An Element of Risk Read online

  Laura seemed to contemplate his words for a moment, then shrugged. “Thanks, but like you I’m happy where I am.”

  Jack gave her a smile of appreciation.

  Laura paused. “So,” she said cheerily, “what do you want to do today? I can find out what car Quaile drives if you want to head home to your garage and make a pipe bomb.”

  Jack was about to play along with the joke but saw the dark look on Rose’s face as she strode through the door.

  “Quaile? Car bomb? What the hell is going on?” she demanded.

  Jack rolled his eyes. “Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you as long as you promise to keep it to yourself.”

  “Not if you’re going to kill Quaile,” she said, perhaps jokingly.

  “No, I won’t kill him,” Jack replied.

  Rose eyed Jack momentarily, then rolled a chair over from across the room and sat down. Her face darkened further as he told her about the call he’d received. When he finished, she said, “That’s absolutely despicable. What a wretched —”

  “There’s nothing we can do about it,” Jack stated. “Quaile would either fire her or make her life a living hell if he found out she told. As far as the alleged constables we’re getting, it’s not a promotional move for them so he has the power to do that on his own.”

  “He doesn’t have the power to be vindictive and purposely screw our section!”

  Yes, but knowing that and proving it are two different things. Especially with someone of his rank. He eyed Rose and saw how furious she looked. Okay, settle down. We can’t fix what we can’t fix. Learn to live with it.

  “He’s obviously been carrying his anger all these years,” Laura noted. “I’m seriously beginning to question whether he’s mentally ill or has some type of personality disorder.”

  Ouch. That didn’t help. Rose looks like she’s about to come unglued. Time for a little humour. “I guess the good news is that space in the office won’t be a problem,” he said. “By the sounds of it, one person won’t be here and the other could share the office with our secretary to help with the clerical duties.”

  “This isn’t funny,” Rose snapped.

  “I know,” Jack replied quietly. “The thing is, I couldn’t stand it if my promotion cost the secretary her job. Let it be. I’m happy where I am.”

  “Likewise,” Laura added.

  Rose shook her head then abruptly got to her feet. “I came in to see if you wanted to go for coffee but I don’t think I could keep it down. This really sucks.”

  “You promised not to say anything,” Jack reminded her.

  “I know,” she replied, “which is why it really sucks.” She viciously shoved the chair and sent it flying across the room and stormed out.

  “She’s taking it worse than we are,” Laura noted, raising her eyebrows.

  “She’ll get over it. She’s probably more angry that you and I will still be a team,” Jack added jokingly.

  “I bet you’re right. She once said that the two of us would send her to an early grave.”

  Jack grinned, then became serious. “Speaking of graves, I’ve arranged for another walk amongst the tombstones at noon.”

  “Going to flush out a Zombie,” Laura quipped.

  “That’s my plan. Who knows, maybe he’ll end up back in a grave.”

  * * *

  Jack nudged Laura when he saw Lance ambling toward them in the cemetery. As Lance neared, he paused and appeared to be studying a couple of the tombstones carefully.

  “What’re you doing?” Jack asked as Lance neared.

  “What do you think of this one?” Lance replied, gesturing to a tombstone. “I figure you should buy me one like that.” He paused. “Considering the number of times I’ve been meeting you, I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time.”

  Jack ran his hand across the smooth marble finish. “Yeah, it does look nice.” He looked at Lance. “Sure, we’ll spring for the cost of one like this for you. No worries.”

  Lance glared. “You’re a prick, you know that?”

  Jack chuckled.

  “So what is it this time?” Lance asked. “Zombie?”

  “It’s about Zombie. We want to find out who he is.”

  “That won’t be hard. Borman offered to introduce Linquist to him. I’ll get him to meet Zombie and order a couple of pieces.” He paused, then added, “You could’ve told me that over the phone. We wouldn’t have had to meet.”

  Yes, but I want to read your face to see how worried you are about doing it.

  Jack glanced at Lance and shrugged in response. “I’d like it set up so Laura and I can watch.”

  “Do you plan on busting him once he delivers the guns?” Lance asked.

  “No, I want his source,” Jack replied. “Zombie may not even be charged in Canada if his connection is in the States. If he does go to the States and ends up leading the investigators there to the two brothers who are wanted for murder, so much the better.”

  “If he’s busted in the States it’d be better for me,” Lance noted. “Any heat could be deflected as having come from down there.”

  Jack studied Lance’s face. “Speaking of heat, how safe do you feel about it? Do you need to discuss it with Whiskey Jake?”

  “It’d be better to let him know in advance so it doesn’t look like I’m hiding anything in case the shit hits the fan later. I already mentioned to him that it would be good to find out who they’re getting their guns from, so it won’t be a surprise to him that I’m ordering some pieces.”

  Good, he seems calm about doing it.

  “How soon can you talk to him?” Laura asked.

  “He’s visiting relatives in Regina but will be back in a week. I could go ahead and do it without talking to him if you’re in a rush.”

  “No, wait until he comes back,” Jack said. “Your safety is the first priority.” He then gestured to the tombstone and looked serious. “But if things do go sideways, would you want one with the RCMP crest engraved above your name?”

