Текст книги "Jack Taggart Mysteries 7 - Book Bundle"

Автор книги: Don Easton

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 141 страниц)

chapter eight

An hour and a half after Danny’s bed collapsed, Jack met Lucy when she arrived in the parking lot of the crime laboratory.

“Another sample?”

Jack handed her the baggie of powder that he had bought from Red.

Lucy looked closely at the powder. “Looks like meth. Good amount this time. We’re pretty busy at the moment. Probably take me a week or ten days to compare.”

Jack’s shoulders slumped. His voice was monotone. “I got it in a bar that backs out onto the same alley as the one that you cross-matched from the beat cop. Tough bar. If this matches, I could be on to something.”

“Buy this yourself?”

“Don’t ask. Appreciate it if you keep this between the two of us.”

“If it does match … what about Homicide?”

“If it matches, I’ll let them know in due time.”

“Fine by me. It’s your neck. I’m just the analyst. I don’t know who is running what.”

“Thanks, Luce.”

“You don’t look so good. You better get some sleep.”

“I’m heading home now.”

Lucy waved to a colleague as her husband dropped her off while two little kids waved goodbye from the back seat. Lucy thought they looked sweet. She saw Jack blink a couple of times, then wipe his eyes with the back of his hand as he turned and walked toward his car.

“Jack!” She waited until he turned around. “Make it three days. I’ll have the results then.”

Jack picked up Danny and they arrived at the office late in the afternoon. They checked hundreds of pictures of members of Satans Wrath and known associates. Baldy was not one of them. Moments later, Louie summoned Danny into his office.

“What the hell happened to your hand?”

“I fell. It’s just a couple of stitches.”

“Yeah? Well, your eyes look like two eagles’ assholes in a power dive! What were you up to last night?”

“I’m not feeling well. Maybe a touch of the flu.”

“You smell more like Jose Cuervo beat the crap out of you.”

Danny heard Jack chuckle and realized that he had come in behind him.

“So? What happened last night?” Louie demanded.

“There’s a bar that backs into the alley where the gram was recovered from. The Black Water Hotel. Saw a redheaded woman inside with a Harley Davidson tattoo. She looked like she was dealing. Going to see if we can properly identify her.” Jack then looked at Danny and added, “At least we’ll take another stab at it.”

Louie thought Danny’s face looked even more ashen.

The next shift was uneventful. Jack watched from the parking garage while Danny slowly sipped on a beer inside the Black Water. Jack wanted to give the impression that he was busy selling drugs elsewhere. Spider and Red were in the bar, but there was no sign of Baldy.

Danny made his beer last a long time. The smell of it didn’t help his hangover. He looked at the white band of skin around his finger. Susan didn’t mind that he left his ring at home.

She was also a little happier when a sober Danny arrived home before midnight and told her that he had the next day off. Jack had some personal business to take care of, and his next shift wouldn’t start until the day after.

Ben quietly walked up to Elizabeth in the kitchen. Neither one mentioned it was Maggie’s birthday. There was no need. They also never discussed what to do with the wrapped birthday present hidden under their bed. The easel was too big to hide anywhere else. Ben placed his hands on her shoulders and looked intently at her face.

Elizabeth spoke first. “Jack phoned a few minutes ago. He was going to come out but called to check in case we wanted to be alone. I told him not to be silly.”

Ben grimaced. “He shouldn’t worry. I’m glad he’s coming. It’s good to have someone to take your mind off it.”

“But if we want to talk about Maggie and Ben Junior, he doesn’t clam up or change the subject, either.”

Ben swallowed as he stared down at his wife.

“You know,” she continued, “I feel sorry for him. He feels guilty that they haven’t made an arrest. He needs someone to talk to as well. I invited him for dinner…” Elizabeth’s words trailed off when she looked into Ben’s eyes. He wasn’t really listening.

Ben opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it and started again. “That’s good. What time did you tell him to come?”

“This afternoon sometime. Dinner will be around six.”

Ben continued to stare at her.

“What is it, Ben? What are you thinking? Is it just … because it’s today?”

Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ve been wonderin’. Maybe we should sell and move away. This place has got so many … memories.” His eyes were watery and his voice cracked as he spoke. Words didn’t come easy.

Elizabeth shook her head as tears flooded her eyes. “Memories are all we have. I don’t want to lose those, too.”

Ben squeezed her shoulders with his big hands. He looked relieved. “I feel that way, too. Today, I see a lot of … memories. I wonder if we shouldn’t do something.”

