Текст книги "Jack Taggart Mysteries 7 - Book Bundle"

Автор книги: Don Easton

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Текущая страница: 30 (всего у книги 141 страниц)

chapter eighteen

It was eleven o’clock Sunday night when Jack parked beside the cemetery and waited for Lance, who arrived twenty minutes late and got in Jack’s car.

“Sorry, I’m late,” said Lance. “Was with The Toad. Couldn’t get away.”

“Not a problem.”

“Where’s Danny?”

Jack turned on the interior light and told Lance what had happened. Jack could tell that Lance was uncomfortable, but it was because of the light and not because he knew anything about the Brit.

Jack turned the light off with a promise that if Lance could identify the Brit before he did, then his debt would be considered repaid.

Lance was quiet for a moment, then said, “I’m not so sure I like that deal.”

Jack was surprised. “You would prefer to go with our earlier agreement and work for Club Fed for another four and a half years?”

“I was just thinkin’. Anyone who did what that guy did ... I’d like to give him to you for free.” He pointed his finger at Jack and added, “And it’s four years and five months. I know my math.”

“Hey, I’ll be glad to get a free one from you.”

“You think I’m fuckin’ nuts? I’d like to give him to you for free, but I sure as hell won’t! I hate being a rat! The faster I pay you back the better I’ll feel.”

Jack reflected upon his past debt with Damien. I know exactly how you feel.

“I’ll keep my ears and eyes open,” continued Lance. “If I get a whiff of anyone matching that description, you’ll be the first to know. Kinda agree with you, though. I think that fuckin’ Leitch is working both sides. If Damien finds out he’s doin’ that, there’ll be one less lawyer in the city.” Lance chuckled and said, “Bet that doesn’t exactly worry you much.”

“It would if we didn’t find out who the Brit is first.”

Lance nodded and said, “Gotcha. But in the meantime, we got a shipload of coke comin’ in and I’ve been assigned to oversee the unloading. The Toad wants at least four vehicles to haul it away. Two hundred and fifty keys each. None of it will be going to the same place so there’s no way of rippin’ it all off. If you try to take it down at the dock, then I’ll get busted.”

“What about the cash?”

“The Toad is looking after that personally. He doesn’t want it and the dope in the same place at the same time. He’s going to hand it off to the Colombians at some motel. The Colombians will confirm they got the money and use a cellphone to tell someone on the ship to unload.”

“Why is The Toad so paranoid about bringing the money to the dock?”

“Doesn’t want to have all the eggs in one basket. He said the Colombians don’t want the money near the dock either.”

“What motel?”

“Hasn’t been picked yet. It’ll be my job to take The Toad and find a suitable motel. A few hours before the deal, he’ll take a few of his guys and the money and go to the motel. Nobody but him and me will know which motel until he gets there with his guys and calls the Colombians.”

“So where does Damien sit on this?”

“On his ass at home. This is all The Toad’s plannin’.”

“Who handles Leitch ... or the Brit if it does turn out to be someone working for Damien?”

Lance shrugged and said, “The way Damien feels, that end may fall by the wayside. I know this isn’t the news you want to hear, but once The Toad takes over, you may never find out.”

“Then The Toad can’t take over,” said Jack.

“Hey, man! If you bust The Toad at the motel then I’ll be burned to a crisp – probably literally.”

“I won’t burn you.”

“So what are ya gonna’ do? Nothin’?”

Jack looked at Lance and said, “I’ll play it by ear.” He thought to himself, I’m going to squash a toad!

On Monday morning, Jack was a little curious when his boss was twenty minutes late for work. Louie was usually half an hour early.

Jack’s curiosity was answered when Louie showed up on a pair of crutches with a cast on one leg. Before Jack could ask, Louie gruffly said, “Saturday. Ladder slipped cleaning my gutters. Broke in three places. Enough said. What’s new with you?”

“Not much since I called you Friday night.”

“Molen getting another report?”

“Yes. I-HIT is helping with surveillance too, but we’re not optimistic.”

“Your friend doesn’t know who the Brit is?”

Jack shook his head. “Met him last night. He does-n’t know.” Jack waited until Louie nodded in response, then asked, “Have you heard from Danny? How are they doing?”

“We talked briefly. He’s taking stress leave. I think they’re planning on going someplace for a while. He’s talking about quitting. I suggested he take time off and think about it. No need to rush into a decision right away.”

“Where are they staying?”

“He had the option of staying at a motel but elected to return home. He’s adamant about not returning to work. As he said, he’s complying with the note so he doesn’t think he’s a target now.”

“What about Jimmy?”

“Apparently seems okay. Lucky little bugger. What do you think about Danny quitting?”

