Текст книги "Jack Taggart Mysteries 7 - Book Bundle"

Автор книги: Don Easton

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 128 (всего у книги 141 страниц)

Chapter Sixteen

Jack and Rose arrived at Assistant Commissioner Isaac’s receptionist’s office at precisely nine o’clock Monday morning and were directed into his office.

Dyck was already seated in a sitting area around a coffee table with Isaac. Jack caught a slight grin on Rose’s face when she heard Isaac telling the inspector that his security clearance really was lower than everyone on the Intelligence Unit.

Dyck remained silent as Isaac gave a cordial greeting and gestured for everyone to sit down.

“As I understand it,” said Isaac, “Corporal Taggart has an informant who knows the identity of a serial rapist … or is in fact that rapist, is that true?”

“Yes, sir,” replied Jack.

“And you refuse to identify the informant because of information you were given concerning five murders,” continued Isaac.

“Of which I am told only one death has ever been discovered,” said Dyck. “Not only was it classified as accidental, it relates to some guy who fell off a ladder putting up Christmas lights eight years ago in Los Angeles.” Dyck glared at Rose and said emphatically, “What can be proven is that the serial rapist we are after, is currently very active in our country!”

“I have received more information over the weekend,” said Jack, opening up his briefcase. “On Friday I received information from the informant that an American from Seattle was about to be murdered in Russia. I made inquir-ies and a Russian detective located the man in a hotel in Moscow.”

“You made and received inquiries to and from Russia that fast?” said Isaac.

“Uh, yes, sir. I didn’t feel there was time to go through Ottawa.”

“How did you manage to pull that off … or is it a need-to-know basis?” Isaac asked, with a sideways glance at Dyck.

“How I did it is not a secret. I simply have a friend who is a Communist Intelligence officer.”

“I see,” replied Isaac. He looked at Dyck and said, “And he thinks contacting Russia or having a friend who is a Communist Intelligence officer is not a secret … makes you wonder what he really does or knows that rates S-A clearance, doesn’t it?”

Dyck looked sheepish and nodded.

“Please continue,” said Isaac, returning his attention back to Jack.

“The Russian detective tried to call me early Friday afternoon, but I was delayed in a meeting for two hours, so he left a message on my office phone and held off doing anything until I returned from the meeting. When I got his message, I called him immediately and suggested he take protective security measures.”

Silence descended as Jack removed some photos from his briefcase. “The man’s name is Lorne Welsh. The first picture is of his wife and him.” Jack paused after he dropped the picture onto the coffee table to let them glance at it. “This second picture is of their two children.”

“Nice-looking kids,” commented Isaac, while raising one eyebrow as he glanced at Jack.

You’re damn rights something is up … “The last picture is of Welsh again,” continued Jack, “although his face is tough to recognize after he went over the side of the eighth-floor balcony of his hotel room.”

Isaac and Dyck were seasoned policemen, but the sight of Welsh’s shattered, bloody corpse next to the pictures of his wife and children left them both visibly shaken.

Jack sat back in his chair with his arms folded across his chest and stared at Dyck. Now you know how I felt when you shoved Amanda’s picture in my face …

“Unfortunately, the Russian detective missed Welsh’s demise by approximately ten minutes,” said Rose.

“If I had not been delayed at a meeting, I think he would still be alive,” added Jack. He knew it was an obvious comment, but still took satisfaction in rubbing it in.

Dyck picked up the pictures of the children and his hands shook as he glanced back at the picture of Welsh on the sidewalk.

“If the informant is accurate,” continued Jack, “Welsh takes the murder tally to six. The informant says two more victims are being selected to be murdered in the next couple of months. Both Canadian.”

“The meeting you were at,” muttered Isaac, “I hope it was important.”

Jack saw that the inspector was still staring at the photos. His hand was trembling and his face was pale. He did not appear to be listening to the conversation. Jack felt a wave of emotion. I’m an asshole. This guy really cares.

“Corporal Taggart?” prodded Isaac.

“The meeting was with Major Crimes,” said Jack. “I was seeking assistance in regard to how to investigate the murders, as well as what could be done to stop the rapist, without putting justice into disrepute by breaking my promise to the informant.”

“No,” said Dyck, shaking his head. “That is not right. Sir, I had called that meeting in an effort to find out who the serial rapist was. This,” he said, with a nod toward the photographs, “is entirely my fault.”

