Jack nodded that he understood.

Gabriel leaned back in her chair, extending her arms by her side, and said, “I still don’t understand. Father Brown was a beautiful person. He would read bedtime stories to Faith, help Noah with his homework. Babysit.… He went out of his way to help complete strangers. He didn’t have money … so why? Why would anyone commit such an ungodly act?”

“We’ll do our best to find out who did it and why,” replied Jack.

“Maybe it wasn’t the people downstairs. Maybe it was one of those drunken men who keep coming to my yard. Some use very bad language and —”

“Everything has been cleaned out of the basement,” said Jack. “Also the door was locked and Father Brown is inside.”

Gabriel stared blankly at Jack. When her mind accepted his reasoning, she focused on another matter. “There’s blood out on the lawn and the house. I’ll need to clean it,” she said, placing her elbows on the table and covering her face with her hands.

“Try not to think about that,” said Jack, feeling lame. How can she not think of it? “You’re going to need some emotional support. I’ll put you in touch with Victim Services. They will help you. Is there a place … relatives, somewhere you could stay for a few days?”

“I have a sister in North Van. She has a house … but she’s married … children. I don’t want to impose …”

“Under the circumstances you should stay with her. You’re still in shock. It’s difficult to think clearly. You need to do what is best for you and your children.”

Gabriel didn’t respond. The silence was broken when Noah and Faith came in and Faith tugged on Gabriel’s sleeve. “Mommy, my throat hurts,” she whined, before coughing.

Gabriel lifted her onto her lap and looked at Jack and said, “She had the mumps vaccination last week and has a bit of a lump on her neck. Likely a small reaction.”

Jack caught the look on Laura’s face. He knew her concern was the same as his. She said, “Jack, why don’t you call Natasha and ask her if that type of reaction is normal?”

“Natasha?” asked Gabriel.

“My wife is a doctor,” explained Jack, getting up from his chair. He walked into the living room and called Natasha on his BlackBerry. He knew the reaction wasn’t normal, but hoped he was wrong. Natasha confirmed that he wasn’t.

“Can I look at the pictures?” asked Noah as soon as Jack returned to the kitchen.

“Sure,” replied Jack. “Push this button each time you want to advance.”

“I know how to use a computer,” said Noah. “Are all these really bad guys?”

“Some are and some might be their friends,” replied Jack.

“But if you’re friends of a bad guy then aren’t you a bad guy, too?” asked Noah.

“You don’t always know who the bad guys are,” replied Jack, glancing at Faith curled up on Gabriel’s lap.

Gabriel stroked Faith’s hair with her hand and asked, “Were you able to talk with your wife? What did she say?”

“Um … she said that type of reaction is not normal and that you should have her checked out right away. It could be a lot of things.”

“Like what?” asked Gabriel, her face revealing her worry.

“She, uh, didn’t really elaborate. How long has she been sick?”

“Only a few days.”

“Anybody else sick in the house?” asked Jack.

“No, thank the Lord,” replied Gabriel.

“Jack,” said Laura, “I don’t think we should wait for Connie to take a statement if Natasha said —”

Jack put up his hand, signalling for Laura to stop and turned to Gabriel and said, “Does Faith have her own bedroom?”

“Yes,” replied Gabriel, sounding puzzled.

“I would like to see it,” replied Jack. “Would you mind?”

“I haven’t cleaned it,” replied Gabriel. “With her being sick … the bed isn’t made.”

“That’s okay,” replied Jack. “We’re not with Good Housekeeping.”

“Okay … I’ll show you,” replied Gabriel. She carried Faith down the hall as Jack and Laura followed. As they reached the bedroom door Gabriel asked, “What are you looking for?”

“Examining if Faith could be sick from an environmental cause,” replied Jack.

“I told you I hadn’t cleaned for a few days,” responded Gabriel nervously, “but I am sure that my housekeeping is not such as to make anyone sick. If you are thinking …”

“From what I can see, your home is impeccable,” replied Jack, entering the bedroom. “I’m more concerned with fumes coming up from the basement.”

“Oh, that,” said Gabriel, sounding relieved. “I’m used to it and don’t smell it anymore. What you’re smelling is cleaning fluids that the men downstairs sometimes mix up for different cleaning solutions. They told me that different types of floors and rugs require different types of cleaning agents.”

Jack spotted a discoloration on the wallpaper alongside Faith’s bed. He got on his knees and looked under the bed. What he saw made him want to retch. It was a cold-air return vent coming up from the basement. He was conscious of Laura getting down on her knees and looking. Their eyes met and he saw her mouth drop open in shock as their eyes met.

“I found him!” yelled Noah, from the kitchen. “This is one of them!”

The excitement of Noah’s discovery caused Jack and Laura to temporarily suspend their thoughts on the cold-air return. Seconds later, everyone huddled around Noah at the kitchen table as he proudly pointed to a picture.

“See?” said Noah, pointing at the picture with his finger. “That’s Joe.”

“Oh, no, honey,” said Gabriel, while ruffling Noah’s hair. “Joe doesn’t have a beard. This man looks —”

“No, Mom,” said Noah, sounding exasperated. “His hair is the same colour.”

“Reddish-blond,” said Gabriel. “Honey, lots of people have hair that colour.”

“No,” said Noah adamantly. “You never believe me. You’re so dense sometimes,” he muttered.

“Noah Parsons, you don’t talk that way with me,” replied Gabriel crossly.

“Mom, look closer at his eyes,” pleaded Noah. “He even has the same freckles on his nose.”

Gabriel looked again and after a few seconds she brought her face closer to the screen. “Good heavens, you’re right,” she said in amazement. “It is him!” She looked at Jack and added, “But his hair is short now and he is clean shaven.”

“Told you so,” said Noah, looking pleased with himself.

Jack knew the man in the photo. Herman Varrick. A year and a half ago Varrick ran one of seven labs on which Jack orchestrated raids after receiving information from an informant inside Satans Wrath. An informant he no longer had.

To make matters worse, Satans Wrath had an informant of their own. Someone working in Drug Section had tipped off some of the labs prior to the raid. Those who were arrested were released the following day. Some were still awaiting trial, including Varrick. So far, the dirty narc had never been identified.

Jack reflected upon the time of the raids and the time that Varrick moved into Gabriel’s home. Varrick relocated here as a result of what I did. I’m responsible for —

Faith coughed and started to cry.

Jack stared at Faith. His brain tried to protect him from what his actions may have caused. Maybe she has a cold. Could be nothing — the cold air return under her bed … still …

He continued to stare as his thoughts gave in to the more likely reason for her illness. He clenched his jaw in an effort to control his own tears of frustration and sadness.

Chapter Four

Jack and Laura stood in the backyard and quickly told Connie what they knew.

“Herman Varrick,” Connie said. “So he’s a member of Satans Wrath?”

“Not a member,” replied Jack. “They wouldn’t risk having a club member take a chance like that. But Varrick was under their control before. I’m sure he and his fellow lab rats are still receiving their orders from Satans Wrath. Last time the bikers had a prospect handling the lab rats to act as a go-between with a member of the club. Things have changed since then, but Satans Wrath will still be in control … only more insulated.”