Читать книгу Jack Taggart Mysteries 9-Book Bundle - Don Easton - Страница 7

Jack booked the rest of the week off, but the day after the funeral he called CC.

“Anything?”

“Jack, if we make an arrest, I’ll give you a call. Until then, let me do my job.”

“Any leads?”

CC sighed. “Not much. But who knows. It’s too soon yet.”

“What about the powder on the counter?”

“You were right on that. It analyzed as methamphetamine.”

“That’s good! Every chemist who makes meth leaves what amounts to their own chemical signature in it. The lab can cross-match different samples and you might get a match to identify where it originated from.”

“Damn it, Jack. Butt out! Lucy at the lab just explained all that to me.”

“So you’ve put word out to turn in meth samples so the lab can cross-match with —”

“I was going to do that, but instead I’m talking to you! Get the picture?”

Jack allowed himself a glimmer of hope as he hung up. He had his own plan. He called the toxicology department in the crime lab. Lucy was one of the good guys. She would help.

Luigi Grazia was in charge of the Intelligence Section that Danny was assigned to. He was fifty-four years old, and with his greased-back hair, swarthy complexion, and pinstriped suit, he could have passed for a gangster in a B movie. Before he became a desk jockey, he’d had a reputation for solving difficult problems. Some said he was lucky. The fact was, he was cunning.

“Welcome to the section,” said Grazia in a gruff voice. “Everyone calls me Louie.”

Danny was conscious of Louie’s penetrating eyes as they shook hands.

Louie told him he would be sharing an office with Jack Taggart, who would be his immediate supervisor. Danny was glad Jack was off for a week. He wasn’t looking forward to shaking hands with his new partner. He discovered, however, that waiting was worse.

Danny reviewed the reports that Jack had recently submitted on an international child pornography ring. When he finished those, he spent the rest of the week reading reports on past investigations about organizations involved in extortion, stolen-auto rings, prostitution, contract murders, drug trafficking, armored car holdups, and more. Louie told him to think of it as a history lesson.

The weekend would have been a good chance for Danny to unpack the many moving boxes that were still piled in his living room, but he felt listless and tired.

“Monday tomorrow,” Susan commented over their morning coffee.

Danny’s blank expression told her that he wasn’t listening.

“What’s wrong, honey? You acted thrilled when you first told me you were being transferred to Intelligence. But ever since you started you’ve been really quiet. You act like the cat that swallowed the mouse. What gives?”

“I’m just tired. I’ve done a lot of reading this week.”

“Tired? I can’t remember the last time you worked a week of straight day shifts. I think your new job seems great!”

“Maybe I’m not used to it.” He forced a smile.

“Maybe things will be different tomorrow when you meet your new partner.”

Danny chose to bite a piece of toast.

“Hope he’s someone you like. It’s too bad about his niece and nephew.”

Danny took another bite.

“You said he was single; maybe you should invite him over for dinner sometime.”

Danny was grateful that at that moment Tiffany started to cry from her crib. He left to pick her up.

It was noon when Jack woke up. He was still groggy when he answered his telephone.

“Hi, handsome.”

Jack was instantly awake. He recognized Lucy’s voice. He held his breath.

“You sound like you were sleeping,” Lucy said. “I worked all weekend.”

“Not as late as I did. Come on, Lucy! You wouldn’t call me at home unless you had something.”

“I’ve got good news and bad news.”

“One of the samples I brought in matched?”

“No. None of those three matched. You know, I only had about one-tenth of a gram to work with from the murder scene. But it’s close enough that I’ll call these a match. I sent a request to all the labs across the country. We got lucky. Four matches. Three out of Quebec and one from Vancouver.”

“All made by the same cook?” asked Jack.

“The same chemist brewed all four, or, with what was recovered at the murder scene, I should say all five.”

Jack wondered if his heartbeat could be heard over the phone. “Were any of the seizures high-level busts?”

“Two of the Quebec seizures were at the pound level. Both apparently seized from dealers who are known associates of Satans Wrath.”

“Satans Wrath! What about the Vancouver seizure?”

“That’s the bad news. It was less than a gram. Turned in by a Vancouver beat cop. I talked to the guy. It was night and he took a stroll with his partner down some alley on East Hastings. A woman panicked when she saw them coming and chucked it. Probably a hooker. They never did catch her. The only reason he sent it in was because Homicide put out a bulletin saying they were interested.”

“What night did this happen?”

“Same date as the murders.”

“Told Homicide yet?”

“Spoke with CC. She said there’s not much you can do with it under the circumstances. Guess she’s right, but I still thought I should tell you.”

