LITMIR.BIZ

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become friends with her. She’s really a nice lady. I’m glad I got to meet her.”

      “So she showed you the picture?”

      “Actually Jack did, the first time. She gave it to him a while ago. He keeps it tucked in his sun visor.”

      “The first time?”

      “When we were working. I looked at it again just as Jack dropped me off. My choice.” Then she started to cry and added, “What kind of human being could do something like that!”

      Elvis pulled her close so that Laura’s head was on his chest. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I just don’t know.”

      They stood for a moment, hugging each other, then Laura said, “We’re going to get the fucking asshole! That’s for sure!”

      Her words shocked Elvis and he stepped back. It had been about four years since he last heard her swear. Then she had said shit.

      “One shift with Jack and you’re learning a new vocabulary?” he asked.

      Laura blushed and said, “Sorry. I didn’t hear that from Jack. His methods of investigation are ... rather unorthodox, but he acts like a gentleman.” She smiled and added, “I came up with them sweet little cuss words all on my own.”

      “Think maybe I should wash your mouth out with soap,” Elvis chided.

      “Not now, I’m too tired,” she said, kissing him quickly before heading back to the bedroom.

      “Hon!” yelled Elvis. “What did you mean when you said that Jack’s methods were unorthodox?”

      “Don’t worry about it,” she replied. “He just thinks outside the box. I’m looking forward to working with him. I suspect we’ll become — actually, we already are — good friends.”

      Jack flopped on his bed and called Natasha, who was still out on the farm.

      “Sorry, sweetie,” he said. “It was a long night. I don’t have the energy to drive all the way out there. I need sleep.”

      “Hey, turkey! How did it go?” she asked. “Have you identified this British person yet?”

      “No,” Jack admitted. “But we’re a lot closer.”

      “We?”

      “I called Laura. She came out to help.”

      “Good! So you’re not on your own, then?”

      “No. She’s my new partner.”

      “Think she will ever be as good as Danny?”

      “I trust her. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty.”

      Lance saw the pain in Damien’s eyes. It had been less than fifteen minutes since Damien found the package, but the driveway was already filling up with vehicles. A state of war had been declared, and every available soldier and resource was being alerted. Damien’s house would be packed with loyal followers within the hour.

      Buck and Sarah were inside battling each other over a computer game. The children ignored the two strikers who stood warily at the doorway. They had been taught since birth not to ask questions about Dad’s work, especially inside the house.

      Damien and his upper echelon met in hushed tones outside by his pool. The word had gone out to every source who might know something.

      Pussy Paul was the first to break the news when he hung up his cell and said, “Our rat-narc came through. Both strikers dead. Nobody knows where The Toad is and the pigs are looking for him. They think he skipped out with the money.”

      “How did the feds know about the money?” Damien snarled.

      “That fuckin’ Jack Taggart is involved. He was working on The Toad. Has some whore as a rat. Had info about him doin’ the deal. Also says The Toad has something to do with some dark guy with a British accent. They figure if they find that guy, they might find The Toad.”

      “Who the fuck is that?”

      “Don’t know. Taggart, or I guess it was the whore, said that The Toad met with this dark guy about three weeks ago. Said The Toad was with him in a park and that they met Leitch.”

      “Leitch? That doesn’t make sense! He doesn’t know The Toad ... at least as far as I know.”

      “Isn’t that around when you got the info on the Indos?” asked Pussy Paul.

      Damien paused, then said, “Yeah, I think so. Leitch handed it off to me ... in a park.”

      “Kind of fits,” said Pussy Paul. “I wouldn’t believe anything Taggart says,” replied Damien.

      “Who the fuck would? Can’t see him lyin’ to the other cops, though. This came through one of them. Someone they trust.”

      “What whores was The Toad hanging out with?” asked Damien.

      “None that I know of,” said Lance. “Him and the boys from Quebec kind of kept to themselves in that department.”

      “I can’t believe this!” roared Damien. “What the hell is going on?”

      “Maybe you’ll find out more when Carlos calls,” suggested Lance.

      “Yeah, maybe ... but something stinks.”

      An uneasy silence descended over the group as everyone’s eyes focused on the cellphone that Damien had placed on the patio table.

      The sudden flurry of activity at Damien’s had not gone unnoticed by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. A hidden camera recording licence plates and the coming and going of vehicles relayed the information directly back to the CFSEU office. It didn’t take long before Cecil Hinds arrived with a surveillance team to watch.

      A young woman slowly sauntered past Damien’s gate but continued to stroll for several more minutes before speaking into the transmitter hidden inside her sleeve.

      “Go ahead, Nicole,” said Hinds. “What ya see?”

      “Counted four moving around just inside the gate. Two had their hands inside their jackets. Pretty sure they’re packin’ heat. They’re paranoid. Really eyeballed me good and weren’t giving wolf whistles.”

      “Heads up, people,” said Hinds. “In case any of you haven’t heard, two of these guys were found shot in a motel this morning. Looks like we might have a war. If you don’t have your vests on, put ’em on now!”

      chapter twenty-six

      Damien tried to force himself to be calm. Think! Don’t say anything to get them hurt any more than they already are. Keep your cool. He knew he was too terrified at the moment to express anger. That would come later.

      The cell rang and vibrated on the patio table. Damien stared at it as it rang again. Sound calm ... don’t reveal what you think! On the third ring, he snatched it up.

      “Damien, here.”

      “Are you laughing now, Damien?” said Carlos, sounding facetious.

      “I’m not laughing, Carlos. Why —”

      “You think you can rob me? To spit in my face and be safe? No place in the world is safe for you!”

      “I did not rob you! Why have you done this?”

      “My men were robbed! You are the hombre responsible! It was your men!”

      “I wasn’t even involved in —”

      “Do not talk! You will listen!”

      “Carlos, you don’t understand! I —”

      “Your puta — that whore you call a wife — every time you speak at me

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