A Delicate Matter Read online

  “I’m only suggesting you make sure first.”

  “I am sure. Hell, even if I wasn’t, I’d still send a special message to shut up anyone else who might be inclined to rat.”

  “Special message?”

  “I don’t want it to be a simple hit. It has to be done right. I want one or two of our guys involved to make sure it goes down the way I want.”

  “Why put our guys at risk?”

  “To show that we still have balls,” Pure E replied. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but the club is under new management. Things are going to be different.”

  “That’s your prerogative as the new boss,” Damien said.

  “Do we have any business with the Gypsy Devils in the next two weeks?”

  “No. Normally in a week or so they’d expect to be paid, but if we’re blaming the bust in Dallas on them, then I’d demand they pay us for the loss.”

  “For sure, but I want to make an example out of the rat,” Pure E said emphatically. “I’m going to contact Lance and talk to him about it.”

  Damien sighed, then nodded.

  “Now for more important matters,” Pure E said. “How are things going with Europe?”

  “First delivery should arrive in about ten days, but there’s always a possibility the boat could be delayed due to bad weather.”

  Pure E smiled. “When it does dock, that’ll be a day worth celebrating.” He paused a moment. “Too bad it didn’t work out to coincide with your send-off party on Saturday.”

  “It is what it is,” Damien replied. “For me, the big moment will be seeing Buck get his full patch. That means more to me than the boat.”

  “Still, I think our new venture in Europe is worthy of a party. The guys will be wondering.”

  “Not too many in the club know the exact details,” Damien said, “At least as far as the delivery date or what country the shipment’s arriving at.”

  “I know, but I think I’ll call a meeting to coincide with the day it arrives. It’ll be safe enough at that point to let ’em know we’re officially doing business. Ten days from now will work. I’ll tell everyone the meeting is for me to introduce myself to the troops. Then when the boat is being unloaded, I’ll let them know Europe is in our pocket and crack open the champagne. They still don’t need to know the exact details.”

  Damien nodded.

  “That’d also be a good day to educate the Gypsy Devils on how to take care of rats.” Pure E smiled. “My new management style is going to hit everyone like a nuke. Talk about shock and awe.”

  Damien eyed him briefly. “About Europe, bear in mind that Taggart asked about it when he came to my house with the video.”

  “Yeah, I wonder how the fuck he got wind of it.”

  “Probably rumours,” Damien said. “Considering that we’ve got a chapter in Colombia and several chapters in Europe, it wouldn’t take much to make that presumption. Once the product hits the streets over there, they’ll know soon enough. The important thing is he doesn’t know anything now.”

  “How do you know he doesn’t?”

  “He wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise. Not with us being so close to delivery. If the cops were really on to it, he wouldn’t chance ruining their investigation.”

  “Makes sense.” Pure E stopped to grind his heel on an ant. “So … you think Taggart is smart. Think he’s smart enough to stay out of my way?”

  Damien looked at Pure E in frustration. “If you plan on killing a cop, it’ll bring heat down on the whole club. Not to mention the fact that Taggart doesn’t play by the law. Play dirty with him and he’ll play dirty back. I’m sure he has friends who do, too.”

  Pure E scowled. “I appreciate your concern for the club. I’m not saying I’m going to have him killed immediately. Perhaps he could be dissuaded from pestering us if he received the right message. One that’s personal. Is he married?”

  “Yes, with two kids, but he isn’t the type to respond to a message the way you’d want,” Damien replied. “Particularly if you make it personal.”

  “Guess we’ll soon find out — because in about ten days I’m going to give him one.”

  Damien kept his thoughts to himself. Either you, Taggart, or the both of you will end up dead — and quite frankly, I couldn’t care less.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Jack was preparing a Caesar salad for dinner when he received a call. Weenie Wagger, don’t you ruin my day.

  “Thought I better let you know I went with Lance this afternoon for another chat with Carl Shepherd,” Cockerill said as soon as Jack answered.

