Читать книгу Jack Taggart Mysteries 7-Book Bundle - Don Easton - Страница 38

Natasha was more than a little surprised at the message she got from her receptionist. A moment later she stood to give Marcie a hug as she walked into her office. Marcie stiffened and turned away, taking refuge in a chair.

Natasha sat back down and asked, “What are you doing here? How did you get here?”

“I hitched.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

Marcie nodded her head.

“I bet the school has already called Liz.”

“I phoned the school and pretended I was Liz. Told them I was sick and she was keeping me home.”

“Why are you here?”

“Don’t tell anyone. Especially Jack! He’d kick my ass. I mean, my butt.”

“No problem there. Jack and I are no longer seeing each other.”

“Yeah, I know. I heard Liz talking to him. That’s why I came to see ya. I wanted to tell you that Jack’s a really neat guy.”

“I guess I see him a little differently than you.”

“I don’t understand why … and I got the feeling that it’s got something to do with me.”

Natasha stared at Marcie for a moment, then said, “It’s personal.”

“I want you to know that Jack is the only guy I’ve ever trusted. He cares for me. Even though he wants real bad to catch the guy who murdered Ben and Liz’s kids, he’s told me that I would never have to get involved. Like testifying or anything. He said that he would look after it himself. The same goes for the freak who hurt me in the cabin.”

“Interesting.”

“You don’t believe me, do ya?”

“It’s sweet of you to try to do this, but I think it’s best that I put you on a bus and —”

“Sweet of me! Fuck you! Don’t treat me like a little kid! I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Jack! And you’re the one who is supposed to be a doctor!”

Natasha paused for a moment, then said, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply that you were a little child. What do you mean that I am supposed to be a doctor?”

“Jack sees things. Things that you probably should, but don’t.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the night you met me out on the farm. I was going to commit suicide.”

“Suicide! What on earth for? You —”

“As soon as you and Jack came into the loft, he knew it right away. In fact, I think he already knew.”

“I didn’t see that. I thought you were just playing. What —”

“Yeah, I know you didn’t see it. Maybe you should get your eyes tested. But Jack did. He’s talked to me lots since then. I feel better about myself now. I would never think of doing something stupid like that again.”

“That’s good. You know if you ever feel —”

“If you and Jack don’t click, then so be it. But if it’s got somethin’ to do with me, then I’m really pissed off, because I think he’s a really good guy. He really cares about people. I think you’re pretty stupid if you don’t know that.”

Thumper watched as Wizard let The Suit into the motel room.

The Suit gestured to Thumper and said, “I take it this is Lance?”

“No. I changed my mind on that. This is Thumper. He’s … better positioned than Lance. Wait till you see what he has to show ya and you’ll know why.”

“So now who do I contact if need be?”

“If you can’t reach me, contact Thumper. Use Rolly only as a last resort. Forget Damien altogether.”

“This gentleman now makes four who know me. I don’t —”

“I know how ya feel. There’s no need for anyone else to meet ya. Thumper is from a different chapter. Gives us more knowledge about what’s going on. At least until the election. Then everyone will report to me.”

“Provided you win.”

“I’ll win.”

Moments later, Thumper hooked up the camera to the laptop computer. Wizard glanced at The Suit and said, “Take a look at who Taggart is meeting!”

The Suit’s response was exactly what Wizard had expected.

“That little cunt! What’s she doing with him?”

“I know. I fuckin’ near had a heart attack when I saw it too. He’s got her stashed out at his sister’s farm. His sister is the ol’ lady of the kids we —”

“I know who his sister is! What is this little cunt doing there?”

Thumper cleared his throat and said, “We think that maybe she can identify you. Taggart has got her stashed there for safekeeping.”

“Jesus Christ!”

“It’s good that Thumper let us know. That fuckin’ Damien wasn’t gonna tell us!”

“Jesus Christ!” The Suit repeated.

“Now that the pigs don’t have a rat anymore, she’s the only other loose end,” said Wizard.

“Her and that fucking Taggart! He needs to be dealt with as well!”

“Exactly. I’ll do ’em both, but we should wait until after the election on Monday.”

“Forget that! We could be in jail by then! Or from what I know about Taggart, we could be dead.”

“If we whack them, Damien will be pissed. If I don’t win the election, he’ll have me whacked for doin’ it.”

“And me too,” added Thumper, looking at Wizard. “So you better fucking win.”

“You’ll win — especially if you do exactly as I tell you,” said The Suit. “I’ve got a plan that will earn you enough — what do you call it? — class to become national president for as long as you want.”

“How?”

“Simple. Grab the little bitch when she’s alone someplace. As soon as you do, I’ll set up Taggart and O’Reilly so they’re easy to kill. If Taggart’s body is never found, and O’Reilly and the little bitch are killed with Taggart’s gun, it’ll make it look like Taggart flipped out and shot them. Especially if there are no ligature marks.”

Thumper leaned forward in his chair and said, “I can handle six guys and not leave a visible mark on ’em. Ten, if I was in a locked room with ’em.”

“But how?” asked Wizard. “This will never work! They…”

The Suit raised his hand and gestured for Wizard to stop. “I have a plan. Don’t you think I know how cops think? All you need is the proper evidence. This will work. If we have to, kill his sister and her hubby, too. Won’t really matter. Use a shotgun on them, just like their kids. Leave it in Taggart’s trunk and the police will conclude he was also responsible for murdering their children. Arrange for the appropriate evidence in his apartment.” He paused, then said, “It would be prudent to have one or two others to assist. How about this Lance fellow?”

“Lance’s loyalty might be with Damien. I think it would be better to keep him out of this. I’ll get a couple of strikers. T-Bone and Booger. Neither one would question whatever I tell them to do. But you still haven’t explained how or when.”

“Tomorrow is Friday. We do it this weekend. And I’ll tell you exactly how.”

Late Friday night Jack lay in bed gently running his fingers through Natasha’s hair. Her head lay on his chest, and Jack knew by her breathing that she was asleep.

He reflected on their evening. Natasha was a great cook. She was also coy about why she called to apologize for having doubted his sincerity. She said a good friend had opened her eyes but wouldn’t say who. He had the feeling that she enjoyed keeping a secret from him.

He watched the luminous numbers of the digital clock in the bedroom as the minutes slowly flipped by into hours. He tried to sleep but his brain wouldn’t shut off. He took slow, deep breaths to calm himself but had to repeat the process often. He couldn’t stop thinking about two small coffins and the promise he had made to Maggie and Ben Junior.

He waited until early morning, then left a note and slipped quietly away. Leaving a note was easier than answering questions. Besides, if things went as planned, he could explain it to her over dinner tonight.