“If possible,” replied Jack.

“Naturally, you won’t take part in any retribution yourself.”

“Naturally,” replied Jack.

“Good. Isaac wanted that made clear. Also, he was relieved that nobody was hurt, but was irate that none of the perpetrators would be charged. I explained that you two couldn’t go to court because it would burn your informant. He didn’t like it, but agreed. Maybe later other evidence will surface where charges could be laid without you having to appear in court.”

“Sy would never co-operate,” said Jack. “Even if he did, with his record of violence, a jury wouldn’t exactly feel sorry for him.”

“Well, in the end, Isaac said perhaps it was a blessing you two weren’t going to court because he knew how it would play out with the media if they ever found out.”

“So everything is okay, then?” asked Laura.

“In my view, Isaac’s response was pragmatic. He said that under the circumstances, it would appear that what you did was reasonable given the situation.”

Both Jack and Laura exhaled loudly and smiled at each other.

“He told me to tell you, Jack, that his response may have been different if someone had been killed.” Rose looked sharply at Jack and said, “I am to tell you specifically that he means citizens, good guys … and bad guys.”

“That goes without saying,” replied Jack, furrowing his eyebrows slightly as if indignant.

“I’m not the Force shrink,” said Rose. “I know you better, so don’t try to con me.”

“Sorry,” replied Jack. “Force of habit.”

“Are you going over to see Sy when we’re done here?” Rose asked, changing the subject.

“I’d like to hold off until later in the day. The Organized Crime Task Force has some wire up and running. It would be nice to know if anything comes across the phones that might help us figure out if more attacks are planned. I’m also concerned that Connie and Sammy saw Weasel and his cohorts start their car before we left the party. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

Rose snickered in spite of the seriousness and said, “You of all people say you don’t believe in coincidences? Hell, that’s been your middle name ever since I arrived in this office.”

“You know what I mean,” said Jack. “There’s a good chance Sy has someone in his gang who is working for the other side.”

“And we don’t mean our side,” said Laura.

Rose nodded, sighed, and said, “Be safe, the both of you.”

“Yes, Mom. Both hands on the wheel,” replied Jack.

Rose furrowed her eyebrows to feign anger at the remark.

Jack looked at her and said, “Deception doesn’t suit you. Maybe that’s a good thing.”

Rose pursed her lips before saying, “Go. You’ve got work to do.” She waited until they left the office before smiling at how easily Jack had seen through her.

It was suppertime when Jack and Laura arrived at Sy’s apartment. In the previous hour Sy had called Jack a couple of times, but his calls were ignored. It was a control issue and Jack wanted to be in control.

“Where the fuck you been all day?” asked Sy, as they entered his crowded apartment. There were only males in the apartment and the atmosphere was a combination of excitement and tension.

“Princess and I had to go rent a car and then we went to help my aunt find her dog,” replied Jack. “Why?”

“Why? This is fuckin’ why!” said Sy, picking up a sawed-off shotgun and waving it in Jack’s face, before nodding toward the door and saying, “Come on, let’s you and I take a walk.”

Laura kissed Jack on the cheek and said, “Don’t be long. Princess might get bored.”

As soon as Jack and Sy were alone in the hallway, Sy said, “We found out where Weasel is stayin’. We’re gettin’ him tonight.”

“Tonight!” replied Jack.

“Yeah. He’s staying with his girlfriend.”

“Have you ever heard the expression, ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’?” said Jack. “There’ll be lots of heat. If you wait, they’ll relax their guard.”

“We’re gonna do it. If you don’t want to come, then don’t.” Sy looked suspiciously at Jack and said, “Fuck, man, they shot at you and Princess, too. I thought you would want in.”

“I do, but something stinks,” replied Jack.

“What are you talkin’ about? The only thing that is gonna stink is Weasel’s corpse!”

“Who told Weasel and his buddies about the party?”

Sy shrugged and said, “I dunno.”

“How did they know it was you last night when it wasn’t your car?”

“Probably watchin’ the place. Saw us leave.”

“It was dark when we left. People coming and going. Easy to see silhouettes, not so easy to see faces.”

“What the fuck are you tryin’ to say?”

“That you have a leak. Someone tipped them off last night. This could be a trap.”

“Naw, ain’t no trap,” replied Sy. “Roach and Bagger got lucky. Rounded up a guy by the name of Raven who knows Weasel’s girlfriend. Raven talked as soon as they rammed a gun in his face. He told us Weasel is staying with his girlfriend in the basement of her parents’ house.”

“Roach and Bagger kill Raven?” asked Jack, nonchalantly.

“Naw, not necessary. Roach and Bagger are holding him at their house so Weasel can’t be warned. What Raven told us checked out. I had one of my guys drive past the house half an hour ago. Weasel’s car was parked in the alley behind the house.”

“Same car as last night?” asked Jack.

“Naw, didn’t you hear the news? They used a stolen car last night. His is a blue Honda. If it’s there, we’ll sneak up, kick in the door, and blast the shit out of him and his bitch.”

Jack took a deep breath and slowly exhaled before saying, “I’m telling you, after last night … you heard the news. The cops could be watching everyone. If they know it was Weasel, they’ll be expecting someone to take revenge. You should wait until things cool.”

“Fuck that.” Sy cast a sideways glance at Jack and said, “You saved my life last night, but now you’re actin’ weird. If you’re worried about us gettin’ hurt, don’t. I got a team of seven guys, not countin’ you an’ me. We got enough firepower to blow the whole house to smithereens. So … you comin’ or not?”

Jack sighed and said, “Yeah, I’ll come. Give me a minute to tell Princess I’m steppin’ out. How long will we be?”

“The place is out in Maple Ridge. Better count on being gone a couple of hours.”

“What you got for wheels?”

“Brewski will drive a van with cool plates. Me, I got a little five-litre Mustang that the guys boosted. Goes like a bullet. The owner is on holidays, so it won’t be reported.”

“Hope it’s not white?”

“It’s black. Why?”

“Good. Harder to spot at night. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it right. Start with letting me drive and have the van follow.”

“Why?”

“Because when we leave, I’m going to drive in circles for awhile. Make damn sure nobody is following us. Tell Brewski to do the same.”

“Okay, you proved your driving ability last night,” replied Sy. “You can be the wheel man, but when we get there, I’m first through the door.”

“Wouldn’t want it any other way,” replied Jack.

Jack quickly updated Laura as they walked back to their rented apartment above Sy’s.

“Oh, man,” said Laura. “Bust them and we’re burned. Don’t and we’re party to murder. Any ideas?”

“OCTF should be able to come up with an address on Weasel’s girlfriend. Tell the narcs to drive over there and empty the garbage off their floor mats out front and in the alley behind. When we arrive, have the Emergency Response Team do a takedown. I’ll stall as long as I can to give everyone time to set up.”

“You’re going to have them arrested? We’ll be burned. They’ll figure it out.”

“Maybe … maybe not. I have an idea.”