away when his telephone rang.
“Superintendent Wigmore,” the young woman said, “my name is Linda. Are you Jack Taggart’s boss?”
“Indirectly. What can I do for you?”
“I used to go out with Jack, but he doesn’t think I’m good enough for him now.”
“I’m sorry, miss, but I’m not responsible for personal issues that —”
“I understand that! But he shouldn’t be allowed to break the law, even if he is a cop.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when we were going together, he once told me about something he did to some big-time bank robber. A Frenchman, I think.”
Wigmore gripped the receiver and reached for a pad of paper. “What did he say?”
The woman paused, then said, “I don’t like discussing this on the phone. Would it be okay if I met you? I could be there in two hours, say 6:15.”
“Please do! Just come to the front counter and ask for me. I’ll wait.”
“But what if Jack comes in? I don’t want him to know. Maybe this isn’t a good idea….”
“Do you want to meet someplace else?”
“I’d still feel safer at your office. Do I have to come to the main entrance?”
Wigmore paused, then said, “No, you don’t. Come to the fire escape door at the rear of the building. I’ll let you in and sneak you up the back stairs. Nobody will see you, I promise.”
“Well … that sounds okay. I’ll be there at 6:15 sharp.”
At six o’clock Wigmore called the Communications Office. He told them to ignore the alarm system at the back door at 6:15 while he let in a “special person.”
At 6:05 the woman called Wigmore again. She would be just a couple of minutes late and would call him from her cellphone when she reached the parking lot.
A young man in Communications watched the security camera as the woman approached the rear of the building. Her wide-brimmed hat hid her face, but her tight suit jacket and skirt revealed a good figure with long legs. Her blouse was pinned at her neck by a broach. He glanced at his watch. It was 6:15. She was right on time. The alarm buzzed briefly indicating that the fire escape door had been opened. He watched the camera as the woman stepped inside, and then he reset the alarm.
Wigmore received another call from the woman at 6:30. She sounded scared. She said that she was about to walk across the parking lot when she saw Jack Taggart drive away. She wanted to wait an hour to make sure that it was safe before coming in. Wigmore glanced at his watch and reluctantly agreed to await her next call.
At 7:25 the security alarm notified the Communications Office of another breach at the back door. The young man watched as the same woman left the building. She carried her suit jacket loosely over her shoulder, and her blouse was unbuttoned enough to show her cleavage. She did a little pirouette in the parking lot, swinging her purse in an arc around herself, then staggered before regaining her footing and walking away. Yes, she looked like a “special person.”
Moments later, Wigmore grabbed his telephone on the first ring. The woman said that she was tired and didn’t want to meet him tonight. Maybe some other time.
The security tape in the Communications Office recorded that Wigmore left through the front door of the building at