I was headed into the station the next morning when Milt caught me at the door. “Come on, I’m buying you coffee.”
I trailed him, he ordered and actually paid so I knew it was bad news. As soon as we were seated, he said:
“Well, we now have an ‘official story' and I don't like it but, what are you going to do, eh?
“Old Man Mercotti and Vinnie Dacosta came up with the cult thing as a scam to get money out of the others. Santiago was their first victim, and he took it to heart, finding some old texts justifying the stories Mauricio and Vinnie made up. Vito and Dominic were unwilling participants, and Domenic even was working with Gorman to help us but did not know how to use an acetylene torch so set himself on fire when he tried to free Carol.”
I considered this a moment. “Hmm, all neat with a bow on it, but no mention of Price or the mayor?”
Milt let out a bitter chuckle and said: “Price just left the station. Somehow, he has proof - and over a dozen witnesses - that he and the mayor were having a late dinner last night at Del Bianchi when the cops burst in and grabbed Mayor Scanlon, probably as a protest against proposed budget cuts.
“Screwiest thing is, most of the other cops who were there agree with this story. You and I know better but, well, Jack, I just put in for my retirement. Next Friday is my last day,” he said, sadly.
“...and the mayor is asking for my resignation or termination?” I offered, bitterly.
“Jack, you have the instincts to be a great cop, and I’m sorry your first case turned out to be your last,” he said, and I could tell he meant every word. I was actually touched by this.
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“Ah, it’s not so bad. I'll land on my feet, and somehow, someday, I will bring down Morgan Price. With or without the law behind me," I assured him with a confidence I almost felt myself.
Milt smiled at this. “Good on you, kid. Oh, there was a half-filled-out form making Carmine Gorman your CI?”
“Yeah, slipped in last night and filled out what I could,” I admitted.
“Good. You know, nobody's found that acetylene torch you and Domenic used. Does that have anything to do with those funky gloves you had on when I first saw you there, but which seemed to vanish soon after?”
“Now that would be withholding evidence, Milt. We would never do a thing like that, would we?” I replied.
His smile broadened. “Kid, I think you have a bright future ahead. Maybe some hard water to navigate to get to it, but you are on the right path. Just wish we could do something about that rat of a mayor.”
“In two years, he is up for re-election. Maybe we can throw him out of office then,” I suggested.
“You planning to run against him, kid?”
“Actually, I was thinking you are not the type to take retirement lightly and will be looking to do something to help our city. And you would definitely have the support of the policeman’s union…”
He looked at me over his coffee. He looked like he wanted to laugh but the more he thought about it the less funny it sounded.
Finally, he spoke: “Mayor Cranmore does have kind of a ring to it. You might just be on to something, kid.”
He stood up and I followed suit. I held out a hand to shake but he pulled me in for an embrace instead. “Take care of yourself, Jackie my boy, and Carol too.”
“I will try my best, and I will keep in touch,” I replied,
He walked out of the diner, turning to wave goodbye at the door, and I gave him a salute in return, finished my coffee, and headed into the station house to tender my resignation.