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“Good morning, Colonel,” Hurd replied.
“What can I do for you?”
“I want to request some equipment for a special operation,” Hurd said.
“What is the nature of your operation?”
“To obtain evidence against and arrest a suspect in the rapes and murders of several women in the Vero Beach area.”
“Was the most recent of them named Patricia Terwilliger?”
“Yes, Colonel.”
“I was under the impression that the suicide and confession of one James Bruno cleared her case and the others.”
“Did you have a particular interest in Ms. Terwilliger?”
“She was my wife’s sister.”
“Colonel, I apologize for not speaking to you directly about the case; I was unaware of the relationship.”
“I would have thought that a crack investigator such as yourself would have known that, Captain.”
“We made the family notification to her mother. One of my people visited her personally to break the news.”
“My wife was grateful for that. You have not responded to my question: I thought Patricia’s murder had been committed by James Bruno.”
“There is some question as to whether he acted alone,” Hurd half-lied.
“You think he may have had an accomplice?”
“It’s a distinct possibility. It’s also possible that the accomplice may have murdered Bruno and staged the suicide.”
“Well, this case just gets more and more interesting,” Wyatt said.
“I’ve made a practice of copying you on every report I’ve submitted, Colonel, and I will continue to do so.”
“What equipment do you need to continue this investigation?”
“I need GPS, audio and video equipment to be concealed in the suspect’s car by state technicians and a van equipped to conduct electronic surveillance on the car. I also need a helicopter, as a backup, to provide visual surveillance.”
“Anything else?”
“I can provide the two chase cars I’ll need, but should something arise on the technical front, I’d need in-depth advice and assistance from appropriate personnel.”
“I see,” Wyatt replied. “When and for how long?”
“From this Friday through the weekend plus a couple of more days. I’ll need the helicopter only on the day of the operation.”
“I assume you will have the proper warrant.”
“I will deal with that locally,” Hurd replied.
“Please hold,” the colonel said.
Hurd sat, the receiver to his ear, for eight minutes by his watch. It seemed like half an hour. Then there was a click.
“I have my chief of technical services, Mike Green, on the line,” Wyatt said. “I have authorized him to supply your needs, so I’ll hang up and let you two work out the details. Goodbye and good luck, and I’d appreciate it if you would transmit to me any further details that emerge in the case we discussed.” Wyatt hung up.
