“But at the funeral, it —”

“I think of them all the time. Holly ... Jenny ... Charlie. I need to go.”

“You’re tormenting yourself by being involved in something that may have nothing to do with you.”

“How could I not be involved? Do you really think I could just forget about it, not knowing if it was because of me? Every time I see a little kid running or playing, I’ll think of Charlie. There’s no way I’ll ever not be involved.”

“Fine, then I’m going with you.”

“Thought you had to work.”

“You’re more important. I figured I wouldn’t be able to talk you out of it. I already booked the morning off. I also talked with Susan. She and Danny are going as well.”

“She doesn’t need to do that. Tiffany is barely a year old. Jimmy is less than two months. She should stay home. Danny and I will go, but it’s not necessary for —”

“It is necessary! For all of us! Don’t shut out the people who love you when you need them.” Natasha then softened her voice and said, “We’re all worried about you. Quit trying to shoulder everything yourself. You’re not alone in this. It’s imperative that you remember that.”

The banks had just opened when Damien met with Leitch outside. Leitch watched his secretary go in, then turned to Damien and said, “The Crown’s case against those arrested inside the labs is strong. Same goes for Silent Sam for picking up the money. Petro is in a better position. They saw Silent Sam hand him the money but can’t prove that Petro knew it was the proceeds of a criminal venture.”

“Just do your job,” said Damien. “That’s what we pay you for.”

“The Crown does have a weak link. One person in toxicology examined all the exhibits. A Lucy somebody ... I’ve got her name at the office. If something were to happen to her at the opportune time, everything might get tossed out of court. She would be easier to get to. She doesn’t carry a gun.”

“Forget it!” said Damien. “There’s no need to whack anyone. This is B.C. What are my guys going to get? Probation? Maybe a couple of months?”

Leitch first shrugged that he didn’t know but then admitted, “Probably.”

“You read in the paper about someone by the name of Jack Taggart being murdered?” asked Damien.

“Yes. Unfortunately it wasn’t the same Jack Taggart who provided the grounds for the search warrants.”

“I think someone thought they were killing him. Whoever it was made a huge mistake. I’ve met Taggart. Had a chat with him last year in my basement after a couple of my men stepped out of bounds. Those men are now dead. Taggart saw to that. You can bet some sorry bastard will pay for trying to kill him.”

“Too bad whoever tried didn’t succeed.”

Damien shook his head. “Killing cops makes martyrs — and more cops with a vengeful attitude to replace them.”

Their conversation came to a stop when the secretary returned and handed her boss a brown manila envelope. She then continued down the street to her office.

Damien accepted the envelope and opened it. He caught a glimpse of the RCMP crime report. It was dated yesterday. Hot off the presses. He then read the note about Jack Taggart. Upset about the murder ... but doesn’t suspect Satans Wrath.

Moments after Leitch left, Damien sent a BlackBerry message to Lance and Whiskey Jake. Two hours later, when he finished meeting with them, he sent another message: Mister Taggart, we need to meet!

The reply was fast. Excellent idea! How about now? This time, not in your basement!

Damien sent his response. Montrose Park — by Second Narrows Bridge — 30 minutes.

Danny looked across the desk as Jack deleted a message on his BlackBerry and asked, “A message from our friend?”

“Different friend. I want you to drop me off and wait in the car. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“Holding out on me?” said Danny light-heartedly, trying to be funny.

“It’s Damien,” whispered Jack.

“Christ! How did he get your number?” “I gave it to him.”

Danny was taken aback. “You’re not meeting him alone. It could be a trap.”

“It’s not a trap. But you’ll keep your trap shut and do as I say.”

Danny’s heart quickened and the blood vessels in his face revealed his anger. “We’re partners. You think you’re being macho meeting him alone? Think he’ll respect you more? That’s not the way to —”

“It has nothing to do with that. It’s a personal matter. One I hope to resolve soon. Maybe you should just stay in the office.”

Danny paused and then said, “Personal matter?”

Jack didn’t respond.

“Damn it, okay. I’ll wait in the car. At least I’ll be closer if you need help.”

It was late in the afternoon when Jack met Damien and they went for a stroll around the small park that faced the Burrard Inlet.

Jack was blunt and to the point. “What the fuck is going on? I knock off a few of your labs and someone tries to kill me!”

Damien let out a snort and said, “Why do so many of you cops feel you have to lard on the tough talk?”

Jack pointed an accusing finger at Damien and said, “I know who was getting rich from those labs!”

Damien smiled briefly and then said, “I understand your thought process. It’s logical. There may even be a certain degree of verisimilitude to what you say, but I assure you that I had nothing to do with trying to kill you and don’t know who did. You owe me a favour, remember?”

Jack eyed him suspiciously and said, “I haven’t forgotten. I’ve still got your get-out-of-jail-free card tucked in my wallet.”

“Good. Then think about it. I can’t collect if you’re dead.”

Jack nodded. “Okay. I just wanted to hear it from you.”

“Now you have,” replied Damien.

“Speaking of favours, Bishop’s body was identified.”

“Really? I hear that swimming pools can be dangerous. Are you warm?”

“A little heat. Probably just routine. I think I’m okay now. Made sure I was clean before meeting you.”

Damien snorted, then said, “Good. Glad you got a taste of it. I deal with that all the time. Bugging too.”

“Don’t think I have to worry about that. They would need grounds. But contacting you is a concern.”

“The BlackBerry I’m using now is safe,” replied Damien. “Doesn’t hurt to be cautious, though.”

“If you know nothing about whoever tried to kill me, I guess there is no reason for me to contact you.” Jack eyed Damien carefully and said, “Unless I catch you doing something illegal and can rid my wallet of your card.”

Damien smiled and said, “Good luck. Nailing me isn’t going to happen. As far as some of the bros go, think about this. Speed labs are easy to replace — that’s if we were in that business. Whacking you isn’t a consideration.”

Jack received another message on his BlackBerry. It was the code name for Lance, followed by 911. Lance had never used the code before. Someone’s life is in danger! Someone worth saving...

chapter seven

Jack and Danny drove into an underground parking garage and Lance scrambled into the back seat.

“You got a high-level rat!” said Lance, panting as he spoke.

“Tell us something we don’t know,” replied Danny. “Someone tipped off a couple of those speed labs.”

“Not the narc! High level. This one has access to your intelligence reports.”

Jack felt the back of his neck tingle. “Details,” he asked. “Who? How did you find out?”

“Remember I told you that Whiskey Jake and I had to meet Damien this morning after he met with Leitch?”

Jack nodded.