“But you don’t want me involved.”
“That’s right. It could be very dangerous.”
“You forget all the training I had as a police officer and the experience I’ve had. I feel qualified.”
“I don’t doubt that you are, but, I repeat, you’re not one of us any more, and I would be heartbroken if something happened to you.”
“I do appreciate that, Chief, but ---”
“No buts. Just keep your eyes open. You can tell your staff that you’ve heard news about this. Just don’t tell anyone where you heard it. And don’t tell that you’ve seen the pictures. Remember, we don’t know who the unsubs are and I would be devastated if you were overheard, or found, by the wrong person. Your life could be in danger.”
“I promise, Chief, and I will stay alert.”
He stood and came around to hug her.
“You have a beautiful office, Chief. I don’t remember one wall being wonderful-smelling cedar.”
“Yes, I had that put in about a year ago.”
Hannah looked at the beautiful oak desk and soft leather swivel rocker.
On the desk was a family picture, the Chief, his wife and three children. On the cedar wall were certificates and pictures of him shaking hands with important people. Hannah was proud to know him and knew he was one of the best Chief of Police they ever had.
“Thank you for seeing me, and thank you for the confidence.”
“Please don’t make me regret it,” he begged.
“I shall not. So long. I don’t like saying good bye, it’s too permanent sounding. I expect to see you again. Oh, I would appreciate reading a police record of the death of Malcolm Baker.”
“Sure, but why would you need to see a closed case?”
“Closed? I heard nothing about it.”
“That’s because we kept it quiet since the mob was involved.”
She quickly read the report and was too excited to do anything but hug the Chief and tell him he was a jewel.
They laughed and he walked Hannah out and back to the front. She told everyone there so long and walked out. She hurried back to the office with thoughts running so rapidly through her brain that she didn’t notice the black Lincoln that seemed to be following her. She quickly opened the door and almost ran inside.
“Hey gang. Everyone into my office. I have some shattering news.”
“I’m right in the middle of a report. Can it wait?” Victory answered.
“Not this time.”
Herb lumbered in from his office as Victoria limped into Hannah’s office ahead of him.
“Okay, boss. We’re here. What has you with such a tight girdle?”
“In the first place, don’t call me boss and I DON’T wear girdles, so I don’t want to hear that again.” She frowned at Herb.
“Uh oh. She’s got her knickers in a knot.” Herb pretended to whisper while Victoria glared at him and sat down quietly. Herb sat and waited.
“I just heard some disturbing news. I’m not at liberty to tell much about it except to ask you to stay alert. We have a gruesome, unusual crime going on here in our fair city and there’s no solution in sight at this moment,”
“Gracious. Are you going to share with us or just sit there looking smug?” Victoria said, squirming in her chair. Her back and leg were aching.
“Patience my child. I have had a shock. I learned today that we have a horrendous crime going on right under our noses. It seems that some ghouls are killing innocent people and cutting out their body parts to sell illegally.”
There was a stunned silence and Victoria finally said, almost in a whisper, “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Herb gritted his teeth. “How does this affect us? Are we going to work a case concerning this -------?”
“No. We must not get involved in an ongoing investigation unless we are requested to do so. I just want you to be aware of it and keep alert for any signs of this offense. If you are suspicious of someone, or a happening, come talk to me and we’ll decide if we need to report to the local police. I assume that, by now, the FBI has been called in. Please, please keep yourselves safe. Victoria, do not
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