Текст книги "Jack Taggart Mysteries 7 - Book Bundle"

Автор книги: Don Easton

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Текущая страница: 83 (всего у книги 141 страниц)

Chapter Four

Jack and Laura stood in the backyard and quickly told Connie what they knew.

“Herman Varrick,” Connie said. “So he’s a member of Satans Wrath?”

“Not a member,” replied Jack. “They wouldn’t risk having a club member take a chance like that. But Varrick was under their control before. I’m sure he and his fellow lab rats are still receiving their orders from Satans Wrath. Last time the bikers had a prospect handling the lab rats to act as a go-between with a member of the club. Things have changed since then, but Satans Wrath will still be in control … only more insulated.”

Connie looked pensive so Laura said, “A prospect is like a probationary member of the club. Sometimes they call him a striker.”

“Yeah, I know that,” replied Connie dismissively. “I was deciding how to approach the situation. If Satans Wrath are handling these guys, I know I won’t get any confessions, even if I do find traces of blood.”

“You don’t think traces of blood up some guy’s nose and in his ears would be enough to convict?” asked Laura.

“I doubt it,” replied Connie. “Defence would have their client say they were there and tried to stop the assault. Turn the murderer into a hero. I want more than blood drops if we’re dealing with Satans Wrath.” She turned to Jack and said, “What do you think? You’re the expert on these guys.”

“You’re right about not getting a confession from them,” said Jack. “Last time we caught them their lawyer was waiting at the office before the narcs got back with the prisoners.”

“Wasn’t that the same lawyer who later disappeared?” asked Connie, looking at Jack with suspicion. “Rumoured to have been murdered by a Colombian drug cartel?”

“That’s the one,” replied Jack. “Having to obtain a new lawyer is a standard excuse the bad guys use to drag out their court cases.” He stared momentarily at Connie and added, “And for your information, the lawyer was murdered —”

Connie’s eyebrows furrowed.

“– by bad guys,” continued Jack. “At least, according to a reliable informant we used to have.”

Connie felt a little relieved. Not that he wasn’t involved somehow …

“Enough chit-chat,” said Jack. “I’m taking Gabriel and her kids to the Children’s Hospital. She’s in no shape to drive. I’ve spoken with Natasha. Everyone who has spent time in the house needs to be checked, as well.”

“We have priorities,” said Connie. “We need to find these guys. I’ll get uniform to take her. I want you to —”

“No, I’m taking her,” replied Jack firmly. “For the next hour, Faith is my priority. I’ve got Natasha pulling some strings for us. It’s better if I do it. In the meantime, Laura can go back to the office and start digging.”

Giving in was not one of Connie’s traits, but she had dealt with Jack before. Giving in was not one of his traits, either. She decided not to waste time arguing. Besides, with Jack, I’ll lose, anyway. “Okay,” she replied. “I’ll save the statement taking for some other time.”

Jack looked at Laura and added, “Grab a ride back to the office with uniform.”

Laura nodded and said, “I’ll talk to the narcs and see if we can come up with an address for Varrick. Also go through our intel and see who he was with when he was arrested last time.”

“Careful about who you talk to in Drug Section,” cautioned Jack.

“I know. I’ll use Sammy’s team and tell them to be discreet.”

“You, uh, mind filling me in on that?” asked Connie.

“This stays between us,” answered Jack. “A year and a half ago when we raided the labs, someone in Drug Section tipped off the bad guys and two of the labs had been cleaned out.”

“Bastard,” replied Connie. “Who did it?”

“Never identified as far as I know,” replied Jack, looking at Laura for confirmation.

“That true, Laura?” asked Connie who knew that Laura’s husband, Elvis, worked for the Anti-Corruption Unit, which handled the heavier cases coming out of Internal Affairs.

“Not yet,” replied Laura. “I spoke to Elvis about it. He says they’re narrowing it down. The office is broken into teams who work on different projects. By moving members around to different teams it basically becomes a process of elimination to figure out what is being leaked and who knew about it.”

