by Dan Mahoney
McKenna had feared that Mulrooney would detonate his bomb as soon as he learned from his radio or TV that the steps of the library were being evacuated. If he did, he wouldn’t get Brunette and the mayor, but he would certainly thin ILGO’s ranks. Brunette was at the head of the parade and he had feared the same thing, so he had orchestrated the evacuation operation.
McKenna saw it in action seconds after he arrived and knew that Brunette had gotten to the ILGO leadership and informed them of the threat. All at once, the ILGO members ran from the library steps and the cops cleared away the spectators across the street. In under a minute, the library steps and the area around the building were deserted. The TV crews filmed the entire evacuation, live.
Taking a look at the library, McKenna guessed at once where the bomb was. Standing on either side of the library’s steps were two massive, ancient Greek-style, concrete urns. There was a stately six-foot hemlock tree planted in each one. McKenna was certain that those trees hadn’t been there when he had spoken to Mendez on the steps two days before. He also thought that it was a Parks Department van that Crowley had stolen to transport the trees to the library.
Finan was there and he shared McKenna’s suspicions about the trees. As soon as the steps were cleared, he ran toward them from the bomb disposal truck, leading four detectives carrying ladders and shovels. One of them was Dennis Hunt. He was the first one up the ladder placed against the urn on the left side of the steps while another detective climbed up to the urn on the other side. Both were digging when McKenna’s phone rang again. “I see you intend to spoil my surprise,” Mulrooney said.
So it’s a TV he’s got in his car, McKenna thought. “We’re trying to stay ahead of you.”
“Base to all units. He’s on the Major Deegan Expressway at 160th Street, heading north,” McKenna heard over Mulrooney’s phone. He’s in the Bronx and I know where he’s going, McKenna thought. Got to keep him on the phone.
“Is that my old pal Dennis digging up my stuff?”
“Yes, it’s your old pal Dennis. You probably know quite a few of the guys on those steps.”
“Probably, but I could kill them all right now. Maybe I should.”
He could, McKenna knew. Must have a powerful transmitter with him, so how do I stop them?
McKenna could come up with only one possible way, but it was an option fraught with risk. Leaving Thor on the sidewalk, he ran across the street and up the library steps. He waved his arms to make sure the TV crews would focus on him. “Can you see me?” he asked Mulrooney.
“Yeah, I see you and you’re taking a big chance. You know, I wouldn’t mind taking you out as well.”
“I know you wouldn’t, but your two hostages lose a lot of their value to you if you blow me up.”
“You and I both know I’d still get some value out of them. You’ve got a lovely wife and a very pretty little girl here. They look like a lot of fun to me.”
“Please don’t even talk like that. I’ll do whatever you want,” McKenna pleaded.
“Then how come you’re not doing what I want? How come you’re not on the way to the fountain?”
“I’m on my way now. No more stops, I swear.”
“Good. Call me after you talk to my boys. I want to talk to them.”
“I will. You’ll be hearing from me shortly, I promise.”
“That’s a good lad. One more thing. Tell Dennis he owes me a big one. I’ve decided to let them all live.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell him,” McKenna said, but Mulrooney had already cut the connection.
Hunt had finished excavating the loose soil around the tree in his planter. “The roots are still wrapped in burlap, Lou,” he called down to Finan.
“It’s gotta be in there, Dennis, so be careful,” McKenna shouted up to him. “He says to tell you that you owe him one for not blowing us all up.”
“Yeah, I owe him one all right.”
Hunt was passing the tree down to Finan and another detective when McKenna took off again, running for the car. Thor was right behind him. “He’s in the Bronx. They’re both wounded, so he’s going to Brenda’s to get patched up,” McKenna said as he started the car and took off.
“I know, and so does your Squad CO. I was listening to the radio while you were on the steps. He’s got all your teams headed there and the team watching the place is waiting for him. Your squad CO told them to take no action if he shows up, just report and wait.”