Isaac stared silently back and forth at Dyck and Jack for a moment, then cleared his throat. “The context of the meeting or who called it is irrelevant. What is done is done. What we need to do is focus on what I see as being two separate investigations. One of murder and one of rape. In regard to the murders, is there an operational plan in place?”

“Not on paper yet, sir, but I am formulating a plan on how to proceed,” replied Jack. “The only Canadian murdered, so far, is from Vancouver, but I do not yet have any evidence that any of the murders were committed on Canadian soil.”

“Then get your plan on paper,” replied Isaac. “Presumably it will include working with foreign authorities.”

Jack nodded.

Isaac stared at the photos a moment longer, before looking back at Jack and saying, “I take it you also have a plan in regard to the serial rapist?”

Jack nodded again.

“Sir,” interjected Dyck. “That investigation is under the control of Major Crimes.”

“Of course it is,” replied Isaac, while staring at Jack. “Let me say, however, that under the circumstances, I concur with the decision not to disclose the name of the informant.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied Jack.

“My opinion has also changed, sir,” said Dyck quietly, while continuing to stare at the photos. “I agree completely,” he mumbled.

“Good,” replied Isaac. He looked at the inspector and cleared his throat to get his attention. “I realize that you are in charge of the investigation concerning the serial rapist. That being said, I am sure you are not opposed if Corporal Taggart should decide, whether now, or in the future, that he may be able to assist you. Should that happen, I would expect that he be given full access to the file if need be.”

“I would be glad to accommodate any action that would bring positive results,” said Dyck.

“The lead investigator in MCU is Constable Sue McCormick,” said Jack. “I expect to liase with her when the time is right.”

“Actually, Corporal Taggart has already given us some information to indicate the rapist may select

his victims by watching playgrounds,” conceded Dyck. “The problem is coming up with the manpower required for the number of playgrounds to watch. It would be better if we knew who the suspect was and do surveillance on him.”

“Unfortunately, we can’t always get what we want,” said Isaac.

“It might assist if I were to see the criminal profiler reports on the rapist,” suggested Jack.

Dyck glanced at Jack. “Corporal Crane and Constable McCormick are waiting in the cafeteria. McCormick brought the profile reports with her.”

“They’re not with you?” asked Isaac, gesturing to the briefcase that Dyck had set beside his chair.

“Uh, no. I have some photographs, but Constable McCormick has the bulk of the file with her in a box.”

“You were planning on using the photos as leverage to get the rapist’s name if things didn’t go your way?” asked Isaac.

Dyck’s ears turned crimson. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry. I realize that wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“Sounds like you a Corporal Taggart think alike,” said Isaac, gesturing to the photos of the Welsh family.

Jack swallowed and felt his own ears turning warm.

“I suspect Corporal Taggart showed these pictures out of retaliation because I had already done the same to him earlier,” admitted Dyck. “It’s my fault that we seem to have gotten off to a bad start.”

“Clearing the air is a good start,” said Isaac. “Perhaps now, we can have a fresh beginning.”

Dyck and Jack looked at each other and nodded.

Isaac turned his attention to Rose. “As far as the murder investigation goes and considering the informant’s involvement, how do you propose working with Major Crimes on the issue? Ultimately, homicide is their mandate.”

Rose looked to Jack for guidance.

“I have no issues with us investigating that as a joint project,” said Jack. “With the information we have, I don’t know if we could get a wiretap yet, but it would be nice to try. I would suggest that MCU handle that end as it would keep us more in the background and alleviate exposure in court.”

“Any concern about your informant being identified on the wire?” asked Isaac.

Jack shook his head and said, “I don’t anticipate that the informant would be identified any more than countless other people that Oskar Cruickshank would contact.”

“I’m happy with that suggestion,” said Dyck. “I’ll get my office started on the paperwork immediately.”

After murmurs of agreement, Isaac said, “I take it you can all get back to work now. Good luck, everyone.” As they were about to get up, he added, “Corporal Taggart, I would like you to stay a moment longer, the rest of you may go.”

Isaac waited until the office cleared before addressing Jack. “A moment ago, I asked you if you had a plan in regard to the serial rapist. You nodded but never articulated what it was.”

“I have been giving it considerable thought, sir.”

“Anything you would like to share with me?”

“I am still working on it. I don’t have all my ducks in a row yet.”