“Like what?”

Ben opened his mouth, but then closed it again and shook his head.

“Tell me, Ben! What are you thinking? I know you’ve been raised that men aren’t supposed to show emotion. But you can’t keep everything bottled up inside you. It’s not good! Your body is like a dam. It breaks if you don’t let go sometimes.”

Ben paused, then said, “I was wonderin’ if we shouldn’t do somethin’ as a tribute.”

Elizabeth nodded encouragement.

“I picked … I picked a pail full of blackberries.”

Elizabeth was momentarily stunned and her eyes brimmed with tears. “Oh, Ben! I’m sorry. I can’t. I’ll put them in the freezer. But not now. I just can’t. I’ll make another pie, but not that one, not yet.”

“I’m sorry. It was a dumb idea.”

“No, it’s not dumb. It’s just me,” she sobbed.

Ben pulled her close to his chest. She continued to sob as she choked out what she wanted to say. “It’s strange, there are times when I look at the pictures Maggie drew, or hold the teddy bear that Ben Junior used to drag around with him all the time. Sometimes I feel the need to cry. I think it helps. But I can’t make a blackberry pie, not yet. It was Maggie’s favourite.”

“I know it was,” whispered Ben. “I know,” he repeated, patting her on the back.

Then she looked Ben straight in the eye and added, “But we sure as hell aren’t going to move, either.”

They hugged each other tight, and then they both cried.

Jack climbed into the loft and saw Ben sitting on a bale, staring at a rope hanging from the rafters. Jack self-consciously cleared his throat before sitting on another bale.

“Glad you could make it,” said Ben. “You’re early.”

“Thought you could use an extra hand with the hay.”

“Rained last night. I’m givin’ it another day to dry.” Ben was silent for a moment, then said, “Nothing new?”

“Might be connected to drug dealers out of Quebec. I’m working on it.”

“Think the murderer is from Quebec?”

“I think whoever did it is from the West Coast. Only a high-level dealer familiar with the area would go to the bother of using a place like that.”

“Yeah, it was a real bother, wasn’t it?”

Jack choked on his own breath, then stammered, “I’m sorry Ben. I didn’t mean…”

“Naw, forget it. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You’ve been a real friend, Jack. Probably the best damn friend I’ve ever had. It’s just that today is, well…”

Ben’s voice trailed off and both men sat in silence. Eventually Ben gestured at the rope hanging from the rafter and said, “It was only two weeks ago that Ben Junior was pretending to be a pirate and swingin’ out on that rope. Maggie was sitting here drinking lemonade.”

Jack didn’t respond. He didn’t know what to say. He felt the gnawing in his stomach. He clenched his teeth to control his tear ducts, then took a deep breath and relaxed his jaw.

“You know, Jack, I’m not a violent man. But if you ever find out who did it … I’d like to see this rope used for a different purpose. I know it won’t bring Maggie or Ben Junior back. Nothing could. I just figure somebody should pay for what happened.”

“Somebody will pay for this,” said Jack tersely.

“I can still see Maggie sitting on the bale drinking lemonade … trying to act like a grown-up lady. Sometimes I walk in the kitchen and expect to see her sitting at the table drawing pictures. Then I remember. I’ll never see her again. It makes me embarrassed I could forget, even for a moment, what happened.”

“Maybe it’s good to remember the good times.”

“Maybe. Liz still sees the blood. She woke up again last night, screaming and pushing my head away from her pillow, thinking it was Ben Junior’s at … at that place.”

Jack saw the tears in Ben’s eyes and wondered if Ben was talking to him or to himself.

“I’m sorry, Jack. Shouldn’t be talking to you this way. I know you’re doing everything possible. There is something I was going to ask you to do for me, if you can.”

“Anything, Ben.”

“Maggie’s little sketchbook. You know the one. She carried it in her back pocket all the time. Just before it happened she was sitting where you are and drew a picture of a wasp on a glass. We want to get it back.”

“I’ll check with CC. I’m sure it’s not a problem.”

Natasha Trovinski looked up from her desk as her receptionist walked in and handed her a compact disc with an envelope attached to it.

“What’s this?”

“Some cute guy said to give it to you, then he left.”

“Who?”

“One of the two Mounties who were in the other night. Not the one you treated.”

Natasha examined the disc. The Marriage of Figaro. She opened the envelope and read the note:

Please accept my apology for lying to you the other night. I also want to thank you for your discretion. If you ever do get married, I hope your husband enjoys this music too.