“That’s good. I don’t want any shoot-outs with my family in the middle, but Mulrooney’s gonna get there before the reinforcements arrive,” McKenna said. He drove up the cleared Fifth Avenue and into Central Park at the 72nd Street transverse road. Bethesda Fountain was located in the middle of the park, so he pulled off the road onto a grassy spot near the entrance to the long, wide steps that led down to the fountain. He and Thor were just about to get out of the car when a shout over the FBI radio stopped them.
“Team Fourteen to Base, emergency message.”
McKenna recognized Cisco’s voice but didn’t know his assignment.
“Go ahead, Team Fourteen.”
“We’ve got him in front of Brenda’s house. Crowley, Angelita, and Janine just got out of a dark blue Chevy Caprice, New York registration G239TX. Mulrooney’s the driver. He’s wearing a long brown wig and it looks like Crowley’s hurting. Bleeding bad from his right arm, but he’s got his hand under his jacket. I’d say he’s got a gun on them.”
Thank God it’s Cisco up there, McKenna thought.
“Team Fourteen to Base. Crowley’s into the building with Angelita and Janine. Mulrooney’s taking off, maybe looking for a parking spot. Who do you want us to go for?”
McKenna brought the radio to his mouth, set to scream, “Crowley! Go for Crowley!” but once again Sheeran had beat him to the radio. “Squad CO to Team Fourteen. Get Mulrooney, Cisco.”
“You got it, boss. We’ll get him.”
Right decision, McKenna realized. We know where Crowley is, so why risk a hostage situation right now that would further endanger Angelita and Janine? Get Mulrooney.
Then Sheeran made a mistake. “Units close to Brenda’s to assist Team Fourteen?” he transmitted. None were, but they were getting there. So many teams answered with their locations that the airways were jammed for fifteen seconds before Cisco could get through.
“Goddamn it, everybody stay off the air,” Cisco shouted. “He saw us and he’s running. We’re two blocks behind him, headed down Kotonah Avenue toward the Bronx River Parkway and moving fast. No, change that. He’s making a right. Must be about 235th Street.”
Mulrooney’s right in his old neighborhood and knows every turn, McKenna thought. Since Cisco’s doing the talking, Bobby Garbus must be doing the driving. Too bad.
“We just turned on 235th Street. He’s about a block ahead of us,” Cisco transmitted. “Looks like he’s slowing down. Goddamn, Bobby! Watch that thing!”
The sound of the explosion filled the airways, but Mulrooney didn’t get Cisco and Garbus. “He’s dropping some nasty things in our way, but it exploded behind us. We’re gonna get him,” Cisco transmitted. “Still eastbound on 235th, picking up some real steam. Permission to shoot?”
Cisco didn’t bother waiting for permission. The sound of his shots came loudly over the air, but nobody was complaining. “That’s got him thinking,” Cisco transmitted. “He’s slowing down. No, he’s turning on, on … God, I don’t know where the hell we are, but he’s turning and headed south. Slow down on the turn, Bobby. Make sure he didn’t drop another nasty on us after he made the turn. Ah, there he is. Wait! Stop, Bobby! There’s another one. Stop!”
McKenna waited for Cisco’s next transmission, but there was none. Sheeran used the downtime to direct teams to Brenda’s apartment building, but told them to take no action until Emergency Service, the Bomb Squad, and the Hostage Negotiating Team arrived there. He also told them that he would be on the scene in five minutes.
While Sheeran was
talking, McKenna took out his phone and called the radio shop. Gaspar answered.
“Turn on that Paddy Poofer,” McKenna said.
“I just did, thirty seconds ago.”
“You been listening to the radio?”
“What else do you think there is to do in the radio shop? We listen to all the radios; makes you crazy. Hold on.” Gaspar was off the line for a moment before he returned. “A Five-two Precinct unit is reporting that they’ve got Cisco and Bobby at Epler Avenue near 235th Street. The bomb blew up in front of their car.”
“Are they all right?”
“Wrecked the car and Bobby’s unconscious, but Cisco’s out of the car and screaming. He dropped his radio when the bomb went off and he can’t find it.”
But Gaspar didn’t have the up-to-date news. Cisco had found his radio. “Team Fourteen to Squad CO,” he transmitted.
“Squad CO. Go ahead, Cisco.”
