by Julie Ramson
“That’s all right. I still am pissed that you try to boss me around.” I smiled too. “And you are probably going to be even more pissed off at me before the night is over.” I looked up at him and raised my eyebrows.
He groaned. “Damn. You have something else, don’t you? I should have known. Dammit, Maggie!”
I grinned and squeezed his hand. Killer came bounding up and we watched him chase the few snowflakes that had started to fall. He jumped around happily, barking and wagging his tail. The moment of peace before all hell would break loose.
Back upstairs, we hung up our jackets and I got some plates and glasses down from the cabinet while Digs got silverware and napkins. I set the dining room table. We heard the knock on my door and Digs went to answer it. Sean came in, loaded with chicken, cole slaw, fries and biscuits and beer. It smelled great and Killer was glued to Sean’s leg, ever hopeful. Sean laughed at him and said, “Yeah, yeah, you’ll get some too, Killer. We have to clean it off the bones first though.” Killer understood that well enough and continued his happy dance around our feet. It was a good diversion.
We seemed to have an unspoken truce while we ate. We - well, not really “we” - Sean and Digs talked about Emily and why she was so frightened. We - they - agreed that the man who threatened her was probably the same man who had attacked me. We - they - just didn’t know why. Yet. There was a peace of sorts, but there was also still an undercurrent of anger. Sean’s comments to me were clipped and despite that slight thawing before dinner, Digs said nothing.
We finished eating and got the table cleared and the dishes in the dishwasher in quick time. They sat back at the table and I brought fresh coffee along with some cookies over, hoping a large dose of sugar would sweeten the two of them up. One look at their faces quickly killed that idea.
I braced myself. Now the moment of truth. Maybe.
Sean and Digs seated themselves across from me at the oblong table. This was taking on all the appearances of an interrogation. Handcuffs would not have surprised me.
“Now, Maggie, enough. What possessed you to go to Lily’s house - again - and break in - again - after everything that’s happened?” Sean’s voice was even but it was obvious he was still angry. He and Digs both sat with their arms crossed. Closed, defensive postures. “We have had three murders. Three! Yet, still you go off half- cocked.....” His voice was rising and his eyebrows lowering.
I closed my eyes. “Sean, drop the attitude! Let’s just pretend that you both have already yelled, waved your arms, told me I am stupid and reckless and stamped your feet at me! Let’s just pretend that’s already been done so I can tell you what I have found -”
“Dammit, Maggie! This isn’t funny and it isn’t a game! You don’t seem to get that!” Sean was in full yell mode now. So much for pretending that he had already yelled at me.
I got up and started for the bathroom. “Where the hell do you think you are going?” Digs got up and blocked me.
“I just thought I would go to the bathroom while you two threw your tantrums and then, maybe, by the time I got back you would be reasonable. Just a wild thought I had.” My voice dripped sarcasm. “You two may not believe this, but I really am an adult!”
“Then act it, Maggie. Act it.” Sean was winding down. Digs sat down, watching me with that blank, neutral look. If it hadn’t been for the narrowed eyes I would have thought he was calming down too.
I rolled my coffee cup in my hands and then leaned forward. “Guys. Look. I don’t want to fight. I’ll agree that I probably should not have gone and I could say I’m sorry, but look at the positive side! Nothing bad happened to me and I found Emily! That’s good!” I bit my lip and tried a small smile. “And also, I do have something to show you.” Might as well get all of it - every last sin - on the table now. I got up and went to my purse and pulled out the photo.
“What in the hell is that? Please, please don’t tell me you stole something from Lily’s house! You didn’t did you? Sean closed his eyes as if searching for patience.
“No, of course not. I borrowed something from the house. I can return it -”
“NO!” They both yelled this at the same time.
“Okay, okay, okay!” Do you want to hear this or not?”
Digs reached across the table and took the picture. “Yeah, so it’s three men. Probably one of them is Herbert. What about it?”
“This same photo was in Louie Bacci’s room in Cicero! I’m almost positive it’s the same picture!” I was getting excited now.