  Lance’s jaw slackened momentarily, then he snickered. “Yeah, and I want my wife to get survivor benefits, too!”

  * * *

  Over the next couple of days Jack worked on his part of the wiretap application. As the only direct evidence to support the application came from his informant, he had to list how many times the informant had supplied information in the past, coupled with how many times the information provided had proven to be reliable or corroborated from independent sources.

  It was a sensitive document and one that would have to be censored later before being given to defence council prior to trial. Some prosecutors left the censorship entirely up to whoever was handling the informant, while others balked if they felt the investigator was censoring too much material.

  Late Friday afternoon Jack met with Connie at her office and they went over the information he supplied.

  “This is great,” Connie said after she read what Jack had provided her. “I won’t need to change a word.”

  “I’ll want to be there when you meet with the prosecutor,” Jack said. “I need to ensure that if it is given to defence later on that I have full control over what is released and what isn’t. If a judge decides to override what I’m willing to give, then there needs to be no misunderstanding with the prosecutor as to what will happen.”

  “No … I hear you. I’ll be happy to have you with me. All of the information from the previous wiretaps obtained by Roger’s team has already passed scrutiny. If there are any questions, it’ll be over what you’ve written. It’s best you’re there.”

  “Good, as long as we’re clear on that.”

  “We’re clear.”

  * * *

  Jack returned to his office and saw Laura raise an eyebrow at him from behind her desk.

  “Done,” he said, wiping his hands together for show as he strode to his desk. “Connie said she’d finish preparing it this weekend and then take it to a prosecutor on Monday.”

  “Good,�
� Laura commented. “It’s also Friday and quitting time. Up for an olive soup?”

  “No martinis today, thanks. I want to get home. It’s Steve’s birthday. He’s turning ten.”

  Laura smiled. “That’s an excuse I’ll accept. What do you get a ten-year-old boy these days?”

  Jack gave a lopsided grin. “As a present, he wants to be taken out to a really high-end restaurant.” He paused. “Seems funny to me that a kid that age would want that.”

  “That’s good that he does,” Laura commented. “If he likes that he’ll have to work hard in school so he can get a good job to afford it when he’s older.”

  “Right, along with being able to afford expensive vacations, like lying on a beach in Hawaii,” Jack chided.

  Laura frowned. “Three weeks to go. I feel a little bad about leaving when things are busy.”

  “Nah, I won’t be all that busy. I-HIT will follow up on Irving’s murder and CFSEU will keep tabs on the street gangs. I’m sure before you leave we’ll find out who is supplying the guns and pass that info on to either the FBI or ATF.” Jack smiled. “No worries. Enjoy your holiday.”

  Laura eyed him suspiciously. “With you, there are always worries.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was Monday afternoon when Connie called Jack. “You available tonight?” she asked.

  “Available for what?”

  “I finished the wiretap application and dropped it off this morning at the Department of Justice. Ana Valesi has it. She’s busy with the trial but said she’d review it at home this evening and asked that we come by at eight thirty p.m.”

  “Why didn’t you take it to another prosecutor who wasn’t so busy?”

  “I tried, but it got shuffled back to her. She looked after the wiretaps that Roger’s team got and my application has all of that info in it. She’s already familiar with most of it.”

  “Okay, what’s her address and phone number?”

  Connie gave it to Jack. “Want me to pick you up instead?” she asked.

  “Thanks, but no. She only lives about twenty minutes away from my place. I’ll see you there.”

  * * *

  Jack arrived at the Valesi house precisely on time. A tall thin woman with plain features met him at the door and introduced herself as Ana. Somewhere within the house a toddler was crying.

  Ana glanced behind her. “Sorry about that. Isabella was supposed to be in bed an hour ago. She’s running a bit of a fever. Maybe teething.”

  “No problem,” Jack replied. “My wife and I have two sons. They’re older, but I do understand.”

  Ana eyed him briefly and a sparkle appeared in her eyes. “So you’re the famous Jack Taggart. The one to call when things get rough.”

  Jack rolled his eyes. “I think infamous is a better adjective.”

  Ana grinned. “Either way, nice to meet you in person. I want to thank you again for what you did when my mother’s door was smashed open.”

  “Any time.”

  “I’d like to thank you, too,” said a man who appeared in the foyer holding Isabella.

  Ana introduced her husband, Pietro. He was a short slim man with black wavy hair. He shook Jack’s hand, saying, “I teach English Literature at the university. It is not a profession noted for its violence unless you count a verbal tongue lashing over a dangling participle.” He eyed Ana. “Something I’m more likely to receive at home.”

  “So you should be,” Ana replied with a wink directed at Jack. “It’s not the sort of language you should use in front of Isabella.”

  Pietro chuckled then his face became serious. “The whole matter left us really shaken. I really do thank you for your assistance. Ana told me you played a key role helping to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

  “I spoke to someone who assisted in passing the word on to the gangs that what they did was inappropriate. Hopefully there won’t be any further incidents,” Jack replied.

  Ana pointed out the door. “Looks like your partner in crime has arrived.”

