A Delicate Matter Read online

  Rose exhaled noisily. “You just talked me into it. When I meet with Isaac I’ll tell him how you set Neal up.”

  I should’ve kept my yap closed. Before he could respond, he felt his phone vibrate and he checked the call display. Yes, my weenie-wagging friend, I wondered if you’d call. He glanced at Rose. “Speaking of informants, Informant A is calling me.”

  “Go ahead and take it,” Rose said. “When you’re done with him call I-POC to get things started. While you’re doing that, I’ll review your report and then try to get us an audience.”

  Yes, an audience with Isaac. That ought to be interesting.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Holy fuck!” Mack Cockerill shouted into the phone. “You got a movie of Buck and the guys killin’ King! Then tried to use it to get Damien to rat?”

  “That’s yesterday’s news,” Jack replied, walking down the hall toward his office. “How come you waited until now to tell me King was being paid a visit?”

  “Yeah, that. I was sort of out of it. I got to partying a little heavy on Saturday and passed out.”

  “I warned you before about —”

  “Yeah, yeah. The guys are already pissed off at me. I don’t need to hear it from you, too. I’ve quit drinkin’.”

  Jack’s silence revealed his skepticism.

  “Anyway, I didn’t find out about everything until last night when I got word to go meet Lance.”

  “Lance Morgan — your chapter president,” Jack said.

  “Yeah. At first I was worried that maybe I was gettin’ the boot from the club or somethin’ because of my drinkin’. Wasn’t that at all. He told me about the video you took. He said that Damien is fuckin’ wild about it and took Buck to meet the lawyer yesterday afternoon, even though it was Sunday.”

  “Basil Westmount?” Jack asked.

  “Who else would it be?” Cockerill muttered as if that was a given.

  “Any idea what Basil had to say?”

  “Yeah, said it’d be best to sit tight for two days in case, uh, somethin’ should happen.”

  “Something?”

  “Well … I might as well tell ya’, but don’t get excited until you hear me out.”

  “Okay — keep talking.”

  “Lance didn’t say word for word what Damien told him, but from the gist of the conversation, you must have told Damien that it was you, your partner, and some other cop who took the video.”

  “Yes, I let him know that,” Jack said.

  “Damien thinks it was only you and your partner … but he ain’t positive.”

  “Why should it matter?”

  “Because Basil was wonderin’ if Damien was thinkin’ about poppin’ you both.”

  “And?”

  “Damien told Basil that wasn’t an option and said it wasn’t on the table for discussion.”

  “Nice to hear.”

  “’Cause of what Lance said, I know Damien means it, but Basil ain’t so sure.”

  “What do you mean? You said Damien told him.”

  “Basil figures because you gave Damien two days to think about it, that things might still happen.”

  “Things?”

  “Damien doesn’t tell Basil anything he doesn’t absolutely need to know. Basil knows that. He thinks Damien could be holding back for somethin’.”

  “Something?” Jack repeated dryly.

  “If you and your partner gets, uh —”

  “Three-three’d,” Jack supplied.

  “Shit, you know about that, too,” Cockerill complained.

  “I told you before that you weren’t the only guy in the club talking to us. “Still, I’d like to hear your version of events. Go on.”

  Jack heard Cockerill swallow. “Someone is gonna get three-three’d all right — but it ain’t you. It’ll be someone in the Gypsy Devils.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Lance had me meet Neal and arrange for his prez — Carl Shepherd — to have a face-to-face with Lance last night.”

  “Only Shepherd and Lance?”

  “A couple guys from both clubs were there, too, but it was Lance who did most of the talkin’. He told Shepherd that —”

  “They had a rat in their club and were being given two weeks to take care of it,” Jack said.

  “You really do got someone in the club besides me,” Cockerill said.

  “I told you I did — I wasn’t lying to you,” Jack lied, “and I’ll sure as hell know if you lie to me or hold something back.”

  “Yeah … no shit,” Cockerill replied, sounding depressed.

  “Tell me how the GDs responded,” Jack said.

  “They were too blown away to know how to respond. Their sergeant-at-arms, Thor, mouthed off a little. He said if that were true, then why didn’t the cops bust the semi in Vancouver? He said everyone in their club knew about it before it left. Told us there’s no way the cops would let that much dope slide past, because they’d want the glory. He thinks that if there was a rat, it had to be someone who found out about the raid on King after the semi left. Meanin’, it wasn’t one of them.”

  “How’d that go over?” Jack asked.

  “Lance really got in Shepherd’s face over that one. Said everyone knowin’ is the problem, and if everyone is the problem, then we — meanin’ Satans Wrath — would see that the entire problem was looked after.”

  “Did Shepherd get the message?”

  “Loud and clear. All of ’em did. Shepherd looked like he was about to piss himself. Then Lance told ’em they had two weeks to take care of it and we left.”

  Time to fish and see if he can remember anything else. “Something you forgot to tell me?” Jack used a menacing tone.

  “N-no,” Cockerill replied nervously. “Oh, maybe you mean after, when me and some of the guys were wondering what the GDs would do.”

  “Yes.”

