Текст книги "Jack Taggart Mysteries 7 - Book Bundle"

Автор книги: Don Easton

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Текущая страница: 67 (всего у книги 141 страниц)

13

It was Wednesday and relatively quiet at eight o’clock at night when Jack and Laura walked into Goldie Locks. The nightclub was tastefully decorated with well-spaced leather furniture and dim lighting. Classical music played softly through speakers and it, along with the expensive drink menu, ensured that the establishment catered to the over-thirty crowd – over thirty and wealthy.

A bouncer, who Jack figured had a taste for steroids, nodded politely to them from where he stood near the front door. He had short, blond hair trimmed in a buzz cut and wore a tan-coloured suit with a bright pink tie. His colleague, who looked like he could have been his twin brother, was dressed in a similar fashion and loitering near the bar where he was flirting with a waitress.

“Looks nice. How do you want to play it?” whispered Laura, as they made their way inside.

“Classy, wealthy, and friendly for now,” replied Jack.

“And later?”

“Once we get in with Goldie, he should be impressed by who he thinks we are. Then maybe we’ll add a touch of intimidation or psychotic behavior to the recipe. Keep him a little off balance … but interested. He’s used to being in charge. I want him to like and respect us, but we’ve got to keep control.”

Jack and Laura took a seat together on a white leather sofa facing an etched-glass oval coffee table.

“Martini, gin,” ordered Jack, to the young woman who quickly arrived to serve them.

“Bombay or Tanqueray?”

“I prefer Tanqueray Number 10, but if you don’t have Number 10, then Bombay.”

“Sorry, we don’t have Number 10, so Bombay it is. And you, madam?”

Laura frowned and replied, “Bellini.”

Jack saw Laura glare at the waitress as she left to get their order. “Okay, what’s up?”

“What’s up,” seethed Laura. “Didn’t you hear what she called me?”

“I thought she was polite?”

“She called me madam. I’ve never been called that. Do I look that old to you? I’m not even thirty-four yet. Do I look older?”

Oh, Christ. “Maybe she thought you owned a brothel,” offered Jack, hoping to make light of the situation.

“I bet it’s my makeup,” replied Laura, sounding concerned. “I was running late and in a hurry. I’m going to the ladies’ room,” she added, abruptly leaving.

The cocktails arrived before Laura returned and Jack asked the waitress her name.

“Patty,” she replied with a smile.

“Pleased to meet you. My name is Jack. My girlfriend Laura and I recently moved here from Edmonton. Have you been working here long?”

“Just started the end of June. Only for the summer. I’m going back to Simon Fraser in the fall. Getting my degree in education.”

“Good for you. Waitressing and dealing with the public is a learning experience. Something that will come in handy when you’re a teacher.”

“Hadn’t thought of it that way,” replied Patty.

“Speaking of which,” continued Jack, “between you and me, Laura hated being called ‘madam.’”

“I’m sorry, I —”

“Not a problem, but perhaps mention to her that you noticed she looked upset and —”

“I upset her?”

“And that you feel awkward being ordered to call all women by that —”

“The boss didn’t order us. I just —”

Jack put up his hand, gesturing for her to stop. “It would enhance your tip if she thought you were following orders from the boss.”

Patty paused and then smiled. “I’ll take care of it,” she said.

Jack noticed Patty go up to Laura as she was returning from the ladies’ room.

“It wasn’t me,” said Laura happily as she sat down.

“Wasn’t you what?”

“The waitress. Her name is Patty. She was only following orders on calling women ‘madam.’”

“Go figure.”

“I asked her about her boss. She said she didn’t really know Mister Goldie all that well yet. I asked her if he ever mingled with the customers and she said, sometimes. I said if he did, he would soon find out that calling young women ‘madam’ was not a good idea.”

“I bet they change their policy,” replied Jack. “It’s good he mingles. Just have to get him to mingle with us.”

Good undercover operatives are friendly by nature. Within a couple of hours, Jack and Laura were on a first-name basis with most of the staff.

On Thursday night, Jack and Laura returned to the club. Patty was quick to serve them, no doubt appreciating the fifty-six-dollar tip she received on top of the forty-four-dollar bill for the two martinis and two Bellinis she served the night before. The bartender, Purvis, also appreciated Jack’s added tips in appreciation of what he deemed “the perfect martini.” He waved to them both when they came in.