  “That doesn’t surprise me,” Jack replied. “I imagine your club is a little upset about what happened in Dallas yesterday. Who’s being blamed? How’d it go with Shepherd and his boys?”

  “His boys weren’t there. We did a surprise visit to his house. Shepherd is a mechanic and works out of his garage. It was only the three of us. Lance told him about the weed being taken down in Dallas as soon as Bob and Roxie pulled away.”

  “How’d that go over?”

  Cockerill gave a snort. “Shepherd damn near shit himself. Both him and Lance figured it had to be Neal.”

  “Which is what I expected,” Jack replied.

  “Yeah, well, it sort of made me feel like shit.”

  “Why you?”

  “Makes me feel guilty. Standin’ there and listenin’ to them talk about Neal when it was me who blabbed.”

  “Better than you standing in Neal’s shoes,” Jack said. “Is Neal still above ground?”

  “Yeah. Lance told Shepherd to stay mum and not tell any of his guys about the bust in Dallas. He’s to tell his guys that we no longer think they had anything to do with you getting that video.”

  “Why?”

  “Dunno. He’s to tell ’em the cops were already watching because King was suspected of killin’ Larry’s brother. Lance also told him to say that the West 12th Street boys have a leak and that business with them will be on hold until it’s straightened out.”

  “Stay mum about Dallas for how long?” Jack asked.

  “About ten days.”

  “Ten days?” Jack echoed in surprise.

  “Lance said Pure E is waitin’ till Damien officially steps down on Saturday. Then he’s gonna call a general meeting about a week later to talk to us about his leadership style. Lance thinks Pure E is going to make an example out of Neal at the same time.”

  “Wanting to show what a tough guy he is and start his new leadership role with a bang — literally, as far as Neal is concerned.”

  “Sorta what Lance thinks.” Cockerill cleared his throat. When he continued, his voice was nervous. “When Neal gets whacked, they want someone from our club to oversee it.”

  “Someone?” Jack asked.

  “It could be me.”

  “You? Why not the three-three?”

  “A couple reasons. One is ’cause I’m the liaison guy. Neal wouldn’t suspect nothin’ if he was told to meet me. The other is ’cause they’re still pissed at me for drinkin’ too much. I think this is where I’m supposed to redeem myself. Someone from the three-three might be there too, but I dunno for sure.”

  “Why risk you or one of the three-three on something like that? If the GDs are convinced Neal sold them out, they won’t have any problem putting a bullet in his head.”

  “Lance says Pure E wants us to be more hands on in the future. Show we ain’t afraid of nothin’ or nobody.”

  Good. Sounds like Pure E isn’t as smart as Damien. “When you find out, let me know.”

  “Will do.” Cockerill paused. “I know you probably don’t want me involved in that, but I don’t know how to get out of it.”

  “I don’t care if you’re involved. I won’t direct any heat toward you — but if you screw up and get caught, don’t plan on hav
ing me save you, either.”

  “Okay … as long as you’re not pissed at me.”

  “Not as long as you’re straight with me.”

  “That eases my mind.” Cockerill paused again. “Then we got Damien’s party on Saturday. Are you gonna be collecting plate numbers or are ya leavin’ that to the gang unit?”

  “The Anti-Gang Unit will cover that,” Jack replied, “although their priorities are more with the street gangs these days.”

  “Yeah, it’s nice to have ’em shootin’ each other up. Takes the heat off us. That and the terrorists. Lance said we should send them all thank-you cards.”

  “Will the GDs be working security for you at the party?” Jack asked.

  “Yup. They can babysit our hogs. That and being errand boys.” After a moment he added, “Hopefully the weather’ll be good for ridin’.”

  The weather will be good? What the hell? “What are you holding back? There’s something on your mind.”

  “Damn it, I’ll tell you what’s on my mind,” Cockerill blurted. “I’ve given you a lot of shit. How much longer am I gonna have to talk to you?”

  “There are some things happening with your club in the next couple of weeks that I’ll want to know about. Keep me up-to-date on everything, and I mean everything, and then I’ll cut you loose.”

