Hound

by Ken Ogilvie

  Rebecca was impressed. “You’d make a fine cop.” Carol grimaced. She turned to Charlie and Paul. “Anything to add?”

  Charlie said, “I saw a couple of businessmen in dark blue suits. Came here four days ago and likely went to see your father, or maybe some other big wheel at the mine site. I saw them drive up in a shiny black SUV. I can’t recall anything else about them.” He shrugged.

  Paul had torn his eyes from the table and was staring wolfishly at her. ”Haven’t seen anyone new in town,” he said. “But there’s been two new hires at the mine site in the last month or so.” His eyes ran the length of her body. Rebecca ignored him and asked about the men.

  “Thirties, I’d guess,” Paul mumbled. “Nothing special.” He went silent.

  Rebecca pressed harder. “Anything else?”

  Paul took a while to reply. “One guy was hired about six weeks ago, the other two weeks later.”

  “Their names?” Rebecca was getting annoyed.

  Paul glared at her. “One of them. Just the first name. The other guy must’ve worked in a different area to me.”

  “The name, please.” Why was he acting like this?

  Paul finally said, “Calls himself Freddie. A putz, if you want my opinion. Should’ve been laid off before me.”

  Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat. It might be Freddie Stafford, who’d disappeared without a trace almost two months ago. “Try to remember his last name. It’s really important.”

  “Ask at the mine” he said. “They’ll know.”

  Rebecca decided she wasn’t going to get much more from them. “Thanks a lot, everyone. If you think of anything else, here’s my card. Leave a voice mail if I don’t answer immediately.” She placed several business cards on the table and got to her feet. She walked over to the bar under the gaze of the two burly men. The bartender gave her a bright smile.

  “Hi, Ralph.”

  He glanced towards the people at the side table. “They told you, right?” He waved, and seemed pleased when they waved back.

  “Yup. Said you were new to the town.” Rebecca sat on a tall stool and faced him. With his curly black hair and finely sculpted face, Ralph looked Italian. He had an intense gaze, with just a hint of danger in it. Rebecca was intrigued. He looked like some of the men that she’d read about in her romance novels. His name sure didn’t fit his looks.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I got tired of the bar scene in Toronto. Not that it doesn’t get lively around here, especially on weekends. But the slower pace is more to my taste.” He leaned forward. “What about you? Live here? Or are you visiting? You seem to know those guys over there.” He hooked his thumb at them.

  “I’m on a short visit, but I grew up here. I left here before I turned twenty.”

  Ralph’s cheeks sagged a touch. “That’s too bad. I was gonna offer to show you round the place. Brag about what I’ve learned in three short days.”

  “Thanks, but I’m here on a mission.” Rebecca lowered her voice. “My Dad’s been shot, and I mean to find out who did it.”

  Ralph recoiled. “You’re George Bradley’s daughter? Now there’s someone you quickly learn about in this town. Came in here a couple of days ago. The whole room went dead quiet. Someone filled me in on who he was after he split.” He paused. “And I was told about you too.” He gave her a sympathetic look. “I hear he’s in a bad way.”

  Rebecca exhaled. “Real bad. A team of specialists is here, or will be soon. I’m not going anywhere until they operate on him.” Her hands began to tremble.

  “Well, I wish him the best, and you too.” Ralph sounded sincere, and Rebecca found herself warming to him. She said, “Maybe I can show you around. I know this area like the back of my hand. But I have to warn you, most of the people round here clam up as soon as I get near them. That’s my father’s long, dark shadow at work. I’m also a police officer, although I’m on leave right now.”

  Ralph grinned. “Well, I guess I’ll be safe. Actually, I like the cops. When you’re a bartender in a not so respectable joint, the police are your best friends.” His eyes roved about the room. “This dump probably has a lot going on in it that I’d rather not see, but it doesn’t have a threatening feel to it.”

  “Then can I rely on you to tell me about any strangers who’ve been in the town since you arrived, and any new ones who show up while I’m here?” Rebecca levelled a hard look at the men along the bar who wouldn’t stop staring at her. Ralph followed her gaze and glared at them too, until they turned their faces away.

  “Certainly,” Ralph said. “Where can I reach you?” He took Rebecca’s card.

  “I’m at the Big Rock,” she said. “Don’t hesitate to call me if you have any information to share. And tell me when you’ll have some time off and I’ll show you the area. I have to warn you, though, that I’ll probably be doing some investigating on the way.”

  “Deal!” Ralph held out his hand, and Rebecca shook it.

  “Now, tell me anything you can about what you’ve seen in the past three days. Strangers, if you’re able to pick them out from the locals. But also anything you’ve heard at the bar that might help me find the person who shot my Dad.”

  Ralph thought for a second or two. “Nothing of much use so far, I’m afraid. But I’ll keep my eyes open. Want me to do any questioning for you?” His face took on an eager look.

  “No,” Rebecca said. “Just keep your eyes and ears primed. It could be dangerous if people get to know you’re helping me, and it’ll be bad for your bar business.

  “Got it,” Ralph said.

  “Last question,” Rebecca whispered. “Do you know if those idiots down the bar are strangers? I’ve never seen them before.”

