‘What’s known so far?’ demanded Ross.

‘Not much,’ admitted the homicide captain. Mort Halpern looked the detective he was, a big man in a blue suit shining from wear. ‘It wasn’t a mugging. There was still $76 in his pockets, and his watch and ring were untouched.’

‘What about the mouth wound?’ said Ross.

‘Inflicted after death, according to the early medical examination,’ said Halpern. ‘Accepted Mafia trademark in the elimination of a stool-pigeon, of course. Every indication of it being a professional hit, too. The bullets were hollow nosed or scored to caused maximum damage. Nothing left for ballistics to work on…’ He paused, looking at the Director. ‘Everything is being bagged up for you already.’

‘The scene of crime still secure?’ asked Ross. ‘I’d like to send some of my people to take a look – with your officers too, of course.’

‘It’s down between the canal and the river, in Georgetown,’ said Halpern. ‘Practically underneath the Whitehurst Freeway. Pretty easy to seal off completely. It was raining off and on last night: I had a canopy put over the whole area to prevent as much water damage as possible…’

‘I went there last night, too,’ said Brine, anxious for his participation to be known. ‘I put uniformed officers on duty throughout the night. There are others there today. No unauthorised person has touched anything.’

‘The two homicide detectives who initially responded are on standby,’ added Halpern. ‘I guessed you’d want them to liaise. And for them to remain part of whatever squad you set up.’

They were glad for someone else to carry the can, thought Ross. ‘That’s fine.’