Square Snapper (Detective Inspector Burgess) (25 page)

Hofstein was conscious that the sirens had stopped and the area outside the house was awash with flashing strobe lights. A couple of police officers stormed in with guns drawn. Hofstein identified himself and they then ran through the rooms, clearing the house. The Emergency Medical Technician strode in with his bag while other officers arrived on the scene. Hofstein let the medic take over and approached a red haired officer who appeared to be in charge.

“The one over there is known as ‘Cujo’, a major drugs dealer and the one in the chair is Ramon Goicoechea. He used to deal for him until he turned informant. He refused our protection… and look where it got him.”

“Okay, Detective. You stay with your partner and we’ll secure the crime scene. Already a couple of guys are on their way over to get your story. I’ll have to take your gun from you. You know the procedure. Don’t worry, doesn’t look particularly hard to piece together what went on and you should have it back in no time.”

“It happened to me once. It’s not a nice feeling. They’ll make you go to counselling. Believe me… it helps. Anyway, good luck. I hope your friend makes it. By getting rid of this guy, you’ve probably saved a lot of lives.”

“I’ll hold on to that thought. Thanks.”

Hofstein stayed with Gonzalez until they put him in the ambulance. By that time he was ready to make his verbal report to the officers who dealt with officer-related shootings. They told him that, as soon as the forensic evidence corroborated his version of the events, he would have his gun back.

Hofstein went over to his car, noting for the first time Gonzalez’s blood on his clothes. His legs felt like rubber. He just felt numb and knew he was in shock. It took him several attempts before he could get the key into the ignition. He knew he would have to change before he went to the hospital but was frightened to put the car into gear. He was in no fit state to drive. What was he going to tell Gonzalez’s mother? He had better call her right away. He had never felt so helpless or so frightened in his life.

Chapter 51

Inspector Dill’s men were stationed outside Captain’s house when they noticed him loading the car with a couple of suitcases.

“Looks like our boy is going on a trip.” The tall Narcotics agent was glad for a reason to move. His legs felt cramped in the unmarked police car and stakeouts were not his forte. If he could drive, it would loosen up his tight calf muscles.

“Let’s see if it’s by boat or by plane. The airline ticket could have been a decoy for his wife… or us, if he thinks we’re on to him.” The senior of the two was equally anxious for action.

They watched as the man started his car and backed out of his driveway. They waited for him to move further down the private estate road before following at a very discreet distance. After several minutes they continued down South Shore Road past the roundabout that would have taken them into Hamilton.

“Looks like he’s giving town a miss. My guess he’s headed for the airport. I just can’t think offhand what flights are leaving right now. Normally, they go in the afternoon.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’s leaving by boat.
Please leave by boat
.” The tall Narcotics officer made it sound like a plea.

“Okay, let’s radio in our position and let Dill know. We need to alert the airport police just in case he’s headed that way.”

They watched as Captain took South Shore Road all the way around to John Smith’s Beach, past Pink Beach Club and then were amazed as he missed the turn-off that would hook up with Harrington Sound Road and towards the airport. Instead, he continued on towards the exclusive enclave of Tucker’s Town.

“Would you look at that? He’s not going to the airport… at least not yet. Do you think he’s meeting someone?”

“Could be,” said his senior. “But, if he’s got a fancy boat like the Jamaican said, why not moor it over in Tucker’s Town? Maybe whoever has the mooring is the drug baron we’re looking for, or maybe
he
is the drug baron. We could hit the jackpot with this. Whatever you do, don’t lose him and don’t let him see us. There’s hardly any traffic now.” He picked up the radio and reported their position.

Captain waved to the guard on duty at the gate and carried on through into the residential area of Tucker’s Town. This was where foreign billionaire politicians and international rock stars were unlikely neighbours, usually having nothing more in common than the size of their bank accounts. The two from the Narcotics Division had to drop back considerably as the road narrowed and wound around the various mansions with their private beaches. They saw the Captain make his way down the driveway of a particularly beautiful home on the water’s edge.

“I’ll bet a month’s salary that house has a dock with a big boat tied up to it.” The tall officer was hard pressed to keep the excitement from his voice and his hands felt moist on the steering wheel.

“Just slow down and park over here.” His partner indicated a turning off to the right where they could leave the car. “I think we need to get out and follow on foot. Radio in our position and let’s go and see what’s up.”

They parked the car facing the direction in which they had come so they could leave in a hurry, if need be, and got out to continue their surveillance on foot. As the driver was securing the car, his partner made hand signals suggesting that they split up. He nodded his agreement and proceeded in the opposite direction, careful to keep his tall body as inconspicuous as possible. He came upon a path along the side of the house and there, sure enough, was a handsome, sleek Sunseeker motor cruiser tied up at the dock.

“Wow,” he breathed. At that moment he caught sight of his superior on the other side of the garden that led down to a small beach. He waved to him so that he knew where he was and then crouched down in the hibiscus bushes to watch.

Captain was in a panic. He checked the boat for provisions and water and then had a look at the extra fuel tank. He had enough to get him to North Carolina. All was in order. He put the key in the ignition and was gratified to hear the throaty roar of the engines, capable of a top speed of 28 knots, responding to his command. It was time to get out of here and the sooner the better. He wished he had a couple of crew with him – normally he sailed with a crew of five - but this time he would have to manage on his own. As he came around the side to untie the last of the lines, he stopped in his tracks when he saw two policemen bearing down on him. With no hesitation, he let go of the rope and vaulted up to the bridge as fast as he could. This was the Bermuda Police. They would not have the weapons to stop him. He engaged the motor and shot forward as the taller of the two men, attempting to jump on board, missed and fell backwards into the water. If he had not been so scared, he would have laughed at the comedy of it.
Shit,
shit, shit
, he raged, feeling the boat gather power and begin to ride up on a plane as he increased his speed. After a few minutes he was able to pass through a gap in the reefs and head out to sea.

