Herb pulled into traffic behind her. I removed the earpiece, shoved it in my blazer pocket. After McGlade made Rushlo sing, we secured a quick subpoena to tap Fuller's home phone. A fake telemarketing call to the Fuller household proved Barry wasn't there. Since it was his day off, we decided to keep vigil until we heard from him.
The phone call disturbed me. Fuller seemed extra careful not to mention the name of the store where he wanted to meet his wife. And why would he need a change of clothes? Did he know we had Rushlo? I hoped not. Barry Fuller was not the kind of man who would be easy to subdue if forewarned.
I picked up the receiver on Herb's police band.
'This is Two-Delta-Seven, tailing Yellow Cab number six-four-seven-niner Thomas X-ray. Passenger is Holly Fuller, thirty-two, blonde, five-eight, hundred and ten pounds. She's wearing a red and orange summer dress, and carrying a red Nike gym bag. They're turning south onto Michigan Avenue. Do not engage. Repeat, do not engage. Over.'
'Roger, Two-Delta-Seven. Twelve-Homer-Nineteen flanking South on Wabash, over.'
'Roger, both. Sixteen-Angel-Niner turning east on Grand to intercept, over.'
My team was unmarked, but a plain white sedan still screamed COP to all who saw it, so I ordered them to hang back. Even if we lost her, a call to the cab company would tell us where she was dropped off.
'Think she's headed for Water Tower Place?' Herb asked.
'Could be. Or State Street. Seems like a woman with expensive tastes. Her shoes are Ferragamos.'
'You could tell through the binocs?'
'I've had my eye on that same pair for two months. Five hundred and fifty dollars.'
'Do they come with a trip to Rio?'
'Don't pretend to understand fashion, Herb. And I won't make any comments about this big red penis you're driving around in.'
Herb humphed.
'My Camaro? I bought this solely for comfort.'
'So did Holly Fuller.'
Traffic was tight, befitting a weekend on the Magnificent Mile. This was the best-known part of Chicago. The skyscrapers, John Hancock and the AON Center (formerly Amoco, and before that, Standard Oil). Nieman Marcus and Saks. Navy Pier. The Art Institute. Orchestra Hall. Further south, Buckingham Fountain, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium.
The sidewalks were packed -- not quite shoulder to shoulder, but personal space was at a premium. The sun beat down on everyone and everything, and I couldn't use the binoculars because I kept catching glints off of cars and hurting my eyes.
'She passed Water Tower. Continuing south on Michigan. Ease up, Herb -- you're riding her bumper. There's a pedal next to the gas that I don't think you've tried yet.'
Benedict slowed down, let the cab gain several car lengths.
'Jack . . . what if we have to take him down?'
I knew how he felt. Cops were fiercely protective of their own. Arresting one, or shooting one, was a hard idea to get your head around. The us-against-them mentality ran deep in the force. Us-against-us was anathema.
'Then we do our job. We take him down.'
'I can't believe it's Barry. I can't believe he could do that. I consider him a friend, for chrissakes.'
I couldn't believe it either. I tried to replay every meeting I'd ever had with Barry Fuller, tried to recall any signs or hints that he was a serial killer.
There were none. Fuller had fooled us all.
'You know as well as I do, Herb. The scariest monsters have the best masks.'
Benedict made his mouth into a thin, tight line.
'He's supposed to be one of the good guys.'
'Good guys don't slice up hookers.'
The taxi hung a right onto Randolph, and then another right onto State. It stopped in front of Marshall Field's.
'The passenger has been dropped off at the northwest corner of State and Randolph. All units converge, but remain out of sight until target is spotted, over.'
Holly Fuller paid the driver and walked into the department store, while Benedict double-parked. I shoved my earpiece in and pinned the lapel mike to my blouse. After informing our backup that Holly was in the building, Herb and I hurried into Field's.
The store was packed. An equal mix of men and women, their attire running the gamut from business formal to T-shirts and sandals. Heat waves were good for business, especially if you had decent air-conditioning.
We spotted Holly stepping onto the escalator, and lagged behind thirty seconds before following. A lighted sign informed us Home Furnishings occupied the fifth floor.
There was a line for the escalator, and we wedged ourselves on, surrounded by shoppers.
'Do you see her?'
'There. Eleven o'clock.'
