Loose Ends

LOOSE ENDS: chapter five

chapter five

Jack booked the rest of the week off, but the day after the funeral he called CC.

"Anything?"

"Jack, if we make an arrest, I'll give you a call. Until then, let me do my job."

"Any leads?"

CC sighed. "Not much. But who knows. It's too soon yet."

"What about the powder on the counter?"

"You were right on that. It analyzed as methamphetamine."

"That's good! Every chemist who makes meth leaves what amounts to their own chemical signature in it. The lab can cross-match different samples and you might get a match to identify where it originated from."

"Damn it, Jack. Butt out! Lucy at the lab just explained all that to me."

"So you've put word out to turn in meth samples so the lab can cross-match with -"

"I was going to do that, but instead I'm talking to you! Get the picture?"

Jack allowed himself a glimmer of hope as he hung up. He had his own plan. He called the toxicology department in the crime lab. Lucy was one of the good guys. She would help.

Luigi Grazia was in charge of the Intelligence Section that Danny was assigned to. He was fifty-four years old, and with his greased-back hair, swarthy complexion, and pinstriped suit, he could have passed for a gangster in a B movie. Before he became a desk jockey, he'd had a reputation for solving difficult problems. Some said he was lucky. The fact was, he was cunning.

"Welcome to the section," said Grazia in a gruff voice. "Everyone calls me Louie."

Danny was conscious of Louie's penetrating eyes as they shook hands.

Louie told him he would be sharing an office with Jack Taggart, who would be his immediate supervisor. Danny was glad Jack was off for a week. He wasn't looking forward to shaking hands with his new partner. He discovered, however, that waiting was worse.

Danny reviewed the reports that Jack had recently submitted on an international child pornography ring. When he finished those, he spent the rest of the week reading reports on past investigations about organizations involved in extortion, stolen-auto rings, prostitution, contract murders, drug trafficking, armored car holdups, and more. Louie told him to think of it as a history lesson.

The weekend would have been a good chance for Danny to unpack the many moving boxes that were still piled in his living room, but he felt listless and tired.

"Monday tomorrow," Susan commented over their morning coffee.

Danny's blank expression told her that he wasn't listening.

"What's wrong, honey? You acted thrilled when you first told me you were being transferred to Intelligence. But ever since you started you've been really quiet. You act like the cat that swallowed the mouse. What gives?"

"I'm just tired. I've done a lot of reading this week."

"Tired? I can't remember the last time you worked a week of straight day shifts. I think your new job seems great!"

"Maybe I'm not used to it." He forced a smile.

"Maybe things will be different tomorrow when you meet your new partner."

Danny chose to bite a piece of toast.

"Hope he's someone you like. It's too bad about his niece and nephew."