by Easton, Don
Susan passed the receiver to Danny.
“Yeah, this is Wigmore. Is that you, O’Reilly?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Where are you? Why aren’t you here? I’ve been waiting!”
“You’re nothing but a jealous, pompous, vindictive little man with the brain a size of a rat’s and probably the balls to match!”
“What?” screamed Wigmore. “You think you can talk that way with me? You’re finished! Do you understand? Finished! When I see you I’ll rip your face off and —”
“Sir, sir, sir!” interjected Danny. “It’s not me that said that!”
“What? What are you talking about? You said I had the balls of —”
“Sir, no, you misunderstood. I was reading from my notes. That’s what Jack said about you tonight. I was just telling you.”
“Taggart? He said that?”
“Yes, sir. I made notes of it. Sorry, I should have explained that first.”
“Where are you? You could have told me that when you got here.”
“That’s why I’m calling. It’s Jack. He’s really freaked out tonight about you. I don’t know why. He’s been drinking and calling you all sorts of names. I think I should stick with him. He’s talking like he wants to shoot you.”
“Shoot me? That son of a bitch! Okay, listen O’Reilly! You stay close to him. Tomorrow morning we’ll meet at the office. I want you to tell Assistant Commissioner Isaac every detail.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be there. Good night, sir.”
At 11:58 Wigmore walked out of the lounge and went home. One minute later, the bartender looked up at a new customer.
“Do you have a phone I can borrow for a local call?”
“At the end of the bar. Help yourself.”
It was exactly midnight when Assistant Commissioner Isaac mumbled an apology to his wife while leaning across to answer the telephone on the bedside table. He recognized Wigmore’s raspy, angry voice immediately.
“It’s Superintendent Wigmore! W-I-G-M-O-R-E! Listen, you fuckin’ faggot! You don’t know who you’re messin’ with! 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!”
The line went dead. Isaac was shocked, but he still thought like a policeman. He checked his call display and then called the Communications Office. He demanded to know where Jack Taggart was at this exact moment.
One hour later, a policeman interviewed the bartender. Yes, Mr. Wigmore had been in. He was certain. Left around midnight, right after he used the phone. Some woman called him. Said she left her bra in his office. It’s not the sort of thing you would forget. Wigmore might have made another call after. He was really angry. Yelling at someone on the phone.
Wigmore left for work earlier than usual and cautiously looked around as he walked down his apartment hallway and pushed the elevator button. He was wearing a bulletproof vest under his shirt and carried a pistol — something he hadn’t done since being commissioned.
The elevator door opened and Wigmore did an imitation of a freshly caught bass, blinking his eyes while opening and closing his mouth. Three members of the Tactical Team leapt from the elevator and ordered him to the floor. Four more officers appeared on each side of him in the hall, also dressed in black and also carrying automatic weapons. They too screamed for him to hit the floor.
“Go on in.”
Louie Grazia nodded to the secretary, then walked across the fresh-smelling carpet and sat down in front of Isaac’s desk.
“Good work on Project 13 so far, Louie,” said Isaac. “This new informant your section has cultivated is proving very valuable. I gather there is still no indication who is supplying the bikers with information?”
“No, sir, not at this time. We’re working on it.”
“Well, if you hear anything, let me know immediately!”
“Yes, sir.”
Isaac glanced at the picture of his wife and looked back at Grazia.
“You heard about Wigmore this morning?”
Grazia nodded.
“It’s a shame. I just heard from the hospital. Preliminary examination indicates he may be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. The doctor thinks he truly doesn’t know reality from fiction. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying his sidearm when they took him down. He’s afraid that policemen are trying to kill him. Also said that Taggart and O’Reilly framed him and that O’Reilly called him last night at some lounge and set him up.”
“Oh?”
“It was actually a woman friend of his who called him there. She spoke to the bartender first. Somehow it triggered Wigmore. He went berserk and called and threatened me right after. I haven’t told you this, but Wigmore made accusations yesterday saying that Taggart framed him for the … indiscretion in my office. After Wigmore threatened me at home, I immediately called Communications.”
“Do you think Taggart was involved?”
“Taggart was with O’Reilly. Communications proved that the both of them entered our building only minutes before Wigmore called to threaten me.”
“I’m glad my men weren’t involved, sir.”
“I know. I think Wigmore snapped under the pressure of being commissioned. He’s looking to point his finger at anyone rather than take a good look at himself. The sad thing is, he really believes it.”
“It sounds pretty serious.”
“It’s serious, but they don’t think he’s actually dangerous. They expect to release him shortly and treat him as an outpatient.”
“Will he be coming back to the job?”
“No. I’ll see to it that he goes to pension as soon as he’s released.” Isaac leaned back in his chair and said, “Well, enough about that. Let the men know I’m pleased with how Project 13 is progressing and keep me abreast of any new developments.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Grazia.
It was eleven o’clock on Friday night when Jack and Danny stepped up on the darkened porch and Jack rapped on the door. A few minutes later, the porch light went on and the door opened a crack.