Jack took a jar out of a plastic bag and handed it to Patty and said, “Give this to Purvis, will you?”

“Olives?” asked Patty in bewilderment, staring at the jar.

“His martinis are excellent, but the olives he uses are getting old. Also, mention to him that I prefer three olives.”

Later that night, Jack and Laura saw Goldie make an appearance. Purvis spoke to him from behind the bar and Jack saw Goldie glance in their direction.

The next martini was on the house. When Jack and Laura left that night, they were being treated like prized regulars by all the staff.

It was ten o’clock on Friday night and Jack and Laura were looking for a place to park at Goldie Locks when Jack received a call from Sammy.

“Interesting call on the pay phone this afternoon,” said Sammy. “We just got it translated. Wang called another Chinese man by the name of Woo. We don’t know Woo’s full name yet. The number is registered to an auto body shop. It sounds like Woo is moving to Montreal and Wang told him to try and find a new connection out there for his friend who owns the nightclub. Wang has to be talking about Goldie.”

“Connection for what?” asked Jack.

“Didn’t say.”

After hanging up, Jack recounted the conversation to Laura.

“So, what do you think?” asked Laura.

“Let’s get Goldie to tell us what it’s about.”

“Really? And how —”

“On the sidewalk!” said Jack quickly, turning Laura’s attention toward the front of Goldie Locks.

Laura saw Goldie, in his familiar moss-green windbreaker, and Wang both walking down the sidewalk. Wang checked his watch and said something to Goldie, after which both men hurried their pace.

“What do you think?” asked Laura, with her hand on the door handle.

“They’re late for something. Would be nice to find out what. Go for it, but don’t be seen or Goldie will for sure recognize you from the club. I’ll call you on my cell. I’m going to give Sammy a call first and see if he knows anything.”

Once Laura exited the car, Jack dialed Sammy on his cellphone.“Sammy … Jack again. You ever get a bug in Wang’s car?”

“Yeah. Went into his garage behind his house last night and did it. Nothing on it yet. We didn’t have time to put in satellite tracking. The asshole turned his lights on. Probably going to the bathroom, but we decided to bolt.”

“He’s walking with Goldie near Goldie Locks. You don’t know anything?”

“Nope. We heard him in his car. Just the radio on and traffic noise. No indication he was with anyone or where he was going. Sounds like he parked it about fifteen minutes ago.”

“If you hear something, give me a call.”

Moments later, Jack realized that walking would be faster than driving as he sat in a long line of traffic. He looked for a place to park as Laura discreetly followed the two men around a corner and out of sight down the next block.

Meanwhile, Laura was relieved to see that both men were in a hurry and that neither one took the time to look behind them. She didn’t look behind herself either, otherwise she may have noticed a third man who stepped out from an alley and followed her down the street.

Partway down the block, both Goldie and Wang stopped and turned to talk with one another. By the way Goldie was gesturing with his hands, Laura presumed they were having some type of disagreement.

Despite it being the third week of July, the weather was cool from the nightly wind that came in off the ocean to replace the heat rising from the tall buildings. Laura pulled the collar of her jacket snugly around her neck and took momentary cover inside a convenience store. She pretended to browse along a magazine display while watching Goldie and Wang through the front window as she whispered to Jack on her cellphone.

The man following Laura stayed back in the shadows, watching and waiting for her to come outside. A lane emerged between tall buildings onto the street a few paces down from the convenience store. The area was dark, and for the moment, deserted. He knew it would be a good place to attack and then escape.

“Okay, they’re starting to move again,” whispered Laura. “Where are you?”

“About a block behind,” replied Jack, jogging past some pedestrians. “Be there in a couple of secs and I’ll take the opposite side of the street.”

Laura saw that Goldie and Wang had moved to the end of the block and were standing at the corner.

“Looks like they’re waiting for someone,” whispered Laura. “Maybe getting a ride. I’ll see if I can grab a plate.”

“Not too close,” warned Jack.

“There’s a lane between me and them. Pretty dark. I can hide in there. They won’t see me.”

Seconds later, Laura crept into the shadows, barely visible by the corner of a building as she watched Goldie and Wang, who seemed intent at looking at the cars going past them.