Sincerely, Jack

P.S. I also don’t appreciate being lied to. Looks like we have another thing in common.

“Did he ask you out on a date?” the receptionist asked. “Better be careful you don’t catch scarlet fever!”

“No, he didn’t ask me. Besides, you know I don’t date patients.”

Jack paid Homicide a visit and spoke with CC.

“Ben asked me for it yesterday. He watched her draw her last picture in it of a wasp on a glass, maybe less than an hour before she was killed. She kept it in her back pocket. Should be in her personal effects.”

“I have it. Actually, it was on the floor at the scene. Behind the door. I looked through it. That kid could really draw! One picture looks like you.”

“It was me.” Jack smiled as he recalled the event. “She made me sit on a log holding a hotdog near my mouth for half an hour for that one.”

“Wait here, I’ll go to the exhibit locker and get it for you.”

A moment later CC returned. “The wasp wasn’t the last thing she put in it. She printed the word Dirty on the next page. Sign for it and you can take it.”

Jack signed the release form and looked at Maggie’s last entry. “This doesn’t fit. She was really talented. Why would she put that word in there?”

CC shrugged. “Who knows? Kids…. It doesn’t matter. Just take it.”

“Was her pencil in her pocket?”

“No. It was on the floor. Covered in blood. The parents won’t want that.”

Later that afternoon, Jack and Danny arrived at their office. The telephone was ringing as they walked in and Jack grabbed it. Lucy didn’t waste time.

“It matched! The ounce you gave me to test came from the same chemist!”

“Thank God. Oh, Luce, are you sure?”

“Yup!”

Jack rushed into Louie’s office where Danny caught up to him.

“I need to get authorization to make a UC purchase,” Jack said.

“From who?”

“From this Red that I was telling you about!”

“Some low-level dealer that you think might be selling speed? Forget it! Wigmore would wipe his ass with that request.”

“Lou, she is selling ounce level for sure. She supplies all the speed dealers in the bar.”

“And how do you know that?”

Danny looked at Jack. This should be interesting.

“Managed to turn an informant. He gave me the lowdown on the place.”

“Really?” Louie spoke to Jack but stared at Danny. “You came up with an informant pretty quick. Is this person reliable?”

Danny felt uneasy. Christ, is he like Jack? What way are my eyes supposed to look?

Jack answered for him. “We got lucky. Did surveillance like you told us. Caught a guy with an ounce of speed and managed to flip him. I haven’t told you the best part yet. It’s a match. The lab matched the ounce with the meth at the murder scene and the meth associated to Satans Wrath back east. They’ve obviously started a new connection with the club out here!”

“Sounds like a reasonable theory.”

“This is a good opportunity to take a swipe at Satans Wrath. Give Wigmore the details; he’s bound to approve it!”

“I’ll speak with Wigmore, but first, I want you to talk with Homicide.”

“I’ve been doing inside surveillance. This isn’t the place for people in suits.”

“I’ll vouch for that,” said Danny, glancing at his hand.

“They don’t have to go inside and hold your hand. I’ll call them myself.”

Jack and Danny took a seat and waited while Louie called CC. He relayed the information and listened, then hung up.

“Well?” Jack asked. “Are they coming to babysit?”

“They’re not interested yet. CC has worked on Satans Wrath before. She said they never talk on their phones and never rat each other out.”

“So they don’t want to be involved?” Jack’s voice sounded upbeat.

“She appreciates what you are doing but says she’s not interested unless you have something more substantial.”

“She’s got a point,” Danny said. “How do we take on an army like that? They must have hundreds of dealers, maybe thousands.”

“Have to work our way up to the multi-kilo level,” said Jack. “Catch a club member who has the inside track. Someone willing to talk.”

“But these guys have a reputation for never talking,” replied Danny.

“We’ll see about that,” replied Jack. His voice sounded cold.

“Maybe get an undercover operator inside the club?” suggested Danny.

Jack shook his head. “Won’t work.”

Danny looked at Louie, who explained. “They test their strikers for at least two years. Make them do all sorts of things. Robberies, drug trafficking, maybe murder. Things that UC operators can’t do. Jack is right. You need to turn someone on the inside.”

“With proper funding,” said Jack, “we’ll get our informant to make bigger and bigger buys. Maybe even introduce me. Once we get high enough, the bigger fish will surface.”