Jack sighed and said, “Can’t say I blame him. I was wrong to be around him after CC got that note. I should have stayed away from everyone.”

“The note targeted everyone in the office. We have no choice but to continue working. Danny’s pretty upset. Not thinking too clear. Who would? He mumbled something about your cowboy hat turning black. What was that all about?”

Jack tipped his head back, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled. “Guess he has me pegged as one of the bad guys.”

Louie studied him closely for a few seconds and then said, “Like I said. He’s upset. I’m going to talk with Isaac. Hate to lose a good man. Maybe I can arrange to get him transferred into some admin position for a while.”

It was after lunch when Isaac reviewed the report submitted by the Anti-Corruption Unit noting that Jack had lied about not having met Damien since last year. Not a big issue in itself, but... The name of the ACU investigator caught his eye and he summoned Staff Sergeant Legg.

“This report you submitted this morning,” said Isaac, gesturing to the paper on his desk.

“Yes, sir. Just a short memo. Perhaps nothing, but after the report from CFSEU about Taggart and then him telling Elvis that he hadn’t met with Damien since last year ... I just thought I should keep you informed. It will be more ammunition to use after we hear back from the LO in Mexico.”

Isaac nodded and said, “It was Elvis he said this to?”

“Yes, sir. Connie Crane from I-HIT was present as well.”

“Isn’t Elvis married to Laura Secord from Drug Section?”

“Yes, sir.”

“She was the female operator who worked with Taggart on that homicide involving the war veteran.”

Legg shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I don’t know.”

“Well I do know.” Isaac leaned forward, clasping his hands on his desk. He then said, “For your information, O’Reilly is being transferred forthwith to an administrative position. It would not be ... unusual ... for him to be replaced. Intelligence is extremely busy right now. Under the circumstances, I would endorse an immediate transfer. It would appear that Taggart has a good working relationship with Laura Secord, don’t you agree?”

Elvis was not pleased with Molen’s response, or actually his lack of response, to the new report. He didn’t make any calls and didn’t leave during the lunch break. Surveillance teams monitoring Leitch and his secretary had nothing to report. It was almost four o’clock when Elvis was summoned into his boss’s office.

“Did you happen to mention to your wife that Taggart could be dirty?” asked Legg.

“No,” replied Elvis. “We try not to discuss work at home. I did ask her if she suspected any of the narcs of being dirty and she said no. Why do you ask?”

“O’Reilly is being transferred immediately to an administrative position. I heard through the grapevine that Laura may replace him.”

Elvis sat quietly.

“How do you feel about that, should it happen? What with Taggart being under investigation by our office?”

Elvis shrugged.

“Do you feel apprehensive about the prospect?”

“That would indicate that I doubt Laura’s integrity, which I don’t. So, no. I’m not apprehensive.”

“Would Laura confide in you if she discovered something that wasn’t kosher?”

“You mean if Jack is dirty, would she burn him?”

Legg nodded.

“Without a doubt ... but I’m sure she won’t take the job if you’re asking her to spy.”

Legg smiled, shaking his head. “For goodness’ sake, I’m not suggesting that! I just want to make sure that this doesn’t cause any undue stress on your marriage. Also to ensure that if Laura did discover something she would confide in you so as to alleviate any accusations of her covering something up down the road.”

“If it was anything serious that our section should know about, she would most certainly talk to me about it. She’s my wife. I would do the same if the situation were reversed.”

“Exactly. At which time you would follow through with your responsibilities and discuss it with me. Then we could ensure that she would be protected against any undesirable accusations concerning her own conduct.”

“That goes without saying. I know Laura. If Jack is dirty, she will be the first to nail him to the wall.”

“Good. That is all I expect. We have no proof that he is dirty. This Mexican thing could be a coincidence.”

“It’s been two weeks since we sent the photos,” noted Elvis. “We should know soon enough.”

Legg nodded, then said, “At this point, I would suggest you don’t say anything to Laura. Taggart is clearly astute when it comes to reading people. Obviously, he has to be; I’m sure his very survival has depended upon it. With that in mind, we couldn’t expect Laura to successfully hide that knowledge. Some inadvertent sideways glance or perhaps a hesitation in her voice might be all it would take to tip Taggart off.”

“I understand,” replied Elvis. “Not to mention, we don’t know if Taggart is dirty. False allegations and rumours harm innocent people.”

“Exactly. This conversation is just between the two of us. I’m telling you this as a friend, which is why you need to ensure that you discreetly report anything of consequence to me. It is imperative that Laura doesn’t become implicated in anything untoward. She has an excellent reputation for being professional. I’m certain, once this is over, she would understand completely should you decide to tell her then. That would be your decision, of course.”

“Of course.”

Legg waited until Elvis left his office before calling Isaac.

