gang known for their rather anarchist violence. What separated them
from most other gangs in the area was that the Delta didn’t vie for territory
throughout the city (or throughout the East Coast either). The gang managed to
conduct their business, regardless of physical space, and relied on other means
to traffic their illicit items. However, although the Delta remained one of the
prominent gangs in Baltimore, their organization was once much stronger and
structured. But what the Baltimore Police Department feared most of all was
that the Delta seemed to stem from their city, yet the department seemed unable
to find any sure leads to combat the threat.
“Either
way,” Sage pressed on, “Combating the Delta isn’t going to happen soon. We need
to at the very least open up an investigation for this serial killer.”
“And
I would agree if we had something to actually work off of,” Chief Johnson told
him. “Once the next body turns up, I’ll let you two have at it, but right now
what do you think you could do? Wander throughout Baltimore asking whether each
and every person met Brett within the last nine days?” He shook his head,
“There’s nothing to work off of now, just wait and help us deal with everything
else in this city, like the theft problem we’ve got in the Westport area.”
Detective
Sage reluctantly agreed, and both he and Detective Felton shuffled out of his
office, case in hand. Once they closed the door Felton let out a breath and
apologized to his partner. “I’ve got to agree with him, there isn’t anything we
can do at this point. Maybe once the ninth victim shows up we’ll be able to
work at it. But there really isn’t anything to go off of now.”
Sage
nodded and started back toward his office. Felton told him he needed to speak
with Sergeant Murdock about the arson case and departed in the opposite
direction. Sage held the case file in his right hand while he wore a scowl.
One
of the younger officers nearly collided with him as he dashed through the station.
“Sorry about that sir, I’m just trying to get my things and get out of here.”
Sage
forgave him and asked without any real interest in the subject, “Are you going
out or something?”
The
officer laughed, “No, I’ve just got to get back to tend to my neighbor’s cat.”
“Well
walk, okay Maguire?”
“Sure!
Sure!” the officer said as he sped off to the lockers.
Sage
returned to his office and found their newest officer at his desk. He couldn’t
recall her name immediately, but one glance at her name tag gave him her last
name and spared him any embarrassment. “What can I do for you Hendricks?”
She
frowned, “I need to know if we have anyone who handles identity theft cases
here on the force.”
He
shook his head, “I don’t know of anyone off the top of my head…” he looked at
her, “What’s this about?”
She
rubbed her head, “I’ve recently discovered that someone’s been making purchases
in my name throughout the nation, though mainly in Washington DC.”
“So
you think your identity’s been stolen?”
“I’m
not sure. I’ve talked with my bank, and we’re handling the fraudulent charges,
but whoever this is, they keep at it.” She scowled, “They even bought a
passport in my name.”
He
raised his eye brows, “Then it should be easy enough to find whoever it is,
since they have to have their photo–”
She
stopped him, “I’ve tried that, and all it comes up with are two passports in my
name with my information and image.”
He
thought for a moment, and came up with what he thought to be the best solution
for her, “Bring it up to the district attorney and see what she says. Other
than that I’ve really got no idea what you should do.”
Officer
Hendricks frowned, but thanked him, “I’ll talk to her as soon as I can and see
what can be done about it.”
Sage
set his folder on his desk, opened it, and skimmed over the pages. He didn’t
get too far, as