“Will somebody else please get that guy, or do we have to do everything around here? I blew out his back windshield, so I might have winged him again. Anybody who sees that car will know that hombre came across Cisco.”
“Don’t worry, Cisco. We’ll get him for you. How’s Bobby?”
“He’s coming to, but he wrecked my car. I’m gonna knock him out again as soon as he’s feeling better. Brian, you on the air?”
McKenna picked up the radio. “I’m here, Cisco.”
“Janine was crying, but she looked fine. I don’t know if I should tell you this just now, but Angelita took a punch. Her mouth was bleeding and she spit some blood in front of Brenda’s house on her way into the building. I think she tried to hit Crowley with it, but she missed.”
That would be Angelita, McKenna thought. One of them clocked her, but she can’t be intimidated.
“Team Thirty-three to Squad CO.”
“Squad CO. Go ahead, Thirty-three.”
“We’re in front of the McDermott building now. There’s a lot of blood on the sidewalk and it can’t all be Mrs. McKenna’s. Looks like Crowley’s losing a lot.”
Then McKenna’s phone rang again. He turned his radios down low before answering. “How did you know about Brenda?” Mulrooney asked.
“Crowley. You thought he was at a pay phone, but he beeped you to that number three times.”
“That dopey bastard’s caused me a lot of trouble, but that’s all right. Who were those clowns chasing me?” Mulrooney asked.
“Cisco Sanchez and Bobby Garbus. You know them?”
“Not personally, but Sanchez has always had a good rep. How are they?”
“I understand they’ll be fine.”
“Then understand this. I’m not looking to kill any cops here, I just want you all staying out of my way.”
“I’m staying out of your way, but I’m not the one in charge.”
“I think you’re bullshitting me, McKenna,” Mulrooney said, his voice rising. “Did you talk to my kids yet?”
“Sorry. Not yet, but I’m about to.”
“Where are you?”
“Just parking. We’re near the fountain.”
“I know what you’re thinking, McKenna. I know you’ve got Crowley surrounded at Brenda’s place, so you’re thinking that you’re gonna get your wife and your brat back. You’re thinking there’s no reason to mind Old Mike.”
“I wasn’t thinking that at all. Nobody’s making a move to take Crowley. Believe me, I know you’re still in charge.”
“That’s smart of you, because Crowley won’t be taken alive. If he doesn’t hear from me soon, he’s gonna shoot those two. Then you can lose some people getting him if you like and I’ll show you another surprise I’ve got in store for you. I want to be talking to my kids.”
Mulrooney cut the connection and McKenna felt the panic rising within him again. He picked up the FBI radio. “McKenna to Squad CO.”
“Go ahead, Brian.”
“Where was he for that last call?”
“Didn’t know he called you. He wasn’t using Winthrop’s phone. Must’ve been at a pay phone.”
Then he’s stopped, but what’s he doing? McKenna wondered.
“He’s stealing another car,” Thor said, and McKenna agreed. He couldn’t drive the Chevy around any longer with the back window shot out and everybody looking for it.
“He said that Crowley was going to shoot Angelita and Janine if he didn’t call him soon,” McKenna transmitted.
“He’s lying, Brian. We’re talking to Crowley on Brenda’s phone. He’s scared and confused, doesn’t know what to do. He says he’ll kill them if we try anything, but he sounds weak.”
All that makes sense, McKenna thought. Crowley’s losing blood and he has to be confused. Sheeran’s right, Mulrooney was lying to me. He didn’t know that Cisco and Bobby were gonna jump him, so why would he have told Crowley to kill them if he didn’t hear from him? But there’s still a danger. “Inspector, can you make sure Mulrooney doesn’t get through to give him a plan?”
“Will do. If Crowley hangs up on us, we’ll cut Brenda’s line until we want to call him again.”
“Thanks, Inspector.” McKenna opened his car door.
“Where are you going?” Thor asked.
“To talk to Mulrooney’s kids for him.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Why not? Can’t hurt right now, one way or the other,” McKenna said.
“Yes it can hurt. It would make him happy, make him think he’s still in control.”
“So what am I supposed to do? Piss him off?”
