Free FORGOTTEN by Gary Hastings

Plaza
    Borough of Manhattan, New York
    1030 Hours
     
    W hen everyone was back in the conference room, Pat once again took the podium. “Most of you have probably heard about our little incident on my way to DC with Maggie Parker of the Secret Service. Anyway, we were being followed by a black Dodge Charger. We tried to stop it, and a pursuit began which was ended by the New Jersey State Police. The perp fired at them with a silenced, 9mm Beretta, and they silenced him for good. The guy is an ex-New York Court Officer, Harry Pittsford, who is now a former resident of Brooklyn. We originally thought Maggie was the target, but the New Jersey State Police found internet photographs of me in the car and some notes about my trip to DC in regards to this case.”
    Dickie Davis spoke up. “I guess that’s why the Captain was asking if we told anyone about your trip.”
    “Yes, Dickie, that’s the reason and if the three of you didn’t tell anyone, we have another problem. The only other person who knew I was going was Margaret Butelli. If Margaret Butelli didn’t tell anyone, then either her house or her phone has been compromised.”
    Bryan Flannery asked the obvious question. “Have you talked to her yet, Chief?”
    “No, and there’s a reason for that, Bryan. If her phone is bugged, then we can use that to our advantage to identify possible suspects. However, if they see the police, they’ll know we’re on to them. We have to get to her in a way which doesn’t arouse suspicion and then confirm whether or not she told anyone. Hopefully, with her cooperation, we’ll be able to surreptitiously check her house for eavesdropping devices.”
    Bryan Flannery continued. “Why would they want to bug Margaret Butelli in the first place, Chief?”
    “I’m not sure, after all these years, unless they somehow knew she came to the office to see me.”
    “Okay, Chief.  I’ll get some tech guys lined up and they can check it out as repairmen or something. How do we get her out of the house in a manner that doesn’t arouse suspicion?”
    “I’ll trust your judgment, Bryan, but when you get her, bring her to One PP.”
    “With your permission, Chief, I’d like to bring a couple of guys in to help with this case.”
    “Sure, tell me who and what you want, and I’ll make it happen.”
    “Mary McDonald is in Manhattan North Homicide now. I’d like to use her and a new guy from the Bronx, Mike O’Neil. He’s also somewhat of a computer geek.”
    “Get Angie Wilson the names, and we’ll cut orders placing you all on special assignment to the Chief of D’s Office.”
    “I’ll take care of it, Chief.”
    “Karla, are you still partnered with Wilbur Stone?” Pat asked.
    “Joined at the hip, I’m afraid.”
    “I’ll have you both assigned to the case, primarily to focus on locating Pellegrino, since he’s still a fugitive.”
    “I’m sure Wilbur will be pleased, Chief.”
    “Great!  Also we need to start focusing on Judge Fitzpatrick, ADA Donovan and see what Roland Brewster and Arnold Kemp are doing these days. Let’s not spook them yet, but see where they live, if they’re still working and anything else we can dig up. A lot of people will get really nervous when they learn of our interest, so let’s keep it as quiet as possible. Bryan, let’s get Jerry McAllister in and talk to him.”
    “Yes sir, Chief.”
    “Angie, I want you to work on trying to figure out who the client may have been who hired Butelli to look at these cases. It has to be someone from another firm who handled cases in Kings County Court.”
    “Okay.  Do you have any ideas on where I should start, Chief?”
    “There was a cash receipt in Butelli’s files. It’s in a plastic evidence bag now, locked in my office. We should print it just in case someone got sloppy. We should also try the same thing with the list of cases although I admit that I handled it when Margaret Butelli gave it to me.”
    “I’ll get started,