“Did you talk to Euro Transplant in the Netherlands?” Bart asked.

“I called them first,” Jack said. “They had no record of a Franconi.”

“Then it’s pretty safe to say that Franconi didn’t have his transplant in Europe,” Bart said. “Euro Transplant keeps tabs on the whole continent.”

“The next thing I want is for someone to go visit Franconi’s mother and talk her into giving a blood sample. I want Ted Lynch to run a mitochondrial DNA match with the floater. That will clinch the identity, so it will no longer be presumptive. Also have the investigator ask the woman if her son had a liver transplant. It will be interesting to hear what she has to say.”

Bart wrote Jack’s requests down. “What else?” Bart asked.

“I think that’s it for now,” Jack said. “Janice told me Franconi’s doctor’s name is Daniel Levitz. Is that anyone you have come in contact with?”

“If it’s the Levitz on Fifth, then I’ve come in contact with him.”

“What was your take?” Jack asked.

“High-profile practice with wealthy clientele. He’s a good internist as far as I could tell. The curious thing is that he takes care of a lot of the crime families, so it’s not surprising he was taking care of Carlo Franconi.”

“Different families?” Jack questioned. “Even families in competition with each other?”

“Strange, isn’t it?” Bart said. “It must be one big headache for the poor receptionist who does the scheduling. Can you imagine having two rival crime figures with their bodyguards in the waiting room at the same time?”

“Life’s stranger than fiction,” Jack said.

“Do you want me to go to Dr. Levitz and get what I can on Franconi?” Bart asked.

“I think I’ll do that myself,” Jack said. “I have a sneaking suspicion that when talking with Franconi’s doctor what’s unsaid is going to be more important than what is said. You concentrate on finding out where Franconi got his transplant. I think that’s going to be the key piece of information in this case. Who knows, it might just explain everything.”

“There you are!” a robust voice boomed. Both Jack and Bart looked up to see the doorway literally filled with the imposing figure of Dr. Calvin Washington, the deputy chief.

“I’ve been looking all over for you, Stapleton,” Calvin growled. “Come on! The chief wants to see you.”

Jack gave Bart a wink before getting to his feet. “Probably just another of the many awards he’s given me.”

“I wouldn’t be so glib if I were you,” Calvin snapped, as he made room for Jack to pass. “Once again, you got the old man all riled up.”

Jack followed Calvin to the administration area. Just before going into the front office, Jack caught a glimpse of the waiting room. There were more than the usual number of journalists.

“Something going on?” Jack asked.

“As if I have to tell you,” Calvin grunted.

Jack didn’t understand, but he didn’t have a chance to ask more. Calvin was already asking Mrs. Sanford, Bingham’s secretary, if they could go into the chief’s office.