“Good,” replied Connie.

“It’s going to be good when they slam the door on McCall,” said Jack. “Victoria PD is concerned. They want me to wear Kevlar and are assigning a four-man bodyguard team to accompany me to court.”

“What do you figure he will get?” asked Connie.

“His record includes three convictions for dealing cocaine and he was only out of jail two weeks when he sold to me. In any other province I would expect him to be sent away for six or seven years, but knowing our justice system here, I’m guessing more like three or four years.”

“Good luck,” said Sammy.

“I’ve also called Amanda,” said Jack. “I’m going to meet her for a coffee after court. I’ve got a bunch of her effects that I gathered up from Gabriel’s.”

“I’ve been wondering how she is doing,” said Connie. “Hope she is well enough to give a strong testimony when the time comes.”

“I hope so, too. I’ll let you know. Tomorrow is also when Ngoc Bích testifies against the two Vietnamese brothers for the rape, beatings, and imprisonment in one of their brothels. I’d appreciate it if you stayed close to her tomorrow.”

“I know about her trial,” said Connie. “I’ve been assured that there is extra security already.”

Jack stared at Connie without speaking.

“Okay, I’ll be there, too,” said Connie.

Jack breathed a sigh of relief and smile. The system is working as it should …

Tomorrow would drastically change Jack’s opinion regarding that.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jack walked into the Victoria courtroom and immediately saw a look of disappointment cross McCall’s face, followed by anger as he whispered to his lawyer, who glanced at Jack, before turning back to McCall.

Jack quickly surveyed the courtroom. His four bodyguards moved past him and took up strategic positions. Jack smiled to himself. He was pleased for two reasons. The first was that McCall actually showed up. The second was the sight of the young lawyer with McCall.

Jack guessed it was the lawyer’s first year of practice. Jack was a seasoned veteran in the courtroom and knew he would come out on top with any comments the young lawyer would throw at him while testifying. The truth will prevail!

Perhaps the lawyer sensed so, as well. He changed the plea to guilty. Jack listened as the prosecutor read in the circumstances of the drug sale, McCall’s lengthy record, his only being out of jail two weeks before the crime and — what Jack thought was a nice touch — the fact that McCall had remained legally unemployed ever since his arrest. Someone did their homework ... Jack glanced at Dave Valentine who grinned and gave him the thumbs-up.

Jack listened as the fresh-faced lawyer stood to address the judge. He explained that the reason his client had not been able to obtain employment was because of the severe psychological stress that his client had been subjected to by the RCMP.

Jack glanced at the members of the Victoria PD who were in the courtroom. He could tell by the puzzled look on their faces that they were also confused.

“You see, your Honour,” said the lawyer, “Corporal Taggart, the RCMP officer who purchased the drug from my client —” The lawyer paused to point at Jack who returned the judge’s gaze. The lawyer continued, “— did not tell my client that he was an undercover operative prior to the sale. As a result, my client has been left emotionally scarred and has a strong distrust for people, leaving him unable to obtain employment.”

Jack did his best to suppress a chuckle. Being a new lawyer is one thing, but to say something as ridiculous as this … the judge is going to eat him alive.

The judge reflected on what he had been told. His brow furrowed and he glowered at Jack.

Jack’s mouth dropped open in shock. Something is terribly wrong! The judge is looking at me with utter disdain; like I’m a piece of dog shit stuck to his shoe … he can’t be going along with this!

Jack stood in a trance as the judge handed down his sentence. McCall was given four months of house arrest.*

“What does this mean?” a bewildered Jack asked the prosecutor.

“It means McCall will have to be home by nine o’clock at night if he isn’t out working or seeking employment.”

“You’ll appeal?”

The prosecutor shook his head and said, “It wouldn’t do any good.”

Jack stumbled out of the courtroom like a blind man with a lobotomy. He felt like he was in another world. A place without any logic or common sense.

*[As outrageous as it would appear, the circumstances concerning this court case are factual and were personally experienced by the author. Only the names have been changed. Circumstances of a court case involving “Ngoc Bích,” which follow later in the chapter are also based on fact.]

Amanda answered the door at her parents’ place and gratefully accepted several boxes of her personal effects that Jack had brought with him. Her parents were out shopping and after Jack had unloaded the car, she invited him inside for a coffee.

Amanda was wearing bangs down to her eyebrows. She was much thinner than before and her face was pale. It was obvious she wasn’t going outside much.

“How did your court case go today?” she asked.

“He plead guilty,” replied Jack, hoping she would drop the subject. “How are you really doing?”

“Not well. Guess it takes time.” She looked inquisitively at Jack and said, “You once told me that you were in an Intelligence Unit and didn’t go to court.”

“This was an exception. I had originally hoped to gain some information to help solve Father Brown’s murder. My target had connections to The Brotherhood. I’d hoped to turn him into an informant, but after meeting him, decided he was too dangerous to let off. Anyway, I’m sorry that you’re not doing well. Do you want to talk about it?”

“What did he get?”

“Who?”

“The cocaine dealer you were in court for.”

“Nothing, really,” said Jack, trying to keep his emotions in check.

“Nothing?”

“Four months’ house arrest. If he’s not seeking employment he is suppose to be home by nine o’clock at night.”

Amanda stared hard at Jack for a moment and asked, “Why do you bother?”

“I don’t know,” replied Jack, hearing his voice crack. “I feel ridiculous. Risked my life for nothing.”

“The Brotherhood were also responsible for having me attacked,” said Amanda. “So you were here working undercover on something that might have helped me.”

“Guess you could put it that way, but at the time, it was to help Homicide find someone they are looking for.”

“You shouldn’t say you risked your life for nothing,” said Amanda. “You risked it for me and people like me.”

“Still doesn’t change the result,” said Jack.

“You said Homicide are looking for someone. Can you tell me anything about it? It sounds like you know who you are looking for?”

“How are you at keeping secrets?”

“You have to ask?” replied Amanda, as small grin flashed across her face. “I’m the one who went behind Mister Bloomquist’s back to try and see justice served.”

“Have you ever heard the nickname ‘Cocktail’?”

“No.”

“We’re trying to identify him. We’ve heard a rumour that he has control over some of The Brotherhood. He is the same person who ordered your assault. If anyone finds out that we are looking for him, he may disappear forever. It is also imperative that my real identity be kept secret from The Brotherhood.”

“I won’t tell a soul.” She stopped talking and stared off into space as her body started rocking back and forth in her chair.