Jack stuck his foot in the doorway and said, “Police! We’ve got an arrest warrant for Jose Cuervo! Open up! We got a tip that he’s hiding in your kitchen!”
“Come on in,” said Louie. “I’ll lead you to him.”
Louie led Jack and Danny into the kitchen. Louie took his pistol from his housecoat pocket and placed it on the kitchen table, and then retrieved the bottle of tequila and three glasses.
The three men gave a silent toast and drank. When they were finished, Louie pointed a finger at Jack and said, “Pour another. I’ll be right back.”
Jack did as he was told, and Louie returned a moment later with a tape recorder. He spoke with a lisp and said, “Lithen to thith, big boys!”
Jack, Danny, and Louie howled with laughter when the tape of Wigmore’s voice was played. When it was finished, Louie became sombre and looked at Jack and said, “He might be vengeful. Keep your eyes open for a while.”
“We’ve talked about this before. As I said, the man’s a bully, which makes him a coward in my eyes. He wouldn’t have the guts to try anything.”
“I agree, but just be careful all the same. Now, time to burn this,” added Louie, reaching for the tape.
Danny pleaded with Louie to play it one more time while he refilled the glasses.
By 2:00 a.m., the tape had been played several times before being destroyed.
chapter thirty
CC sat in the passenger seat flipping through her wiretap application while her partner, Charlie Wells, drove the car. She looked up and said, “Take the next left.”
They parked in front of Bishop’s estate and had barely gotten out of the car when the sound of three rapid gunshots came from behind the home. CC and Charlie both reached for their pistols and ran to the back of the home.
A long pier led into the ocean. A large cabin cruiser was parked at the end of th
e dock, opposite a small boathouse. Sid Bishop stood near the boathouse and watched a clay pigeon fly into the air. Three more blasts followed, but he missed again and silently cursed the bottle.
A few minutes later, Bishop invited the police officers into his home. He poured them each a cup of tea while he sat and browsed through the wiretap application.
“This information came through a Daniel O’Reilly,” mused Bishop as he read the pages.
CC reached for a scone and said, “His informant.”
“I may need to talk to him later.”
“No problem, I’ll give you his cell number. O’Reilly works with Jack Taggart on the Intelligence Unit. They probably both run the informant. Taggart’s pretty experienced; I’m sure the informant is reliable.”
They were interrupted by the sound of the door chimes. Sid left momentarily, and CC saw that it was a catering company making a delivery.
Sid returned and said, “Sorry about that. Having a bit of a social here tonight. Now, back to this, why isn’t Taggart’s name on this application?”
“The two kids that were killed were his niece and nephew,” CC replied.
“His niece and nephew?”
“Yes.”
“It would be prudent for him to remain in the background. Less chance of defence claiming that the information is biased.”
“You’re right, but there’s more to it than that.”
“Oh?”
“The superintendent who was recently in charge of the Intelligence units told me that he considers Taggart dangerous — a loose cannon. He ordered him to stay clear of this investigation. I have the feeling that Taggart is really involved, maybe holding something back.”
“Holding something back? This application alludes to the fact that someone is divulging classified information. How classified? Would this person know where I live, for example? What about Taggart? Does he know who it is? Damn it! This shouldn’t be taken lightly!”
“There is no indication of anything to be concerned about in regard to anyone’s safety. As far as Taggart goes, I’m certain he doesn’t know anything in that regard.”
“What makes you certain of that?”
“Two things. One is they provided me with the grounds for this application.” CC paused, trying to formulate her words.
“And the second reason?” Bishop asked impatiently.
“From what I heard about Taggart, Wizard and Rolly wouldn’t still be alive.”
It was almost midnight when Nails spoke with Axle.
“Just heard from Wizard. We got a job to do tomorrow morning. Need to vaporize a couple of pigs.”
“Pigs!”
“You got it. I expect you’re about to earn your patch.”
It was Saturday evening, and Jack was helping Marcie clear the dishes from the table when Danny called. Elizabeth answered and passed the telephone to Jack.
“Just got a call from a prosecutor,” said Danny. “Some guy by the name of Sid Bishop. Must be dedicated. Wants to meet me at Willy’s Restaurant tomorrow morning at ten for coffee and go over Homicide’s wiretap application. Also wants you there.”
“CC must have put two and two together. Like I need that!” said Jack, sarcastically.
“I can try it alone. It’s at a mall, and Susan wanted to pick up some things. I don’t mind.”
“I’ll bring my own car and wait nearby. If you don’t think the prosecutor will push the application through without talking to me, then call and I’ll join you.”
“Will do.”
“Depending upon what happens, we should meet our friend right after and prepare him to do his bit.”
“No problem. We could meet him in your car and Susan can drive ours back home.”
chapter thirty-one
Rolly parked near the restaurant parking lot. He watched as Danny arrived. His wife was with him, pushing a baby stroller. She entered the mall while Danny headed for a restaurant.
He pulled up alongside Axle and Nails, who were parked in a van, and gave them a detailed description of O’Reilly’s car before calling Wizard on his cell.