“Everything is in order, sir. I feel confident that Elvis will cooperate fully.”

Elvis rejoined the surveillance team just as Molen left the office. They followed him to a liquor store and watched as he bought a bottle of Canadian Club. Then he drove straight home.

At nine-thirty, Elvis received a call on his radio.

“Just got a good look at him through the binos from the back alley. He’s sitting by himself at the kitchen table. Looks like the whiskey is three-quarters gone.”

“Copy,” replied Elvis. “Let’s shut it down. Nothing is going to happen tonight.”

“Going to haul his...” The officer paused, conscious of radio procedure, then continued, “... haul his butt in tomorrow?”

“Ten-four. Be a good time to try. He’ll be tired and hungover.”

chapter nineteen

It was eight o’clock the following morning when Elvis consulted with Jack about his belief that Molen knew the game was up.

“So you want to grab him?” asked Jack. “If he doesn’t roll, it could still heat up my source and we wouldn’t be any further ahead.”

“That’s why I’m talking to you. I won’t do it without your okay.”

“You said he has a problem with the booze?”

Elvis nodded and said, “Sat by himself last night and drank most of a bottle of whiskey. I’d say he was an alcoholic. Divorced years ago and his boss said he doesn’t appear to have any friends.”

“How nervous do you think he is?”

“Very. I don’t think he could handle the pressure of an interrogation. We’ve already got him dead to rights on the first delivery.”

“Then do it. It’s worth the risk if by some chance he knows something about the Brit.”

“Your person can take the heat?”

“With the way Molen is, Satans Wrath wouldn’t expect him to last long. They may think he was drunk and blabbed something.”

“Good enough,” replied Elvis. “I’ll grab him as soon as he comes in.”

Elvis was just walking away when Jack said, “Elvis, if he resists, put one through his skull for me!”

Elvis thought about Jack’s comment as he waited in his office for word of Molen’s arrival. Jack’s response was like most cops’ when it came to one of their own being dirty. He seems genuine, but then again, he is an operator...

Two hours later, Elvis found out why Dick Molen had not arrived at work. A postal worker had become suspicious at the sound of a car running inside a garage with the door closed.

Jack went down to the cafeteria to have a morning coffee and sat with a few acquaintances who had been in the lineup ahead of him. A few glanced around nervously. Soon they all made feeble excuses and departed, leaving Jack sitting alone.

Gee, guys. My wife is out of town. How about inviting me home for Yorkshire pudding? Jack left his coffee unfinished. Can I blame them? The Brit is laughing at all of us.

Jack returned to his desk just as Elvis arrived.

Elvis told him about Molen and then commented, “Carbon monoxide. I’m surprised he didn’t eat his gun.”

“Maybe was too hungover and afraid the noise would kill him,” replied Jack. “Did he leave a note?”

Elvis shook his head.

“You sure it was suicide?”

“Doors were all locked from the inside. No sign of forced entry anywhere. His right hand has bloodied knuckles and splinters of glass. It matches a smashed picture on his wall.”

“Picture of what?”

“Himself. When he graduated from Regina.”

Jack thought for a moment, then said, “Other than saying he hated himself, it would have been nice if he told us what he had passed on.”

“You’ll have to presume it was everything he ever knew,” said Elvis.

“I wonder if Satans Wrath will show up at his funeral to pay their respects.”

Elvis rolled his eyes in response and then said, “It’s too bad, though. Waste of a —”

“Yes!” interrupted Jack. “Too bad we don’t know who the Brit is ... and too bad the dirty narc wasn’t sitting beside Molen.”

Jack met with Lance and told him about the self-destruction of The Mole.

“Thanks for the heads up,” said Lance. “Normally I would be a little concerned, but right now, with Damien getting the boot, I think it will hardly be noticed. Especially with the action that The Toad has on the go.”

“I need to find out who the Brit is,” said Jack. “When Damien finds out that The Mole is dead, ask him if there could be a leak.”

“Me ask him if there is a leak?”

“Question him about who else has contact with Leitch. Ask him if he ever used a go-between.”

“Fuck! I am the leak! I don’t want him to even start thinking about that.”

“Do it. If he’s going to suspect anything, he will regardless of what you say. It’s better if you’re on the inside pointing a finger rather than being quiet and being pointed at.”

Lance took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, then said, “Okay. I’m meeting him tomorrow night, along with The Toad. I think I’ll be told exactly when the ship arrives. If Damien knows about The Mole by then, I’ll do it.”

“Good. I’ll see if I can get it in the news. Meet me here at five-thirty Thursday morning to let me know what is happening.”

“How about four-thirty? If the ship is arriving in the next couple of days I’m liable to be busy.”

