CHAPTER FOUR

Peter got Mary set up under a protection plan in Chicago. He also made a few phone calls to the Federal agency, he had worked with back in Detroit. Two days later, the three hustlers were on the road back to New York.

“I mentioned that bad cops always leave loose ends. It is even worse for double crossing ones. I sent a couple of letters to O’Malley from one of the main racketeer’s “silent partner,” threatening to blow the case wide open if he doesn’t pay ten thousand dollars. I also told him that I have several paper trails connecting him with Big Joe, which was the leader of that racketeering group.” Peter stated.

“Won’t he just leave the state?” Becky asked.

“No, I am sure this was not the first dirty deal he had been involved in, He has things set up in the department the way he wants it. My experience shows that his type feel that they are untouchable. He will more than likely see this as an opportunity to send a message to all other would be extortioners. Peter said.

“Boss, a lot of things have changed since you busted those cops back in Detroit. This is a big city operator with quite a few city officials on the take.” Sparky warned.

“Sparky, have you developed fear circuits?” Peter asked.

Sparky gave him a cold dark stare.

“We both know that is not part of my programing! We also both know that the last time we faced a situation that involved a lot of gun play, I had to play the part of frontline shield. It took me months to polish out all those dings and scratches.”

Peter laughed.

“Don’t worry my friend, Pops has equipped us with a lot more options this time, plus my aim is to avoid a large-scale fire fight.”

“He said that the last time,” Sparky whispered to Becky.

“Seriously, we are going to avoid as much personal contact as possible. Agent Norris has already has a file on O’Malley. He is slick, and Norris has been waiting for something to break on this case. We are the ones that will finally be able to put an end to this dirty cop. I just wish that I could have done it before…”

Peter stopped and took a deep breath. Becky put her hand on his shoulder.

“We got Mary out, and we will make sure that there are no mare innocent victims of that crumb.” Becky said in a mixture of sympathy and determination.

“Okay, so our first step is to set up in the Dixie hotel. It is close enough to O’ Malley’s station to be able to take care of all our interventions from there. I arranged for a late check in, but just to be on the safe side we will take a layover outside the city to ready our disguises. We cannot take any chances on any of O’Malley’s beat cops to recognize us.” Peter stated.

After the lay over to get into costume, they arrived at the hotel a little after dark.

The next morning, dressed as steam mechanics, Peter and Sparky showed up at the Tree Top Dinner.

“Look Mac. All I know is that the city sent in a work order to inspect all the steam exhaust vents in this block. Now if you want to take it up with the city inspector, that is your right, but in the meantime, we have a job to do,” Peter said as he and Sparky made there way to the attic access.

Twenty minutes later they had installed some of Pops canisters and rerouted some of the exhaust vents.

“Okay Mac, you are all set, you should not have anyone else bother you for another inspection for quite some time.” Peter told the owner as they left.

The Tree Top Dinner was the location that Agent Norris had arranged for one of his agents to meet with who ever O’Malley sent to make the exchange. Peter had negotiated with O’Malley an exchange of briefcases. One containing twenty-five thousand in cash, the amount “owed” the racketeers silent partner, and the other one containing all the evidence linking O’Malley to all the crimes. Peter and Sparky walked back to the hotel and changed clothes, then they, plus Becky got in the car to go meet Agent Norris in New Jersey. They were just about out of the city when

Sparky detected that they were being followed.

“I don’t get it, Pops painted the car, and we changed the plates,” Sparky complained.

“Well, we don’t have time for this.” Peter grumbled.

He slowed up enough to see that it was one of the patrol cars from O’Malley’s station.

“Maybe this is a new gig of fleecing out of towners.” Becky suggested,

“Regardless, we need to lose them. Sparky, let’s take a little air, out of their fun.” Peter stated.

Sparky rolled his eyes and flipped a switch. As soon as he did, several dozen sharp nails dropped out from the bottom of their trunk, Peter made a sharp right turn and hit the gas. When the patrol car imitated the sharp turn, there two front tires were punctured, and their car slid into a fire hydrant. Soak both the car and the cops.

When Peter, Sparky and Becky arrived at the meeting place, They waited in the car until Agent Norris signal for them to enter the building. Peter explained about what had happened on the way to meet him.

“O’Malley has a bigger operation than we first thought. Were you able to get your equipment installed at the dinner?” Agent Norris asked.

“Yes, that is all set up.” Peter told him.

“Good. As we expected, O’Malley has agreed to the meeting place for the exchange, but wants the time changed to 8pm.”

“After dark, that figures,” Sparky mumbled.

“We will have units blanketing the area. All equipped with night scopes and silencers, but you still may take a couple of hits. Are you sure your bullet proof vests will protect you? Agent Norris aske Sparky.

“You? I thought it was going to be a ‘G man,’” Becky said in a surprised tone.

“Peter and I talked about it last night. O’Malley is cocky. He could do anything, including an old fashion gangster hit in the dinner, thus I am the only one suited for the job.”

Becky now stared at Peter.

“Hey, he volunteered.” Peter said in a defensive tone.

“Okay, so here is how everything is going to go down.” Agent Norris explained in detail who would do what, and when.

“I would recommend that you change the plates on your car again, drive it only at night.” Agent Norris suggested.

Following the suggestion, the three of them headed back to the hotel after night fall.

During the trip, the three went over their parts again.

“I hope Agent Norris is correct in believing that O’Malley will involve as few people as possible, considering the sensitive materials that is being exchanged. Sparky stated, then added,

“Speaking of which, what if the mark that is making the exchange, wants to look at the papers before I leave?” Sparky asked.

“O’Malley I not going to trust anyone to look at those papers before he does, and he is not going to be dumb enough to make the exchange himself. However, you can count on the fact that he will be nearby to make sure no one else gets their hands on that brief case.” Peter stated.

When the day for the exchange arrived, both Agent’s Norris team and Peter’s were busy going over last-minute details. Neither team was taking any chances. Agent Norris had his best Snipers stationed on top of all the surrounding buildings. He had four sets of government cars parked at each of the near-by cross streets, and four sets of agents on the street corners.

Peter and Becky double checked all their portable equipment, while Sparky kept a close watch on all the gear, they had set up to monitor the Tree Top Dinner. The meeting had been set for eight o’clock, but around five thirty, Sparky noticed a lot of activity going on in the back alley of the dinner.

“Well, well, it looks like the rat himself is going to take delivery of the briefcase, probably in the back storage room, right after the exchange. We will have a few surprises for him both in the dinner and in the alley.” Peter said with a grin.

About thirty minutes before the meeting was to take place, one of Agent Norris men picked Sparky up in front of the hotel. Sparky informed him of what they had observed concerning the alley behind the dinner. The Agent said he would inform Agent Norris.

“This is a very tricky exchange. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. I lost one of my best partners in a similar situation last year. When you come out of the dinner, make use of the buildings and trees for cover. Keep a sharp eye open for any gaps between buildings. We have incredibly talented sharp shooters, but at night you must be on extra guard.”

Sparky thanked him for the advice. He was confident that whoever it was that was assigned to bump him off, was put in a position that he to would be knocked off. O’Malley was not about to leave anymore loose ends.