Special Operations (Badge of Honor 2)

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SPEEDING HIGHWAY PATROL CAR KILLS FOUR-YEAR-OLD

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Below the photograph was a lengthy caption:

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This Philadelphia Highway Patrol car, racing to the scene of a reported abduction, ran a red light on Second Street at Olney Ave. and smashed into the side of a 1970 Chevrolet sedan at 8:45 last night, killing Stephen P. McAvoy, Jr., aged four, of the 700 block of Garland Street, instantly. His father and mother, Stephen P., 29, and Mary Elizabeth McAvoy, 24, were taken to Albert Einstein Northern Division Hospital, where both are reported in critical condition. Both policemen in the police car were seriously injured.

The tragedy occurred the day after Peter Wohl, a Police Department Staff

Inspector, was given command of the Highway Patrol, in a move widely believed to be an attempt by Commissioner Taddeus Czernick to tame the Highway Patrol, which has been widely criticized in recent months.

(More photos and the full story on page 10A. The tragedy is also the subject of today’s editorial.)

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Peter shook his head and looked around the office.

“We didn’t run the stop light,” David Pekach said. “The guy in the Ford ran it.”

Peter met his eyes.

“Hawkins told me the light had just turned green as he approached Olney Avenue,” Pekach said. “I believe him. He was too shook up to lie.”

“He was driving?” Peter asked.

“Nobody’s going to believe that,” Mickey O’Hara said. “You guys better find a witness.”

“I hope we’re working on that,” Wohl said.

“I’ve got guys ringing doorbells,” Pekach said.

“How’s the Bulletin handling this story, Mickey?” Wohl asked.

“It wasn’t quite as bad as that,” Mickey O’Hara said. “Cheryl Davies wrote the piece. But I’m here for a statement.”

“We deeply regret the tragedy,” Wohl said. “The incident is under investigation.”

O’Hara shrugged. “Why did I suspect you would say something like that?” he said.

“It’s the truth,” Wohl said. “It’s all I have to give you.”

“What about the abducted female? The Northwest Philly rapist? On or off the record,” O’Hara said.

Wohl’s phone buzzed again, and he picked it up.

“Inspector Wohl,” he said.

“Taddeus Czernick, Peter. How are you?”

“Good morning, Commissioner,” Peter said.

Both Pekach and Sabara got up, as if to leave.

Probably, Peter thought, because they figure if they leave, Mickey O’Hara will take the hint and leave with them.