“Not a fuckin’ word bitch!” a man hissed, grabbing Laura by the shoulder.

Laura gasped as she was brutally spun around with her back slamming up against the cement wall of the building. A man loomed over her, holding a syringe close to her face.

“Your purse, lady, or I jam this in your fuckin’ throat!”

“KEEE-AI!”

Jack heard the sound of Laura’s vicious, paralyzing yell from across the street and looked over, as did both Goldie and Wang.

It takes the human body approximately two seconds to physically respond to a given stimulus. In those two seconds, Laura delivered three karate punches. Her arms moved in opposite unison to each other. As one fist pulled back, the other struck. Her training caused her reflexes to automatically give her knuckles a last-second twist upon impact for a bone-crunching finish. Her first blow was delivered to the man’s solar plexus. His body was in the act of doubling over when her second punch collided with his Adam’s apple. His head snapped back and he emitted a rasping, choking gurgle as his feet staggered back to maintain his balance. Her third punch to his scrotum caused him to plop on the sidewalk like a wet sack of cement.

Jack raced across the street, dodging cars as he went, but did not arrive until a couple of seconds after Goldie and Wang did.

“Are you okay?” asked Goldie, staring down at the man who was emitting a sickening moan while lying curled in a ball on the sidewalk with his hands between his legs.

“Uh … yes, thank you,” replied Laura.

“Sweetie! Are you okay?” asked Jack, as he arrived, still panting for air. “Did he hurt you?”

Laura caught the subtle shake of Jack’s head. Guess he doesn’t want me to act scared.

“What happened?” asked Jack.

“I, uh …” Laura glanced at Goldie and Wang, who were giving her odd looks as they glanced back and forth at her and the large man moaning on the sidewalk. “I was going to go to the store, you know, for … personal stuff, before meeting you at the club. Then this guy grabs me and hustles me into an alley and tries to rob me. I’m okay. How did you get here so fast? Did you see him following me?”

“No,” replied Jack. “I got to thinking that you shouldn’t be out here alone at night and started walking to catch up to you. Are you okay? Bet you could use a drink?”

“I’m okay. Think I could use a couple.”

“Do you want me to call the police?” offered Goldie, bringing out his cellphone.

A diamond embedded in Goldie’s front tooth sparkled as he spoke. It served to remind Jack further about the discrepancy in life between people like Goldie and Melvin.

“No police!” snarled Jack. His response drew the action he hoped for. A surprised look crossed Goldie’s face and he glanced knowingly at Wang.

“I mean, it’s okay,” Jack added, pretending to gain his composure. “It looks to me like he learned his lesson. Thanks, anyway.”

As Goldie and Wang turned to leave, Goldie overheard Jack say to Laura, “Have you got a jackknife in your purse? I’m going to cut his nuts off.”

“Hang on, honey, I’ll look,” replied Laura. “Sorry,” she replied a moment later.

“Guess I’ll stomp his brains out instead.”

“Oh, honey … don’t,” pleaded Laura. “You’ll get blood all over your pants and someone is liable to call the police. Besides, he might have AIDS. Come on, forget about it. I want a drink.”

Goldie and Wang’s mouths both gaped open as Jack and Laura held hands while casually browsing in store windows as they sauntered away.

When they were around the corner, Jack turned to Laura and said, “Keee-ai? Is that what you call discreet surveillance?”

“I’m sorry,” she replied. “He scared me. I acted without thinking. Next time I’ll scream like a little girl or pretend to faint.”

“Too late to act that way around these guys now. Don’t worry, it worked out.”

Laura snickered and said, “Did you see them turn around and the looks on their faces when you asked me for a jackknife? By the nod you gave me, I presumed you wanted me to go along with it.”

“I did. Imagine what they think of us. Goldie is bound to be curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

Jack paused, remembering Winston.

“I’m sorry,” said Laura. “Stupid thing to say after what you had to do.”

“Forget about it,” replied Jack. “By the way, I saw a syringe lying on the sidewalk.”

“That’s what he threatened me with.”

“Bastard deserves to have his nuts cut off.”

“That would be cruel,” said Laura seriously. She thought about it for a moment and added, “I could see him being euthanized, but not tortured.”