“Make it five. The cemetery has a security guard check it three times a night. He does his last drive-through around four-thirty.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’ve seen him. Know his schedule pretty well.”

Lance studied Jack’s face for a moment, then asked, “Is this where your niece and nephew are buried? You come out here at night?”

Jack hesitated and glanced at another part of the cemetery, then replied, “My work is often nocturnal. Other nights I just have trouble sleeping.”

Jack returned to his office. One didn’t have to be overly observant to notice that various colleagues avoided eye contact with him as he made his way to his desk. A couple of standard greetings that Jack gave were answered either with a grunt or a turn of the head and pretense of a cough. It’s like I’m walking around with a chicken under each arm and a sign that says I’ve got the avian flu...

That night Jack called Natasha from his apartment. He was tired and intended to speak for only a few minutes, but it was over an hour before he hung up. He realized how much he missed her. His bed seemed very empty that night.

The following day was no different at his office, except this time he packed a sandwich and ate lunch at his desk. It was better than sitting alone in the cafeteria.

He was more than a little surprised to see Laura enter the room with a smug look on her face and sit in Danny’s chair.

“What gives?” Jack asked. He then said, “You might want to close the door. Being seen with me isn’t too popular these days.”

Laura glanced at the open door and her smile vanished. “Elvis told me. I know about Danny. I want to get whoever is responsible.”

“Me too. Real bad.”

“How could someone do that to a baby?” she said, her voice wavering.

Jack saw some tears well up in her eyes, but then she regained her composure and said, “Staffing called me in this morning. Said they were looking for someone to replace Danny and asked if I was interested.”

Jack waited, but when Laura didn’t continue, he asked, “What did you tell them?”

“I said, ‘Not a chance! Do you think I’m a lunatic!’”

Jack looked at her for a moment, then said, “Oh.”

Laura looked surprised and said, “Oh, man ... you really think I said that? Jack ... I was joking! I’m sorry. Are you okay? This has really gotten to you, hasn’t it?”

Jack paused, then said, “Yes. It has.”

“Guess I can understand that.”

“So did you accept?”

“I stalled them for an hour. I wanted to speak to you first. If I can help nail this crud, I’ll feel like my life as a cop is complete. I figure working with you is the best option.”

“Working with me maybe isn’t ... look what happened to Danny. Are you —”

“Hey! I’m hoping he will come after me. I’ll be bait if you want me to.” When Jack didn’t respond right away, she added, “Besides, you look like you could use a friend. Come on. I’ll make a good partner. Just tell me what you want.”

“I don’t know what I want right now.”

“Yeah? Well stand up, I know the first thing you need,” she said, while coming around from behind the desk.

Jack slowly stood up and Laura said, “If there was anyone I’ve ever seen who needs a hug, it’s you.” She hugged Jack and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Jack closed his eyes for a moment. Her embrace felt good. It made him feel less alone.

Laura stepped back and said, “Well? Do you want me as a partner or not?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I can start next Tuesday after the May long weekend. Gotta run. Have to let Elvis know I spoke with you and that you agreed ... after I performed a sexual favour.”

Jack smiled, then replied, “I don’t need any heat from Elvis. I can get into trouble easy enough without that.”

Laura was almost out the doorway when Jack said, “Laura!” He waited until she turned around and then said, “Thank you.”

She smiled and replied, “We’ll get him, Jack.”

Jack thought about her after she left. She offered to be a friend ... but would she ever be a good friend? Danny’s a good friend ... or was.

Moments later, Louie hobbled in on his crutches and asked, “Wasn’t that Laura Secord who just left? What did she want?”

“Staffing offered her Danny’s position. She asked what I thought.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m pleased. She starts six days from now.”

Louie frowned and said, “How do you know she’s not the dirty narc?”

“The day we took down those labs she was on a plane coming back from Bangkok. It’s not her.”

“I see.” Louie paused for a moment and then said, “You know her hubby works for Internal.”

“I know. Anti-Corruption.”

“Doesn’t concern you?”

“She’s okay.”

“I retire in two months. You know that.”

“I know, in July. Looking at those crutches, maybe you should retire now, but what’s that got to do with Laura?”

“It means I won’t be around to cover your ass!”

Jack smiled and said, “I appreciate that.”

Louie gave him a hard look, then said, “Hope you’ve learned a few things over the last couple of years.”

“Louie, you’ve been the best teacher I could have had. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m sorry to see you go.”

“Don’t get fuckin’ mushy on me. Your assessment isn’t due until after I leave. Won’t do you any good to suck up to me. Just hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I trust my instincts,” replied Jack. He thought about his comment as Louie left. Funny ... “I trust my instincts” ... that was what Spider said just before Laura slammed his face into a table and arrested him.