“That’s what I’d do. Piss him off and get him angry with you. He’s going to make some more threats, but laugh at him. Let him know that it’s over for him.”
“And then?”
“He’ll realize that you’re right, if he hasn’t already. Then he’ll come for you.”
Could Thor be right? McKenna wondered. Vernon said Mulrooney would be fatalistic and we know he’s fearless. But come here for me?
McKenna ran over all the possibilities while Thor watched him in silence. Then came the distant sound of bagpipes; the parade was again on the march and getting closer. They were playing “Amazing Grace,” one of McKenna’s favorites. He considered it a good sign. “You’re right, Thor, and that’s what I’m gonna do. Piss him off real good, but first I have to make sure any threats he makes are idle chatter.” He called the office and Eddie Morgan answered.
“Do you know how many pounds of explosives were recovered from the library bomb?” McKenna asked.
“Bombs. There were two of them, one in each tree. Eighteen pounds in each, packed it in the roots behind bags of nails. He really planned to do some damage.”
“Thanks, Eddie. You just made things simpler for me and took a load off my mind.” He called Sheeran next and told him what he had in mind.
“Okay, Brian, it’s your call. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I hope so, too. Could you have the units at the fountain grab O’Reilly and the kids? Keep them all there, but have them make sure those kids don’t have that cell phone with them.”
“Will do. I’ll also send some teams back to Manhattan to help you out.”
“Thanks.” McKenna and Thor listened to the radio as Sheeran complied with McKenna’s wishes. O’Reilly and the kids were grabbed and they had the cell phone. Six teams were on their way back from the Bronx. Then another transmission came across on the FBI radio. “Team Thirty-five to Squad CO.”
“Go ahead Team Thirty-five.”
“We’ve got the Chevy Caprice he was using. Hundred and sixty-first Street near Yankee Stadium. He must’ve stolen another car here.”
“Team Fourteen to Team Thirty-five. What kind of shape is that car in?” Cisco asked.
“You’re gonna love this, Cisco. The back window’s shot out and so is the windshield. You also got his TV and there’s lots of blood in the backseat, so I guess that’s where Crowley was sitting with Angelita and Janine. That right?”
“
Sure is. How about the front seat? Any blood up there?” Cisco asked.
“A little, not much. Maybe you hit him.”
“Of course I did,” Cisco transmitted. “Thought he could throw bombs at Cisco and get away scot-free, did he? Well, I guess Cisco changed his mind.”
McKenna wasn’t so sure; he attributed the blood in the front seat to Pao’s bullet. Nothing happened for five minutes and not a word passed between McKenna and Thor. Each was lost in his own thoughts until McKenna’s phone rang again. Again, he turned his radios down low before he answered. “This is the last time I’m asking,” Mulrooney said. “Have you talked to my kids, yet?”
“Just did. Told them what a perverted, murdering coward you are. Told them that they’re lucky to be here because you can’t get it up anymore.”
Mulrooney didn’t answer at first, and McKenna could imagine his reaction. “Let me talk to them,” Mulrooney ordered.
“I would, but they don’t want to talk to you.”
“McKenna, you just killed your wife and kid.”
“Think again, Mulrooney. Crowley surrendered. Angelita and Janine are on their way here right now to meet me. You see, my wife and kids like me. Might be because I’m not a coward like you.”
“Coward, am I?” Mulrooney shouted.
“That’s right, and a pervert besides. If your boys have the stomach for it, we’re gonna have a real picnic here. I’m gonna buy them some lunch and show them some pictures of what you did to those helpless women you like torturing. That should be fun, don’t you think?”
There was another silence before Mulrooney answered. “I’ve got a proposition for you,” he said calmly.
“I bet. You gonna tell me that you’re going to blow something else up?” McKenna asked sarcastically.
If Mulrooney was surprised at McKenna’s guess, it didn’t come through in his voice. “That’s right. I always thought it a shame that those Arabs who blew the World Trade Center ignored the Empire State Building. There’s a noon flight for Bangkok leaving from JFK. United Airlines. If my boys aren’t on it believing I’m a saint, good-bye Empire State Building.”