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AFIS. We have a hit and it’s been peer reviewed by two other examiners. They all agree. The slugs that killed Curtis Gee were fired from Tony Rodriguez’s 9 mm Glock.”
    “Oh, my God! Who knows about this George?”
    “Just the examiners know right now.”
    “Swear them to secrecy, not a word.”
    “Yes sir.”
    “It is 1945 now; meet me in the conference at One PP at 2100 hours.”
    “Yes sir.” 
    Pat turned to Maggie,
    “Sorry, this is not good. I need to make a call.”
    Pat dialed Bryan Flannery.
    “Captain Flannery here.”
    “Hey, Bryan, it’s O’Connor here.”
    “What’s up Chief?”
    “Pull the team in at 2100 hours to One PP. We have a development.”
    “Okay, but do you want to give me a clue?”
    “No, but I assure you it’s not good.”
    “See you at 2100 hours, Chief.”     
    Maggie had a troubled expression on her face. Pat could tell she was pissed.
    “Pat, do you have any idea what I’d like to do with that stupid cell phone?” 
    “I’m sorry, but the call was important, and involves Tony’s case. I have to do this.”
    “I understand Pat, but it’s always this way. There is the almighty NYPD that always comes first.”
    “Actually, in this case it’s Tony Rodriguez that comes first.”
    “I’ll allow that, and you better eat your steak before it gets cold.”
    “Thanks, Maggie, you know I love you.”
    “I do believe that, but not as much as you love being Chief of Detectives.”
    Pat took another bite, called Dickie and told him to pick him up at 8:30 at Maggie’s high rise. Pat finished the meal, and Maggie fixed him a big travel mug full of coffee. The mug of course, was conspicuously marked with the star of the United States Secret Service.
    “When this case is over, let’s block out some time together. I really want to spend time with you, Maggie.”
    “When this case is over, there will be another case and then another. It’s a cycle, Pat.”
    Pat hugged her, and they had a lingering kiss.
    “You have no idea how I hate to leave.”
    “I know. Go solve this case. I’ll always be here for you.”
    Pat kissed her again and left.
    Dickie was waiting outside in the black Chrysler. Pat crawled in and Dickie immediately commented.
    “I bet this was popular with Maggie.”
    “Touchy subject, Dickie, but I hope I’ll survive this with her.”
    “Well, she stays pretty busy on her own, I’m sure.”
    “She does, but I’ve never complained. I understand the marriage to that shield in your pocket. It’s a difficult master. If she wasn’t an agent, she would’ve probably dumped me a long time ago.”
    “Except for the fact that she’s crazy about you, Chief.”
    “I just hope that it remains the case. I don’t have a lot of time for romance.”
    “When I see her eyes when you’re around, I know that she has those forever kind of feelings, Boss.”
    “So do I, my friend.”

     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 15
     
    Tuesday, April 6-Day 5
    Major Crimes Conference Room-One Police Plaza
    Borough of Manhattan, New York
    2100 Hours
     
     
    Pat walked in the office with his Secret Service coffee mug in his hand. He motioned Bryan Flannery into his office.
    “What’s up Chief? This must be big.”
    “Yes, it’s big, and it’ll complicate everything. Curtis Gee was killed with Tony Rodriguez’s Glock 19.”
    “Oh, wow! That’ll not play well with the bosses.”
    “I know, but it doesn’t really mean anything bad about Tony.”
    “For all we know, the perp that killed Tony took the Glock and just missed the baby Glock 26 on the ankle. It’d be easy to miss.”
    “I’m sure that’s what happened, but the IAB rats will salivate over this information.”
    “Do we have to tell them?”
    “We do, Bryan. If we held it back, that would make us just as bad as they are. I promised Harry Doogin that if we had anything that looked out of place, I’d let him know.”
    “I understand. I just don’t like it.” 
    “That’s why I wanted the team pulled