Dill’s man, soaking wet and nursing nothing more than a bruised ego, was back on shore with his partner. They radioed the Marine Police and Harbour Radio as to what had transpired. Now it was up to the local fishermen to radio in sightings and the Marine Police to give chase. How the police boat would be able to keep up with the Sunseeker was anybody’s guess. The senior of the two turned to his colleague who was wringing out his socks.

“I guess we had better give the bad news to the Inspector. Let’s get back to the car and get you into some dry clothes.”

The other Narcotics officer, feeling a complete failure followed him in silence. Their one shot at fame… and it had eluded them.

Chapter 52

Back in Cooper Ward, Burgess’s chest was heavily bandaged, alternatively throbbing and burning as the painkiller began to wear off. He was desperate to leave the hospital and get back to his desk. He felt completely out of the loop and worried sick about Nana. He had endured an interview with the superintendent and commissioner who had expressed their grave concern for him and his family and heaped praises upon him for “catching the perpetrator.” Was that a polite euphemism for “bludgeoning your assailant to death?” Burgess was still struggling with the fact he had killed the man with a fury he never knew he possessed. His damaged vocal chords made it difficult to talk and helped the interview to come to a close much sooner than would have been the norm - and he was grateful for that. Never had he heard the super mutter so many promises to the commissioner for things to be investigated “ay-sap”, or cleared up “ay-sap.” He wondered if he irritated the commissioner as much as he did everybody else. If so, the commissioner was too diplomatic to give any sign.

Just as he was measuring the distance from his bed to the wardrobe, he heard Archie’s voice in the corridor outside. In he breezed with that dazzling smile.

“I see you warrant police protection now. Is that to keep people out, or keep you in?”

Burgess grinned and pointed to his voice box. It was still hard for him to speak and there was a ring of bruises around his neck growing more purple with each passing hour.

“Funny you should say that, I was just plotting my escape.” It came out in a hoarse whisper.

“How’re you feeling? I understand you had the superintendent here earlier. I hope you didn’t say anything under the influence of all those painkillers! Do we all still have a job?” Archie tried to keep his voice light but the sight of his friend’s injuries disturbed him.

“I’m feeling better. Any news about Nana? She’s all I can think about.”

“I left some flowers for her in the Intensive Care reception. Apparently, she’s resting comfortably and family will be able to visit her this evening. For your information, my name is now Archie Burgess, should anyone in ICU ask! Her ICU nurse is a smoker, so I took him some cigarettes… Okay, I know, I’m kissing up, but I have to see that old lady and give her a piece of my mind. What was she thinking ruining a good frying pan like that?”

Burgess chuckled but it hurt. Archie was better than painkillers.

“I’ve got some news for you, bro’.” Archie was suddenly in business mode. He sat in the easy chair next to Burgess’s bed and filled him in on all the details ending with the apprehension of Captain out on the high seas.

“They sent a helicopter after him from one of the British navy ships berthed at Dockyard and he realized it was futile to keep going. Must have been the missiles attached to the helicopter that convinced him! They reckon he was making a bee-line for the U.S. mainland. Anyway, he’s now on his way back with his chopper escort. We’re running a check to see who owns the yacht. He’s scheduled to be interviewed when he gets in. Dill has asked me to be present so I can report back to you.”

“He staked out Nana’s place, saw the perp and threw a rock through Nana’s window with a warning taped to it. That’s what set off Officer Max and that’s how they heard the fight and came downstairs. When we went through Nana’s kitchen, we found the broken window and the rock still with the note around it.”

“He got caught speeding on a bike he shouldn’t have been riding. I managed to fix it with the Traffic guys. He’s one brave little dude, if you ask me. Probably saved your life.”

Burgess lay back on his pillows and exhaled. He was so tired and yet this piece of news buoyed him.

“There’s hope for that kid yet.”

Archie nodded. “You’ve got that right. Want me to go? You look a little beat. I’ll come back later when you’ve had some sleep. I have to check in with the troops. They’re trying to find out who Ninja man was.”

Burgess beckoned him closer. He tried to speak normally but his vocal chords just would not allow it. “He’s Russian or something; heavy accent.”

“Okay, thanks, that’s helpful. We’ll look into that.” Archie patted his friend on the arm and left the room. Burgess could hear him talking to the officer outside. He felt drained. He just wanted to close his eyes and drift back to sleep. He shut his eyes and let his thoughts wander. That was some news about Bill. He owed that little guy.

Chapter 53

Fast as a California forest fire, news of the death of Cujo and Gonzalez’s shooting had spread through the different divisions of the Dade County Police Force. The Forensic Computer Lab was no exception and Aaron Jacobs, now more than ever, wanted to crack the code and give the detectives something tangible to work with. He fervently hoped that the big Hispanic detective pulled through. He had instantly liked the man, recognizing him as someone who was dedicated, hard working and whose approval you had to earn.

He had written various programs to crack the code. He was certain he had the right book but everything had to be done twice – once for the original Spanish book and again for the English translation. It was painstaking work and he prayed that he might not miss any clue that would break the whole thing wide open. He needed to stay focused and alert. Thank God for the espresso machine. He planned to make good use of it again this evening. In the meantime his computers kept whirring and working as they searched to make sense of the encrypted e-mail transmissions.