Текст книги "Jack Taggart Mysteries 7 - Book Bundle"

Автор книги: Don Easton

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 120 (всего у книги 141 страниц)

chapter forty-seven

It was Friday afternoon in Vancouver when Miguel and Ramiro parked their car beside a car wash. They were immediately met by two members of Satans Wrath, who directed them into the public washroom. Neither Miguel nor Ramiro protested when they were then searched for weapons and any electronic listening devices. After that, they were taken for a ride in a van being driven by one of the bikers.

Lance strolled with Damien through Stanley Park and each man was enjoying an ice-cream cone when Lance received a message on his BlackBerry.

“Seems our two Mexicans have picked up heat today,” said Lance.

“Which means the police knew them all along,” said Damien.

“Also means Taggart is probably dead and the cops don’t give a shit if we see them or not,” replied Lance.

“Looks that way.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Tell them to bring the two taco boys over. We’ll have to take some precautions, but I want to hear what they’ve got to say. We’re also going to have to prepare them for the amount of heat that will be coming down on them. Make sure they don’t do anything stupid like popping off wives and kids.”

Twenty-five minutes later, Miguel and Ramiro met with Damien and Lance on the beach at Stanley Park. Their backs were to a seawall that rose above head level and they stood amongst a cluster of sun-bleached driftwood logs strewn on the beach.

Several members of Satans Wrath patrolled nearby to ensure none of the police who had been following would be in a position to monitor any conversation.

Damien was not a man who was shocked easily, but even his mouth hung open in stunned silence as he listened to what Miguel had to say.

“You mean to tell me you let him escape?” he said, flabbergasted.

“Not me,” Miguel hastened to say. “The men in the house.”

“Let me get this right,” said Damien. “You beat him unconscious, strip him naked, handcuff him to a pipe, torture him, threaten his family, and then …” Damien paused, rolling his eyes at Lance, before turning back to Miguel, “and then you let him escape?”

“Yes, that is what happened.”

Damien glanced at Lance who shook his head and muttered, “I can’t believe it.”

Damien turned his attention back to Miguel. “Do you just think he might have been a little pissed off?”

“A little pissed off?”

“Do you recall me telling you Taggart was … make that is, a very dangerous man and to kill him immediately?”

“Yes, but —”

“But what?” snarled Damien.

“That was not my decision. It was Big Al who made that decision.”

“And this house … let me get this correct,” said Damien facetiously, “you said was out in the desert, surrounded by professional soldiers with trained commandos inside.”

“Yes.”

“And not only did he escape, but first he shoved a gun up El Pero’s ass and shot him, then bit Big Al’s nose off, broke his arms, threw him down a shaft, and broke his neck?”

“Yes … it is very sad about Big Al. They even said from the blood Big Al coughed up, it looked like his ribs had been broken, which punctured his lungs, as well.”

“Yeah, it sounds to me like Taggart was a little pissed off,” said Lance.

Miguel saw the sarcastic look on Damien’s face and squirmed his back against the protruding end of a driftwood log before adding, “But I have a new boss, so everything is okay now. We are still interested in doing business with you.”

“Do you believe me now that Taggart is a dangerous man?” asked Damien.

“Yes, of course.”

“Think about what he did to El Pero and Big Al for asking questions about his family.”

“What do you mean?” asked Miguel.

“Could you imagine what someone like Taggart would do if you had actually harmed his family?”

“Well … I —”

“Then you brought a parade of policemen with you when you went to meet my guys at the car wash. Did it occur to you the police might wonder what part I had in Taggart being tortured and the questions asked?”

“Yes, that is unfortunate,” replied Miguel looking around, “but I am sure the police cannot hear us.”

“I don’t think you’re hearing me.”

“No, it is windy … and these birds are very noisy, but it is okay, I can still hear you.”

Damien looked at Lance, who shook his head in disbelief.

“So what can I tell my new boss?” asked Miguel. “Are you interested in going into business with us?”

Damien glanced at the seagulls squawking around them and smiled and said, “I’ll tell you what, wait here and I will confer with my colleague for a minute before giving you an answer.”

As soon as Lance and Damien walked up the stairs to the top of the seawall, Damien said, “Find out where the closest cops are.”

Lance walked over to another member of Satans Wrath and returned a moment later and said, “The young couple who are sitting on the park bench down from us.”

“The ones holding hands, looking like they’re on their honeymoon?”

“Yup. They were both in a white Ford Taurus and followed the guys all the way from the car wash to here. At least two other cars were involved, as well.”

Constables Helen Fraser and Darcy Cummings both sat on the park bench. It was Helen who first suspected their little charade wasn’t working.

