The Chief rose from the chair, shook Ailbe’s proffered hand, and left the office.
* * *
As O’Brien walked into the station, he reflected on the conversation with MacGowan. He’s lying about visiting with Moynihan, and I’m betting he held back information.
He stopped at Healy’s desk. “Healy, I need records of Keenan Moynihan’s email for the past month. I need a list of who he corresponded with and what they said. I also need his cell phone records, calls, and texts.”
“Yes sir,” Healy nodded.
The Chief Superintendent still found nothing but his gut sense to tie MacGowan or Knowlan to the crime.
In half an hour, Healy delivered the requested information. O’Brien pored over the cell phone and email records for Keenan Moynihan, chewing on his unlit cigar as he read. He needed something to provide a clue as to why someone murdered Moynihan.
“Ask for a list of the students in MacGowan’s class,” O’Brien yelled to Healy. “I need as much information about those students as possible.”
“Right away, sir,” Healy called the University and requested a list of students in MacGowan’s class, including demographic and contact information for those students. Five minutes later, he handed the faxed list to O’Brien.
“You do outstanding work, Healy,” O’Brien said, the wet, unlit cigar stub clenched between his teeth. “I don’t care what the boys at the pub say,” he chuckled and winked at Healy. The two men developed an amiable working relationship. O’Brien’s sense of humor helped.
“So you go to the gay pub, sir?” Healy chuckled as he left O’Brien’s office.
O’Brien compared Moynihan’s email list with the list of students. He found several matching names. He examined the cell phone list of calls and texts but only had numbers.
“I need names to go with the numbers on this cell phone list of Moynihan’s,” O’Brien yelled at Healy.
“Right away, sir.” Healy placed a call to the cell phone company. He gave them the numbers and asked them to fax him a list of names matching the numbers. The cell phone company asked for verification of the police investigation.
“Sir, we need verification for the cell phone company. Can you ask the Deputy Commissioner to notify them?”
“I’m on it,” O’Brien picked up the phone and dialed the home office for his region.
“O’Brien. What’s up?” Cassidy answered.
“Sir, we need the phone company to release records to us. For the murdered lad investigation, I need names attached to the numbers connected to his cell phone calls. I sent a list of those numbers to you.”
“I’m on it, O’Brien. Anything else?”
“No, sir.”
“Expect a phone company response within the hour.” Cassidy disconnected the call.
“Healy, when the list of names comes through from the phone company, bring it to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Within minutes Healy’s phone rang.
“Healy,” he answered. The cell phone company asked for his fax number. The fax machine spat out the student information. He delivered the fax to O’Brien.
“Thanks, Healy.” O’Brien glanced at the list. “Remind me to give you a raise,” his clenched teeth grasped the soggy cigar butt.
“Yes, sir, I’ll remind you tomorrow,” Healy chuckled as he left O’Brien’s office
O’Brien cross-referenced the list of texts and calls with the list of names from the cell phone company, and compared the result with the list of students from MacGowan’s class. He came up with twenty names. “Healy, get in here!”
Healy appeared in the doorway. “Yes, sir?”
“I need these twenty students brought in this afternoon or tomorrow. I want to interview each individual.”
“Yes, sir.” Healy took the list from O’Brien. “Do we issue warrants or suggest they volunteer to appear?”
“Let’s try the volunteer route first. If it doesn’t work, we’ll resort to warrants.”
“I’ll have the desk sergeant contact them.”
“Thanks, Healy. Remind me to send your mother flowers.”
“My mother is dead, sir,” Healy chuckled.
Despite tense situations, O’Brien kept his humor about him.
Ten of the twenty students came to the Gardaí station in the afternoon. The lads, nervous at being called to the police station, stood eager to share information.
O’Brien asked if they knew Moynihan and if they studied in his group. Of the ten, five of them answered yes to both questions.
All five confirmed Moynihan suspected MacGowan planned for the projects to overlap. All five confirmed Moynihan spoke about the connection. All five confirmed MacGowan may have a grand plan involving all individual student projects.
One student, Garrett Burke, appeared more nervous than the others.
