CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

 

 

Henry sat in the captain's office. They were waiting for Mike, and the silence was a bit disconcerting. Henry tried to focus on anything but the question he was about to be asked. He could give different answers, all of them with portions of truth, but none of them explained things fully.

Henry liked black and white. He thought of himself as being on the side of the law, but now, well, the law was a grey area. If there had been another way, he would have jumped at it. He didn't have regrets, but he did have misgivings about what he would say to the captain.

Mike knocked and entered. He took the chair next to Henry.

The captain said, "I appreciate the two of you coming in today, especially you, Mike, considering. How's the arm?"

"Getting better by the day."

"Glad to hear it." He paused and looked at some papers on the desk. It was apparent that he was choosing his words carefully. "We are closing a few cases. It seems that our DA was a crook, or, at least, that is what his suicide note said."

Henry considered looking surprised but thought better of it. Mike didn't move. "A few upstanding citizens have come forward with all sorts of details about the gang war killings. It seems the recently departed Tommy 'The Knife' ordered many of the hits. We have no reason to believe otherwise except..."

The word hung there until Henry said, "Except, Captain?"

"Except that the first shots were fired at Tommy, so we don't know who started the war." He looked at Henry. "You have any ideas that you would be eager to share?"

Henry suppressed his smile. The captain had, indeed, chosen his words with care. Henry answered, "I can say with complete honesty that there isn't anything I am eager to add."

The captain looked at Mike but didn't say anything. Mike decided the question was for him, too, "Me, either, Captain." The captain looked relieved and slapped his hands on his desk. "Good then. I guess a few of these will end up in the cold files. I can live with that. Thanks for coming in."

Mike and Henry stood up and shook the captain's hand. As they were leaving, "Hey, boys, let's just keep the details of our official discussion, well..."

"I'm not saying a thing." Henry said. Mike nodded. The captain returned to his desk.

Mike and Henry said goodbye and decided to try to have lunch in a week or so. Mike suggested they invite Francis. Henry didn't understand, but he was glad they were finally friends. It was a good thing.