“Crap, I think we’ve been burned,” she said. “Damien is pointing right at us and it looks like he’s coming over.”

“Be cool,” cautioned Darcy. “He’s probably only guessing and trying to see what our response is.”

“Hello, officers,” said Damien with a smile as he approached. “Make any busts under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act yet today?”

“I’m sorry,” said Darcy, looking confused. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“Then let me explain it more clearly and help you out,” replied Damien. “The two Mexicans you were following this morning in your white Ford Taurus … you know, the two guys who led you to Wet Willy’s Car wash?”

Neither Helen nor Darcy answered.

“Well as it turns out,” continued Damien, “they wanted to see me. I had met them for the first time yesterday when they came uninvited to one of our clubhouses. They say they want to go into business with me.”

“Uh, we don’t, uh know what you’re —”

“Forget it, Darcy, he knows,” interjected Helen.

“Thank you,” said Damien. “Now, they are both waiting for my answer as to whether we should go into business together.”

“And what business would that be?” asked Helen.

“There is some confusion on that issue. All I know is it was a business agreement that Corporal Jack Taggart of your Intelligence Unit was trying to arrange. You can ask him about it.”

“I see,” replied Helen, “but as things stand, do you think you might be going into business with them?”

Damien glanced back at the seawall and saw where Lance was standing watching him. Lance gave him a nod and Damien turned back to Helen and Darcy and said, “You’ll find the answer to that on the other side of that wall.”

“We will?” asked Helen.

As Damien turned to walk away he said, “Oh, one more thing. Tell Taggart if he wishes to remain above ground, not to pretend he belongs to our club ever again.”

Helen and Darcy looked at each other a moment, then hurried over to the seawall and looked down.

“Oh, Christ,” muttered Helen. “Call an ambulance.”

chapter forty-eight

The flight Jack and Lily took back to Vancouver went as scheduled and Jack used the time to prepare his report. They cleared customs at the Vancouver International Airport Friday night.

Jack was acutely aware of the psychologist’s recommendation about keeping Lily’s ordeal away from the media. He knew the reunification between Lily and her mom would be an emotionally charged event that could draw unwanted attention, so he had made arrangements to drive her directly home to her mother instead.

Jack and Lily were greeted at the airport by Natasha and Mikey. After a quick introduction and hugs, they drove Lily home.

Upon arrival at the house, Jack saw the tree in the front yard was adorned with a large yellow ribbon. He had not yet shut the engine off when Lily burst from the car and ran to hug her mom, who appeared on the porch in her wheelchair. Marcie, standing under a “welcome home” banner strung over the door, anxiously waited for her own hug.

Jack was right in his prediction about it being an emotionally charged moment. The only one who didn’t have tears in their eyes was Mikey, who remained asleep in his car seat.

Monday morning saw Jack back at the office. He gave a copy of his undercover notes to his boss, Staff Sergeant Rose Wood, along with his report. She read them carefully while he sat across from her desk.

“Basically what you said when you called me Friday afternoon,” she said, leaning back in her chair and nodding at the report.

“That’s about all there is to say,” said Jack, gesturing to the report.

“All there is to say? I think not,” she said firmly.

“Oh?”

“It goes without saying I’m pleased everything turned out okay, but why the hell didn’t you call me before Friday? You went into Mexico totally on your own, without authorization and without so much as even a phone call to me or anyone else to get permission.”

“Three reasons,” replied Jack. “First of all, there wasn’t time to sit and wait for Ottawa to make a decision … and even if they did make it in time and give authorization, policy dictates the police in Mexico would have to be informed. That would have jeopardized both Lily’s life and my own.”

“You might be right, but Ottawa will still be furious. You could be facing disciplinary action.”

“I feel what I did was right.”

“There is no moral servitude in Ottawa. They dance to what the politicians want, no matter the cost. If they think you upset some Mexican politician they’ll land on you with both feet.”

“I’m aware of that, but nothing they could do to me would take away how good I felt Saturday night when I brought Lily home. Let them take their best shot – it was worth it.”

“What were your other two reasons for not seeking permission?”

“If I called you and gave you the details, you would have come to the same conclusion about Ottawa as I did, leaving you with two choices. Tell me I couldn’t go, knowing Lily would die because of it, or give me permission to go on your own and risk both Lily and myself being murdered … which really would have put you in hot water.”

“I would have given you permission. I know you would have gone anyway,” said Rose.

“I know. That was the third reason. You would have been in trouble from Ottawa for something I was going to do, anyway.”

Rose drummed her fingers on her desk for a moment. “I don’t need you to judge what is in my best interest. Should something like this ever occur again, let me make that call.”

“Will do. Is that all?”

