New York Chief of Detectives by Gary Hastings Read Free Book Online Page B

our intentions.”
    “Dickie and I’ll be heading over to the wake. Once you get in with the search warrant, let me know as soon as possible what we find.”
    “George McBain is already here, and is calling some CSU personnel that he knows he can trust.”
    “Okay, Bryan, I’ll talk to you later tonight.”
    “Talk to you then, Chief.”
    Brian got out of the car and Dickie drove off as a reporter was walking up to their car.
    It took about thirty minutes for Dickie and Pat to arrive at the funeral home in Brooklyn. NYPD cars were double parked for blocks, and lines of blue uniforms were formed around the block waiting to get inside the funeral parlor. Pat and Dickie could have easily bypassed the line and gone straight in using the RHIP (“Rank has its Privileges”) justification, but Pat found it distasteful so he went to the back of the line.  It took about an hour to get inside. Pat hugged Caroline Rodriguez.
    “I’m so sorry that I haven’t been in touch more, Caroline, but we’ve been working day and night.”
    “You’re doing exactly what Tony would want you to do, Pat, by trying to find out who did this to him. Are you making progress?”
    “We have some leads, but everything is still pretty preliminary.”
    “You’re not talking to a reporter, Pat, and I can tell you don’t have anything at all.”
    “Well, Caroline, I won’t lie to you. We still have no clue about what Tony was working on and have yet to find his police car. But we’re slowly piecing some things together that may help. If it does, you’ll be the first to know.”
    “Thank you, Chief.  I mean Pat. I know you’ll do your best. Tony always said you were a born detective.”
    “I appreciate your confidence, and I’d be honored to speak at the service. I’m very touched.”
    Pat and Dickie left the funeral home and returned to the homicide scene in Queens. Bryan Flannery was still on the scene.
    “Chief, I’m sorry I missed the wake. Was there a big crowd?”
    “Yes, they were lined around the block. The NYPD did Tony proud tonight. There were lots of gold shields there, especially from OCCB. I know Tony’s family understands why you weren’t there.”  
    “How’s his wife doing?”
    “She’s being strong, but is also asking the same questions we are, wondering what Tony was working on Friday night and how he ended up dead in a vacant lot.”
    “What do we have here with Curtis Gee?”
    “He has two slugs to the head. They’re probably 9 mm. CSU found two 9 mm shell casings inside the door.”
    “It looks like he was shot at point blank range. There are dark black powder burns around the wounds. Mike Logan says the door was locked tight before he kicked it, so Gee probably knew his killer. The dead-bolt wasn’t locked, but the door knob lock was locked. There’s not much in the room. But we did find Gee’s cell phone in his jacket pocket, and we’ll do forensics to see who he was talking to.”
    “Has the media shown much interest?” 
    “There’s actually been little interest. They know we have a body but no real details. We played it low key without a big show, and for once it worked. They probably think some drunk has died in this rat hole.”
    “Thanks, Bryan. I appreciate you staying on top of this thing. How long do you think you guys will be out here?”
    “Hard to say, Chief, but you can be sure we’re looking under those little rocks under the rocks for a lead.”
    “If you need anything else, please call me.” 
    “I’ll call you. Goodnight, Chief.”

     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 13
     
    Tuesday, April 6-Day 5
    Chief of Detectives’ Residence
    Borough of Manhattan, New York
    0600 Hours
     
     
    Tuesday morning came quickly as Pat O’Connor’s alarm went off at 0600 hours.  Pat knew he had a lot to do today and could not afford to hit the snooze button. He poured himself a cup of coffee and turned on the news. They were already talking about Tony Rodriguez being laid to rest today. Pat