SLIPPING AWAY

“Alright, gang. We’ve got another one. Left hand washed up in English Bay. Three women found it on Second Beach about an hour ago, just after sunrise.” Chief Wong, appearing more haggard than usual in the bright lights of the forensics bunker, provided a concise overview to the four others gathered in the center of the lab. “I know it’s Sunday but given this is the second such incident in two weeks, we need to act quickly. Susan, what’s your take?”
    “Accepting the fact that I’ve had but twenty minutes to prepare for your question, I can only say that there are definite similarities to the first one. What I can’t tell you is whether it’s a copycat or if the same person or persons are responsible for both.”
    Wong nodded. “Okay but until you can disprove it, we’ll proceed on the assumption it’s the work of the same perpetrator.” Turning toward the three detectives present he said, “Jim, you’ve drawn the lead on the investigation. Give us a brief update on where things stand.”
    Detective Li shrugged in response. “Despite widening the scope of our investigation beyond the past few months, contacting shipping lines and the like as agreed, we have no concrete leads. In fact, there are no incident, accident or missing persons’ reports from any police agency in reasonable proximity to provide us with even a starting point. We’re currently slogging through hospital records to determine if any human tissue disposal protocols have been overlooked. It’s the proverbial needle in a haystack, Chief. I’m not hopeful.”
    “Okay but now that we’ve got a second incident on our hands--sorry, poor choice of words--does that change our thinking at all?”
    “Sir,” Detective Wilson spoke up. “I keep thinking it’s a crime syndicate thing. The boss trying to assert his influence, maybe teach others in his faction a lesson in loyalty. You know, cross me and you end up like Freddy here, no hand.”
    Alvarez smiled stiffly. “I thought only guys watched Godfather movies.” Under Wong’s disapproving stare, he added, “If that were true, wouldn’t we be able to get a fingerprint match? Known criminals and their circle of henchmen have records, right? I don’t think that’s plausible.”
    “Given we have little else to go on right now, any theory’s worth considering,” Wong said. “With no clear cut answers right now, let’s keep an open mind. The word will get out about this second incident and I can’t offer only platitudes this time. We need something concrete. Soon. Sunday or not, let’s get to work. Susan, what assistance can we offer you in the absence of your usual help?”
    “Just stay out of my way. I’ll have a full report ready by noon.”
    Refusing the bait, Wong drew a loud long breath. “Look folks, we’re under a lot of pressure here. I understand that. This is the time for us to draw together, pool our considerable resources. Retrenching, becoming hostile and territorial is not in any of our best interests. I’m committing my available time in full to this case until we solve it. Whatever any of you need from me, you’ll get it. So again, Susan, let me know if you require anything. The rest of us will be upstairs in my office for the next couple hours turning over any and all rocks until we come up with something.”
    Turning to lead the three detectives to the stairwell, Wong felt the vibration of his cell phone in his shirt pocket. “Looks like I’ve got a call. See the rest of you in my office in a few minutes.”
    No sooner had he turned away to answer the phone than the three detectives scurried across the lab to the elevator.
    “This is Chief Constable--”
    “Wong, it’s Forsett. I need to talk to you.”
    “You sound a little anxious. Is everything okay?”
    “To tell you the truth I am a little anxious right now. Have you got a couple minutes?”
    “Sure, what’s up?”
    As Bobby recounted his morning’s experiences--the encounter with the two fishermen, the phone conversations with his brother then Sewell’s--Chief Wong paced a short arc back and forth across one end of the lab oblivious to the icy glances Susan threw his way.
    “So, I need a couple favors, Chief. I need a copy of the police report on Stan’s death and I need some help determining who’s behind these messages.”
    “I’d like to help, I really would, but as you know we have a crisis brewing here that’s demanding a lot of our time.”
    “What’s the crisis?”
    Incredulous, Wong’s voice rose. “What, you haven’t heard? Are you that out of touch?”
    “That’s the whole point of what I’m doing, staying out of touch.”
    Trying to suppress his irritation, Wong spoke in an even tone. “In the past fifteen days, two separate incidents of a human hand washing ashore on local beaches have created a great deal of concern in the community and in this building.”
    “Yeah, that qualifies as a crisis. What’s your theory? What leads are you following?”
    “You know I can’t discuss details like that with anyone outside the service. And yes, you’re on the outside now.” A sudden thaw in annoyance puddled into a whim he had to express. “If you were to come back though, even for a few days to help me out on this one I--”
    “Now it’s my turn to be indignant. You’d better not be the origin of these dire messages encouraging me to return.”
    “Forsett.” Wong’s voice boomed throughout the cavernous lab, startling Susan’s continuous glare into a mask of stunned shock. “If I needed you, and I don’t, I can assure you I’d be far less subtle in asking for it. I suggest you get back on your boat and do whatever the hell it is you’ve been doing.”
    Wong jammed the phone into his pocket, crashed through the stairwell doors and raced up to the main floor two steps at a time.