BACK AT THE POLICE STATION, Daniel was seated in front of MacKinnon’s desk again. He patted his shirt pocket that still held Claire’s card, debating whether he should call her up later. But more pressing matters demanded his attention.
He didn’t know how to take the news of the hotel manager’s sudden death, the only other possible witness to Forrestal’s murder. He was an arrogant SOB, but he didn’t deserve to die. “What happened?”
“Shot.” Perry spoke with no emotion.
“A professional hit,” said MacKinnon.
“Like Forrestal?” said Daniel.
MacKinnon nodded. “Apparently. We believe that there may be a threat to your life.”
Daniel cleared his suddenly dry throat. “Somebody wants me dead?”
“Looks like it.”
“But I haven’t done anything.”
Perry said, “More of a case of fear of what you saw or heard. Someone doesn’t want any witnesses.”
“With the manager out of the way, you’re the last one,” MacKinnon added.
Yesterday, I was just an anonymous person with enough troubles of my own.
“So what now?”
MacKinnon looked right at Daniel. “Constable Perry here will keep an eye on you.”
And today I have police protection.
Perry tilted his head in the faintest of nods and added, “We have the video capture and your description of the suspect, although it’s not much to go on, frankly. If he’s the professional that we think he is, he probably can disguise himself.”
“We have a BOLO out on him,” said MacKinnon.
Perry said, “But it’ll be difficult to find him. Whoever he is, he’s good at keeping a low profile.”
MacKinnon continued, “Perry will accompany you back home and stay outside for the night. And we’ll track your cellphone.”
Perry handed him a business card with a cellphone number on it. “If you need anything, just call me. I’ll be right outside.” Daniel wasted no time in programming it into his own phone.
“Great.” Daniel stared at the card in his hand. Would Perry be enough protection from an adversary who seemed more resourceful every day? Would Daniel be forced to deal with it himself?
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to Daniel’s apartment building on Tower Road. Perry raised his hand, signalling to Daniel to wait in the cruiser. Perry slid out of the car, looked all the way around, slowly scanning, and nodded. Daniel emerged from the cruiser into the flat light of the late afternoon, nervous about being the prey this time. The hotel manager had had no protection, and he was now dead. Perry’s presence, or perhaps the pistol at his hip, was only modestly reassuring.
Perry said, “Move fast.”
Daniel walked quickly to the door, opened it with his key, then strode into the waiting elevator. On the fourth floor, he and Perry proceeded to the door marked 409. Perry took the key, right hand on his weapon, opened the door, and disappeared into the apartment. A moment later, looking more relaxed, he allowed Daniel in.
“All clear in there. I’ll be in the cruiser all night. Don’t go out unless you tell me first. Remember, call me first.”
Daniel said, “Can I order a pizza? I’m starving.”
“Yes, but I’ll meet the delivery guy.” Perry leaned in a bit. “Whatever you do, don’t answer the door unless you know it’s me.”
“Sure.”
“I’m serious. Do not open the door.”