  “Not much to tell you. I said the GDs would probably pick one of their prospects, but as Lance said, if they don’t pick the right guy, then we’ll find out and take out a couple extra as punishment.” Cockerill paused, then said, “With all this shit about Buck being videoed I never asked. How’d it go in Dallas yesterday? Bet the DEA were glad to seize a semi.”

  “The DEA seized the weed and busted two guys from the West 12th Street gang, but let Bob and Roxie continue on without interference.”

  “Why the hell didn’t they bust them, too?”

  “I told them not to. It’ll provide more protection for you by pointing the finger at the GDs.”

  Cockerill was silent for a few moments. Probably mulling it over. “They’ll blame Neal,” Cockerill finally said, “what with him getting ripped for those seventy-five keys.”

  “That’s my guess. I told you I’d look after you.”

  “Fuckin’ Jesus — if I didn’t believe you before, I do now. Too bad we didn’t know that last night. It would’ve shut Thor the fuck up.”

  “Which club will find out first?” Jack asked. “Your guys or the Gypsy Devils?”

  “Us. I’m surprised we don’t know already. Bet it’s ’cause today will be their first court appearance. The West 12th might be waitin’ to see if Bob and Roxie were busted before bitchin’ to us.”

  “But they’ll be contacting your club and not the GDs?”

  “For sure. Except for dropping off the dope, the GDs don’t have any dealings with the West 12th. It all goes through us — but I don’t know who in our club handles that end. Like I told ya before, things are kept separate in case someone like me is blabbin’.”

  “You do what you gotta do,” Jack said. “Keep in touch — and stay sober.” He hung up and leaned back in his chair, then took a deep breath and called the Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit and asked to speak to one of the bosses. He was put through to an Inspector Po
llock.

  Pollock listened to what Jack told him about Damien’s money-laundering system, then exclaimed, “You’re talking close to twenty million!”

  “More than that, once you seize all his property and vehicles. He lives in a mansion in the British Properties. I’ve been in it. Lots of expensive antique furniture.”

  “Your source is close enough to know for sure, or did he or she hear this second-hand?” Pollock asked.

  “Close enough that I have the actual account numbers.”

  “Can’t get closer than that.”

  “Yes, but time is of the essence. A deal has been struck and I don’t have much time to fulfill my end of the agreement.”

  “I see. I presume you’re talking about having a charge withdrawn for an upcoming court case?”

  “Something like that,” Jack said. “Any chance we could do it before the week is over? Damien retires Saturday. I’d like to do him before then.”

  “If it was only Vancouver we could be ready by tomorrow morning — but bringing in Mexico and BVI … I don’t know. It needs to be done simultaneously.”

  “I strongly suggest you leave Mexico off the list until you’re already doing the searches in Vancouver and the BVI,” Jack said. “Too much corruption there.”

  “From what I’ve heard about Mexico, I bet you’re right. We’ll prepare the paperwork for Mexico, but won’t contact any of the authorities until the other searches are underway. If we do the Vancouver and BVI searches early in the morning, there’s still a chance we could do Mexico later in the day.”

  “Sounds good,” Jack said. “Guess the big question is when?”

  “We could try for Friday, but that’s really pushing it. I’ll know more after the respective liaison officers are contacted.”

  “Then I’d suggest you push it,” Jack replied. “There’s a real concern that Damien could be tipped off if we don’t move quickly.”

  “Tipped off?”

  “I can’t discuss that with you. Informant issues — and I’ll ask you to keep it to yourself.”

  “Understood. We’ll do our best to make it Friday. I’ll also bring in an investigator from the Canada Revenue Agency.”

  “Fine with me,” Jack replied. “It’ll be your show, but I’d like to be part of the search team when you raid Damien’s house, along with my partner, Constable Laura Secord. Damien’s response may help me decide how to protect my informant down the road.”

  “Of course. I should let you know, however, that in a situation like this where searches and criminal charges could be laid against lawyers, we likely won’t arrest anyone until a few days after the search. Everything will have to be reviewed by a prosecutor.”

  “As long as charges are eventually laid and the assets are forfeited, I’ll be happy,” Jack said.

  “Also, once we do make arrests,” Pollack went on, “I doubt we’ll be able to hold anyone for longer than a day or two before they’re released. A trial date could easily be two years away. The best we might get when they’re released pending court proceedings is permission to hang on to their passports.”

  “That’s about what I expected. For now I’ll be content to see the look on Damien’s face during the search when his lawyers call him to tell him he’s broke. That, and later when the moving truck rolls up his driveway to seize everything he owns.”

  “It does tend to take the wind out of people’s sails,” Pollock replied.

  “Shipwrecked is what I want,” Jack said coldly. “There’s something else. Damien has a fortified panic room inside his home, along with electronic detection and camera surveillance on his property. He knows about I-POC and if he sees officers in suits or looking like businessmen raiding his property, he could lock himself inside his panic room and destroy evidence long before we could bust inside.”

  “Should we set up surveillance and grab him when he’s away from his house?”

  “A family member could still be in his house and we’d face the same problem.”