Less than an hour later, Jack burst into Louie’s office.

“I’m going to do an intelligence probe on Satans Wrath, starting tonight.”

“They’re involved in your porn file?”

“No. I’m putting that on the shelf for a moment. This is more important.”

Louie studied Jack’s face, then said, “This is connected with the murders, isn’t it?”

“It could turn out that way if —”

“Come on, Jack. I know this means a lot to you, but give Homicide a chance. We work on organized crime. The brass won’t put up with —”

“Satans Wrath is the number one organized crime group in this country.”

“I know, but what does that have to do with the murders?”

“Our lab cross-matched speed found at the murder scene with speed seized in Quebec connected to Satans Wrath. Now they matched a gram of speed found in an alley off East Hastings as coming from the same chemist!”

“East Hastings? Even Satans Wrath wouldn’t hang out in that scuzzball part of town. Does Homicide know?”

“They’re who the lab did it for.”

“Jack, I understand that this is personal for you, but it’s still up to Homicide.”

“Come on, Louie! Identical speed connected to Satans Wrath in Quebec is turning up here! There are more members of that gang in this city than there are in any other province. And they’re big enough and cautious enough to find an abandoned farmhouse to conduct business.”

“They’re also one of the most dangerous! Damn it, Jack! This isn’t the way we’re supposed to do things! What am I going to have to do to educate you?”

“This isn’t coincidence! If they’re not involved with killing Liz’s kids you can bet they’ll know who did do it!”

“You’re not listening! This is a Homicide investigation. It’s up to them to —”

“GIS wouldn’t make any progress in that part of the city! They’d stand out like nuns in a brothel. Homicide told the lab that it’s not enough of a lead to do anything about it. They’re a reactive section, not proactive.”

“What makes you think you would succeed? Every operation mounted against them has soured. Years of wasted surveillance, dead informants, wiretaps that turned up nothing.”

“I’ve had a good teacher.”

Grazia sat back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk. “Some lowly speed dealer from East Hastings wouldn’t travel all the way out the Valley to do a deal.”

“I know, but someone higher up the ladder might.”

“But East Hastings?”

“I’ve got to start somewhere. I’ll come up with bigger connections sooner or later.”

Louie paused, then said, “Okay. Check it out. But be careful! The brass wouldn’t approve of you sticking your nose into the murder investigation. Wigmore is acting a little kinky these days. He would never authorize funding for us to do street-level drug buys. For now, keep it strictly to surveillance and see what you learn. Forget trying to claim any expenses.”

“I know. I haven’t claimed any expenses yet.”

Louie gave him a hard look. “I didn’t really think you took last week off. You’ve already been buying dope, haven’t you?”

Jack shrugged and said, “I wasted my time — and money. Three scores and no matches.”

“Jesus, Jack! I don’t want you taking risks like that! Policy says you need authorization and a proper cover team if you plan on buying dope. If Wigmore found out, you’d be toast.”

“Wigmore won’t find out.”

“He didn’t get to where he is by being stupid. I’ve got some news for you. Your new partner has arrived. He’s been here all week. Seems anxious to meet you.”

“Who?”

“His name is Danny O’Reilly. Came from back east. Was in Public Relations but —”

Jack groaned. “Just what I need, my own PR person. I bet he’s a pansy.”

“He has Drug experience and GIS. I’m told that PR was just temporary while he was waiting to sell his house and transfer out. It was his baby who puked on the prime minister.”

“That guy? What a hoot! The way I feel about politicians, I’d rather work with his baby.”

“He’s a few years younger than you. Acted a little nervous, but after what he went through with the PM, who wouldn’t be? Take him with you on surveillance. Nothing else until we get grounds to ask for authorization.”

“You got it.”

“Better come up with a project name.”

“How about Project 13?”

“Perfect. One more thing. I have no idea what your new partner is like, so be careful. I mean it when I say I don’t want you taking risks. Especially with Satans Wrath. If something doesn’t feel right, phone me and I’ll back you up. Day or night.”

“Thanks, Louie.”

“Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Later that afternoon, Danny found a private moment to call Susan.

“What’s your new partner like?” she asked. “Or can’t you talk now?”

“I can talk. He looks like a hood, but actually seems quite nice.”

“You sound surprised.”

Danny paused, then said, “Sorry, I don’t have much time to talk. I wanted to let you know that I won’t be home for dinner. Sounds like I might be working late.”

“You’ve already worked all day! I thought we were going to unpack tonight. Speaking of which, the movers found the headboard and frame for our bed. It arrived today.”

