“Sir.” Louie looked directly at Isaac. “As a matter of policy, we don’t disclose the names of informants to anyone. It’s just not —”

“I really don’t need to know,” said Nash.

“Nonsense,” said Wigmore. “It would be good for at least you to know just in case the name surfaces in your investigation.”

“It is unusual,” said Isaac, “but under the circumstances, I fully agree. Who is the informant?”

“I’ll check with Taggart and get back to you on that, sir. I think he only used the source once because we couldn’t get funding.”

Wigmore coughed loudly, then said, “I just saw Taggart at his desk a few minutes ago. With your permission, sir, why not have Louie use your phone and call him now.”

Isaac gave a nod of approval and Louie called Jack and briefly explained where he was and what had transpired.

“No problem,” said Jack. “Hang on while I get the name from out of my desk.”

Jack ripped off an envelope taped to the back of his desk drawer and then held the telephone in the crook of his neck while sifting through multiple pieces of identification.

“We’re waiting,” said Grazia, with a noticeable edge to his voice.

“Sorry. Here’s a name. I mean here’s the name. Edward Trimble.”

Grazia relayed the information to Ted Nash, who assured everyone that he would never disclose it but would keep it in mind in case it surfaced in the murder investigation. Wigmore also wrote down the name and address in his own notebook.

Later that afternoon Bart and Rex spotted their target. It wasn’t difficult; he was wearing exactly what the tipster had told them. He also appeared to be watching everyone around him when he left the phone booth. Rex stuck the plastic radio receiver in his ear and followed on foot, while Bart remained nearby in the car.

Rex watched his quarry duck down an alley and retrieve something from an empty takeout coffee cup lying in a window well.

Bart’s radio crackled. “Bart, I think he just picked up. Ditch the car. Let’s grab this mother before we lose him.”

Moments later, Rex and Bart saw their target walk down another alley. Bart covered off one end of the alley while Rex hid and waited at the other end.

Rex crouched close to the wall. His muscles bulged under his shirt as he tensed in anticipation. All at once, his target loomed in front of him. Rex lunged for his throat. The victim’s eyes widened in panic and the mouth gaped open, but then he disappeared!

It was Rex’s turn to look surprised when the man ducked and left him grasping at air. He looked down as he sailed over the man and received a jab in both eyes with a pair of fingers.

Rex sprawled on the pavement, skinning both elbows. His target was doing an Olympic dash back down the alley. Rex clambered to his feet and stumbled after him, while wiping his eyes with his fingers.

Bart, peeking around the end of the alley, waited silently. There was no grab for the throat this time. Bart stepped quickly into the alley and buried one meaty, knuckle-bound fist deep into the man’s midriff. A belch of air escaped the man’s mouth and he collapsed to the ground as two baggies fell from his hand.

“Ya got ’im,” panted Rex, still wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket. “Jesus, he’s fast!” he said, giving the man a solid kick to the ribs.

“He sure got you dancin’ in the alley like a wounded prairie chicken!” said Bart, picking up the baggies.

“The bastard poked me in the eyes! I couldn’t see!” he said, kicking once more.

Danny, parked down the next alley, held the binoculars to his eyes with one hand while eating an apple. He stopped chewing and chuckled when he saw Bart slam their quarry back against a wall.

Minutes later, Bart and Rex drove into an underground parking lot. Their quarry, whom they identified as Edward Trimble, lay slouched in the back seat. He was more than willing to cooperate in exchange for not going to jail. He admitted that he bought the speed from Red, who used to buy it from Lenny. He said Red now bought it from someone in Satans Wrath. Fast Eddy, as Bart called him, was willing to make more purchases from Red if they supplied the money. He thought he might soon be able to deal with Satans Wrath directly if Bart and Rex wanted him to. They did.

Danny leaned over and opened the car door and watched as Jack eased himself inside.

“You took a few good licks there,” Danny commented.

“Had to make it look real. They bought it. Money shouldn’t be a problem now.”

Danny started the car and said, “Where to?”

“My ribs are sore. Maybe stop by the clinic to check things out.”

“Check things out? What things?”

“Shut up and drive.”

“Oh, those things.”

chapter seventeen

During the next couple of days, Jack purchased another order of speed from Red. Bart and Rex were pleased. They were able to follow Red to a restaurant where they saw her meet with John Dragonovich, another striker for Satans Wrath, who went by the name Dragon.

Bart and Rex were delighted when Fast Eddy said that Red was becoming receptive to introducing him to her connection in the event she wasn’t available, providing that Fast Eddy was buying quarter-pounds or more. They told him they wanted two more small purchases from Red, then they would have him make larger purchases.

Marcie warily walked toward the car as it stopped by the curb and peered through the open passenger window at the man who was driving. The sun was low in the sky, and she squinted as she tried to make out his face while checking him out.

“Hey, mister! Looking to party?”

“Maybe.”

“Think maybe you’d like to party with me? I could show you a good time.” She tried to put some enthusiasm into her voice.

“Sure, little girl, you’ll do just fine.”

“You got your own place?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s okay. We can use my place.” Marcie held up a key to a room at the Black Water. A room Red told her to share with two older hookers.

“You look like you’re just a kid!”

Marcie shrugged, forcing a smile. “So? Do you want to party with me or not?”

“I don’t know. I guess you’ll do. But if I’m not getting a real woman, I’m not payin’ more than thirty.”

“Hey! Get real! The room cost me that much!”

“Take it or leave it. You look like you could use the money. Aren’t you hungry for a little food, or maybe somethin’ to get high?”

“Not that hungry!” Marcie turned on her heel and walked away.

“You’ll be sorry, girl! Next time my offer won’t be so good!” he yelled, speeding off.

She watched the car drive out of sight. Then she waited, pacing back and forth. She tried to make eye contact with the drivers of various cars as they drove by. Some would slow down to gawk. One car with three young men pulled over to the curb. They laughed and quickly drove off when she approached. She wondered what other girls were doing on their thirteenth birthday. Danny watched Jack say goodbye to Red and slip out the back door of the Black Water. He ordered another beer. Jack would be meeting with Rex and Bart so there was no hurry. An hour later, he went to the car on the second level of the parking garage. Jack was peering through the binoculars as he arrived.

“How did it go?” Danny asked.

Jack put the binoculars down and said, “Good. Scored from Red again. Bart asked me if I would be willing to testify. Explained the witness protection program to me.”