  Jack saw Connie arriving and moments later he and Connie were ushered into a den where they sat across from Ana as she flipped through the wiretap application on her desk.

  “You did a good job, Connie,” Ana said, not bothering to look up as she studied the application.

  “Don’t give me any credit,” Connie responded. “I copied what Roger’s people wrote in their applications, then copied and pasted in the informant information that Jack supplied.”

  Ana’s eyes focused on Jack. “It would have been better if your informant hadn’t received the information second-hand, but you did a good job explaining that the prospect either directly or indirectly works for your informant, who is a full member of Satans Wrath.”

  Jack nodded.

  “So, your informant has provided info that’s proven to be true or has been corroborated from independent sources.”

  “Yes.”

  Ana appeared to study his face closely, “And he’s never lied to you.”

  “No, he hasn’t,” Jack replied and returned Ana’s gaze who stared stone-faced at him. Then she gave a nod, possibly to indicate she was satisfied with his response. Her question of doubt as to what he’d stated in the application irritated him. “If he did, it would cost him his life,” he added bluntly. “And he knows it.”

  Ana looked at him sharply. “I’m glad you didn’t decide to note that as his incentive to tell the truth.”

  “Some things are best left unsaid,” he replied.

  “So it would seem.” Ana looked at Connie. “I don’t see any changes that need to be done except for one minor error.” She leaned over and gestured for Connie to look at a particular paragraph. “See where you quoted part of a previous conversation overheard on a wiretap? You ended it with three periods and there should be four.”

  Connie glanced at it. “I’ll take it back to the office and have it back to you by tomorrow morning.”

  Jack tried to maintain a poker face to hide his thoughts. Really? You’re going to make her take it back for that? Couldn’t you dot it in with your pen and have her initial it?

  Ana appeared to have read his thoughts. She pointed her finger at him and said, “Maybe you don’t think that a missing period is important, but let me tell you that defence —”

  Jack held up his hands for her to stop. “It’s okay,” he said. “I know how important it is. Once, when I was little, my older sister missed a period and all hell broke out in our house.”

  Connie chortled while Ana appeared to be momentarily caught off guard. She then smiled and glanced at the application again and her face became serious. “There is something you need to understand,” she said, looking at Jack. “If the investigation is successful, I won’t be able to censor everything relating to your informant. You could be called to the stand and cross-examined.”

  “Yes, I realize that, which is why I wanted to meet you in person,” Jack replied. “I’ll need to keep some of these details secret.”

  “I understand that, but once on the stand, the judge may order you to disclose something you don’t want to disclose. Naturally I’d object, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the judge would agree.”

  “If the judge orders me to disclose something I feel will jeopardize the informant, I’ll refuse.”

  Ana looked shocked. “You can’t refuse an order from a judge like that!”

  “Just watch me,” Jack replied firmly.

  Shock turned to alarm. “You’d be found in contempt! Perhaps sent to jail!”

  Jack gave her a hard look. “So be it. I’d go to jail before disclosing something that’d result in my informant being murdered. I’d view that as partaking in a conspiracy to commit murder.”

  Ana took a moment and her face revealed her angst.

  Is she upset with me personally, or at the possibility of what might happen to the trial? Maybe both.

  He cleared his throat. “Should I be sent to jail, my first phone call would be to the media. I
t would be interesting to find out what the public would think. I’m optimistic that I’d get some support. Perhaps even enough to bear pressure on the judge and bring about my release.”

  Ana appeared to think about it for a moment then her face became noncommittal. “There is another possibility we could be faced with. You might not be ordered to disclose certain information, but by not doing that, defence may succeed in having the wiretap tossed out of court, leaving us with insufficient evidence to proceed.”

  “I’d rather that than have my informant murdered.” Jack looked at Connie and saw her face darken, but was pleased when she made eye contact with him and gave a nod of agreement.

  “Hopefully it’ll never come to that,” Ana said. “I simply wanted you to be aware of the different possibilities that could arise.”

  “I appreciate that,” Jack replied. “Thank you.”

  Ana’s eyes shifted between Jack and Connie. “Then we’re done. I wish you luck on bringing this to fruition.”

  “There is something else,” Jack said. “I might be applying for a wiretap in regards to who is supplying guns to the Death Heads, which I suspect are coming in from the States. I’m still in the early stages of investigation, but perhaps I might be looking at applying for one in a couple of weeks.” He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

  Ana gave a quick smile. “Once you’ve finished the application I’ll be glad to take a look at it.”

  I was hoping you’d say that. Periods or not, you are thorough.

  “It shouldn’t take much work if you are using the same informant,” Ana continued. “With the information contained in Connie’s application, all you’d have to do is add whatever new information you obtain.”

  “Good. Thank you,” Jack responded.

  “If there’s anything you’re unsure of then don’t hesitate to call me. It would save time, rather than having you run back and forth.”

  “That would be great.”

  “Not a problem. Whatever I can do to prevent guns from coming into Canada, so much the better.” She paused a moment, “I’d never allow one in my house.” She then looked at Jack and Connie before giving a pert smile. “Present company excluded, that is.”