Читать книгу Subverting Justice - Don Easton - Страница 10

As Jack drove home he called John Adams. After exchanging niceties, Adams said, “Yolanda is about halfway through the first box of records. So far they pertain to Damien Zabat’s money-laundering scheme through the phony real-estate sales.”

“Well … there’s no rush on Damien,” Jack said blandly. He then told Adams that Damien must have been murdered and that Pure E had answered Damien’s phone when Jack called to warn him.

“Those whoremongers!” Adams said.

“There’s more. I laid heat on a biker to protect an informant. It worked, but the bastards made him watch as they burned his brother and wife to death before gutting him. Then they dipped a broom in his blood and left a message on the wall for me.”

“For you? Jesus fuck!”

“So Pure E’s become my number-one target.”

“I don’t believe it,” Adams said.

Jack was confused. “What I told you is true.”

“No, not that part. I don’t believe Pure E is still alive.”

“I’m trying to do things by the book. If he dies and the club suspects I played a role in it, they’re liable to come after my family.”

After a few moments of silence Adams said, “Yeah, I hear ya.”

“So, back to the files. Did Yolanda look in the other box? I’m hoping Damien isn’t the only Canadian mentioned.”

“You’re in luck there. There are two other Canucks.”

Bingo.

“The lawyer dealing with Damien was Francesco Lopez. Yolanda skimmed through the file folders in the second box. They actually belong to another lawyer by the name of Miguel Herrero. His office is in the same building as Lopez.”

Oh, please, let it be, let it be….

“She hasn’t had time to read those files yet,” Adams continued. “I told her that Damien was the priority. She said, though, from what she did see, the second box pertained to a Lance Morgan —”

Yes!

“— and a Jake Yadamenko, or some name like that. I’m just going by memory, but it —”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

“You havin’ an orgasm, Jack?”

“Lance Morgan is president of the Westside chapter of Satans Wrath in Vancouver.” Jack couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice. “Jake Yevdokymenko is pres-ident of the Eastside chapter and goes by the nickname of Whiskey Jake. Getting something on either of those two would be fantastic.”

“Whiskey Jake,” Adams repeated. “Good. Helluva lot easier to remember.”

“He’s left-handed, so occasionally they call him Lefty or South Paw, but Whiskey Jake is his most common moniker. John, you did great! Past informant info said that Lopez had introduced them to another lawyer, but we didn’t know who.”

“Guess Lopez thought he was being extra cautious by hiding those files, as well.”

“Peaks and valleys. Today we hit a peak. Please ask Yolanda to concentrate on Morgan and Yevdokymenko.”

“You got it. Might be a week or so. I’ll let you know.”

Jack glanced at the white van with Abe’s Furnace Repair on the door as he slowed to turn into his driveway. He was too tired to pay it much thought. As he jabbed the automatic garage-door opener, Natasha appeared from around the side of the house carrying a bucket of weeds and plant clippings. He parked and then walked out through the open garage door to give her a hug and a kiss.

Natasha stepped back. “You look and smell awful. Want to talk about it?”

“I hardly know where to begin. This morning I went to a triple homicide. It was gruesome. I think I should spare you the details.”

“I’m a doctor. I’ve seen gruesome. If something is affecting you, I want you to talk to me about it.”

Jack took a breath and slowly exhaled. “A man and wife were tied to chairs in their kitchen. The husband was made to watch as his wife was burned to death, then it was his turn. The third victim was the man’s brother. After being made to watch the other two, he was disembowelled.”

Natasha winced and briefly closed her eyes.

“It gets worse. One of the killers used a broom to leave a message in blood on the wall for me.”

Natasha gasped. “For you!”

“It said, ‘For you JT’ with the number 4 and letter U used instead of the words.”

“Why? Why would someone do that?”

“I’d set it up to make the brother look like my informant. I expected him to be killed, but not like that. Satans Wrath has a new national president by the name of Purvis Evans. Turns out he’s more vindictive and evil than I knew.”

“So you’re feeling responsible,” Natasha said.

“There’s more. At noon I received a call from Basil Westmount. He’s the club lawyer and told me he discovered it was Damien who gave me the info about a boatload of cocaine that ended up being seized in France last night. I called Damien to try to warn him and … and …” In exasperation he made a fist.

“And what?”

“Purvis Evans answered. He was waiting for my call. There’s no doubt Damien is dead.” Jack paused as he reflected on the situation. “Damn it, I meant to call I-HIT to see if they could trace Damien’s phone … but I guess that can wait.”

“How did they find out Damien was working for you?”

“His wife, Vicki. She did it.”

Natasha shook her head in disgust. As a doctor, she’d seen more than her share of people seeking treatment over domestic fights.

“And I fell for it,” Jack said bitterly. “It was me who put the final nail in his coffin.”

Natasha hugged him. “You always do what you feel is morally justified.” Her voice was soft and loving. “You’re a good person.”

“That’s another thing,” Jack said dismally. “Speaking of good people … Laura is thinking about asking for a transfer.”

Natasha maintained her hug, but looked up at him. Her face was grim. “But not you?”

“I can’t. I’ve got unfinished business.”

“That message on the wall?”

“Yes. There needs to be a reply.”

Jack saw the strain on Natasha’s face, then she released her grip and walked away. She’s worried about what I’ll do and the possible repercussions. He stared after her. I can’t let him get away with this. Natasha, I’m sorry.