Sean just stared at me. “You haven’t - oh, Maggie, you haven’t broken into Louie Bacci’s room there, have you? That’s another crime scene - and none of the Cicero cops are related to you .....oh, god, Maggie -”
“Sean, chill! Take a deep breath. No, I haven’t gone to Louie Bacci’s room but I want to! I saw this in one of the police photos you gave me in the file. I can’t be sure but I really think it’s the same picture.”
Digs was still studying the photo. “The older man is Lefty Three Fingers and I think the youngest one is his son, Vito. I’d guess the man in the middle is Herbert?” He looked at me.
“Yes, I think so too. There were some wedding photos on the wall of a man and Lily. So I do think the middle guy is Herbert.” We need to see the real photo, though, to be sure.” I looked at them. “How can we get into that room?”
“We? WE? Oh, Mag, try again. Digs and I can get into the murder scene but as for you.......no way. Plus, no one, and I mean no one is to know you have that picture! Not Emily, not Mrs. O’Brien, not the priest in the confessional at St. Patrick’s. No one!” Sean was doing the steely-eyed glare thing at me. Digs just sat there, lips in a tight line.
I thought about this. Actually, I agreed with him. No one could know this. It was dangerous. I didn’t know why the man who attacked me had also broken in to Emily’s apartment but it didn’t matter. For obvious reasons, I wasn’t anxious to meet up with him again.
“Yeah. I agree, Sean. But promise me that you and Digs and Jimmy will check this out. I think it’s important!” Sean and Digs did the eye communication again.
“Yeah, okay. If this is the same picture it’s a link between Herbert Hastings and Louie. I’m not going to say anything to the Cicero police yet, not until I have a chance to make sure it is the same.”
Digs spoke up. “That still doesn’t make much sense. Lefty Three Fingers is dead. He died in the 90's from a heart attack and his son, Vito, still runs his prostitution ring. We also know that Herbert was killed in a car accident in 1990. So why now? What’s Vito got to gain now after all this time? He’s the only one still alive of the three men in the photo.” His tone was thoughtful, pensive.
“Remember, Digs, when Lefty’s family had that war in the late 80's over some theft? Do you remember what that was about?” Sean got up and went to the refrigerator and got three beers. He handed one to each of us and stood leaning against the sink.
Digs tipped his chair back. “Yeah. It was before my time. They never really confirmed it but I seem to remember that there was talk about a huge theft from Lefty by a rival gang. There was a big gang war and a number of mobsters were dead when it was all over. We just never confirmed the specifics of it.”
I shook my head in astonishment at the depth of Digs’ knowledge about the mob. Hobby? Or had he been FBI? The “we” made me think so. Had he studied the mob? He certainly seemed to know their history. Many of the main guys had been caught for crimes unrelated to murder. Some of the big mobsters had gone down under RICO - the Federal law prohibiting organized crime activity. RICO is the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act passed in 1970. It was specifically designed to bring down the mobsters and, in fact, it did so. That left some openings for smaller gangsters to muscle in on some of the illegal activities.
Sean sighed and rolled his neck. “Mag, I’ve got to go back to Emily’s apartment. Jimmy and some others there are doing the investigation. Why don’t you leave the picture with
us and we’ll call the Cicero police tomorrow and see if we can get into Louie’s room. Right now I have to get moving. Long night ahead.” He closed his eyes and rolled his neck again.
“Sean,” I reached out to put my hand on his arm. “I know you don’t want me involved in this, but I am. I found the photo and the connection. Please let me go with you to the crime scene in Cicero. Whenever you go. Please. I saw this when no one else did. I’m part of this.” I stopped. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to go. I had thought I didn’t want to go. I thought I was too scared. But I wasn’t. I wanted to find out what was going on.
Sean looked at me without expression. He turned to Digs and sighed. “What do you think? She has a point. Think we can get her in with us?”
“Probably. Do we want to, though? How much risk for her is that?” They looked at each other silently for a moment, weighing the risks.
“Uh, guys, I’m here!” I waved my arm in the air. “Remember me? Sitting here? Feel free to include me in this conversation!” I waved my arm again.