“I found this to be an extremely upsetting matter to consider. I am still questioning whether or not I made the right decision.”

“So am I, sir. The thing is, we need time to investigate the murders, which may also require assistance from the informant.”

“I take it your informant is the rapist?”

“Yes, sir, he is,” admitted Jack.

“Time is something we may not have. It would sicken me if this man were to attack another victim.”

“It would sicken me, too, sir. But I am confident I have him under control at the moment. It’s more of a time issue, to catch the murderers before he ultimately puts himself in a position to be arrested. If he is caught prior to our conclusion of the murder investigation, my fear is that he may tip the murderers off that we are on to them.”

“How confident are you that you have him under control?”

Jack sighed. “I understand the political fallout that could arise.”

“Do you? The press would have a field day if they found out that we actually gave a serial rapist immunity and allowed him to strike again.”

“I know, sir. Let’s say that I am confident enough to say that if he does attack again, my resignation will be on your desk.”

Isaac stared at Jack a moment and said, “I know you are not the type to break your promises, so let me tell you that if he gets away with raping another woman, your resignation would be welcomed.”

Jack nodded that he understood.

“Your confidence also leads me to question your methods.”

“My methods?”

“Let’s say that I trust your plan will eventually culminate in his arrest and that he will be tried in a court of law.”

“Yes, sir, my plan is to have him arrested by Major Crimes.”

After Jack left, Isaac pressed his fingers to his lips and thought about it. I actually believe him. Am I getting senile in my old age?

Chapter Seventeen

Jack returned to his office, but saw that Laura was on the phone so he went to Rose’s office. Dyck, Connie Crane, and Sue McCormick were also there. Rose looked at Jack and raised her eyebrows.

“Isaac wanted to impress upon me the importance of having the rapist arrested and tried in a court of law,” Jack responded.

Rose’s voice sounded brittle when she replied. “I would certainly agree with that.”

“We all would,” said Dyck. “It is hardly something we need reminding of,” he added, puzzled that Isaac would even make such a comment.

Connie stared blandly at the inspector. He did not know Jack’s background or how many criminals who had died coincidental to his investigation before they could be arrested. Yeah … coincidental my ass …

Dyck shrugged it off, looked at Jack and asked, “Why did you try to protect me in there? Making it sound like it was your idea to have the meeting last Friday when you missed the call?”

“Thought maybe I could hold it over your head and blackmail you into becoming my informant,” replied Jack.

“What?”

Connie snickered, but Rose frowned at Jack before turning to the inspector. “Sir, he did it because he knows you care. He knows you want to see the bad guys go to jail. We all do.”

“I see that now,” replied Dyck. “I have to admit, this has been something of a learning experience for me.” He cleared his throat. “So, where do we go from here in regard to the murder investigation? I agree that getting a wiretap is crucial, but we likely need more than that.”

“Watching them kill their next victims isn’t exactly an option,” said Connie.

Dyck looked at Jack. “Corporal Taggart, do you have any thoughts on the matter? Sorry, do you mind if I call you Jack?”

“That’s nicer than what I have been referring to you as,” replied Jack.

“The big dick?” asked Dyck with a smile.

McCormick’s gasp was audible.

Jack gave a lopsided grin and said, “I had the feeling it wasn’t original.”

“I think my dad was the first one to call me that when I was still a teenager,” said Dyck. “It embarrassed the hell out of me at the time, but now I’m used to it. Before I was commissioned, the people I worked with called me that.”

“Sounds like a term of endearment,” mused Rose.

“It sort of was. But that was then and this is now,” warned Dyck. “Having reached the —” he paused, holding his fingers above his head like quotation marks “– all-mighty rank of an inspector, I have to lose that title.”

Jack smiled and said, “Consider it lost.” He knew he had been wrong about his first impression of the inspector.

“I have some news,” said Laura, as she arrived, rolling an extra chair into the office. “Commercial Crime got back to me. They identified a million-dollar corporate insurance payoff to Oskar Cruickshank for an employee from Vancouver who died in a scuba-diving accident in the Bahamas. His name was David Lee. It happened four years ago.”

“Jennings, Lee, and Welsh,” said Jack. “Does anyone still think the informant is lying?”

“I would say not,” admitted Dyck.

“So that’s three out of six,” noted Rose. “Who are the others?”

“Perhaps the other three were in the States,” concluded Laura.

