Setting: New York City
Date: circa 1992
1. Accidents Happen
"This is Officer Cordero of the NYPD. We found several cards with this number in the wallet of a man who was injured tonight. His name is Michael Kostmayer. He had no other telephone numbers on him. Please call the 5th Precinct if you know him."
McCall checked his watch as he punched in the number. The call had come in more than an hour ago. "Yes, this is Robert McCall. Officer Cordero left a message that my friend Mickey Kostmayer had been injured."
"One moment please."
One moment became two minutes. McCall, anxious about Mickey, grew irritated.
"Officer James speaking."
"Yes, I am calling in response to a message from Officer Cordero about Mickey Kostmayer."
"Yes, sir. He's at Downtown Hospital."
"I see. What more can you tell me?"
"He was struck by a car."
"How badly hurt is he?"
"I couldn't say."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"I'm sorry sir, but I'm not at liberty to provide details. There is an investigation underway."
"May I inquire whom is in charge of this investigation?"
"Detective Robbins, sir."
"Then may I speak to him, please?"
"Do you have information bearing on what happened?"
"Since you have provided me no details, I am hardly able to answer that. However, I do have information concerning Mr. Kostmayer that Detective Robbins shall need to know."
Officer James audibly sighed in disbelief. "Hold on, I'll transfer you."
Before McCall could say an insincere "thank you," he was cut off.
"This is Detective Robbins. I'm away from my desk. Please leave a brief message and I'll get back to you soon. If this is an emergency, please dial zero and ask for the detective on duty."
McCall left his cell phone number. He donned his trench coat and went to see Mickey. He called Control from his car. "McCall here. I have been informed that Mickey was struck by a car this afternoon. He was taken to Downtown Hospital. It is 8:35 p.m currently; I am on my way there. Detective Robbins of the 5th Precinct is in charge of the investigation."
Although Saturday evening traffic downtown was light, the hospital buzzed with activity. McCall presented himself to the E.R. receptionist. "My name is Robert McCall. I'm here to see Michael Kostmayer. He was struck by a car this afternoon."
"Are you family?"
"Yes," he lied without hesitation.
The receptionist typed on her computer. "He's in x-ray right now. When more information is available, a member of his treatment team will speak to you. Please take a seat in the waiting room."
"I am afraid that will not do, Madam. I need to know Mr. Kostmayer's status immediately and see that security precautions are put in place."
"Security?
"Is there someone in authority I may speak to?"
"Um, I don't know."
"I must insist."
"If you take a seat, I'll find someone to speak with you shortly, sir."
"Again, my name is Robert McCall. I appreciate your assistance."
Five minutes later, a harried looking young Indian doctor arrived. "Mr. McCall?"
"I am Robert McCall."
"You asked to see me?"
"Yes, I would like to know Mickey Kostmayer's condition and where he is presently."
"He's just back from x-ray. He has a concussion and a collapsed lung. He will be admitted for at least twenty-four hours."
"I would like to see him immediately."
"He's on oxygen right now. He won't be able to communicate."
"I know Mr. Kostmayer very well, doctor. He will find a way."
"Even so, in my medical opinion, he is not ready for visitors yet."
"Very well. However, you must arrange for him to be guarded or permit me to do so until the appropriate authorities arrive."
"Huh? The police officer who accompanied him to the hospital went to the cafeteria. He didn't say anything about security."
"Mr. Kostmayer was struck by a car, was he not?"
"Yes, the officer said that, but what does that have to do with anything?"
McCall began to wonder whether it could have been an accident.
"Doctor Bhattacharjee, Mr. Kostmayer is a member of a law enforcement agency. The officer who brought him in likely was unaware of that. Unless we are certain that his injuries are a result of an accident, I must insist that security be provided by the hospital or by myself until someone is assigned to that function. Do you understand that?"
"Um, yes, sir. No one told us that information previously, sir. I'll call security immediately."
"Then I will seek to interview the police officer you mentioned. I do appreciate your assistance, Doctor. Would you be so kind as to point me toward the cafeteria?"
The doctor pointed the way. McCall ran into Officer Cordero en route. "Officer Cordero, I am Robert McCall. You called me earlier tonight about Mickey Kostmayer."
"McCall, huh? All the cards said were "the Equalizer." Very strange business card if you ask me."
"Would you please tell me, in detail, what happened to Mr. Kostmayer?"
"He got hit by a taxicab that jumped the curb. The taxi driver panicked and took off."
"That seems rather odd."
"We have the unit number, so it shouldn't be long before we find him."
McCall had his doubts. "Where was Mr. Kostmayer at the time?"
"Chinatown."
McCall pondered what might have taken Mickey there. Mickey had never been particularly fond of Chinatown. "Did you speak to Mr. Kostmayer at the scene?"
"He was unconscious when I arrived at the scene. When he came to, he didn't remember getting hit by a car at all."
"Do we know the driver's name?"
"The detectives do, I'm sure. Look, Mr. McCall, you'll really have to speak to them if you want to know more. This is an ongoing investigation and they like to control the information flow."
McCall reached for his wallet again. "I'm sorry, Officer. I should have made myself clear from the beginning. Mr. Kostmayer is a colleague of mine. The other card, it's a sideline." He showed a Company card.
"Oh, I didn't know."
"Nor should you have. Mr. Kostmayer is a field operative."
"Right, so no i.d. Are you suggesting this was intentional?"
"I am merely inquiring."
"The sole eyewitness said the cab jumped the curb all the sudden. There was nothing about the car going all out for him."
"That is helpful. Can you tell me the cab company and number? Detective Robbins was out of the office when I called him. I chose to check on Mr. Kostmayer rather than wait for his return call."
"The cab was a Chinatown Checker, number 14. An APB went out on someone named Chin Wong Ho a few minutes ago. I assume he's the driver. I figured he fled because he was afraid to get deported."
"That is certainly a possibility to be considered."
"I was on my way to follow up with the victim, Mr. Kostmayer that is, unless you guys want to handle that and fill us in."
"I will speak to Mr. Kostmayer and inform your department about any helpful information he may possess. I thank you, Officer Cordero, for helping my friend."
"I hope he'll be okay."
"I am sure he will be."