Sean had to laugh. “God, you’re a pain in the ass. But sometimes a smart one. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Yes!” I was glad. I thought I was, anyway. Maybe? Biting my lip, I said, “There is one more thing, guys.”
Sean closed his eyes and sighed. “What?” His tone was wary.
“Emily had a boyfriend. They broke up last fall.” I watched their faces. “I think she broke up with him.”
“Who?” Digs leaned toward me. “Does she think he might hurt her?”
“Ben Freeman. Owns a garage in Chicago called 'Freeman's Garage.'” I shook my head. “And no, she doesn't think he would hurt her. But still,” my voice trailed off.
Sean jotted the name in his little notebook then stood and stretched his arms. “We'll check him out.” He reached for his coat. “That’s it for us tonight. I’m off to Emily’s apartment to catch Jimmy and see how the investigation's going. See you in the morning.” He turned at the door. “Night.” Then he grinned and left.
Digs gave me the stern look after Sean left. “Maggie, if we do this, include you in Cicero and share all the information, you have got to promise me that you will do what we tell you. No hot dogging. No excursions on your own. Got it?”
“Yes, Sir! Absolutely, Sir!” I snapped off a salute. I was thinking I was nuts though. What happened to my safe, no-bops-on-the-head life?
“Smart ass.” Digs grinned and then, slowly, his grin changed. He got that speculative look in his eye. He arched a brow and got up slowly. My heart stopped, then started speeding up. I got up too.
Digs started toward me, coming around the table. I backed away from him also moving around the table.
“Ah, Maggie. Time for school?”
Oh, man. “Uh, Digs, this might not be a good time. I mean, it’s late and -”
“It’s 9:30, Toots. Hardly late.” He continued to circle the table. I continued to move in the opposite direction. “More than enough time.”
Enough time? Time for what? Yow.
“I’m looking forward to what you can teach me, Maggie. Can’t wait to learn.” He had a wicked gleam in his eyes now.
“Digs. Wait.”
He reached out those long arms and got my wrist. He pulled me closer. “Now, Maggie. Right now.” He leaned in and caught my lips in his. He was soft and searching, then hotter. Then demanding. My stomach was jumping up and down and everything had snapped to attention. His arms pulled me in, engulfing me and suddenly I had my arms around him, pulling just as hard. I couldn’t believe how much I suddenly wanted him. This man. Digs.
We both jumped when the cell phone rang. “Shit! Goddamn it!” Digs flipped it open and barked, “What?” He kept one hand around my wrist. He groaned. “When?” His eyes flew to my face. He had a shocked look on it. “I’ll tell her. Yeah, you bet. I’ll be right there.”
He flipped the phone shut and turned to me. He took my hand and walked me into the living room. My heart sank when I saw his face. Whatever was coming was not going to be good.
“Mag, the female officer, Chris McCann, has taken a turn for the worse and she has to go back into surgery. All the cops are going to the hospital to support the family and donate blood. Sean wants you to go too since you know her and so many of the cops. And it’s safer for you. I’m going over to Emily’s apartment and help with the investigation.” He paused. “Sean said Officer McCann looks like you?” His voice was questioning.
I was startled. She did. She was about 5' 8" and had brown hair, not dark red. Her hair was shorter than mine. But at a distance all that may not have been very apparent. Oh, god.
“Actually, I agree with Sean. I think you will be safer there than here. I’ll drop you at Infant of Prague Hospital’s on my way to Emily’s but you have to tell me you’ll stay there until I can get back to pick you up. Promise me.”
I blew out a big breath. “Yeah. I will.” I just wanted to get there and see how Chris was doing. We both got jackets and left. Even Killer seemed subdued and didn’t run to go with us.
Once in the car, I turned to him. “Tell me what happened, Digs.”
“I don’t know the whole story, Mag, but apparently Sean sent her over this morning to check on Emily’s apartment and see if she was home. Officer McCann apparently was shot as she approached the apartment building. She was stable but I guess she's now started bleeding again and has to go back into surgery. I don’t really know any more.” His tone was tense and his hands gripped the wheel. He was driving like the wind.