“Might find out who they are later,” said Jack. “I’ve got calls in to the U.S. on that.”

“Or could be that whoever Oskar answers to in this venture has his own company,” suggested Rose.

“Mr. Merlin or Marlin,” said Jack. “We definitely need to identify him.”

“So what is the game plan?” asked Dyck.

Jack turned to Connie. “You are a lot more experienced at getting wiretaps in regard to homicide cases than I am. I don’t know if you have been filled in yet as to what transpired in Russia?”

“I bumped into Connie and Sue this morning while you were at the meeting,” said Laura. “They are both up-to-date.”

Connie sighed and said, “To be frank, I sincerely doubt that we could get the application for wiretap past a Crown prosecutor at this point. They won’t chance the embarrassment of bringing it to a judge if they think it won’t be signed.”

“We’ve identified three victims,” said McCormick.

“Yes, but the victims we know about have been investigated by the police departments concerned and their deaths were ruled accidental.” Connie looked at Jack. “Your informant, and correct me if I’m wrong, has not been involved in previous cases to prove a history of credibility. Is that right?”

“That is right,” said Jack. “This is his first time.”

“And is his willingness to help because of immunity from prosecution?” asked Connie.

“It is,” admitted Jack.

“Which a judge would say gives him a motive to lie about something,” replied Connie.

Jack’s tone indicated his frustration. “I thought of that, which is why I demanded credibility. He gave it. The informant is in fact the serial rapist and did admit it to prove credibility.”

“Thought so,” mumbled McCormick.

“Which opens up a real Pandora’s box for a judge to look at,” said Connie. “Rather than aiding his credibility, a judge may think the opposite.”

“Why does that not surprise me,” said Jack, bitterly.

“I can run it past a prosecutor,” said Connie. “But my experience tells me that you would definitely need more than a guy falling off a ladder, a scuba accident, and someone committing suicide in Russia to convince a judge that Oskar should have his privacy rights violated.”

“What if I come up with three more names?” asked Jack. “Perhaps in the U.S.?”

Connie slowly shook her head and said, “If we are going back eight years, that is a long time. How many other accidental deaths … real ones, I mean, would have been paid out by insurance companies in that time? I still doubt it would change anything.”

Jack leaned forward in his chair and stared at Connie. “The informant called me yesterday to tell me about the guy going off the balcony in Russia. I already knew, but the informant didn’t know that.”

“So?” asked Connie.

“So it means that Oskar knew about the guy going off the balcony shortly after it happened. It would have been nice to have a wiretap and hear who told him.”

“He’s the president of the company, it would be expected that he would be told.”

“That, yes, but —”

Connie raised her hand, gesturing for Jack to stop. “I agree with you that someone connected to the dirty deed may have contacted him. But tell me, if it was over a telephone or email, would that person have said enough to incriminate them?”

“Probably not,” said Jack, “but I was still hoping to get approval so we could get a bug for a car or in a room. Maybe even on Oskar’s boat. A wire might also identify who is pulling Oskar’s strings.”

“The informant indicates that Oskar and company will be hiring and killing two more victims in the next few months and then retire,” said Laura. “What are we supposed to do? Wait until they’re murdered? At that time we won’t need a wiretap, because they will be retired. Talk about building a pension plan.”

“Don’t shoot the messenger,” said Connie. “I’m only telling you what will happen if you try to apply for a wiretap at the moment. If a judge does refuse to sign it, you may have an even harder time getting it signed later.”

“The informant said Oskar plans to hire his next victim from Victoria at the end of the month,” said Jack. “How would it be if I am the one he hires?”

“Use yourself as bait?” said Dyck, looking at Rose as if he expected she would immediately reject any such suggestion.

“Exactly,” replied Jack. He glanced at the inspector and said, reassuringly, “It’s okay. I am a trained UC operator.”

“What chance do you think you would have of being selected?” asked Rose.

“The informant will be able to fill me in as to what kind of person Oskar is looking for. As far as corporate-type stuff, Commercial Crime should be able to help. Perhaps even use their contacts to build me a decent resumé.”

“You in a suit and tie with the white-collar crowd,” said Connie, shaking her head, chuckling. “That would be quite the transformation.”

“I can do it,” Jack said confidently. “I’ve worked the white-collar types before. Actually they’re not as astute as the junkies and hookers when it comes to reading people. I’ve got almost two weeks. Gives me time to take a crash course in how to talk the latest white-collar gossip. I’ll be able to blend in with the corporate types, so don’t worry about that.”

