Square Snapper (Detective Inspector Burgess) (24 page)

“What’re you laughing about?” Jan had returned with her camera and forensics gear.

“Just thinking about Nana and how she was ready to take on a professional assassin with her frying pan. I guess Buddy gets his bravery – and craziness – from his grandmother! She’s somethin’ else.”

“For sure. She’s quite a lady. Don’t worry, she’s tough. If anybody can survive this, she can, eh?”

“Thanks, Jan. I needed to hear that. Let’s see what this note says.”

Once Jan had finished photographing the stone with the note, she carefully removed it wearing her surgical gloves, dusted it for prints, and then read its simple contents: “He’s here,” was all it said.

“Buddy got a warning note written, if I’m not mistaken, by the same person. The guy on front desk said it had been hand delivered by a school boy around thirteen or so. My bet is that it’s Bill, Deon White’s cousin. Somehow, he got wind of this - probably hanging around with the wrong crowd - and tried to warn Buddy. But how would he know precisely when he was about to strike? We need to bring him in for questioning. Jan, I need to get over to the hospital and then see if I can get a hold of Bill. You okay to finish up here?”

“Sure, and give my best to Buddy and keep us posted on Nana’s progress. Hang in there, eh? We’ll get to the bottom of this, for sure and when we do, we’ll have one hell of a party.”

“Jan, you’re the best. Max’s handler should be here soon.” He looked around once more. “Okay, I’m outta here.”

Chapter 49

Archie was in full battle mode. He had never felt so full of purpose in his life. This crime was now personal and he was going to make whoever was behind the attack pay.

He decided to go back to the station to see Pamela, pick up the flowers and find out if there were any more developments.

“Thank God you’re here.” Pamela looked frazzled and sounded frantic. The phones were ringing off the hook and both Furbert and Mrs. Ming were taking calls non-stop.

“Okay, Pam. Let’s get a cup of coffee and a muffin and you can fill me in.” Archie was anxious to take some of the burden off Pamela. They went into Burgess’s office where it was quieter.

“Both the commissioner and the super have been on the phone. I sent them over to the hospital to talk to Buddy. I hope he doesn’t mind. I know how he hates the superintendent.”

“No, that was the right thing to do. Buddy can handle them. Anyway, he’ll probably be on painkillers so it’s the perfect time for him to talk to the super!” They both laughed and it felt good.

“Okay, I’ll get on it. In the meantime, I need you to go over to Hamilton Institute and get Deon’s cousin, Bill out of class and down here as quickly and discreetly as you can.”

“Oh, that’s the other thing,” interjected Pamela. “Bill got arrested last night for riding a bike without a licence. He’s only twelve so he’s not even eligible for a licence for another four years. He’s been asking for either you or Buddy.”

They left Burgess’s office and went to their respective desks. Archie immediately got Detective Inspector Dill on the line. Dill filled him in on what he had heard from his officer at the insurance dinner and Archie then briefed him on the events at Burgess’s home.

“What do you plan to do with André Perinchief?” Archie changed the subject back to the matters at hand, aware that the momentum might have finally changed in their favour. He wanted action… and scalps.

“We’ve had him under surveillance since last evening. It looks as if he’s planning to leave the island – apparently he bought a ticket to Miami – and if he makes a move, the airport police will get him and we’ll bring him in for questioning.

“Can’t you just bring him in now?”

“What we’re hoping is that he might lead us to his accomplices or even the boat, if it’s here. We’d like to have a look at that and get the Canadians and our forensics guys to go over it. Also, if he’s not the right person, we could have a problem on our hand as he’s well connected both socially and politically. I just wish we could find some link to him and Frenchie.”

“I hear you. He’s got to slip up some time.”

Archie and Dill said their goodbyes and hung up. Personally, Archie felt they were doing the wrong thing; to hell with hurt feelings and social embarrassment. He would have brought him in right now and given him one hell of a grilling. If he was behind the plot to kill his best friend, then he was going to live to regret it.

Archie now decided to turn his attention to Bill. It was time to find out where he fit into all of this. He picked up his cell phone and keys to the unmarked police car and made his way over to the station on Parliament Street.

“They were talking about it at de dog fights. There was a rumour that someone was bringing in a hit man to kill someone, either de detective or de Jamaican. Nobody knew which one, so I figured I’d stake de detective’s place out.”

“Have you any idea how dangerous that was?”

“No problem, man. I had it all under control. I saw dis guy, dressed up real cool, y’know, like one of those Ninjas you see in de movies. Well, I saw him go into de bushes so I vaited until he made his move. Then I threw
(he pronounced it
“
shrew
”
)
de rock with de note. I had made up two or three in case I missed de vindow, but I got it first go.” Evidently, Bill was proud of this; no doubt his perfect aim the product of his misspent youth. “When I saw de po-lice, I left but they caught me in Flatts. Is Mr. Burgess okay?”

