Page 192 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Sir, we need verification for the cell phone company. Can you ask the Deputy Commissioner to notify them?”
“I’m on it,” O’Brien said, picking up the phone and dialing the home office for his region.
“Deputy Commissioner Cassidy,” O’Brien said when the phone connected on the other end, “Chief Superintendent O’Brien calling.”
“O’Brien. What’s up?” Cassidy answered.
“Sir, we need the phone company to release records to us. The murdered lad, I need names attached to the numbers connected to his cell phone calls. I sent a list of those numbers to you.”
“I’m on it, O’Brien. Anything else?”
“No, sir.”
“Expect to hear from the phone company within the hour.” Cassidy disconnected the call.
“Healy, let me know when those names come through from the phone company.”
“Yes, sir.”
Within minutes, Healy’s phone rang.
“Healy,” he answered. The cell phone company asked for his fax number. The fax machine spat out the student information. He delivered the fax to O’Brien.
“Thanks, Healy.” O’Brien glanced at the list. “Remind me to give you a raise,” his clenched teeth firmly grasped the soggy cigar butt.
“Yes, sir, I’ll remind you tomorrow,” Healy chuckled as he left O’Brien’s office
O’Brien cross-referenced the list of texts and calls with the list of names from the cell phone company, then compared that with the list of students from MacGowan’s class. He came up with twenty names. “Healy, get in here!”
Healy appeared in the doorway almost immediately. “Yes, sir?”
“I need these twenty students brought in this afternoon or tomorrow. I want to interview each of them separately.”
“Yes, sir.” Healy took the list from O’Brien. “Do we issue warrants or suggest they volunteer to appear?”
“Let’s try the volunteer route first. If that doesn’t work, we’ll resort to warrants.”
“I’ll have the desk sergeant contact them.”
“You do good work, Healy. Remind me to send your mother flowers.”
“My mother is dead, sir,” Healy chuckled.
Even in tense situations, O’Brien kept his humor about him.
Ten of the twenty students came to the Gardaí station that afternoon. The lads were nervous about being called to the Gardaí station. They were eager to share any information that would help them get out of there quickly.
O’Brien asked if they knew Moynihan and if they were in his group. Of the ten, five answered yes to both questions.
All five confirmed that Moynihan suspected MacGowan planned for the projects to overlap. All five confirmed that Moynihan spoke about the connection. All five confirmed that MacGowan could have a grand plan that involved the individual projects the students were assigned.
One student, Garrett Burke, seemed particularly nervous.
“Mr. Burke, we’re not accusing you of anything. We merely want information.” O’Brien tried to soothe the lad, but his stature and natural gruffness did not help the situation.
“I-I-I’m sorry. I-I’m uneasy about Dr. MacGowan.” Burke studied his clasped hands, knuckles white from the tight grip.
“What about MacGowan?” O’Brien pressed.