“The old shell game,” commented Jack.

“So far they still don’t know,” added Laura. “Elvis does assure me that Sammy’s team is clean. In fact, Sammy has been helping disseminate bogus info for Elvis on occasion.”

“So we have a dirty narc to hinder us. Isn’t that lovely,” said Connie sarcastically.

“Do you want Varrick arrested if I locate him?” asked Laura.

“We need to identify his two playmates,” replied Connie. “If you find him, do surveillance and see who he hangs with. I’d like to give Forensics a chance to see if they come up with something. The more nails we have to put in their coffins the better.”

Jack sat with Gabriel at her kitchen table while Noah and Faith were in the living room. “The men in your basement were running a clandestine lab,” said Jack.

“You found an illegal drug lab in my basement!” said Gabriel in astonishment.

“All their equipment and chemicals are gone, but they were definitely running a lab.”

“No, you don’t understand,” said Gabriel. “I told you before. They were running a janitorial supply service. What you smell is —”

“No,” replied Jack firmly. “I know the man that Noah identified. He is a criminal. I’m sorry, but I am positive they were not operating a janitorial service.”

“Oh, dear,” said Gabriel. She glanced toward the living room and said, “I really am dense.”

“These guys are good at deceiving people,” said Jack. “They easily manipulate judges and juries. It’s their profession. We have found lots of labs operating right under people’s noses.”

Gabriel looked at Jack and muttered, “I really am stupid.”

“No, you simply aren’t familiar with how criminals operate. Hind sight is 20/20.”

“They seemed so nice …” Gabriel sighed and added, “My sister often commented that I was a little too naive.”

“Our concern is that these labs can be very carcinogenic,” said Jack. “My wife feels it would be a good idea for everyone to be checked out as a precaution. I would like to drive you and your children to B.C. Children’s Hospital.”

“You want to drive us to the hospital now?” asked Gabriel, glancing nervously at Faith who was back lying on the sofa. She paused and stared at Jack briefly. “What is it?” she demanded. “What haven’t you told me? You looked in her room, under her bed … what … what is it? Tell me!”

Jack took a deep breath and said, “There is a cold air return under her bed that leads directly to a room in the basement that the men used for their lab.”

“But you said everything has been cleaned out,” replied Gabriel as her brain went into denial. “You can’t be sure. You said the man used to be a criminal. It doesn’t mean he still is.”

Jack shook his head to show she was wrong.

“Father Brown said that there is not enough forgiveness in society,” said Gabriel accusingly. “That we often expect the worst of people, making it difficult for those who have truly repented to be welcomed back into society.”

“The person Noah identified is someone I arrested for running a meth lab a year and a half ago. It appears he moved to your house after he was arrested. I checked downstairs. There are still signs of what they were doing. I’m experienced in these matters. I have no doubt.”

Gabriel looked at Jack as the realization sunk in. “You mean you knew about him a year and a half ago and let him go?” she said harshly. “Why didn’t you keep him in jail? You’re telling me that you allowed him to come here and murder Father Brown. Maybe hurt my family! How could you do that? What kind of person are you to —”

“Mom! What’s wrong?” interjected Noah as he bounded into the kitchen at the sound of his mother’s yelling. When he didn’t get an answer, he stood between the two adults and looked defiantly at Jack.

Jack eyed him briefly. You feel you had to become the man of the house when you dad died. Protective … “Son,” said Jack quietly, “A terrible thing has happened. People, even adults, are upset. It will be okay.”

“I’m not your son,” said Noah defiantly. “Don’t ever call me that.”

“You’re right,” said Jack, “and I apologize. You’re the one who found the bad guy for us. Pretty impressive that you could keep your cool after what has happened.” Jack looked at Gabriel and said, “I bet you’re awfully proud of him.”

