before the election. We need to get every last voter we can to the polls there.”
“Let’s hope that’s all we have to worry about in Ohio.” The Judge couldn’t help but think that whatever was going on in Kentucky last night would have something to do with Ohio.
“You think something else is up in Ohio, Judge?” Kennedy asked.
“Don’t know, my dear, but let’s just say I’m not leaving that to chance,” the Judge answered, looking at McCormick, who knew about Wire and the events in Kentucky the prior evening.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Speculation is my middle name.”
Mac hung up the phone and walked over to Lich’s desk. The two of them had spent the better part of three hours on the phone tracking down the movements of Jason Stroudt and by necessity his business partner Adam Montgomery. They obviously knew Stroudt’s final destination. They were unable to get in contact with Montgomery as of yet. They had his cell phone number and Mac had placed three calls now. The phone was going unanswered and it appeared that it was turned off.
“Seem odd to you that we can’t get this Montgomery on the horn?” Mac asked.
“Perhaps, but do you always answer your phone if you don’t recognize the caller?” Lich asked back.
Mac shrugged his shoulders and had to agree, “No, you’re right but I’ve left two voice mails and nada.”
“Heard you boys picked up a body at The Snelling?”
Mac turned to see Detectives Pat Riley and Bobby Rockford approaching, dropping some paperwork off on their desks.
“You know what’s coming,” Mac said to Lich. “Just say no.”
Riles and Rock were partners and, along with Mac and Lich, they would work bigger cases together. As a group, they were unofficially known as The Chief’s Boys. Riley and Rock were a startling pair. Both were massive men, well over six feet tall, the only difference being that Riley was white and Rockford was blacker than the night. Riley, despite being Irish, looked like an Italian mobster, jowly face, heavy five o’clock shadow at all times of the day, jet black hair slicked back and a pin stripe suit, colorful tie and matching pocket square always hanging comfortably on his burly body. Rock, on the other hand, had been a Division II college defensive tackle. His shoulders, arms and hands were massive and when he smiled, the gap between his two front teeth made him look like Laurence Fishburne. The two together were as intimidating a pair as you could find. During an interrogation, Mac would often sit across the table and have Rock stand and lean on the table on one side and Riley on the other. Suspects generally cut to the chase. Riley had been something of a mentor to Mac, having been his father Simon’s partner at the time of his death. Mac had known Rock for years, having grown up playing city league football together. They were his good friends. The two of them also got more hall passes than any ten married men combined.
“We’re off to the pub, boys, care to refresh with us?” Riles asked.
“First rounds on me,” Rock added, probably as an inducement to tip Lich over to going; the man rarely turned down a free round, or a free anything for that matter.
“Can’t,” Lich answered before Mac, but only to get in a verbal dig. “Boy wonder here is all hot to trot on this one.”
“On a body at The Snelling? Seriously?” Rock inquired skeptically. “Case like that? That one can wait.”
“Normally you’d be right and I’d be following you out the door,” Mac answered. “But this one might be a little different.” McRyan gave Rock and Riles the two-minute rundown on their case. They read Mac. The boys picked up the scent, but while mildly intrigued by the case, they were not interested enough to break off their plans. There was beer to be drunk, stories to tell and perhaps a skirt or two to be chased.
“Well, if you boys change your mind, you know where to find us.” The two would be holding court at the far end of the bar at McRyan’s Pub. The Boys left with a wave and smile and strolled out, grabbing a couple extra people to join them along the way. Such was the case with Rock and Riles—always a party to be had. It was a miracle they both remained married.
After Riles and Rock’s departure, Mac and Lich got back to work and talked through their notes for a few minutes and