Louie nodded in agreement. “I’ll talk with Wigmore. I’m sure he’ll be interested.” He dialled Superintendent Wigmore, who gave him an immediate audience.

“Turned an informant, did they? Both Taggart and that new guy? What’s his name again?”

“Danny O’Reilly.”

“Right … O’Reilly. Did they both turn this informant, or just Taggart?”

“I don’t know the specific details about that. Jack isn’t one to take credit. It might have only been him who grabbed the guy.”

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. I was simply curious.” Wigmore took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I don’t mind Taggart placing that porn investigation aside. Taxpayers have more important issues. But as far as funding goes, I’m sorry to say that we’re way over budget and there won’t be any money available until next spring. I feel awful about it, but that’s the way it is. Tell your men they can continue with surveillance, but they’re not to do anything else. Even if Homicide isn’t interested now, I still don’t want your men trampling on something that could later turn out to be important.”

Wigmore watched as Louie left his office. Informant, my ass!

Louie motioned for Jack and Danny to follow him to his office where he told them what Wigmore had said. It bothered him that Jack didn’t protest or utter a word. He just turned and walked out of the office. That meant that he already had an alternate plan.

It also bothered him that Wigmore said he didn’t remember Danny’s name. Wigmore had a reputation for remembering detail. He had welcomed Danny to the office less than two weeks before. Why does he want me to think that Danny isn’t important to him?

“So now what?” asked Danny, when they returned to their office. “Without funding we’re screwed.”

“I’m not going to let someone like Wigmore stop me! There are always people like him around. It’s a fact of life. You have to learn to deal with it.”

“You won’t have enough money to keep doing this on your own.”

“You’re right about that. Maybe enough for a couple of ounces. I’ll have to come up with more.”

“How? We’re talking tens of thousands.”

Jack gave Danny a hard look and chose not to answer. “Let’s see if we can identify Baldy. Find out who he is before scoring from Red again.”

“Back to the Black Water?”

“You got it.”

“Even if we do catch a member of the club with a couple kilos of speed, do you really think he would rat out?”

“How does that old movie go? I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

Jack’s voice was light and lively. Danny was learning. Jack’s cold, dark eyes said that he was anything but light and lively. Wigmore is right….

chapter nine

It was ten-thirty that night when Jack approached the entrance to the Black Water. His timing was lucky. Baldy came out of the bar in front of him and walked away in the opposite direction. Jack heard a short squeal of tires from the parking lot and knew that Danny had seen him too.

Moments later, Danny quickly pulled up beside Jack and passed him a portable radio through the window.

“Tell me you’ve had the surveillance course?” said Jack.

“That, I’ve had,” replied Danny.

Jack stayed behind Baldy on foot. Baldy was the cautious type and paused frequently to look around, but Jack remained elusive. Four blocks later, Baldy entered a dilapidated apartment building. Jack crept up the stairwell behind him and watched him unlock a door to a suite and step inside. He waited a moment, then got the apartment number and matched it with the name on the mailbox at the entrance to the building. Seconds later, he joined Danny.

“You get it?” asked Danny.

“Apartment 206. Mailbox says ‘L. Waschuk.’”

At the office, Jack studied a mug shot of Leonard Waschuk. Baldy now had a name. He also had a lengthy record for drug trafficking and was currently on probation.

Jack then discovered something on the police computer that made his adrenaline pump. Leonard’s last drug conviction was for a pound of cocaine. That investigation indicated that the cocaine originated from someone connected to Satans Wrath, but it wasn’t known who.

“So we’re two steps away from the club then?” said Danny.

Jack could feel the excitement in his body. “If I order enough to bypass Red and get to Leonard, we’ll only be one step removed. It worked with Spider. Tomorrow I’ll see if I can do the same with Red. I’ll pick you up after lunch. This time you’ll hide in the back alley to watch. If Leonard is stashing it there, I want to know where.”

The next morning, Jack lay in bed and stared up at the ceiling. He had been awake for over an hour, but it was too soon to go to work. It was the time of day he hated. Being alone gave him too much opportunity to reflect upon events of the past. His telephone rang.

“Susan would like you to come over for lunch,” said Danny. “She wants to meet you. I understand if you don’t have time. We are pretty busy.”

Jack felt a sense of relief. He enjoyed being around families – especially complete families. “I’d be glad to come. I’ve been looking forward to meeting your family, as long as your kid doesn’t barf on me.”