“Euthanize him!” exclaimed Jack with a laugh. “You mean, whack the son of a bitch!”

Laura frowned and replied, “Well, yes, but euthanasia sounds nicer.”

Goldie and Wang weren’t the only persons to hear Laura’s yell and see her response. Kang Lee looked out the open window of his car and gestured for Goldie and Wang to join him. His thoughts were on Laura. He would never forget her face. Beautiful, but dangerous. Like a Western version of Sayomi … Where did she learn to fight like that?

14

“What was that all about?” asked Lee through the window as Goldie and Wang walked up.

Wang gestured with his thumb and said, “The guy lying curled up on the sidewalk tried to rob that couple who just walked away. Or at least, he tried to rob the lady.”

“Interesting lady,” noted Lee.

“They’re customers in my club,” replied Goldie.

“Better hope they don’t say much,” offered Wang. “Not good for business.”

“They didn’t seem all that concerned,” mused Goldie.

“Enough of that,” said Lee, sounding irritated at the chatter. “I feel like sushi. There’s a place I want to try called Azuma. On Denman near Comox. Meet me there. I have other business to attend to after.”

Moments later, Jack received a call from Sammy who said, “Sounds like Wang is back in his car. Got somebody with him. No idea where they are or where they’re going … hang on … they’re both laughing about something. Want to stay on the line and see if we can hear where they’re going?”

“I think he’s with Goldie,” said Jack. “Sure, I’ll hold.”

A few minutes later Sammy reported that the car was shut off and he heard Goldie and Wang leave. “Want me to hold the phone close to the speaker and play back what they were laughing about?” asked Sammy.

“Go ahead.”

Jack heard the recorded sound of a car and Goldie saying, “You see how that chick dropped that guy? Man, he hit the ground like a rotten tomato!”

“It’s where she nailed him that makes me cringe,” replied Wang. “I almost feel sorry for him.”

“I didn’t feel sorry for him until her boyfriend was going to cut his nuts off. Then I would have felt sorry for him!”

Laughter was heard and Goldie continued, “Did you hear what that woman yelled?”

“Sounded like karate.”

“She moved so fast I wasn’t sure what she did, but I think she kneed him in the nuts or something.”

“You say they’re customers of yours?”

“Just lately. Haven’t seen them before this week.”

“Better not screw up her order. Especially if the boyfriend finds a jackknife.”

Sammy then came back on the phone and said, “Don’t know what that was all about, but that was basically it. I’ll call if anything else crops up.”

Norimaki sushi rolls did not appeal to Goldie, but he ordered them, anyway. He did not like any sushi for that matter, but had decided that these were the least unpleasant. At the moment, any complaints from his taste buds had taken a back seat as he watched Lee’s face for a response to the suggestions that he and Wang had made. When the response was not immediate, Goldie added, “The two of us have talked about it. We would not be in competition with each other. Both products would have different distributors.”

Lee slowly chewed a mouthful of eel while he thought of a response. Eventually he swallowed and turned to Goldie. “So,” replied Lee quietly, pointing the ends of his chopsticks at Goldie’s face, “You think it would be easy to add cocaine to your portfolio?”

Goldie nodded and said, “I’m often approached by my people. It is a highly enriching commodity.”

“A commodity for which we cannot offer protection,” said Lee. “Has it been that many years ago that you forget what that is like? Do you not remember how you felt, sitting in a hot and steamy customs office in Burma? Your clothes soaked with the sweat of someone who believed his life to be over?”

Goldie was silent as he recalled that fateful day.

“Operate within the confines of protection,” continued Lee. “We have been over this before. Our organization cannot guarantee your protection in South or Central America.”

“I know, I know,” replied Goldie. “It’s just that it is so damned lucrative.”

“Are you not making lots of money? And much more so, if the doors to eastern Canada open, allowing easy access to places across the border like New York. Why take the risk of investing money in a climate that is not secure?”

Goldie sighed. “Perhaps you’re right,” he added, begrudgingly.

“Of course I’m right,” replied Lee. “Besides, it is my understanding that Satans Wrath controls most of the Canadian market for cocaine. They would demand you deal through them. With that would come more risk.”

