"We'll tell Howie and the others as soon as the funeral is over," I said. "I'll call Merrill Cooms and let him know."
It was a long conversation with the old gentleman. As soon as I related the news of the prior evening attack he told me he agreed it was time to call it quits. He thanked us and I thanked him for all his generosity.
"I can close down Econ Scrutiny, Inc. from my end after you've informed the others," he said. "There'll be a nice severance package for all of you. You'll continue to receive dividends for the stock in your names so there will be sufficient funds for you all to move on. I'll truly miss you." I felt I'd cut ties with a close relative.
Betsy and I discussed who else to inform. We considered letting Ethel Reagan know, perhaps saying the tipster had died. We delayed a decision until we'd discussed our shutting down with the others. When Betsy mentioned telling the After people, a thought struck me that the death of Owen Bryce, once known to our friends at After would probably tie me directly to the tipster as well. I telephoned their office with the intention of informing them myself.
Agnes Delanco answered. I informed her I had it on good authority the tipster would be retiring. "It's become too dangerous to too many people," I said. While she indicated how saddened she was at the news she understood. I told her Owen Bryce was killed while attacking someone he thought was connected to the tipster.
"I can understand him seeking revenge," she said. "His pedophile brother Jude hanged himself in his jail cell over the weekend. The two were closer than they should have been." Then she asked if we were concerned Owen's death might be a conduit to revealing the tipster. When I answered affirmatively, she said she'd not follow that lead and discourage anyone she knew from doing so.
"At least you don't have to worry about Jude Bryce screaming to the world that the tipster murdered his brother," she said before transferring me to Frank Vasapolli.
"I got news for you Swami!" he announced. "Your boy Dan Brennan got me into the Federal exit and entrance records at the Canada border! Our boy John Luke Grasso drives a motor home! He faked me out at first 'cause I was only looking at passenger cars. Then I got smart and checked all non-commercial vehicles. The dates a motor home made the trip in and out stack up perfectly. He travelled under an alias; Luke Greely. With that information and if he doesn't change his license plate, it's only a matter of time until we get him!"