“I am,” replied Gabriel. “I’ve always been proud of him.”

Jack nodded. The break from the previous conversation served to calm Gabriel’s voice.

“About the bad guy,” said Jack, “the choice to keep him in jail was not mine to make.”

“But if he didn’t quit, why didn’t you arrest him again? Why did you let him stay here?”

“I’m sorry,” replied Jack sincerely. “About a year and a half ago, seven labs were raided by the police all in one day. Many people were arrested. They were all released shortly after appearing in court. I work for an intelligence unit dealing with organized crime. The majority of the people arrested that day were too low on the criminal ladder for me to keep track of. There are far more criminals than there are police officers. We simply don’t have the manpower to keep following everyone we would like.”

“These men commit murder and you’re telling me they are too low on the ladder for you to work on?” she replied bitterly.

Jack sighed and said, “Maybe you have a right to condemn me, but I still need to drive you all to the hospital. My wife works in a medical clinic, but she has made arrangements to see that Faith receives priority.”

Gabriel did not utter a word during the forty-five minute drive to the hospital. Noah was a little more inquisitive, but was content to hear that it was a matter of routine for everyone to be checked by a physician under such circumstances.

When Gabriel took her children to meet with a physician, Jack spoke to a grief counsellor at the hospital by the name of Phyllis. He gave her his business card and asked her to help Gabriel and let him know if there was anything he could do.

“I’ll be glad to,” replied Phyllis. “Gabriel is lucky to have you involved. So tell me, how are Holly and Charlie doing? Do you see them?”

Jack was taken back. He did not know Phyllis, but during a previous investigation he had dealt with Holly and her young son, Charlie, who had become paraplegic as a result of a bullet. A bullet meant for Jack.

“Holly opened up a small restaurant on the North Shore,” said Jack. “I still see her on occasion. She and Charlie, and her daughter, Jenny, seem to be doing okay.”

“Good to hear,” Phyllis replied. “I saw her about a year ago when she brought Charlie in for a check-up.”

“Have you and I met?” asked Jack.

“No, but I saw you coming to visit Charlie. Holly thinks the world of you, by the way.”

“Thanks,” said Jack. “Holly is a nice lady. So is Gabriel, so I would appreciate anything you can do for her. I would also like to be kept in the loop.”

“I’ll do what I can for her, but as far as keeping you apprised of anything medical … well, I shouldn’t really do that without Gabriel’s permission.”

“I’m not exactly in her good books. One of the men running a lab in her basement is someone I had arrested before. I never kept track of him after the arrest and he simply changed locations and set up a new lab in Gabriel’s basement. He’s still awaiting trial. Indirectly I am to blame for this.”

“You’re responsible? What about the man you arrested? Seems to me we should hold the criminals responsible for their actions.”

Jack snorted and said, “Novel idea. You should suggest that to our judicial system.”

“The point is, it wasn’t you who would have released him.” She pointed her finger at Jack’s chest and said, “You’re not responsible. Indirectly or otherwise.”

Jack smiled politely. “Thanks, I guess you’re right.” Except I know he was released to an unsuspecting public. Knowing all that and I still didn’t do anything …

Phyllis agreed to keep in touch. Before Jack left the hospital, he once more met with Gabriel and handed her his business card.

She took it reluctantly and said, “I called my sister. We’ll spend the weekend with her.”

“My cell number is on the card,” Jack said. “Call me when you need to go home.”

“I don’t need your help,” she replied bitterly.

Jack stared at Gabriel momentarily and said, “I promise you that I will get who did this.”

“That will not bring Father Brown back,” replied Gabriel, “nor will it help my children. God will decide what mercy these men should receive.”

Jack thought about Gabriel’s comment on his way back to the parking lot. His self-incrimination became replaced by something else. Rage. Rage at a justice system he knew to be inept. By the time he arrived at his car, he lost his ability to hold his emotions in check. It resulted in a couple of bruised knuckles and a dent in his car door.