  “Oh, you mean like the meeting about Pure E’s new management style,” Cockerill replied. “That I can handle.”

  “And details about Neal,” Jack said.

  “Yeah, I know that.”

  “Along with any other things that might crop up.” Like Damien being squashed like a bug on a train track.

  “I’ll be kept in the loop about Neal ’cause I’m the liaison. Even if the three-three do it, they’ll want me to contact him to set ’im up.” Neal sighed. “Yeah, another coupla weeks. I’m okay with that.”

  Jack was putting his phone back in his pocket when he received a call from Inspector Pollock of the Integrated Proceeds of Crime unit.

  “I have some news that should make you happy,” Pollock said. “We’re set to go Friday morning.”

  “Make me happy?” Jack replied. “I’m elated!”

  “Good. Our Liaison Officer handling the British Virgin Islands is in Miami, but an investigator from here will go to the BVI on Wednesday. They’ll be in position to go Friday morning at the same time we search Damien’s house.”

  “Fantastic,” Jack said. Damien, I can’t wait to see the look on your face.

  “I also spoke with our L.O. in Mexico. Like you, he suggested we don’t get a warrant signed for the lawyer’s office in Chihuahua until after the other searches are underway. If the paperwork’s done in advance, he’s still optimistic that the search warrant could be executed there late Friday afternoon.”

  “By then Lopez might already have been tipped off,” Jack said.

  “I know, but there isn’t much we can do about it.”

  “No worries. I’m sure what we’ll get here and in the BVI will be plenty to hang Damien. I’ll drop by your office tomorrow to go over the finer details.”

  “Sounds good,” Pollock replied. “I expect Friday will turn out to be a bad day for Mr. Damien Zabat.”

  After hanging up, Jack thought about Lopez’s office in Mexico. Then his thoughts turned to El Paso, Texas. Specifically to a U.S. Customs special agent he’d worked with before. John Adams was a man he trusted. In fact, we’re considered birds of a feather.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The next few days ticked past slowly for Jack. Thursday night he went to bed early, but the closer the clock moved to Friday morning, the more his adrenalin pumped — and the more he thought about how Damien would respond. He had set his alarm for 6:00 a.m., but was up and dressed long before then.

  At 8:00 a.m. Jack and Laura arrived at the entrance to Damien’s estate with Sammy Crofton and Benny Saunders parking behind them.

  Jack switched off the ignition and glanced at Laura. “This is it.”

  “I know, I’ve been counting down the minutes all week,” she replied.

  “You and me both. I’ve been waiting for this moment since before we were partners.” Jack took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. “It’s showtime. Let’s do it.”

  Sammy and Benny climbed out of their car. “All set with I-POC?” Sammy asked as Jack approached the intercom mounted on a stone pillar beside the gate to Damien’s estate.

  “They’ve got a team of four guys,” Jack replied. “I had them park four blocks away. They’ll expect a call when we go in, so in about twenty minutes I’ll tell them you finally arrived and that we’re entering — then again about fifteen minutes after that to say the house is secure so they can come in.”

  “Sure, put the heat on us,” Benny joked. “Everyone will say we’re tardy.”

  “You ugly mutt,” Sammy said. “Calling you tardy would be the nicest thing anyone could call you.”

  “Hey, I resent that remark.” Benny pretended indignation.

  Sammy gave Jack a nod. “So we should have about thirty minutes inside before I-POC arrives. Ought to be enough time.”

  “If it all goes according to plan,” Jack said.

  “No worries about Damien seeing Sammy and me?” Benny asked.

  “No. Your long hair and Sammy’s goatee — he’ll know you’re Drug Section and presume you’re helping us locate Buck. You don’t look like the type of guys who’d be dealing with financial institutions. No insult intended.”

  “None taken,” replied Sammy. “I hate wearing suits. Speaking of which, didn’t I-POC wonder why you wanted them to park so far away?”

  “I actually told them the truth about that. Damien has security cameras all over his estate, some of which I’m sure monitor the street. He also has a panic room in his house. I doubt that we’ll find much of value, but if there is something and Damien sees the suits, he could destroy it long before we got inside. His place is like a fortress.”