“That is precisely why my idea is more logical,” said Wang, catching the sudden glare he received from Goldie. “What I proposed does not require import. Quite the opposite.”

Lee shook his head and said, “What you propose is farming.”

“It is not farming,” protested Wang. “Hydroponics. B.C. is providing the best marijuana in the world. Why shouldn’t I get a cut of it?”

“It is still farming, is it not?” replied Lee. “Indoors, perhaps, but still farming. With that comes land for the buildings and an army of people to manage the crops. Deliveries are both bulky and smelly. Such operations last only a matter of time before gaining police attention. With your army of farmers, how do you ensure obedience or loyalty? How long before one of the hoodlums you employ turns on you?”

“But the risks are low,” said Wang. “British Columbia does not send marijuana dealers to jail … at least rarely and then not for long.”

Lee smiled and admitted, “The penalty for any crime in B.C. is low, which is why we have opened up operations in Vancouver. But it is not the risk of incarceration that I am warning you about. The risk is having the police seize all your assets once the criminal offence has been proven. Are you willing to see the undoubtedly large nest egg you have made suddenly taken from you because of greed?”

Wang glanced at Goldie for a sign of support, but did not see any. If anything, he felt that Goldie was anything but supportive. Now he nods his head as if to say “I told you so”?

“It is not only your life you are risking,” continued Lee. “That market is largely controlled by the Vietnamese. You may be inviting conflict with —”

“Cannot the organization influence the Vietnamese?” asked Wang.

Lee paused, irritated at being interrupted. He took a deep breath before continuing in a conciliatory manner. “With the Vietnamese in Canada, there are many … undisciplined … individual enterprises. It would be too labour-intensive to extend our influence to so many independent small groups. The effort of locating their families in Vietnam to ensure compliance would not be worthwhile. There is also a more important consideration. You know how the police work. They usually go up the corporate ladder. Should you be arrested, even for what in B.C. is taken as the trivial offence of trafficking in marijuana, our organization would never accept you into our fold again. There would be no starting over with us.”

“I would never tell the police about you,” said Wang. “You know that! We are very careful. Arthur and I don’t even use your real name in conversation. We only refer to you as ‘The Enabler.’ I would never divulge your identity. Ever.”

“My boss is also very careful,” replied Lee. “You refer to me as ‘The Enabler?’ Well, I refer to him as ‘The Shaman.’ He is brilliant in such matters and I also would never make the mortal mistake of divulging his name. That said, I have already discussed with him the idea of expanding into the areas you have both suggested. He declined for the same reasons I gave you. If you wish to go out on your own into that market, then do so with the realization that you will be entirely cut off from our organization.”

Wang let out a deep breath and said, “No, I do not wish to do that.” He glanced at Goldie and added, “It was an idea we both had. Something both of us thought we should discuss with you.”

Lee caught the edge in Wang’s voice. Is there petty jealousy over my decision to have Goldie fulfill my position? I assured The Shaman that there wasn’t …

“It is good that we exchange ideas,” said Lee. “For example, your suggestion about that person you trust who is moving to Montreal.”

“Woo,” replied Wang.

“His name to me is not important. What matters is your desire to help our organization. The Shaman would prefer that Arthur take on my current role as he was born in Canada and is more familiar with the culture. However, you have shown that you are not only above petty jealousy, but that you were willing to offer Woo’s services to Arthur. A fact I have brought to the attention of The Shaman himself.”

“Thank you,” replied Wang, his smile revealing his delight at being praised.

“Kingdoms are built by the strengths, work, and ideas of many,” continued Lee. “The closer you get to the king, the more protection is needed. You have both done well and have earned the right to stand within the castle walls. At this point I would suggest that it would not be wise for you to go out and cross the moat into unsafe territory.” Lee pinched another piece of eel between his chopsticks and raised it toward his lips before pausing and asking, “Agreed, gentlemen?”

Goldie raised a cup of sake to show his compliance. He was quickly joined by Wang. Lee nodded and did likewise to make a silent toast.

Lee smiled when they resumed eating. Naturally, he did not mention the most important reason he did not want Goldie and Wang investing elsewhere. Spreading the money around would have an adverse affect on the amount of commission received from the products that The Shaman did control.

Jack awakened late Saturday morning and was glad that both he and Natasha had the day off. They were into the third week of July and the weather could not have been more beautiful.

