Chapter 35 – Following a Lead
Captain Middleman left the squad room and returned to his office. The captain removed the red cell phone from his safe and a tiny TV set from a cabinet. Jim hooked the TV up on his desk to keep tabs on the ongoing coverage and slipped the phone into his shirt pocket. He expected there would soon be a disgruntled call from the king. His expectation quickly proved to be prophetic. "Yes sir," Jim answered.
"Is that our man in Pinewhittle, Middleman?"
"Indeed it is, Mr. Midas."
"There's certainly no doubt the detective can handle himself but shouldn't he be keeping a much lower profile? The man is supposed to be there incognito!"
"Sir, you've obviously seen the footage and must understand Mick had no choice but to act. Loneshark would never stand idly by and allow an innocent person to be bludgeoned with a pistol butt."
"No, I . . . of course, you're right. I hope he hasn't – what do you people call it – blown his cover?"
"I'm sure he hasn't, sir. This occurrence should strengthen his standing in that community."
"The detective and that young lady appear to have developed something of a close relationship, Middleman."
"So it would seem," Jim agreed, trying to keep the smile out of his voice.
"See here, Captain, are you sure this detective is applying his full concentration to the investigation? It has been months. Has he made any headway?"
"Loneshark has never failed!"
"So you've said, but these distractions, this girl, the news coverage, the interviews that are certain to follow, the . . ." King paused. "For God's sake, Middleman! At this moment, Mick Loneshark has to be the most talked about man on the planet!"
"Which is definitely enhancing the image of your memorial bank, sir."
"Granted, but that's not what I sent him out there to accomplish, Captain!"
"Mr. Midas, with all due respect, you asked me to select my most intuitive detective for this assignment. I assure you, sir, that I have absolute confidence in Mick Loneshark's ability and dedication."
"Very well, Captain. Good day."
The locusts landed in Pinewhittle, and the news-persons swarmed. Camera crews filmed the paramedics as they rolled Bobby Joe and Joe Bob out of the bank on gurneys and loaded them into ambulances.
