They turned off the freeway just north of the bridge and were soon pulling into police headquarters. Jack had never seen the building and was surprised by its modernity.
Inside he had to pass through a metal detector. Shawn accompanied him to Lou Soldano’s office, then took his leave.
Lou stood up and offered his hand, then pulled over a straight-backed chair. “Sit down, Doc,” Lou said. “This is Sergeant Wilson.” Lou gestured toward a uniformed African-American police officer who got to his feet as he was introduced. He was a striking man, and his uniform was impeccably pressed. His well-groomed appearance stood in sharp contrast to Lou’s rumpled attire.
Jack shook hands with the sergeant and was impressed with the man’s grip. In contrast Jack was ashamed of his own trembling, damp palm.
“I asked Sergeant Wilson down because he’s heading up our Anti-Gang Violence Unit in Special Ops,” Lou said as he returned to his desk and sat down.
Oh, wonderful, Jack thought, concerned that this meeting might get back to Warren. Jack tried to smile, but it was hesitant and fake; he was afraid his nervousness was all too transparent. Jack worried that both these experienced law-enforcement people could tell he was a felon the moment he walked through the door.
“I understand you had a bad experience tonight,” Lou said.
“That’s an understatement,” Jack said. He regarded Lou. The man was not what he’d expected. After Laurie had implied that she’d been involved with him, Jack had assumed he’d be more physically imposing: taller and more stylish. Instead, Jack thought he was a shorter version of himself considering his stocky, muscular frame and close-cropped hair.
“Can I ask you a question?” Jack asked.
“By all means,” Lou said, spreading his hands. “This isn’t an inquisition. It’s a discussion.”
“What made you have Officer Magoginal follow me?” Jack asked. “Mind you, I’m not complaining. He saved my life.”
“You have Dr. Laurie Montgomery to thank for that,” Lou said. “She was worried about you and made me promise that I would do something. Putting a tail on you was the only thing I could think of.”
“I’m certainly appreciative,” Jack said. He wondered what he could say to Laurie to thank her.
“Now, Doc, there’s a lot going on here that we’d like to know about,” Lou said. He steepled his hands with his elbows on his desk. “Maybe you should just tell us what’s happening.”
“I truly don’t know yet,” Jack said.
“Okay, fair enough,” Lou said. “But, Doc, remember! You can relax! Again, this is a discussion.”
“As shaken up as I am, I’m not sure I’m capable of much of a conversation.”
“Maybe I should let you know what I know already,” Lou said. Lou quickly outlined what Laurie had told him. He emphasized that he knew that Jack had been beaten up at least once and now had had an attempt on his life made by a member of a Lower East Side gang. Lou mentioned Jack’s dislike of AmeriCare and his tendency to see conspiracy in the recent series of outbreaks of infectious disease at the Manhattan General.
He also mentioned that Jack had apparently irritated a number of people at that hospital. He concluded with Jack’s suggestion to Laurie that two apparently unrelated homicides might be linked and that preliminary tests had substantiated this surprising theory.
Jack visibly swallowed. “Wow,” he said. “I’m beginning to think you know more than I do.”
“I’m sure that’s not the case,” Lou said with a wry smile. “But maybe all this information gives you a sense of what else we need to know to prevent any more violence to you and others. There was another gang-related killing in the vicinity of the General this afternoon. Is that anything you know about?”
Jack swallowed again. He didn’t know what to say. Warren’s admonition reverberated in his mind, as did his fleeing from two crime scenes and abetting a murderer. He was, after all, a felon.
“I’d rather not talk about this right now,” Jack said.
“Oh?” Lou questioned. “And why is that, Doc?”
Jack’s mind raced for answers, and he was loath to lie. “I guess because I’m concerned about certain people’s safety,” he said.