Wizard waited impatiently at the airport. Damien’s flight was to arrive in ten minutes. It would be some time after that before customs was cleared.
Wizard answered Rolly’s call.
“Bad news,” said Rolly. “Just one pig. Not the main one.”
“One is better than none.”
“I guess. The pig also brought along a sow and a piglet. Your call. Now? Or some other time?”
“Do it now! It’s our asses on the line!”
“Understood.”
“Cover the delivery, then get the hell away from there.”
Rolly watched Nails carry his package in a paper shopping bag across the parking lot. He disappeared for a few seconds behind the pig’s car. Rolly felt a few tense seconds as a woman parked nearby. Nails stood up quickly and walked back toward the van. He was still carrying the shopping bag, but it was swinging freely and Rolly knew it was empty. He then drove and parked a block away.
Minutes later, Axle and Nails drove out the restaurant exit to park far enough away that they couldn’t be identified but would still be able to see when O’Reilly’s car approached the exit. Then they could easily detonate the bomb and leave unnoticed while everyone else was distracted by the explosion.
Neither Axle nor Nails knew what Taggart looked like, but their faces were ingrained into his memory. He arrived in the lot as they passed him in the opposite direction.
Danny knew by Sid Bishop’s abrupt tone that he was less than impressed that Jack wasn’t with him. He fired several questions about the reliability of the informant, but Danny was able to answer them all. Their informant was a member of Satans Wrath and had been proven reliable. There was no reason to call Jack. Sid spent more time discussing personal safety than he did the actual investigation. Danny also noted that Sid loved his coffee. Lots of it, black.
When the meeting was over, Danny shook hands with Sid and went into the mall to look for Susan and to call Jack. He didn’t need to call. Jack was inside the mall entrance.
“It went well,” said Danny. “All he had were the basic questions. I could handle it myself. He said we should have the authorization signed by tomorrow or Tuesday.”
“We need to talk,” said Jack.
“Are we meeting our friend?”
“Yes, in about an hour, but…”
Jack’s attention was diverted by a gentle poke in his ribs. “Hi, Jack!”
He smiled politely and then said, “Hi, Susan. Done your shopping already?”
“Afraid so. This cheapskate keeps us on a tight budget.”
Jack looked at Danny and said, “With all the overtime you make?”
“Yeah, right! And when do I get time to spend it? I’m always working!”
“A cheapskate and a complainer. I don’t know, Susan. It must be rough.”
“It is. I just live in quiet desperation and bear the pain.” She grinned and said, “He is pretty good in the sack, though.”
“Only pretty good?” said Danny, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close.
“Okay. You’re great!”
“That’s better!” He kissed her and Tiffany each on the cheek. “See ya, hon,” he said, passing her his car keys. “I should be home around twelve-thirty.”
Damien and his family cleared customs faster than Wizard had hoped. Buck entered the public part of the terminal first, followed by his two sisters. Wizard was just hanging up his cell as Vicki and Damien appeared.
“What’s going on?” asked Damien.
Wizard tried not to smile as he stuffed his cell back in his pocket. “Had some business to take care of. Tried to reach you but couldn’t.”
Damien checked his cell. “It’s been on.”
“Must not work down south or on the plane.”
Damien partially covered his mouth with his hand. He was always conscious of the possibility of someone pointing a dir
ectional microphone at him. His voice was quiet, but the tone was angry. “What is it? What have you done?”
Wizard partially covered his own mouth and gave Damien an update on what happened during the last week. He saved telling him about killing O’Reilly and his family until last. When he was finished, he added, “Just one pig to go. Jack Taggart. We’ll have his address today or tomorrow.”
Wizard expected Damien would be furious, but it wasn’t his ass on the line. Besides, the election for national president was only eight days away. Showing enough class to off a pig, or two pigs by then, would prove that he had the balls to do the job. He looked at Damien. You’ve only got a few days left. You know it and I know it! By the look on Damien’s face, he knew that Damien was thinking the same thing.
“This is my fault,” Damien said. He didn’t sound angry, but calculating and matter of fact.
“What? What do ya mean?”
“I should never have left you in charge. You don’t have the … capacity to handle the position. I see that now.”
“Bullshit! I did right! It’s easy for you to talk! The cops aren’t about to bust you for —”
Damien stabbed a finger into Wizard’s chest and said, “You have no idea what you’ve done! Do you really think there won’t be retribution over this?”
“They’ll never pin it on us!”
“You dumb fuck! I didn’t say that they’d be looking for evidence! I’m talking retribution!” He then turned and walked back to his family.
Wizard watched as Damien herded his family to an airline counter and bought them all tickets to Mexico. Yeah, well, if you’re worried about your family, you shouldn’t have one.
Danny rushed out of the mall as Susan was putting the stroller in the car. “There’s been a change of plans,” he said, glancing around the parking lot.
“Aren’t you going with Jack?”
“No, we’re going for a drive right now. Jack is going to follow us. Hurry up and get in.”
