“Yeah,” replied Sammy.

Purvis looked nervously around and said, “Give me a minute to look after some other customers. I want to talk to you about it. Would you like a drink on the house?”

“Thanks,” replied Sammy, trying to keep his suspicion from showing. “Canadian Club on ice with Coke on the side.”

“Sure thing. CC on the rocks with a side of Coke.”

Sammy watched carefully as Purvis prepared the drink and passed it to him. He was not taking any chances on being drugged.

Purvis smiled. “I’ll be back as soon as I’ve taken care of the other customers.

Sammy watched as Purvis puttered around at the far end of the bar.

“Come on, Purv’, you’re slower than hell tonight,” complained one of the waitresses.

Sammy’s attention was concentrated on Purvis and he did not see the arrival of two newcomers into the club. He was taking a sip when he felt the muzzle of a pistol on his back.

20

It was quarter to three in the morning. Jack and Laura sat with Goldie as one of the bouncers let the last of the other customers out the door before relocking it. Jack saw Patty cashing out at the register while Purvis put away some clean glasses behind the bar.

“I’ll be right back,” said Goldie. “There is something I would like to talk to you about before you go.”

Jack saw Laura’s raised eyebrows as she gave him an optimistic grin.

He shrugged in response and said, “I’m going to drop a twenty for Purvis before he goes.”

As Jack approached the bar, he heard Goldie say to Patty, “I’m having a party at my house next Saturday night. How would you like to be my date?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mister Goldie, but I have a boyfriend,” she replied. “Thank you, anyway.”

“Not a problem,” replied Goldie.

Jack walked to the end of the bar where Purvis was working and reached over to place twenty dollars in a tip glass.

“No, Jack,” said Purvis smiling. “Please, I appreciate it, but I feel I owe you tonight.”

“Ah, it’s nothing,” replied Jack.

“Your bill is on the house tonight,” said Goldie, as he walked over.

“Hardly necessary,” replied Jack.

“Look at it as part of my apology for having nosy friends.”

Jack smiled and said, “Apology accepted.”

“Now,” said Goldie, “may I have Purvis mix us one more round?”

“You’re asking an Irishman if he wants a free drink?” chuckled Jack.

“I’ll have Patty bring them over. I’ll join you in a sec.”

As Jack turned to leave, he heard Goldie say to Purvis, “Find a reason to fire Patty. I want her gone within the week.”

Minutes later, both Jack and Laura masked their feelings with a smile as Goldie sat across from them and said, “Wow! That was quite a night.”

“Hope the action didn’t scare off any customers,” said Jack.

“Are you kidding?” replied Goldie. “Everyone thought it was hilarious! I bet it will bring us more business.”

“That undercover officer must have had the shock of his life,” said Laura.

Goldie laughed and said, “I came out just as it happened. Too bad you couldn’t see his face! I almost pissed my pants trying not to laugh. Same for Purv’. Damned hard to keep a straight face.”

“I don’t think he saw it coming,” said Jack.

“Those uniformed cops weren’t taking any chances,” said Goldie. “When they found his gun they had him handcuffed behind his back so fast and face-first down on the bar — I thought he would break his nose.”

“Made Purvis look good, calling it in,” said Jack.

“It was perfect. Makes the club look good, too. Excuse me, nine-one-one,” said Goldie, sounding officious while holding his hand up by his ear to simulate a telephone. “I have a drug trafficker in my club saying he and his partner sold a kilo of heroin a few minutes ago. He said the police showed up and arrested his partner, but he escaped. Perhaps you would like to pick him up?” Goldie then broke down laughing. “Oh, Jack. You’re the best. The absolute best!” said Goldie, raising a glass of Tyrconnell on ice in a toast to Jack.

“It must have been embarrassing for the undercover officer to apologize to Purvis,” said Laura.

“Oh, that was fantastic,” said Goldie. “Telling him he was guessing that Purvis was somehow connected and was only doing his job to find out. His face was the colour of the cherries that Purvis keeps behind the bar. He couldn’t apologize enough for all the trouble he caused.”

“Enough of that,” said Jack, not wanting to be reminded any further of the favour he owed Sammy. “You mentioned that there was something you wished to talk to us about?”

“Yes,” replied Sammy. “I’m throwing myself a birthday party next Saturday at my house. I was hoping you both could come?”

“We’d be delighted to,” said Jack.

“We should exchange phone numbers,” suggested Goldie.

“Good idea,” replied Jack.

“Your birthday is next Saturday?” asked Laura.

“Well, actually on the following Thursday, but I thought Saturday would be better for the party. And please, no gifts.”

Jack smiled. Maybe play a party game. You can dress as a piñata and I’ll bring Patty along to beat you with a stick.

“I’ve traded in my Aston Martin for a new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti,” bragged Goldie. “It should arrive this week. That will be plenty gift enough.”

“Turning forty?” asked Laura, with a smile.

Goldie smiled back. “Actually, I’ll be forty-four. And I know what you’re both thinking. I am not having a mid-life crisis. At least, I don’t think I am.”

Laura smiled. Actually I was thinking you are likely compensating for having a small penis.

Jack didn’t smile as he thought, Buddy, believe me, you are far past “mid” life.

“I’m heading home,” said Purvis as he approached the table. “Wish to thank you again Jack, for a fun night.”

“No problem.”

“Purvis,” said Goldie seriously, “You will be a very good boy for the next few months, correct?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry,” said Purvis, before leaving.

Jack raised his glass to Goldie and said, “Sláinte!”

“Sláinte?” asked Goldie.

“Irish for ‘cheers,’” replied Laura.

“God, you’re a fun group, you Irish,” said Goldie.

“You’ve got no idea,” replied Jack.

Another mid-week meeting with Jack, Laura, Sammy, and CC went about as well as Jack expected.

“I ran everything past the prosecutor,” said CC. “She reviewed all your notes. There is nothing to confirm that Goldie is personally involved with anything criminal.” She looked at Jack and added, “And I didn’t raise the small footprint issue. She did, but said regardless, even if it had been an adult-sized print, there are no grounds to substantiate a wiretap application.”

“Too bad,” said Jack. “He trusts me enough to think his office is free from bugs. It could be good. He told me he uses chat rooms to communicate. I’d love to have spyware on his laptop. You can bet that is how he keeps in touch with The Enabler.”

“Sorry,” said CC, “unless you come up with something more, warrants and bugs are out.”

“Same for drugs,” said Sammy. “We never got anything on Jojo’s phone to indicate Goldie was involved. In fact, we never even had him call Purvis. Although, from what you said, it sounds like he’ll be clean for awhile to ensure there’s no heat.”

“Maybe The Enabler will be invited to his birthday party,” said CC.

“I doubt it,” said Laura. “If he and Wang are afraid to even mention his real name when they talk, I doubt they would invite him to a party.”

“I agree,” said Jack, “but CC, if you’re available it might be nice to scoop some plates and see who does show up.”

“I’ll make myself available,” she replied. “So where does that leave you two?”