Ambush (Michael Bennett 11)

“I’ll leave it up to you to look at the big picture. I just want to find the killer here and in Bryant Park.”

“Was the second victim also shot?”

“No. He was killed up close. I suspect it was before Ms. Toussant was shot. Someone shoved a sharp-edged weapon up through his jaw and into his brain.”

Instantly I realized the other connection to murders in the city. I didn’t need to take a look at the ViCAP database to tell me what I already knew. I said to Cassie, “Would you call that sharp-edged weapon a stiletto?”

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded.

I said, “Then I can guarantee that these murders are connected to what I’m looking at.”

Chapter 40

I stayed at the scene with Cassie Max until almost the middle of the night.

I didn’t bounce any more of my conspiracy theory off Cassie. She needed to focus on this individual homicide scene. Cleared murders are the currency of a homicide detective.

No detective wanted a double homicide to go cold. The fact that there were two victims meant that there were almost twice as many leads to follow up on. Twice as much media coverage. And twice as much pressure from above to clear the case.

I was confident in Cassie’s abilities and intended to work with her as I developed more leads myself.

I managed to wake up and get into the office early, and at midday decided I needed to check on my grandfather. It also gave me a break from the mountain of reports I’d been reading.

I came in through the administrative offices of Holy Name and found my grandfather absolutely motionless at his desk, with his head to one side. His mouth was open, but he wasn’t snoring.

I approached from the door slowly, feeling a wave of fear rise up in me. I said his name several times softly. I carefully placed my hand near his mouth and nose, hoping to feel his breath.

I wasn’t sure, so I leaned in closer. As I did, his right eye popped open.

“What the hell are you doing?” His voice was clear and his accent sharp. That meant he was alert.

I hopped back, trying to hide being startled. I also didn’t want him to think I was afraid he had died at his desk.

I said, “Just came by to say hello.”

Seamus said, “Do you sneak up on everyone you want to say hello to? Go say hello to Alonzo back at the indoor basketball court. I want to finish my nap.”

I thought that was sound reasoning and headed through the rear of the gymnasium attached to the school.

There was a spirited basketball scrimmage going on as Alonzo shouted encouragement from the edge of the court. When he saw me, he handed his whistle over to one of the assistant coaches.

He extended his hand as he said, “How are you, Michael?”

“Good.” I almost had to shout over the noise of the game in the enclosed gym.

Alonzo said, “Let’s go outside, where we can hear ourselves think.”

We walked to the edge of the school and then through a gate onto the sidewalk outside. It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed strolling under the trees that hung over the sidewalk.

We ambled past the administration building, where my grandfather was probably sleeping soundly again.

Alonzo said, “I really respect how much effort you put into your family even with such a high-profile job. Your grandfather is rightly proud of you.”

The thought of Seamus telling people he was proud of me made me smile. Even if he never would say it directly to me.

“I appreciate how you take care of him. God knows it’s not always easy.”

He smiled. “It works both ways with Seamus. The Church has been a big adjustment for me. Seamus understands that better than most. You’re lucky to have had him in your life so long.”