“Sorry, honey, I have to work.”

“Is he making you work?”

“Jack? No. He told me to go home and work with him tomorrow night, but…”

“But what?”

“I need to stick close to him.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do. I’ll dig into those boxes tomorrow.”

“Okay. Maybe I’ll put the bed frame and headboard together myself.”

“Who needs a headboard? It’ll just bang on the wall and wake up Tiffany.”

Susan giggled. “You’re awful. Love ya.”

It was getting dark as Danny drove the two-door compact sports car, following Jack’s directions. He stopped for an early amber light and heard a slight grunt of disapproval.

“I heard about your niece and nephew. Just wanted to say I’m sorry. Susan and I have a baby girl. It would be hard to imagine anything more terrible.”

“Thanks,” Jack replied.

“I hope Homicide solves it soon. I wonder if they have any leads?”

“They don’t think they do.”

Neither spoke for several minutes. Danny then flipped on the windshield wipers and asked, “Where we going?”

“East Hastings.”

“Being as we’re partners, maybe you could tell me why?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Danny could see Jack sizing him up. He seemed to be weighing his response carefully.

“We’re starting what’s called an intelligence probe. Project 13. It’s —”

“About speed,” said Danny.

Jack looked surprised, so Danny continued. “The thirteenth letter of the alphabet. Letter M. Stands for methamphetamine. Bikers sometimes tattoo the number on —”

“So you know a little bit about drugs and bikers.”

“A little. Spent four years on Winnipeg Drugs. Also saw you at the office going through pictures of bikers.”

“Satans Wrath. Ever work on them back east?”

“Not really.”

“They have at least eighty-five members out here on the West Coast. In our area they’ve got four chapters with between eighteen to twenty-five guys in each chapter. Every chapter in the country has a local president and they all report to the national president. He’s a guy by the name of Damien who also lives here. They’ve also got about a dozen strikers.”

“Strikers?”

“Probationary members who do a lot of the dirty work for the club and take the risks.”

“Sounds like a big group to be taking on.”

“It’s worse than that. The rule of thumb is that for every regular member of the club, there are about ten hard-core criminals who work for them. Overall, in our area alone, we’re dealing with an army of about nine hundred professional criminals.”

Danny let out a low whistle, then said, “So what are we up to?”

“I think someone in Satans Wrath is either directly or indirectly supplying speed to the area we’re going to. I’m going to find out who. Are you a trained operator?”

“UC? No.”

“Didn’t think so.”

“Why not?” Danny tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“You look too straight for undercover.” Jack paused for a moment, then looked at Danny and said, “Actually, that’s not altogether true. There is a certain aura about you. You remind me a little of a used car salesman who’s trying to sell me a lemon.”

Danny chose not to respond. He stared out at the part of the city they had entered. On the steps of a men’s hostel, a small knot of men huddled in the doorway. Farther down the block was a small park. A syringe stuck out of the trunk of a dogwood tree.

He drove past several pawnshops. Heavy steel reinforcement bars guarded the windows and doors. One building had been bulldozed, leaving a cesspool of rubble and garbage.

“Turn left and drive slow down the next alley.”

Danny did as directed. Partway down the alley, he noticed that Jack paid particular attention to a grey steel door behind one building. A light above the door had been smashed out, but the words Black Water Hotel could still be seen in black on the door.

Moments later, Danny parked on the second level of a parking garage that overlooked the front of the hotel. The hotel was in dire need of paint. A sign in red neon lights hung from the front of the building. The letter T was burned out so it appeared from a distance as “HO EL.”

“Pop the trunk.”

Danny watched as Jack took off an ankle holster holding his Smith & Wesson semi-automatic 9-mm calibre pistol and, along with his badge, stashed them both in the trunk. He handed Danny a pair of binoculars.

“Why are you stashing your piece?”

“I find it uncomfortable to wear.”

“Really?”

Jack stared at Danny briefly, then said, “Your job, O’Really, is to stay here and watch.”

Danny wasn’t amused. “You’re not going down there alone. Policy says that —”

“Policy can get you killed. You’re not ready for the Black Water yet. Wait here.”

Danny waited until Jack walked away from the car before making an entry in his notebook. No doubt Superintendent Wigmore would be interested. He checked his watch. Less than an hour before he was to call him and report in.

Danny used the binoculars and saw Jack approach the front of the hotel. The red neon lights flared off the hookers’ faces as he spoke with them at the entrance. Then he ducked inside.

It occurred to Danny why Jack had left his gun in the car. That son of a bitch!