We got to Infant of Prague Hospital in record time. He parked illegally and got out with me.
“It’s fine, Digs. Go on. I’ll go on up to the surgical waiting room.”
He just looked at me. “I’m going up with you.”
Well, that ended that discussion.
We entered the hospital. It was late and the lighting was softened. The lobby was empty except for a few late visitors and a small cleaning crew. The security guard stopped us and Digs spoke to him for a few minutes. The guard nodded and let us go up.
The elevator was open and we stepped in. “The surgical waiting room is on the fifth floor, Digs.” He just nodded. When the elevator stopped, he put a hand at my waist and stopped me.
“Maggie, I don’t know how long I’m going to be at Emily’s apartment. I’m asking that you not leave this room. Not the cafeteria, the chapel, nowhere beyond this. Please.” He was frowning and looked intense.
“I won’t Digs.” I was somber too. “I promise I’ll stay here.”
“Okay, Mag. Let’s go in.” We pushed the doors open and found the room filled with cops. Cops in uniform, plain clothed, detectives and even some CPD brass. There was coffee and the ever present donuts. It was a large room with chairs around the perimeter on two walls and others clustered in the center of the room. The walls were a soft green. Small tables were placed between some chairs along the two walls and others within the centered clusters of chairs. A large table sat against one wall and had coffee pots and boxes of donuts on it. The door to the surgical suite was opposite it. Restrooms were off in a small alcove in one of the corners.
Jimmy Martin rushed up to me when I walked in. “Maggie! This is awful! He looked distraught. His hair was standing on end as though he had run his fingers through it over and over.
“Jimmy! What happened?” I put my arm around him.
“We were investigating outside Emily's apartment. Where the shooting took place today.” He ran his fingers through his hair again. “We got a call about Chris and I came right over.”
“Sean was on his way to see you, Jim,” I started, “Did he get there before you left?”
“Yeah. He's coming here in a while too.”
Several of the other cops were standing in small groups. I knew a lot of them through Sean. One of them, Mike Borowski came up to us. He looked shaken.
“Maggie. Do you believe this? We’ll find him, so help me God.” His eyes were red and I rememb
ered that he and Chris had been partners recently. Some said they were more than partners. I put my arms around him and hugged.
“Mike, how is Chris? Is she still in surgery? What happened?” I rubbed his back gently. Digs stood behind me, silent.
“She was shot in the chest and neck. Her badge caught the chest bullet but another got her neck. The thought they'd gotten the bleeding stopped but I guess it started again. They've taken her back to surgery. She’s been in there for about an hour so far. They said she lost a lot of blood and the cops here are donating blood in groups of three at a time.” He got tears in his eyes. “She’s unconscious. She was unconscious when she came in and when I got here.” Mike was babbling.
“I know, I know, Mike. I can give blood too. Come here, let’s sit down.” The other cops had all started talking again and a few drifted over to us.
Digs took my arm and pulled me aside. “Maggie, I’m going to leave now. I’ll be back.” He searched my face and kissed my cheek. “Call me or Sean when you find out anything more about Chris.” He smoothed my hair and turned away. I watched him go.
I turned back to the room and moved toward the coffee pot. I got a cup and went back to Jimmy. “What have you heard, Jimmy?”
“The doctors said that Chris had been badly injured and lost a lot of blood. They weren’t sure which blood vessels had been injured and said whether she would make it depends on how much damage there was and her overall strength and health. We’re all just waiting until they come back out and tell us how she’s doing. Maggie, she looks like you. I’m afraid that this guy may have thought it was you.” He closed his eyes.
“Yeah, I know. That scares me too.” I sat down. “I feel like I have walked into a dark room and I don’t know where the lights are! I hope he wasn’t after me but I am just sick that he hurt Chris.” I was so tired.
Jimmy put an arm around me. “We’ll just wait, Mag.” Several other cops and detectives came over and sat with us. We talked about their cases, the murders and Chris. Everyone was milling around. An hour passed. Someone went out and got more donuts. We all drank too much coffee. Conversation rose and fell.