Chapter 40
AS SOON AS I was off the phone with Rob Trilling, Mary Catherine asked me what was going on. When I told her he wanted me to go out to help him, my wife didn’t hesitate.
“You need to go. You’re a father figure to that young man. And I know him well enough to realize he wouldn’t ask for help if he didn’t really need it.”
“I’m right in the middle of a case. Technically, two cases.”
“You’re always right in the middle of a case. You’re not the only law-enforcement officer in the greater New York City area. I’m sure you can slip away for a few days.”
I considered her words but didn’t say anything.
Mary Catherine continued: “If I was in the hospital, you’d have no problem dropping work to come sit by my side. I’ve seen it before.”
“You’ve got me there. I told Rob that I’d talk to Harry in the morning. I’ll see how he feels about it.”
Which was why I made a phone call to my lieutenant at 6:30 a.m. If I woke him, Harry didn’t acknowledge it. He said in his usual gruff tone, “What’s up?”
I explained that Trilling was having personal problems back home in Bozeman and needed my help.
As usual, Harry didn’t beat around the bush.
“Let me get this straight. First you let your junior partner head out to some godforsaken place out west without running it by me. Now you want to go as well? I’m no math genius, but it sounds like you’re leaving me with no one working on the bombing case. Am I wrong?”
I had to think on my feet. “That’s not completely accurate, Harry.
Walter Jackson is doing a ton of background work, and the ATF agent, Maggie Chin, is following up on leads.
Terri Hernandez has been briefed on the case and can help if needed.
Besides, I don’t intend to be gone more than a couple of days. ”
“And I only intended to be married one time. You know how that worked out.”
I laughed. “Think of it this way: You’ll have a lot fewer hassles if I’m not in the office.”
“But if you’re not here, I have to listen to all of Walter’s puns.”
That was two jokes Harry had cracked in less than a minute. I chose to interpret it as a positive sign. “Harry, if you order me to stay, there’s not a lot I can do about it.” I was met by a very long silence on the other end of the line.
Finally, my boss let out a sigh and said, “Don’t get all high-strung on me.
You know I’ll work with you as best I can.
Give me the ATF agent’s number and give her mine.
Explain to her that I would like an update toward the end of every day.
Also explain that I might be calling her if someone from One Police Plaza wants an immediate update. ”
“I can do that, easy.”
Harry added, “It may not be a bad thing if you leave town for a few days anyway. Might make it harder for IA to interview you about the incident in Queens.”
I chuckled. “That’s hardcore, Harry.”
“Actually it’s more old-school. Back in the day, problems sometimes went away if we ignored them. It worked for a long time. Probably will work for a few days at least in this case. Just get your ass back here as quickly as possible.”
I knew I’d done nothing wrong. But I definitely didn’t want to get anyone else in trouble.
Especially one of Trilling’s roommates. They’d been through enough.
And their living arrangement was shaky at best. God knew what would happen if an immigration officer looked into it a little closer.
They could end up in exactly the kind of facility that Trilling was trying to keep them out of.
I sent a detailed email to everyone on the case, explaining what was happening. Even though it was early in the morning, Maggie Chin wrote me back immediately to tell me she’d handle anything that came up. Then, a few minutes later, Walter Jackson said essentially the same thing.
I started to feel better about my trip to Montana.