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He drove it home, A
“I think we should get you a vest,” he said. “This guy’s determined.”
A
She turned her eyes back on the road. “I’ll wear one if you wear yours,” she said.
Jake agreed. “It’s a deal. We’ll talk to Hank.”
In a few minutes, A
Captain Diego watched them come through the front doors and called them over. He stood in the doorway of his office, his usual pleasant face twisted into a frown of concern. He smiled grimly and greeted them with a nod.
“I spoke to Hank yesterday about you two,” the captain said. He folded his arms and leaned against the door frame. “As if it’s not bad enough that someone’s out to get you, we don’t know who, or why.”
“We’re going to find out who,” Jake said. “And why.”
“I’m concerned about your involvement in this case,” Diego said.
A
“And dangerous,” Diego said, his frown deepening.
A
Diego raised his brows.
“Can I borrow a bulletproof vest?”
Diego chuckled. “Of course.” He held up a finger. “Remember, these vests aren’t bulletproof, just bullet resistant. You can still sustain some damage if you get hit, especially at close range.”
“I’m aware of that,” A
The captain glanced toward the door and A
The detective nodded, beckoned toward them, and then went to his desk. A
“It appears the captain wants us to back off,” Jake said.
Hank sat his briefcase beside his desk, sat down, and leaned back in his chair. “And you don’t want to, I assume?”
“We can’t,” A
“I’d better fill out a statement,” Jake said. “While I do, Hank, can you fit A
“Sure,” Hank said, standing. He beckoned toward A
She heard some muffled shooting; someone was in the firing range close by.
Hank selected a vest and handed it to her. “This should fit you. Do you know how to put it on?”
“I do.”
“I’m not surprised.”
A
“Make sure Jake wears his,” Hank said.
Jake had finished with his statement when they returned to Hank’s desk. The detective read it over. “There’s not much here,” he said to Jake.
“There’s not a lot to tell. He wore a ski mask, so I didn’t see his face, and I was too busy ru
Hank dropped the paper on his desk and sat back. “King and I came from Smokie’s Bar. The owner attested Shaft and Norton knew each other. They were frequent visitors to the bar and entered all the tournaments. He confirmed, as far as he knew, neither of their wives ever came with them.”
“That fits with what both women told us,” A
Hank nodded. “I also got a list of everyone else in the tournament, so between King and me, we’ll see what they know about the relationship between Shaft and Norton. Or more important, where Norton might be hiding out.” He shrugged. “It’s a long shot, but it’s about all we have right now.”
“I’d love to get ahold of this guy that’s been shooting at us,” Jake said. “I’m sure he knows a thing or two.”
“There’s no proof it’s related to this case,” Hank said.
A
Hank pointed a finger at Jake and frowned. “You guys be careful.”
Jake chuckled. “Of course, Hank. Have you ever known us to be anything but careful?”
“You’ve taken a chance or two in the past.”
“Calculated chances.”
“Just be careful,” Hank said.
A
Hank called to them as they turned and headed for the doors. “And wear your vests whenever you’re out of the house.”
Chapter 22
Wednesday, 10:55 a.m.
HANK TURNED and glanced across the precinct when he heard his name called. It was King, a rare look on his face, something halfway between a grin and a smirk.
He spun his chair to face the approaching detective. “Looks like you won the lottery.”
“Maybe I did,” King said, leaning against the desk. “One of my CIs might know who the shooter is. Won’t tell me over the phone. Says he’ll never get paid that way.”
“Does your source know where to find him?”
“He says no, but he has a name.” King shrugged. “It’s a start.”
Hank eyed the crass detective. King had never taken to the mundane matters, not excelling at the finer details of police work, but when it came to fitting in on the streets and obtaining inside dirt on local criminal activity, he was unsurpassed.
“Gotta go, Hank. I’ll be back before long,” King said, and strode away.
Hank turned back to his desk. He’d been putting together a few notes for a hurried press conference. The local and regional news outlets demanded something, and Diego always did his utmost to keep the public aware of anything affecting their daily lives.
He gathered up his notes and went to the doorway of Diego’s office. “All set, Captain.”
When Hank and Diego stepped from the precinct doors, people were already gathered in front of the podium at the bottom of the steps. There were fewer reporters than usual, as little notice was given, but Lisa Krunk could be seen at the front of the small group, Don at her side, the camera on his shoulder.
They descended the steps and Hank moved to the podium, consulted his notes, and cleared his throat.
“Thank you for coming.” His eyes roved over the gathering. “I’ll make a brief statement and then take questions.”
He glanced at his notes again before speaking. “As you know, Monday evening a brutal murder took place in this city. The victim was thirty-five year old Werner Shaft, a resident of Richmond Hill.” Hank held up a photo. “This man, Michael Norton, is a suspect in this case, and I urge you all to publish or broadcast this picture. We think he’s still somewhere in the city, but so far, he’s eluded our search.”
Hank looked at Lisa and continued, “In regards to a recent broadcast, we have no information leading us to believe the suspect’s wife has any knowledge of his whereabouts.” He paused. He didn’t have much else to say. “This case is ongoing and I’ll keep you up to date on any further developments.”
Hank looked at Diego then back at the crowd. “I’ll take your questions now,” he said, pointing to an upraised hand.
“Detective, it’s my understanding Lincoln Investigations is involved in this case and there was an attempt on A