“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” Lieutenant Mueller said, writing Washington’s name on a lined pad.
If you don’t know who Jason Washington is, Herr Storm Trooper, you really can’t find your ass with both hands.
“Could you give me his phone number, please?” Lieutenant Mueller asked.
Tony gave him, from memory, the number of the commanding officer of the K-9 Unit of the Philadelphia police department. It was in his memory because he had noticed that it was identical, except for the last two digits, which were reversed, to that of the Homicide Unit.
He had made the quick judgment that despite his implied offer to help, Lieutenant Mueller was going to be part of the problem, not a solution.
“I’m going to call your Lieutenant and introduce myself,” Lieutenant Mueller said, “and suggest the next time he thinks we can help Philadelphia, he call and set up an appointment.”
“Yes, sir. Sir, I wasn’t aware that was necessary, and I don’t think Lieutenant Washington is, either.”
“Probably not,” Mueller said, smiling. “But you’ve heard, I’m sure, Detective… Harris, was it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That a new broom sweeps clean.”
“Yes, sir, I’ve heard that.”
“I’m the new broom around here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“But you’re here. So how may we be of assistance?”
“Sir, as I said, I’m working a homicide. We have a visor hat… like a baseball cap, without a crown, that the doer left at the scene. Our lab, specifically Mr. Richard Candelle, has been able to lift only a partial that’s probably an index finger.”
"Candelle, you say?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I believe I have met your Mr. Candelle. African-American, isn’t he?”
“Yes, sir. He is.”
“Go on, Detective Harris.”
“I was hoping that you could have a look at it, and see if you couldn’t find more than we have.”
“We have, as you might not be aware, an Automated Fingerprint Identification System.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve heard that.”
“It’s state-of-the-art technology. In the hands of an expert- I’ve been certified in its use myself-it sometimes can do remarkable things.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, we’ll have a look at it for you, Detective. And get word back to you within, possibly, seventy-two hours.”
“Sir, I’d sort of hoped to stick around until you…”
“Take a hotel room, you mean? Well, if that’s all right with your supervisor, it’s fine with me. As I say, we’re talking about three days, if things go well.”
“I meant today, sir.”
“That’s out of the question, I’m afraid. You just leave the evidence item with me, and we’ll get to it as soon as possible.”