that had never been revealed to the media. It talked about Jack Taggart and how people associated with him would soon be dying, along with acquaintances of other organized crime investigators. She carefully placed the letter down on her desk and reached for her phone.
The meeting was held in the boardroom and included Isaac, Louie, Jack, Danny, Connie, and several I-HIT investigators, including Randy Otto.
Jack heard what Connie had to say and briefly closed his eyes as a corner of his brain said I told you so! Holly’s husband ... Charlie ... because of you.
“Sir,” said Louie. “If Jack is transferred, this threat will only perpetuate. We’re dealing with a terrorist. It will only get worse if we capitulate.”
Isaac didn’t respond.
“The note warns anyone working in Intelligence,” said Jack. He paused to take a deep breath, then continued, “With the number of people in our office, there’s no way we could protect everyone, let alone their families and friends. Even if we did, it would effectively shut down our office. We have to continue working the way we are.”
“I agree,” said Isaac, “but I want you in particular to keep an extremely low profile until we solve this matter.”
Jack knew he would not be able to convince Isaac otherwise so said, “Yes, sir. I agree that would be prudent. The note indicates that the victim was killed simply for having my name. That doesn’t make sense. We’re dealing with someone whose ego is so big that they simply won’t admit it was a mistake.”
“I agree,” said Isaac, “and someone with an ego like that will likely try to carry through with his threat in order to authenticate this letter.”
“Sir, it goes without saying,” said Randy, “that I have every person in my office working on this.”
“Good. Don’t worry about the overtime. Consider it approved.”
Jack thought for a moment and then glanced at Danny and said, “Maybe I should go solo for a while.”
Danny shook his head and said, “I don’t scare that easy. Besides, as you said, the note threatens our whole office. We would have to either shut the whole office down or stay inside and play solitaire — exactly what this person wants.”
“Who do you suspect is behind this?” asked Isaac.
“Not Satans Wrath,” said Jack, wondering if he had blurted that out too soon.
“What other crime families have you been actively pursuing?” asked Randy.
“I’ve been working entirely on Satans Wrath.”
“If you believe they are not involved with this ... threat,” said Isaac, “who do you propose as an alternate suspect, then?”
Jack grimaced. His answer was not something that Isaac would like to hear. “I don’t know, sir.”
When the meeting was over, Jack and Danny returned to their office.
“Forget the low profile,” said Jack. “Holly’s husband was definitely murdered because of me. This just made it personal! Not to mention, we’ve got two shiploads of cocaine due any day. This isn’t the time for low profile!” Jack grabbed his jacket.
“Where we going?” asked Danny.
Jack shook his head. “I’m going alone to see Holly. Let her know that I am to blame. I’ll be back after lunch.”
Staff Sergeant Legg called Isaac’s secretary, who transferred his call.
“Hello, Harry. What’s up?”
“Just heard from my people, sir. Constable Molen is in a coffee shop right now with Lawrence Leitch’s secretary. He just handed her an envelope.”
“It would appear that Corporal Taggart was correct in his assumption,” replied Isaac. “Frankly, I’m a little surprised.”
“Why is that, sir?”
“I was in a meeting with him this morning. He was almost protective of Satans Wrath. Tried to assure me they had nothing to do with a threat the office has received. I really would like to find out what Taggart is all about.”
“The photos have been passed on to our liaison officer in Mexico City, sir. We should have an answer fairly soon.”
“Excellent. Let me know as soon as you hear from the LO.”
“Yes, sir. As for now, I’ll have my people follow the envelope that Molen handed over. I’ll notify you as soon as anything develops in that area as well.”
“Holly doesn’t live here anymore,” said the landlord. “Who are you?”
Jack showed the man his police identification and was relieved that he didn’t notice his name.
“She couldn’t hack staying here after what happened. Can’t say I blame her. Didn’t mind that she didn’t give me thirty days’ notice. Feel bad about keeping her damage deposit, but the damage to the carpet wasn’t my fault.”
Jack obtained Holly’s new address and then asked, “How much was her deposit?”
“Half a month’s rent. Four-seventy-five.”
After stopping at a bank, Jack met with Holly, who was living in a one-bedroom apartment just two blocks from her previous address.
Jack was invited inside. He saw Jenny sitting on the sofa watching television with her thumb in her mouth. Holly pulled it out as she walked past and then sat at the kitchen table with Jack. Jenny immediately put her thumb back in.
“She quit doing that two years ago,” said Holly. “Just started again after...” Her voice trailed off and she looked around the apartment and said, “I know it’s not much, but it’s close to Jenny’s daycare and I can still walk to work.”
Jack leaned across the table and squeezed the top of her hand and said, “It’s only been a week. Don’t you think you should take some more time off?”
Holly pulled her hand away. “I can’t afford to. Sitting around doesn’t help. Keeping busy seems to. Between driving back and forth to visit Charlie, looking after Jenny, and going to work, I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself.”
Jack swallowed, and then said, “Our office received an anonymous letter this morning. It looks like your husband was murdered by mistake. It should have been me.” Jack knew his voice sounded shaky. He put his palms down on the kitchen table in an effort to stop himself from trembling.
Holly just looked at him and didn’t speak.
“Did you hear me?” asked Jack.
“Yes,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders. “It wasn’t something I didn’t know. My husband was a good man. It wasn’t a robbery. It had to be you. I’m glad that you know it too. Maybe now you’ll find out who did it.”
Jack paused and glanced at Jenny for a moment before turning his attention back to Holly. “I think I knew it the first night I met you. I could see you were decent people, but it ... it was ... I didn’t want to admit that I was responsible.”
Holly stared at him as she asked, “What did the letter say? Why would someone commit murder and then write to the police? Are they thinking of confessing?”
“No. They indicated that if our office keeps doing our job, then other police officers or people they love or know will be murdered. I work on an intelligence unit for organized crime. There are lots of potential groups of suspects.”
“You mean to say that the people who murdered my husband are also threatening the police?”
“Exactly.”
“They