CHAPTER TWO

Jack unlocked and opened the door. He could hear the clomp-clomp of the four sets of cop boots pounding up the stairs. At the top they saw Jack, slowed down to a walk and followed him into the apartment.

The cops undid the jump rope securing Conti and removed the laundry bag blindfold. When Conti saw the four SFPD uniforms, he stood still and waited while they handcuffed him. Jack asked for an evidence bag. They sent the youngest of the four. Upon his return, Jack deposited Conti’s possessions into the bag, including the transponder. Conti’s cousins could now track it all the way to the police station. The four cops walked him out the door. One each side, one front and one behind.

The oldest cop said Freddie had ordered him and the youngest cop to wait there until Freddie and Kenny arrived. Jack thanked them, closed the door, walked to the bathroom door and knocked.

“They’re gone.”

Debbie came out, still draped in the robe and blanket, holding the tea towel encased frozen peas to her face. She sat on the bed and pulled her knees up under her. He walked to the closet, found a dark-blue T-shirt and pulled it on. He reached into the clothes rack for the tracksuit top.Debbie could see There were yellow, four-inch block letters on the back of the T-shirt.

“Rhodes? Jack Rhodes?”

“That’s me.” Jack turned and said, “I don’t know your surname.”

“It’s Fothergill.”

“Debbie Fothergill. Deborah Fothergill.” Jack let that roll a