A few hours later, Jack couldn’t help but laugh out loud as Tiffany squealed and laughed when he made blowing sounds into her neck. When he pulled his head back, her eyes flashed and she smiled and giggled in anticipation of more. He caught the sparkle in Susan’s eyes as she watched. This is a great family … lots of love.

Jack invited them out for dinner on Sunday night. It would be his treat. They were to include Tiffany as well. He was pleased when Susan eagerly accepted but said that she would prefer to get a babysitter.

Danny seemed less pleased with the invitation. He looked at his watch and said, “Shouldn’t we be going to work?”

Jack waited until they were in the car, then said, “What’s the matter? I sense there’s something you’re holding back. Are you upset with me?”

“No.”

Jack reflected for a moment, then said, “You’re worried about me buying dope without permission, aren’t you?”

Danny didn’t respond.

“I’m certain that nobody will find out, but if they do, I’ll swear that you had nothing to do with it. If you’re that stressed, then wait in the car and I’ll do it myself.”

“You would protect me, wouldn’t you?”

Jack was taken back. “Of course. We’re partners!”

Danny was quiet for a few minutes, then asked, “How much can you afford to buy?”

“Is that what’s bothering you? Don’t worry, I’m not that broke. I can afford dinner … plus an ounce and a half.”

“Think it will be enough to bring out Leonard?”

“Let’s find out. I have to stop at my bank on the way.”

“We’ll stop at my bank, too. Two ounces would improve the odds.”

Jack looked at Danny. “Thanks, but no thanks. You’ve got Susan and Tiffany to support. This is my fight.”

“Look at my damned hand! I’m in this fight, too.”

Jack felt good. It wasn’t the money. It was having a partner he could count on and trust.

On the way to the Black Water, Danny stopped at his bank and gave Jack the money. Jack was grateful but caught the guilty look on Danny’s face.

“Hey, have you talked about this with Susan? I don’t feel right taking —”

“Take it!” Danny snapped.

Jack accepted it but could tell that Danny was still troubled as they drove. He looked at Danny’s bandaged hand and said, “I really don’t mind you waiting in the car. This den of snakes, as you call it, there’s no real need for you to be there.”

“Yeah, except to cover your ass. Like you said, we’re partners. If you’re going to wallow in that filth, then I should be there alongside you.”

Jack smiled, then reached into the back seat and handed Danny a bag.

“Glad you feel that way. I got you a present.”

“A present?” Danny looked in the bag. “Coveralls and a box of latex gloves?”

Taggart stood in the alley behind the Black Water and studied the pile of garbage that overflowed the Dumpster. He adjusted a green garbage bag strategically on the pile. The bag was ripped and coffee grounds spilled out. The afternoon sun didn’t improve the stench.

Danny’s muffled voice came from within. “That’s enough! I can barely see!”

“Welcome to Intelligence work,” said Jack, as he walked away.

Red sat at a table in the back of the bar with a hooker as Jack approached. An untouched hamburger and fries sat on a paper plate in front of them. He heard them talk as he got close.

“Damn it, Crystal! I’m sick of waitin’ around all the time for those fuckin’ whores. I want the money on time. If they can’t make it, tell ’em I said to give you the hundred bucks and you can bring it to me.”

“Some of the girls said that it’s a lot of money to be payin’ you every day.”

“Tough titty. Besides, you know it ain’t goin’ in my pocket.”

Both women quit talking when Jack sat down.

“You lookin’?” asked Red.

Jack nodded.

Crystal knew that privacy was needed and she immediately left the table.

Jack told Red what he was looking for.

“Two ounces? No problem. Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

Red disappeared into the lobby for a minute and then returned.

“You’re gonna have to wait. Can’t get hold of someone. Maybe try again in an hour.”

“No problem. Let me buy ya a drink.” Jack wondered how difficult it would be to convince her to introduce him to Leonard. She didn’t bat an eye at selling two ounces. His chances didn’t look good.

Danny watched a hooker with a customer in the back alley. The customer stood with his back to the brick wall of the hotel. The hooker undid his zipper and got to her knees. Two minutes later the alley was empty again.

It was dusk when a young girl came down the alley. Danny figured she was between ten and twelve years old. She cautiously looked around as she walked. She approached the steel door at the back of the hotel, hesitated, then rapped lightly on the door. A moment later she rapped louder.

Red opened the door.

“Hey, Marcie! You’re here!” Red used a chair to block open the door, then stepped outside. She handed a hamburger and fries to Marcie and sat beside her on the step.

