In the Name of Revenge

Chapter Eleven

ELEVEN

“Wolters, get in here,” Sergeant Palazzio yelled from the doorway to his office.

“First, have you or Monica received any more calls at home or at the office?” he asked as Wolters entered his office.

“None, I’m not sure if that’s good or not.”

“Me either. Benson just called. Seems like Mancini’s out on bail.”

“Bail? Are you kidding? The judge ordered remand.”

“It seems as if his lawyer persuaded the judge to change his mind. Probably with a few green backs, if you want my opinion.”

Wolters ran his hand through his hair.

“This isn’t going to be good.”

“Nothing to do with the Mancini family is ever good.”

“Well, it seems they got their wish. At least, my wife will be safe again.”

“Don’t tell her to come home just yet. There’s still a trial to consider. I hate to say it, but they may still try to get to you so you can’t get on the witness stand.”

“Great.”

“Because of all that, Benson said the detectives are going to continue following you and watching your back.”

“They’re not very discreet. I’m sure everyone knows someone’s shadowing me by now. Where do they get these guys, anyway?”

“Not from my department. I’ll talk to her. In the meantime, stay out of the limelight…and the alleys as well.”

“Come on now Sarge, I was going to have some fun since the wife’s out of town. I hear the best are always in alleys.”

Snickering, Sergeant Palazzio told him, “Don’t let Monica hear you talk like that.”

“I’m going to stake out the Mancini home. I want to see who goes in and out of there.”

“Be careful and don’t approach anyone.” Knowing how Wolters was, he added, “I mean it. Keep that hot head of yours cooled off.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be a good boy, okay?”

“See that you are.”

“I’m going to use my personal car.”

“Why? Don’t you think that if they know your home telephone number, they would know what car you drive as well? I’ll have Benson get you a car. Do not go alone, take Morone with you.”

“Nate Morone…are you kidding? The guy’s incapable of doing anything. I don’t even know how he made detective.”

“Deal with it. He’s all I’ve got right now. Besides, you were a rookie once too.”

“Yes, but there comes a time when you grow out of being a wanna-be detective and become a real one. It’s not happening for him.”

“You heard me. Now, get out of my office. I’ve got work to do.”

Grumbling to himself, Wolters walked to his desk and sat down heavily in his chair, sighing. He couldn’t believe he was being assigned “the moron” as he was known at the precinct. The guy made detective status two years ago and he acted as if it were his first day, every day. He couldn’t make a decision on his own and never knew what to do in any given situation. He couldn’t find a murder weapon if he watched the perp toss it in the bushes. He was completely inept at interviewing witnesses or getting confessions out of the guilty. Wolters couldn’t figure out why Morone was kept on at all. The only thing he could figure was he must know people in high places.