The trouble is, lady, your religious placebo might work for you … but I don’t believe in gods … or showing mercy to people like Varrick.

Chapter Five

It was late afternoon when Jack returned to the office.

“How did it go?” asked Laura.

Jack shrugged and said, “Did what I could. Put Gabriel in touch with a grief counsellor. It’ll be a few days before the doctors know anything. How did you make out?”

“The only address on Varrick is the one he gave when he was arrested last time. It’s his parents’ house in Port Coquitlam. He has the same address on his driver’s licence, but doesn’t have any vehicles registered to him. He was released without any reporting conditions. Connie has a team sitting on the parents’ house, but it doesn’t look good.”

“I’m sure it’s not. When’s his next court appearance?”

“He’s had his prelim and is scheduled for trial at the end of April.”

“Three months away.”

“Connie wasn’t happy when she heard.”

“We’ll find him before then,” replied Jack.

Laura gestured to a mound of reports on her desk and said, “I’m trying. I’ve collected every scrap of info I can on him and anyone he has been known to associate with.”

“He could still be taking orders through some prospect with Satans Wrath.”

“I know, but nothing is popping up to indicate who. I’ve been trying to triangulate any common denominators, phone numbers, anything I can find. Keeping track of Satans Wrath and their associates was bad enough before. Now that they are affiliating with all these street gangs it is worse. This is a mess,” she said, gesturing at all the reports. “It didn’t sound like he actually lived in Gabriel’s basement, but where he is staying is anybody’s guess.”

“He probably didn’t sleep at Gabriel’s because of the danger to his health,” said Jack. “Also it was booby-trapped, so that’s another sign that they weren’t there all the time.”

“With what we’ve got it seems hopeless,” lamented Laura.

Jack swept half the mound of paperwork onto his desk and looked at Laura. “We will find him,” he said determinedly.

It was early evening when Connie stopped in.

“Anything on the surveillance?” asked Laura, glancing up from her desk.

Connie shook her head. “The parents are there, but no sign of Herman yet. He could be in the house, but the only car in the driveway is registered to his parents. I’ve got a feeling he isn’t home. Let’s hope he shows up later.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” said Jack. “How did Forensics make out?”

“No prints,” replied Connie, while wheeling an office chair over and sitting down. “Not even a footprint or tire track.” Her face brightened a little and she added, “Did find one black hair stuck to a piece of skull out on the lawn. Father Brown had grey hair, so it’s not his.”

“Varrick has red,” said Jack.

“Yeah, I know,” frowned Connie. “That’s why I’m here. How are you making out? Did he have a buddy with him last time he was arrested? Someone he might be staying with?”

“He did,” replied Laura. “I checked him first. Confirmed that he’s been in jail for the last two months for assault.”

“Another dead end,” muttered Connie. “Tell me you’ve got something else. What about the prospect who was acting as a go-between last time?”

“Full-fledged member now,” said Jack. “He wouldn’t have any hands-on involvement. Times have changed. We have The Brotherhood to contend with, as do Satans Wrath.”

“The Brotherhood? I’ve heard of that gang. What have they got to do with this?”

“Not a gang,” replied Jack. “A conglomeration of gangs. Mostly gangs with mixed ethnic backgrounds. The Brotherhood started off as East Indian, but now encompass lots of other gangs, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Anglo-Saxon … everyone. I’ve checked with the Gang Unit. Dozens of gangs have sprouted up in the lower mainland. About half a dozen gangs in particular are composed of hardcore seasoned criminals. Most of the gangs have an abundance of juveniles, as well, which means light or no jail sentences.”

“And they call themselves The Brotherhood?” asked Connie.

Jack shook his head and said, “Several of the gangs don’t have names. Just groups of criminals, both male and female. Many of the gangs once tried to unite under the banner of The Brotherhood, thinking it would cut down on the turf wars. As the gangs grew, it didn’t work out. There’s been a split within The Brotherhood. As you can tell by all the shootings, the turf wars are back on. The Gang Unit is overrun with work trying to keep a handle on all the hoods doing the drive-by shootings, let alone work on the bosses who are ordering the hits.”