“Sorry it’s cold. Was expectin’ ya sooner.”

Marcie had already started cramming the food in her mouth. “No. Thanks! It’s great!” Between mouthfuls of food, Marcie said, “And thanks for lettin’ me crash at your place last night. Some guy was hasslin’ me in the park and I didn’t want to stay there, so…”

“Don’t worry about it, kid. Come on. Give me a big smile, that’s all I ask.”

Marcie turned her head and looked at Red. Danny couldn’t see if she smiled or not, but he heard Red.

“Ya call that a smile? I’ve seen dogs eatin’ shit smile better than that!”

Red pulled a syringe out of her purse. “Tell ya what. I’ll give you a little treat. Guaranteed to make ya happy. I hate bein’ around people who aren’t happy.”

“No, I mean I used to smoke sometimes, but…”

“Hey. Okay by me,” said Red, cramming the syringe back in her purse. “Just tryin’ to help. Speakin’ of which, remember I told you about the guy who pays big bucks for young models? I checked and he thinks he could squeeze you in for an appointment this evening.”

“Yeah, sure! That’s exciting!”

“Wait here. I’ll go check.” Red kicked the chair out of the doorway and the steel door banged shut behind her. Danny watched as Marcie looked nervously up and down the alley. He felt sick, and it wasn’t the smell of the garbage.

A few minutes later, the door opened and closed again as someone stepped outside. He recognized a hooker who frequented the hotel.

“Hey, kid, what are you doing?” he heard her say.

“I’m waiting for someone. Red. Do you know her?”

The hooker nodded, then sat beside Marcie and asked, “Is she family to you?”

“No, don’t have any family. Except for my dad. Red’s my friend.”

“You shouldn’t be down here. This isn’t the place for you. Where’s your dad? Bet he would be glad to come and get you and —”

“Forget that! He ain’t … touchin’ me no more!”

The hooker patted her on the back and said, “Sorry, kid. Been there. Know where you’re comin’ from. Tell you what, after the bars close, me and some other girls meet for pizza. My name’s Crystal. If you’re hungry or need a place to sleep, I’ll help you out.”

“Thanks, Crystal. My name is Marcie, but I already met a friend who —”

The rear door opened again and Red stepped out and stared down at Crystal.

“Fuck off!”

“Hey, I’m just tryin’ to look out for this —”

“I said, fuck off!”

Crystal stood up and headed down the alley. Danny heard Red tell Marcie, “You stay away from her. She’s bad news!”

A silver Acura slowly drove down the alley and stopped. It was too dark for Danny to see the driver or make out the licence plate.

“Get in the car, Marcie. This guy will take ya to your appointment. When you’re done, he’ll bring ya back. Knock on the door again and I’ll meet you.”

Marcie’s voice quavered slightly. “Can’t you come?”

“Sorry, kid. I got business to take care of. This guy is all right. He’ll take good care of you. No need to be afraid.”

Red rejoined Jack at the table. “Sorry, I don’t know where the fuck he is. Too bad you didn’t want a quarter-pound, instead of two.”

“Two is all I can afford.”

“That’s good. At least I know you ain’t a cop. They always have enough money.”

“So what difference would the extra two ounces make?”

“I know the people my friend gets it from. I’m allowed to go to them if my friend isn’t around, but not for less than a quarter. You sure you can’t spring for more bread?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Jack let out a sigh. He then thought about Danny hiding in the garbage. “Listen, Red, maybe I better split. I might come back tomorrow.”

“Let me try my friend one more time,” she said and went to the lobby.

She smiled when she returned. “You’re in luck, I connected. It’ll be here in an hour.”

Danny heard footsteps coming down the alley. They stopped beside him.

“It’s going down,” Jack whispered. “Supposed to arrive within the hour. Make damn certain nobody sees you or it will blow everything.”

“Christ! It’s about time! What the hell you been doing in there?”

“Just having a few drinks … a few laughs.”

“What!”

“Take it easy. Red couldn’t connect until now. Keep your eyes peeled for Leonard.”

“Take it easy? You sit on your ass in this filth and see how easy it —”

“Keep it down. Someone might hear.”

Danny listened as Jack’s footsteps faded away. A moment later, another steel door opened close to the Dumpster. Danny heard the sound of a busy kitchen. Moments later, two more bags of garbage were added to the pile. The person went back inside the restaurant and the alley was silent again.