MURDER TAKES TIME

Chapter 66

Begging for Help

Current Day 

Bugs woke early to get a good start and headed straight for the office. Morreau sometimes came in early to beat the rush. Bugs hoped it was one of those mornings. He got coffee and a cinnamon roll, then waited, doing paperwork until Morreau showed.

“What are you doing here so early, Donovan?”

“Need more surveillance.”

“Can’t do it. No chance.”

“This guy is going to kill someone else if we don’t stop him.”

“Get me some coffee. I’ll think about it.”

Frankie went to get coffee, taking plenty of time to let Morreau think about it. When he brought it back, he could see the news was good by the look on Morreau’s face “I’ll give you four guys for one week. If you don’t get him by then, I don’t give a shit who he kills.”

“Higgins and Sapp available?” 

He nodded. “I’ll give you Murphy and Russo too.”

Frankie kissed Morreau on the head. “I love you for this, but I need more. I got Tito to watch, and now Tony Sannullo and Paulie Perlano, too.” 

Morreau wiped his head off. “No matter how much you beg, you’re not getting anyone else. Now get out of here and catch somebody, will you?” As Frankie started to leave, Morreau called to him. “And tell Mazzetti to stop smoking in the building. Does he really think I don’t know who it is?” 

“I’ll tell him, Lieu, but I think you know his answer.” 

#

Frankie had met Harding’s boss once—a guy named Clark, Gary Clark. The FBI had damn near dumped the surveillance, but Frankie knew they were dying to get Tito. He dialed Carol on his cell as he pulled out of the lot. “Hey, you sweet thing.”

“Cut the crap, Donovan. What do you want?”

“Need a number for Special Agent Gary Clark. He’s Harding’s boss.”

“Hang on.”

He turned left, heading toward the FBI Organized Crime Unit headquarters, and before he got two blocks, Carol had what he needed. “You owe me,” she said.

“I am forever in your debt.” Frankie hung up and dialed Clark. He didn’t speak to Clark, but got his assistant, and more importantly, an appointment in an hour with Agents Clark, Harding and Maddox. He grabbed a burger on the way and got to the meeting with almost fifteen minutes to spare. 

When he entered Clark’s office, Harding and Maddox were already there. Maybe Brooklyn-cop early and FBI-early were two different things. “Agent Clark, Harding, Maddox, good to see you again.”

“What do you want?” Harding asked.

Clark glared at Harding, then turned to Frankie, all smiles. “Gloria said you mentioned Mr. Martelli in your message.”

“Yes, sir, Agent Clark. I think we can get Tito…with some help from the FBI.”

“Do you mean that the FBI can get Mr. Martelli with cooperation from Brooklyn Homicide?”

“That is exactly what I mean, sir.”

Harding brushed it off, looking disgusted. “Sir, Detective Donovan hasn’t delivered on one promise yet. We had him wired numerous times and never got anything. If you ask me, he leaked information.”