“Sounds like My Fair Lady,” replied Rose.

“Besides,” added Jack, “I doubt Oskar would ask difficult questions if the resumé is good. It isn’t like he plans on keeping me. As a new guy, I should be able to muddle through any assignments enough to get by until they decide to kill me. Again, I’ll use Commercial Crime to help out if need be.”

“But you’re setting yourself up to be murdered!” said Dyck.

“Yeah, can you try and make sure it happens in someone else’s jurisdiction?” asked Connie. “We’re kind of overworked as it is.”

Jack ignored Connie’s humour and looked at Dyck, asking, “Do you have a better idea?”

Dyck looked for at the others for an answer. Their bland faces said they didn’t have one. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “No,” he replied, “but what you are proposing sounds extremely risky.”

“It’s more risky if Oskar hires someone else,” said Jack.

Dyck nodded silently in agreement.

“Good, let’s do it,” said Jack.

“Do you know Victoria well enough to make it look like you live there?” asked Dyck.

“My wife and I have friends who live in Westshore, which is like a bedroom community for Victoria. Over the years we have gone there quite a bit. I know the local layout pretty well, including a few golf courses, restaurants, pubs, shopping … enough to get by.”

“What if you run into your friends?” asked Dyck.

“Bill and Marlene Earl,” smiled Jack. “Not a problem. He works for a specialized branch of the navy and has one of the highest security ratings there is. S-A for sure,” he added, with a glance at Rose who pursed her lips to keep from smiling. “They can be trusted,” added Jack, confidently.

Dyck frowned. “One of these days I would really like to get that special access security clearance to find out what else you two aren’t telling me.”

“Maybe someday they’ll make my position an inspector rank,” suggested Rose.

Dyck grinned. “Would you be allowed to tell me if they did?”

Rose smiled in response.

Dyck turned his attention back to Jack. “What if you’re not hired? What then?”

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” said Jack. “But if I am, better me than some poor chump who doesn’t know what’s going on. The fact that I do know gives me an edge.”

“Let’s say you’re hired,” said Connie. “If someone gets into a fistfight with you, it’s hardly proof of intent to murder. If they come at you with a weapon, it may be too late to save you.”

“I definitely want a good cover team nearby at all times,” said Jack. “The informant says they hire others to do the hits and make them look accidental.”

“One of those guys is obviously Ben Pike,” said Rose. “It would certainly be nice to identify the others.”

“I agree with you there. From what we know so far, weapons haven’t been used. If someone tries to throw me off a balcony, my idea is that we grab him, convince him to co-operate and get him to wear a wire against who hired him.”

“Hard for a cover team to protect you if you’re scuba-diving,” said Dyck.

“No worries. I’ll make it clear that I’m a non-swimmer, afraid of water, and most other things, such as mountain-climbing. I’ll come across as weak and easy to kill.”

“Your history indicates that you are anything but easy to kill,” mused Connie. “Someone could be in for a big surprise.”

“If I have a good cover team along with surveillance of the bad guys, we might get an indication about how they plan on doing it. For instance, if the bad guys meet with someone who later tries to do a hit-and-run on me, perhaps then that would be enough to apply for a wiretap.”

“That would probably work,” agreed Connie.

“Just make sure you don’t end up with a bad case of road rash, or worse,” said Laura, solemnly.

“Can’t say as I would appreciate trying to scrub tire tracks off my head, either, but I don’t see any other alternative at the moment. The priority is to identify who calls the shots and get evidence against him and Oskar both, as well as the hitmen. To do that, we’ll need wire.”

“I’ll prepare the wiretap application with everything we know,” said Connie. “If things go well, it won’t take long to add the critical information and get the order.”

“The critical information being an attempt on my life,” said Jack.

Connie nodded.

“The three murders we know about have all taken place outside of Canada,” said Rose. “If we do go ahead with the UC, it would likely involve the need for co-operation from foreign police agencies.”

“I’m okay with that,” said Jack, “providing my cover team is comprised of people I know. Ones who have been properly trained for the task.”

“I have to say, it sounds really dangerous to me,” said Dyck. “You could get yourself killed.”

“If I do get killed, I hope that a judge would authorize a wiretap then,” said Jack, sombrely.