  “Something to bear in mind if things don’t go as planned,” Laura said. Her distaste for Jack’s plan was evident in her tone.

  Jack gave Laura a solemn look, then pushed the button on the intercom.

  A moment later Damien’s gruff voice was heard. “What do you want, Taggart?”

  “Good morning, Damien,” Jack replied. “This time we’re back with a warrant. I suggest you let us in — or do you want us to drive through your gate?”

  “Goddamn it. Buck moved out of our house when he turned eighteen.”

  “Yeah, sure he did,” Jack said sarcastically. “Open up.”

  A second later the front gates swung open and the team got back in their vehicles and drove through.

  Damien, wearing his housecoat, stood at the front door as they approached. He stepped aside to allow them entrance to the foyer, where Vicki stood dressed in her housecoat.

  “Here’s the warrant,” Sammy said, holding the document toward Damien.

  Damien slapped it away and pointed his finger at Jack. “Basil called you. He told you he’d bring Buck in.”

  “Anyone else in the house?” Sammy interrupted.

  Damien glared at Jack, then turned to Sammy. “Only the two of us,” he answered, with a nod toward Vicki. “Buck hasn’t lived here for years.”

  “Then the two of you take a seat in the living room,” Sammy ordered, gesturing to a leather sofa that faced a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. “Keep your hands where they can be seen.”

  Damien and Vicki both sat on the sofa.

  While Jack stood guard, Sammy, Benny, and Laura disappeared to make a quick search of the house to ensure nobody else was present.

  Damien glowered up at Jack. “You know he isn’t here. This is straight harassment.”

  Jack just smiled.

  “You think this is funny?” Vicki fumed. “Thinking yo
u can just bust in on us any time you want.”

  “Take it easy,” Damien said, placing a hand on her knee. “The more Corporal Taggart acts like an ass, the more he’ll pay for it when Basil Westmount tears him apart in court.”

  Vicki sighed hugely, then sat back with her arms folded across her chest.

  Minutes later Laura, Sammy, and Benny returned to advise that there was no one else in the house.

  “Told you,” Damien said. He glanced at a clock on the fireplace mantel. “Basil will be in his office in twenty minutes. Call him then and he’ll bring Buck to your office. Or if you want I can call him now. I’ve got my cellphone on me.” He patted the pocket of his housecoat.

  “Actually I think I’ll arrest Buck tomorrow,” Jack said.

  “You dirty son of a bitch,” Damien seethed. “You know tomorrow is when he’ll be receiving his patch.”

  “What a shame. Not to mention missing your retirement party. However, that’s not the reason we’re here.”

  “What do you mean?” Before Jack could reply Damien said, “Let me see that warrant.”

  Sammy showed Damien the warrant. After scanning the document, he looked at Jack and gave a bemused smile. “You’re searching for documents related to money laundering … tax evasion? What is this? One desperate last-ditch attempt to hang something on me before I step down?” He shook his head. “Didn’t realize you were that pathetic. Go ahead and search. Be my guests.” He raised his hands, palms up.

  “I don’t think you’ll be smiling in a moment,” Jack said. “This isn’t the only search that’s taking place. We’re also — Hang on, my phone.” He took his phone from his pocket. “Team two,” he said to Laura before answering.

  Damien listened intently to what Jack said as he spoke on his phone, unaware that no call to Jack had actually been made.

  “Yes, we’re inside now, but haven’t started to search yet,” Jack said. “How are things on your end?” With appropriate pauses, he continued, “Great. Any news from down south? ... No? ... Well, let me know. … He does? Sure, I want him to call Damien. Besides, he’s their lawyer. He probably has a right to.” Jack smiled in Damien’s direction. “I want to see the look on his face. Make sure that’s the only call he makes, though, until we get confirmation from team three. I’ll get his number and confirm it, then you can dial it for him.” He lowered his phone and looked at Damien. “What’s your cell number?”