“Some are more than drive-bys,” said Connie. “The body count is growing at an unbelievable rate. A lot of the cases have ended up in my office, but I wasn’t assigned to them because I was busy at the pig farm.” She paused and said, “But you didn’t answer my question. Varrick was involved with Satans Wrath. What does The Brotherhood have to do with it?”

“The Brotherhood is dealing lots of dope, including meth. They’re too much of a cash-cow for the bikers to ignore. Our latest intel indicates a common denominator between biker meth and the meth being sold by The Brotherhood. Our lab often identifies specific samples of meth as being made by the same chemist or at least the same ingredients and formula. The Brotherhood meth is matching the same meth coming from biker sources. There are also a lot more labs than there used to be. Seems like they’re springing up all over the place.”

“So Satans Wrath and The Brothrhood have formed a partnership?” asked Connie. “Maybe using the same chemists to make it?”

“Correct, except I don’t know if partnership is quite the right word,” said Jack. “Satans Wrath is one of the top organized crime families in the world. It is only a matter of time before they’ll control The Brotherhood completely. The bikers had feelers out with at least the half-dozen or so bosses in The Brotherhood whom they consider worthy. With the dope starting to match up, it is obvious that it is more than feelers.”

“Feelers?” asked Connie.

“Ambassadors, if you will,” replied Jack.

“A bit like a corporate takeover,” said Connie.

“Exactly,” replied Jack. “The Brotherhood is penny ante in comparison to Satans Wrath. Extremely violent and stupid, but penny ante. Lots of young kids who lack conscience and think they’re invincible. Also naive and stupid enough to think that using a gun will give them status as a real gangster. In reality, they’re only cannon fodder for the real gangsters who are smart enough not to take stupid risks.”

“In some aspects, that makes The Brotherhood more dangerous than Satans Wrath,” added Laura. “Getting stoned and spraying bullets around isn’t the bikers’ style.”

“If The Brotherhood is comprised of morons, how come Satans Wrath hasn’t already taken over or kicked them out?” asked Connie.

“Satans Wrath aren’t stupid. They’ve been learning the ropes for the last sixty years. They don’t want to risk openly associating with The Brotherhood during all these shootings. Too much police attention combined with a lack of discipline on the part of The Brotherhood. The bikers will sit back and go with the winning side once the wars are settled.”

“More like control the winning side,” added Laura.

“Definitely,” said Jack. “In the meantime, although the war is bad for business, it gives Satans Wrath a chance to appraise who they’ll want working for them in the future. They could easily take out the bosses of The Brotherhood, but as I said, they’re a cash cow. The Brotherhood has a lot of kids working for them. Kids dealing dope in schools, arcades, playgrounds, and everywhere else kids hang out. The Brotherhood is a good conduit for the bikers to control in order to make money. Let them take the risk while the bikers rake in the cash. Varrick was under the control of Satans Wrath and likely still is, but he could have been assigned to work with The Brotherhood. There has been a definite amalgamation with how they make meth. We have to presume that they are working together.”

“Christ,” said Connie. “Nothing is ever simple. Why couldn’t I just once get a case where the wife comes home and shoots her husband for screwin’ around on him … then calls us to say she did it.” She waved her arms in the air and added, “All this shit with gangs, juveniles, The Brotherhood, Satans Wrath —”

“Ah, come on, Connie,” said Jack, with a grin. “Don’t tell me you don’t like a challenge. I know you better than that.”

“I really want to solve this,” replied Connie, sounding exasperated.

“Us, too,” replied Jack, his voice becoming sombre. “If you saw the look on Gabriel’s face after the doctors told her what they were testing for … holding Faith in her lap …” Jack concentrated on taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling in an unsuccessful attempt to block the memory before continuing. “Believe me,” he said determinedly, “we will solve it.”