“Yeah, he’s okay. I think, crazy as you are, you may have actually helped to save his life.” Bill’s face was transformed. It positively shone. Archie wondered how much positive reinforcement the poor kid ever got.

“Yeah I saw de lights go on upstairs and heard de dog barkin’ like crazy… but then I heard a lot of noise. That’s when I took off. Are they gonna lock me up?”

“Yep, and throw away the key!” Archie waited a moment for that to sink in but the boy remained unfazed. Exhaling wearily he continued, “Nah, I think we might be able to put in a good word for you and let you off with a warning… but if we ever see you on a bike again before you’re sixteen…” He let the warning tail off. “Oh, and by the way, Bill?”

He put his hand on Bill’s shoulder as he led him out of the holding cell. In Archie’s mind - although he’d never tell him – the kid was a hero. He suddenly felt in debt to the boy and understood why Buddy had chosen to find time for him.

Chapter 50

Gonzalez and Hofstein had taken up their positions outside Gecko’s Spanish style house. It was a lot more attractive than its owner and a lot grander than either of the detectives could ever afford. Another testament to the fact that crime paid. Gonzalez had opted to remain out in the front while Hofstein had gone around to the back. It was all on one level and through chinks in the curtains, they had seen lights in what they had surmised must be the living room.

“Looks all quiet to me,” whispered Gonzalez into his cell phone which was on line to Hofstein.

“Yeah, wait, a light has come on in the kitchen. I’m going to get closer for a peek. It could be Cujo but he looks a little different from that mug shot we’ve got.”

Gonzalez crouched low as he made his way along the perimeter of the garden where the bushes gave some cover. Suddenly, he froze. What was that noise? Drawing his revolver, he cautiously approached. He had to stifle a gasp. By the sulphur yellow glow of the street lamps he could just make out a mound swarming with flies. Then the smell assailed him. This was something he could immediately identify - the unmistakable stench of decaying flesh. The sound of Hofstein’s voice made him jump. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cell phone with his free hand.

“What’s up, Sebas? Where are you?”

“Hof, you’re not going to believe this. Call for back up. I’ve just found the dog… and it’s dead.”

“Jesus, that’s bad. Okay, stay put and hang up. I’ll make the call. Keep your phone on vibrate and I’ll call you back. The guy’s back in the living room, so no need to come back here.”

Gonzalez ran in a crouch towards the French doors at the side of the house, knowing he would not be able to breach the front door. He then counted to three, dropped his cell phone and, protecting his face with his arms, flung himself through the windows using his shoulder as a battering ram. He had already heard a crash of glass from the back of the house and knew that Hofstein had made it inside. Rolling on the floor, he regained his feet and moved as fast as he could into the living room. In the glare of the lights, his brain registered two things: First, Gecko, mouth taped, tied to a dining chair and shot through the back of the head and second, a man crouching behind an armchair pointing a gun straight where Hofstein would have to come in from the hallway. The sudden arrival of Gonzalez, however, had distracted him. Gonzalez had never been in this situation before and hesitated just a fraction of a second before pulling his trigger. That fraction enabled the man to take better aim at Gonzalez who feeling a searing pain in his neck, dropped to the floor like a rag doll as his knees buckled under him.

Hofstein ducked around the corner of the hallway shooting the unknown man in the shoulder. Spinning sideways from the blow, the gunman again raised his weapon. Hofstein steadied himself and took aim. This time he managed to drop him with a shot to the chest. He ran over and kicked the gun away from his hand and rushed over to where Gonzalez lay bleeding on the carpet.
Oh God, he had never made the call for back up
.

Hofstein noted his partner’s blood soaking into the plush pile of the carpet and rushed into the kitchen where mercifully he found a clean kitchen towel. This he pressed to Gonzalez’s wound in an attempt to staunch the bleeding. His hands were shaking uncontrollably and it took him several seconds before he could pull his phone from his pocket and call for back up. He tried to keep the panic out of his voice as he uttered the words no member of the force ever wanted to say: “Officer down.” They said they were on their way and with a huge sense of relief he could already hear sirens. The neighbours must have made a call. Thank God.

“Stay with me, Sebas. Don’t go leaving me here with this mess now. We’re a team. Stay with me.”

Gonzalez looked pale and waxy. A film of sweat covered his face and, more alarmingly, his lips were turning the colour of a fresh bruise. He looked up at Hofstein as he knelt by his side, cradling his head. His eyes were unfocused and all he could muster was a gurgling sound.

“Don’t waste your energy, man. Just stay with me. Don’t fall asleep. The ambulance will be here in no time. I can hear it now. Stay with me, friend. Stay with me.”