“No, it is not all. Besides the fact you went into Mexico without authorization, I have no idea what Ottawa or Isaac will think of all this,” she said, gesturing to Jack’s notes and his report. “You’re basically saying you went down there, found the girl, and escaped with her when the bad guys were fighting amongst themselves.”

“Timing was fortunate,” replied Jack, being careful not to use the word coincidence, which had been used all too often in his past investigations.

“Then the next day the police discover there are a total of seven bodies. Was that all good timing … what the hell … a coincidence, too?”

“No, that was not a coincidence. Five of those men were killed by the cartel for letting me escape.”

“I see. So it is only two out of seven who died coincidentally with you being there?”

“Uh, yes, I guess you could say that, although I understand Clive Slater is missing. I am sure he was killed, as well.”

Rose sighed and flipped through Jack’s notes again before looking up. “You said you were clubbed over the head, stripped naked, handcuffed … and Big Al was going to ask you questions about colleagues and … family,” she noted, putting the emphasis on the last word.

“Correct.”

“You were then poked with a cattle prod by El Pero and passed out.”

“Correct.”

“And when you regained consciousness and were picking the lock on the handcuffs, El Pero was actually in the act of raping Lily.”

“I believe so. That’s when I saw another guy going —”

Rose’s face hardened. “Stop it right there!” she snapped. “Don’t you ever —” She paused, and after letting out a deep breath and regaining her composure, she said, “I think I’ve got a clear enough picture of what happened, despite my belief there are certain omissions in your report and your notes.” She stared hard at Jack. “What? No acting surprised? No look of concern followed by denials?”

“I had the distinct feeling you didn’t want me to lie to you.”

“Good. I hope we understand each other. Who knows, maybe someday you will trust me enough to tell me exactly what those omissions were.”

“I should put you in touch with Special Agent Adams on that issue.”

“Oh? Would he be more forthcoming?”

“On the contrary. He almost got in trouble for telling a friend something.”

“I see,” replied Wood with a frown. “Well at least I know you had nothing to do with Miguel and Ramiro.”

“Who are they?”

“Two Mexicans from the auto body shop here in Vancouver. The same shop where they took Slater’s truck, just before you left to go to El Paso. On Friday, the narcs followed them to Stanley Park and saw them meet Damien.”

“When I was being tortured, Big Al said, thanks to me, they were thinking of going into business with Satans Wrath.”

“Guess the business proposal the Mexicans offered wasn’t accepted. After the bikers left, the narcs found both Miguel and Ramiro in bad need of medical attention. They’re both still in hospital.”

“Did the Mexicans identify who did it?”

“No, they’re not that stupid.”

“Guess I should thank Damien.”

“He had a message for you, too. He said if you want to stay above ground, never to use his club like that again.”

“Yes, I figured he was irritated when he told Big Al to kill me.”

“I want you to go home for a couple of days. I’ll have the secretary type up your UC notes and forward them with the report. Ottawa won’t be happy you didn’t get permission, but I’ll do what I can to support you.”

“Thank you,” replied Jack, getting up.

“There is one more thing,” said Rose, “about your torture … the cattle prod … were you prodded where I suspect they would have prodded you?”

“Yes.”

“Explains why you passed out.”

“I’m glad I did.”

“Any long-term bad effects?”

Jack grinned and said, “The boys seemed to work fine last night. The only thing I wonder about is if I father another child, will it have really curly hair?”

chapter forty-nine

On Wednesday morning, Assistant Commissioner Isaac received a call from the commissioner in Ottawa, who skipped any pleasantries and immediately asked, “What are you doing about Taggart?”

“In what way?” asked Isaac.

“In what way? That is the question. I’d like him charged with a criminal offence.”

“A criminal offence? Are you questioning the validity of his report in regards to the seven bodies found at the house in Mexico?”

“No, not that, but I appreciate your thinking. I’ve already looked into it. Our liaison officer in Mexico City was contacted by a police commander in Juarez. One of his own detectives was one of the seven bodies they found. The commander wanted to thank us for the work we did in identifying the corrupt officer and also for finding the tunnel.”

“He wasn’t upset to find out a Canadian policeman had gone there without authorization?”

“Apparently not. The commander said he understood there were some tight time restraints and a life was at risk. Anyway, our L.O. asked him about the victim who was shot anally and the other victim who died of multiple injuries. The commander said it happens all the time where these guys get drunk and fight amongst themselves. Also the retribution on the other five men was predictable, considering the damage done to the cartel’s smuggling route.”

“So what criminal offence are you talking about in regard to Corporal Taggart?” asked the commissioner.

“Birds of a Feather. Taggart deliberately told the subject of a wiretap investigation there was a bug in the car. That is an offence. At lease it is in Canada. I’m sure it is in the U.S., as well.”

