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“Now it’s a home,” Ranger said.
“Wow!”
The corners of his mouth twitched into the beginnings of a smile. “Don’t read too much into that.”
“It was a profound revelation. And I don’t know how to tell you this, but your safe house wasn’t that hard to find.”
“Only because you know me so well. And it’s more satellite office than safe house. Was there a specific reason for this visit?”
“I have two problems. The first is Jimmy Poletti. I know Poletti is in the area because he just shot a firebomb into my living room. Unfortunately, I’m not having any luck capturing him. I thought you
might be able to help me.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“I have some ideas.”
“And your second problem?”
“It’s you. I don’t like the thought that some freakazoid polonium assassin will have better luck the second time around and you’ll end up glowing in the dark. It’s causing me stress, so I wish you’d find the guy and eliminate him.”
“I’m working on it.”
“Do you have any leads?”
“I think this person is probably Russian. Either mob or military. I’ve apprehended some members of the Russian mob. And it wouldn’t be hard to imagine Gardi moving in those circles.”
“Why Russian?”
“The polonium-210 that was in Gardi’s possession is a relatively obscure radioactive poison that has limited production. To my knowledge it’s currently being produced only in Russia and is available only to well-connected Russians.”
“And you think some Russian mob guy hates you enough to do this?”
“It would require a certain level of insanity, but it’s possible.”
“So how do you find this guy?”
“It’s hard without access to Gardi.”
“Morelli said even the police don’t have access.”
“He’s been charged with nuclear terrorism. He’s guarded by an army of FBI agents, and no one at the federal level is sharing information.”
“I bet I can get you in.”
One eyebrow raised a fraction of an inch.
“I’ve got Randy Briggs,” I said. “He was briefly head of security at Central Hospital, and while he was at Central he filled in weekends at St. Francis. I’m sure he knows everyone’s schedule and all the ways to get onto a floor.”
THIRTEEN
THERE WAS A single donut left in the box when I got back to the office. I helped myself to the donut and turned to Briggs.
“Ranger needs to talk to Gardi,” I said. “Can you get him into St. Francis?”
“That could be tough. From what I hear the floor is crawling with FBI. They won’t even let hospital security in.”
“Someone must be getting in,” I said. “Doctors, nurses, housekeeping, food service. What would be our best shot?”