“Well, you caught Varrick before,” said Connie. “Let’s catch him again. Any suggestions?”

“We need to find him and identify who was with him. With the evidence you have so far, you know there is no chance you could convict. If you haul him in for questioning he won’t talk and all it would do is let him know we’re on to him. Once we find him, maybe you could get a wiretap. We’ll work together. Laura and I will liaison with Drug Section and the Biker Unit if the need arises. We still have some more reading to do. With The Brotherhood, it is going to take time to figure out who all the players are.”

“I’ll keep a surveillance team on the house,” said Connie. “Maybe he’ll show up. Let’s see what another day brings.”

It was ten o’clock at night when Jack arrived home and pulled into his parking space in the underground parking lot. He was glad to see that Natasha’s parking spot was still empty, but knew she would be home from work soon.

Jack went to their apartment and returned a few minutes later with a toilet plunger. He was successful in that the plunger sucked the ding out of his car door, but as he walked back to the elevator, Natasha arrived.

She got out of the car and kissed him, before gesturing to the toilet plunger. “I always thought your expression of you don’t catch sewer rats with church mice was what you said about your informants. I had no idea that you really were after sewer rats.”

Jack sighed and said, “I used it take a dent out of the car door.”

“Accident?” asked Natasha.

“I punched it,” admitted Jack.

“Did it help?”

“No. Made me feel stupid.”

“Bad day at the office, or did the door take a swing at you first?”

“Hasn’t been a good day,” replied Jack.

“Involving that family you brought to BCCH?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re after the sewer rats who lived in her basement.”

Jack nodded.

“Sounds like tonight we should have a glass of wine and unwind a little.”

“Make it a bottle.”

Natasha eyed Jack’s hand and said, “Break any bones?”

“No, I haven’t caught them yet.”

“I mean your hand, not —” She stopped when she saw Jack smile at her. “Do I need to worry?” she asked, convinced that Jack’s smile was not genuine.

“I think I cracked a knuckle, but as far as the bad guys go, you don’t need to worry.”

Natasha stared at him silently.

“Hey, I’m smiling, aren’t I?” added Jack.

“Yeah, and your upper lip looks a bit like a Frankfurter. It always does when you’re trying to pull one over on me.”

Jack’s chuckle was genuine. “I love you, you know.”

“I love you, too.” She eyed Jack’s hand again. Punching a car door was not his style. She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and said, “Let’s go find that corkscrew … then we’ll talk … and don’t try to bullshit me or I’ll use that plunger on you.”

“I could think of a nicer way to get a hickey,” replied Jack.

“Hickey? Wasn’t what I had in mind. You would need a proctologist when I was done.”

It was seven o’clock Friday morning when Jack arrived back at Gabriel’s house with cleaning supplies. The blood was sprayed high enough up the back of the house that he needed to borrow a ladder from a neighbour. As he scrubbed the streams of dried blood off the aluminium siding he reflected on the violent, uncontrollable rage of the person who did the murder. This is one animal I will find …

Later that afternoon, Connie returned to Jack and Laura’s office. Any optimism she had disappeared when they both gave her the thumbs-down signal.

“How about you?” asked Jack.

“Not a thing on the Varrick house. The parents went grocery shopping and to the liquor store and that was it.”

“How about the crime scene?” asked Laura.

Connie shook her head and said, “We canvassed the neighbourhood and there was nothing of interest.” She eyed Jack curiously and said, “I heard you were there this morning, making like a janitor.”

Jack shrugged in response.

“You should have asked me,” said Laura. “I would have helped.”