“Corporal Taggart was also targeted.”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if a criminal trips over a bug in his own house, it is a criminal offence for him to tell anyone else about it.”

“I don’t have any transcripts of the conversation that took place in regards to Birds of a Feather. Did Corporal Taggart actually tell Special Agent Adams there was an electronic eavesdropping device in the car?”

“Not in those words, but it was obvious he changed the conversation when Adams was about to tell him what he did.”

“That would hardly hold up in court.”

“That’s the problem. I said I would like him charged with a criminal offence, I didn’t say we could. You know Taggart … do you think we could get him to crack under interrogation or at least say something incriminatory?”

“I’m certain he wouldn’t. Look how it went with Birds of a Feather … and that was when he should have felt safe to talk openly.”

“This is really embarrassing. A national disgrace.”

“A national disgrace?”

“We sent Taggart down there for the purpose of helping the Americans catch their rogue agent. This was supposed to make us look good. Instead, this happens. They’re absolutely furious down there.”

“I thought the primary objective was to find the girl. Corporal Taggart did that,” Isaac said.

“That’s incidental. We didn’t even get any press on it. Right now the issue is Taggart. If we can’t charge him criminally, then at the very least, I sure as hell expect you to give him an official reprimand for his personnel file.”

“As you wish, but we still shouldn’t overlook that he did do an admirable job down there under extreme risk of his own personal safety.”

“Admirable job? What are you talking about? He went down there without authorization!”

“I don’t think Lily or her mother cares about that.”

“Who? Oh, them. That’s not the point. Besides, as far as rescuing the girl, Taggart simply got lucky.”

“Lucky?”

“It was a lucky coincidence for him that the Mexicans started fighting each other when he was rescuing the girl, or things might have turned out much differently. His overall stupidity and complete disregard for policy could have gotten them both killed.”

“There’s no doubt he placed himself at extreme risk.”

“You’re damn right he did. It was totally unacceptable. I have to go, but I want you to send me a copy of the official reprimand you put on his file.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Isaac hung up, he muttered, “Lucky coincidence?” and shook his head. His next telephone call was to Staff Sergeant Rose Wood, telling her he expected to see Corporal Taggart in his office first thing the following morning.

At eight-thirty Thursday morning, Jack entered Isaac’s secretary’s office and was told to go directly in.

Isaac sat behind his desk and with an angry nod, gestured to a chair across from his desk. After Jack sat down, Isaac said, “You went into Mexico without authorization … even after it was made totally clear in the operational plan that you were not to do so.”

“Yes, sir, I did.”

“Did you even try to call anyone to gain permission?”

“No, sir, I did not.”

“Your behaviour was cavalier, irresponsible, and reckless. You not only risked your life, but the potential lives of other policemen who may have tried to save you because of the stunt you pulled.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What I am telling you is documented in writing before me. Sign it as acknowledgement you have read it, after which it will be placed on your personnel file.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Jack, taking the document and reading what he had been told verbally. He signed the bottom of the page and handed it back.

“That is all,” said Isaac. “Get out!”

As Jack was leaving the secretary’s outer office, her phone rang and she answered, then said, “Corporal Taggart, please wait a moment.” She spoke into the phone briefly and when she hung up she said, “The assistant commissioner wants you to go back in.”

Jack sighed and went back into the office as the secretary closed the door behind him.

Isaac immediately approached him with his hand extended and said, “Jack! Good to see you! I wanted to tell you I think you did a fantastic job down in Mexico,” he said, smiling.

Jack accepted the handshake as he tried to figure out what was happening.

“I was so pleased to find out you were able to rescue Lily Rae.”

“It made me happy as well, sir.”

“At immense personal risk to yourself, I might add. As a member of the force, I have to say … what you did makes me feel proud.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Isaac handed Jack a document off his desk and said, “I have written a letter expressing my views for the purpose of placing it on your personnel file.”

Jack read the letter and saw it was filled with accolades.

“Thank you, sir. I don’t know what to say.”

The smile disappeared from Isaac’s face and he lowered his voice and said, “I would suggest you say nothing … ever. There is one more thing I want you to know … and it is to be kept strictly between us.”

“Sir?”

“It was not my idea to send you to El Paso. That decision was made in Ottawa.”

Jack felt stunned. Up until this moment he had thought it was only a coincidence he had been paired up with Adams. This was no coincidence … they were after me, too …

“You look surprised,” noted Isaac. “Did you think it was a coincidence you were assigned with Special Agent Adams?”

“Yes, sir, I did.”

“You, of all people, shouldn’t believe in coincidences. I know I don’t.”