  “You want my people to wear jeans that day?”

  “They’d still look like businessmen. Damien is professional. I wouldn’t put it past him to have had surveillance done on our members. With facial-recognition cameras … well, who knows? But we don’t have to take that chance.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “There’s something in our favour,” Jack replied. “Damien thinks I might be arresting his son this week. It’s over an unrelated matter involving a drug dealer who was beaten to death.”

  “Beaten to death? Holy smokes.”

  “Like I said, he was a drug dealer. Nothing to lose sleep over — but it helps us. If Secord and I were to show up at his place with a couple of narcs, he’d think we came with a warrant to look for his son. If he doesn’t see any of your people, I know he’d let us in. Once we’re inside and have secured the premises, then we could call your team in.”

  “You sure that’d work?”

  “Positive. I know two Drug Section investigators who’d assist. Corporal Sammy Crofton and Constable Benny Saunders. I’ve worked with them before. They’re both knowledgeable about bikers and meticulous when it comes to doing searches.” They’ll also keep their mouths shut and go along with my plan to destroy Damien before I ever call your team in.

  “Sounds good. I’ll have one of our investigators contact you as a liaison.”

  “Thank you.” Jack hung up and gazed at his phone. The wheels of justice, please, this once — run over Damien like a snake on the road.

  “Isaac wants to see us immediately,” Rose stated, “but quickly fill me in about your calls first.”

  Jack hadn’t realized she was listening from the doorway. “Immediately? That was quick.”

  Rose gave Jack a hard look, then placed the report he’d made earlier on his desk. “I told him that you and Laura witnessed and videoed a murder.”

  “Bet that caught his attention,” Jack said as he flipped open the last page of his report.

  “Yes, I signed it,” Rose said, “but don’t send copies out until after we see what Isaac has to say.”

  “Gotcha.”

  “So, you finished?” She nodded at his phone.

  “Is that a question or a statement?”

  Rose frowned. “I meant with I-POC — but your question does contain a certain verisimilitude.”

  “I was trying to be funny,” Jack said.

  “I don’t think Isaac will find the situation funny. Did your informant have anything to tell us?”

  “Nothing we don’t already know. He confirmed that the GDs have been given two weeks to kill one of their own. I told him we let the semi go. He agrees that Neal will be picked as being the informant.”

  “And your call to I-POC?”

  “I spoke with Inspector Pollock. Seems like an all right guy. He’s excited and on board. Trying to gear it up for Friday morning.”

  Rose nodded. “Don’t forget your laptop,” she said brusquely before spinning sharply on her heel and heading down the hall.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Isaac rose from behind his desk and pointed to a grouping of upholstered chairs clustered around a coffee table. Jack placed his laptop on the table and took a seat on one side of Isaac while Rose sat on the other side so that they could view the video together.

  “I suggest you start by telling Assistant Commissioner Isaac the action you and Laura took Saturday morning that led to finding a key piece of evidence at the crime scene,” Rose said.

  “Which crime scene?” Isaac asked.

  “Where Dwayne Beggs was murdered, sir,” Jack replied.

  “That was the case I told you not to become involved with,” Isaac said, peering at Jack over the top of his reading glasses.

  “Forensics was finished with the scene,” Rose stated. “Corporal Taggart went to the are
a to check out a theory he had in regards to another grow-op.”

  “I’m listening,” Isaac said, “but it better be good.”

  Jack told Isaac everything that happened, leading up to where he was outside Jamie King’s window when the bikers arrived. “Here’s what happened next,” Jack said as he started the video.

  Isaac watched the clip silently. When it was finished, Jack shut the computer off and glanced at his face. Totally without expression. What the hell is he thinking? Bet he’d be good at poker.

  “To paraphrase Corporal Taggart,” Rose said, “after the murder, things got really interesting. Please continue, Jack.”

  “One question first.” Isaac focused his complete attention on Jack. “I ordered you to remain on the sidelines. If I hadn’t done so, would you have taken steps to prevent this crime from happening?”

  “No, sir,” Jack replied. “Your order had no bearing on the outcome of what happened. I was not expecting anyone to be killed — and neither were the bikers, for that matter.”

  Isaac nodded. “If you’d known in advance that the victim was to be murdered, would you have prevented it then?”

  “Uh —”

  “Never mind,” Isaac interrupted. “I should have put more thought into that question. Dealing in the hypothetical could take all day. Please continue. I’m curious to discover what you feel is really interesting — if videoing a murder isn’t.”

  Jack then told of their attempt to turn Damien and their subsequent success in turning Vicki into an informant. When he was finished, Isaac looked at Rose to see if she had any further comment.

  “King’s murder took place in the jurisdiction of VPD,” Rose noted. “Detective Wilson from Homicide asked Corporal Connie Crane for assistance, but as of yet, we’ve not disclosed what we know to either one of them.”

  “I left it with the informant that I wouldn’t disclose any information concerning Jamie King’s murder to the investigators,” Jack said. “At the same time, I told her I might not be able to prevent charges from being laid if they solved it on their own.”

  “She was okay with that?” Isaac asked.