“It was no big deal,” replied Jack. “I was awake early.” More like I hardly slept from grinding my teeth all night …

“It was good of you,” said Connie. “Anyway, I’ve even taking to interviewing winos. I’ve talked to four of them so far. There’s a liquor store about a block away from Gabriel’s. I’m posting a member there every day for the next week. Also got Forensics collecting prints from empty wine bottles we’ve found in a vacant lot down the alley to identify others.”

“Interviewing winos,” mused Jack. “I heard recruitment for your section was down, but I hadn’t realized how desperate you had become.”

“Smartass,” replied Connie. “No, from what we’ve been told, there were at least a dozen different winos who used Gabriel’s yard to get out of the rain. I’m going on a possible theory, with the way Father Brown was dressed, that he might have gone outside to chase some winos away and saw something he shouldn’t have. Then again, he might have seen one of the dopers doing something and went out to investigate.”

“So you’re hoping to come up with a drunk as a witness,” said Jack. “Bet the courts will love that.”

“Christ,” replied Connie. “The reason I’m telling you is to show how desperate I am. We need to find Varrick!”

“If you’re that desperate, want me to try a quick UC call to his parents?” asked Jack.

“If you could think of something that wouldn’t heat him up, go for it,” replied Connie.

“I’ll think of something,” replied Jack. “Wait in the hall and close the door and make sure nobody walks in during the call.”

Jack waited until Connie left and closed the office door before glancing at Laura and saying, “I thought it better that Connie not hear. Don’t want her to have to tell a judge and have the case thrown out by saying it put justice into disrepute.”

“The lawyer act?” smiled Laura.

Jack nodded as he thumbed through a file. “I have Varrick’s parents’ number … need to find out what lawyer is representing him on his drug charge.”

“It’s Basil Westmount from the law firm of Manhattan, Westmount, and Wilson,” said Laura.

Seconds later, Jack punched in a phone number on his cellphone. “Good afternoon, may I speak to Mister Herman Varrick please … oh, I see, you’re his mother,” he said. “Yes, I’m calling from Manhattan, Westmount, and Wilson.… Yes it is about his upcoming trial.… No, I’m sorry, his trial is still going ahead and it is imperative that we locate your son immediately.… I would call him, but the phone number we have is no longer in service.… Thank you, I would appreciate that …” Jack quickly jotted down a number and asked, “That is a cell number, is it?… We don’t need to talk to your son as much as we need to courier him some documentation. Could you confirm his current address?.… It’s called Headstones? Yes, I’ve heard of the place. I believe we have the address on file from a previous client. Thank you very much.… It is a transcript from his preliminary hearing.… He already has that? Then I am extremely sorry for having bothered you. Our secretary should have made a notation on the file. We won’t need to contact your son, then.”

Jack hung up and winked at Laura before calling for Connie to come back in. When she did, he said, “It worked. I’ve got his cell number and address.”

“Fantastic,” said Connie. “How did you do it?”

“Pretended to be a friend looking for him,” said Jack

“Man,” said Connie. “I never thought these guys would fall for that old line. This is great, I’ll find out who he’s been talking with.”

I didn’t think they would fall for that either, thought Jack. He looked at Connie and said, “I wouldn’t get your hopes up on getting much in the way of phone tolls. He gave this number to his mother, so it’s his permanent number. He’ll be using disposable phones for the stuff we’re interested in. Cellphones that he’ll toss out every week or so.”

Connie frowned and said, “Hope you’re wrong. What about his address?”

“Familiar with a place out in White Rock the bikers have nicknamed Headstones?”

“Nope,” replied Connie. “Must not have had any murders there.”

“None reported,” replied Jack. “Headstones is a three-storey older house a couple of blocks back from the beach. It used to be a bed and breakfast place before it was bought by a close associate to Satans Wrath.”

“More of a silent partnership,” added Laura.

“It’s a party place for people they don’t necessarily trust enough to bring to their real clubhouse,” continued Jack. “Also a crash pad for some. The bikers nicknamed it Headstones.”

“Odd name,” said Connie. “Sounds like a place where we should excavate the yard.”