Breakfast consisted of sitting in their housecoats eating croissants and drinking black coffee on their apartment balcony, which overlooked the city. Neither talked of work. For many couples, such a Saturday morning breakfast may have been normal, but neither Jack nor Natasha led normal lives. Love and intimacy too often took a back seat to the pressures of their careers.

“Come on,” said Jack, when they finished. “Get dressed. I’m taking you someplace special.”

“Someplace special?” asked Natasha, raising an eyebrow.

“You’ll see,” Jack replied. “This is our day. I want it to be special. Today the world can wait. It’ll be just you and me.”

At one o’clock Natasha found herself holding Jack’s hand as they strolled across the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The location had a special meaning. It was not only that the view of the Capilano River, 230 feet below, was spectacular. It was because this was where Jack had given Natasha her engagement ring almost two years earlier.

At the centre of the bridge, Jack turned and hugged Natasha as his lips softly caressed hers, kissing her long and tenderly.

“I love you so much,” he whispered. “For me, my life really began on this spot the day you accepted the ring.”

“And if I had said no, would you have jumped?”

Jack stepped back and looked at her for a moment before saying, “Hell, no. I’d have pushed you off!”

Natasha laughed and said, “You’re so damned romantic. You certainly know how to sweet-talk a girl.” She looked intently into his eyes and her smile faded.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Remember when we agreed to be married for two years before starting a family?”

Jack nodded.

“Don’t you think it’s close enough to two years to start trying?”

Jack felt a sense of shock. Has it been two years already?

Natasha saw the look on Jack’s face. She stepped back and felt her eyes water. “What? You’ve changed your mind?”

Jack paused and said, “I have to admit, the idea really scares me.”

“A fine time to be telling me this now! Why didn’t you mention it last time we were on this bridge? I wouldn’t have accepted the ring.”

“I haven’t changed my mind. Just give me a moment.”

“If you really want children, why do you need a moment?”

“I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid I won’t make a good father because of my own upbringing. I didn’t have much of a role model. Sometimes I feel like I don’t know how to act around children.”

“I would never allow you to treat our children badly.”

“I know … and I want children. I’m just a little afraid. You caught me off guard.”

Natasha stepped closer and gently kissed him before saying, “The fact that you worry about that makes me think you’ll make a great dad. I’d never allow you to be any other way.”

Jack smiled. “I know,” he replied. “I have complete faith in your ability to be a good mom … and a wife.”

“So, no more birth control?”

“No.”

“Good, we’ve done enough practising,” replied Natasha with a grin.

“Hey! We should always practise. Every chance we get.”

Natasha giggled and said, “Okay. I hear that practise makes perfect. I could go along with that.”

“Good. Let’s have lunch.”

A few minutes later, Jack found a secluded spot amongst some towering Douglas fir trees and spread out a blanket before opening a small cooler. Lunch consisted of spiced Dutch gouda cheese, French bread, strawberries, a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio, and dark chocolate squares for dessert.

Natasha felt Jack’s warm embrace again as they lay with their legs entwined upon the blanket. “You plan on seducing me now?” she asked, feeling his kiss and warm breath upon the nape of her neck.

“The thought crossed my mind, unless you want to see if we can get the bridge rocking.”

“Exhibitionism isn’t really my style. No, I think this —”

Jack groaned and picked up his cellphone to look at the number of who was calling. “I’m not available,” he muttered and let the call go to voice mail. “Now, you were saying?” asked Jack with a smile, pulling Natasha closer.

“I was suggesting we may have enough privacy —”

Jack swore softly and glanced at his phone again. This time a text message said URGENT!

“Sorry, hon, I better take this.” Jack sighed.

His call to Sammy was short. Sammy concluded the conversation by saying, “Sorry for the delay. The monitors didn’t get around to listening to it until now. CC is on her way in, too.”

Jack hung up and turned to Natasha and stared a moment without speaking. He could see the tears form in her eyes.

“You promised,” she said quietly. “You said it was going to be our day.”

“It’s about Melvin,” replied Jack. “We’ve got a lead.”

Natasha’s open mouth showed her surprise. Her sorrow gave way to anger. “Go get ’em,” she said angrily.