  “Can’t be sure,” Ralph gave them a quick scan. “I’ll listen to what they’re saying after you leave. Discreetly, of course. If they’re not local, I’ll let you know.” He hesitated briefly, and said, “I can’t do the tour tomorrow, but two days from now would be great. How about breakfast at the hotel on Saturday, say 8:00 a.m.?”

  “We’re on.” Rebecca smiled back and slid off the bar stool. She felt much more cheerful now. For the rest of the day and into the early evening, she continued to question the merchants and other townsfolk she met about strangers in Prospect. She didn’t find out anything more than she had at the bar. The OPP officers in the town looked at her, but they didn’t try to stop her. She called the medical centre twice to check on her father, and was told there was no change in his condition, and it remained critical. A full medical team was now in place, and they planned to operate on him tomorrow morning.

  Later in the evening, she met up with Archie and Sykes. Neither had found out any more than she had. She wondered where Freddie Stafford was staying, assuming it was him that Paul had referred to. He wasn’t at the Big Rock Hotel, and no one there seemed to know who he was. Rebecca vowed to track him down at the mine the following day.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Saturday, October 6, 2007

  Jackie circled the two men, keeping her rifle pointed at Hound.

  “Having a little camping trip, boys? It’s not such a bad place, really. No people around, except me.” She seemed to be enjoying herself, and Hound wondered why he wasn’t already dead.

  Matthew croaked out a feeble greeting. “Hi, Jackie. How did you discover that I was watching you?” Matthew appeared to be genuinely curious. “I didn’t make a sound.”

  Jackie said, “I always know when you’re around. You should have understood that by now, Matthew.”

  Hound wondered whether Jackie did in fact have special powers, despite what Matthew had said. He blurted out, “I’m the bait.”

  Jackie laughed. “I’d already figured that out.”

  “Why haven’t you shot us?” Matthew asked, while Hound cringed.

  “Maybe I want to cook you for dinner. I like my meat fresh.” Jackie cackled, and then turned serious. “I have something else in mind.”

  Hound recalled how, centuries
ago, the indigenous people in this area had tortured their captives, for days on end. Was that what she was thinking about? Suddenly, Jackie turned her rifle around and offered the butt to him. “Take me in,” she said. “I’m finished with running. I don’t want to live all alone out here. If you prefer, you can shoot me and haul my carcass back with you, but it would be easier if you walked me to the nearest road and found someone to drive me to the police.” Her head drooped, and a muffled sob escaped her lips.

  Hound took hold of the rifle and handed it to Matthew. “I don’t think I can find the way out of here tonight,” he said.

  “I can,” Jackie said. “So let’s just get on with it. There’s a road about two miles from here.”

  * * *

  Jackie led them to the road, and they trudged along until they found a vacant motel. Hound roused the manager and checked them in for the night, all in separate rooms. Matthew and he met outside in the parking lot.

  “What do you make of this bizarre twist, Matthew?” Hound could barely make him out in the darkness. “Why did Jackie do such a complete about turn? And what if she changes her mind during the night?”

  “She won’t,” Matthew said. “And don’t try too hard to understand her. For some reason, she’s lost her bloodlust. She’s tired of killing, and she’s mentally and physically exhausted by being on the run. Maybe it was meeting her mother again that changed her. But if the police came after her, she’d have fought to the death, and taken some of them with her.”

  Hound raised his hands. “Thank you, Matthew. You were right. If you hadn’t convinced me to help you try to capture her, she’d have killed again.”

  Matthew nodded gravely and went inside. Hound lingered on, ruminating on what had just happened, and on what he would do when he went back to Conroy. Then he thought about Rebecca and wondered how she was faring in Prospect.

  Chapter Sixty

  Saturday, October 6, 2007

  On Friday, after breakfast at a local greasy spoon, Rebecca roamed the streets, cornering a few more of the townsfolk without success. Then, she went to the medical centre and waited for three hours, wringing her hands. When the surgical team finally emerged, they told her that the bullet next to her father’s heart had been removed. Dr. Hicks was optimistic that he’d make a good recovery. She asked Rebecca to return the following day at 9:00 a.m., when he might be strong enough to speak with her.

  On Friday evening, she met briefly with Archie in the hotel bar. Afterwards, they went upstairs and had dinner with Sykes, who was getting restless. He had gotten nowhere with his phone contacts, although he confirmed that it was Freddie Stafford who was working at the mine site. No one seemed to know where he was staying, so Rebecca decided to visit him at the mine on Saturday.

  First thing on Saturday morning, Rebecca had a leisurely breakfast at the Big Rock with Ralph. Then she took him to the medical centre and asked him to wait until she had spent some time with her father. The staff there assured her that he was doing well and had a good chance of making a full recovery. They cautioned her not to spend much time with him for the next day or two in case she overtired him.

  “Dad!” Rebecca cried, and she rushed over and hugged him gently.

  “Dear Rebecca,” he replied tenderly and held her closely for a few seconds. Rebecca realized it had been more than a decade since they’d hugged like this. It felt so good. She resolved to stop questioning him about Sarah. Anyway, he knew what she wanted from him, so it was up to him to tell her if he wanted to. Archie, on the other hand, wouldn’t be spared from further inquiry.

  Rebecca smiled down at her father who, for the first time in her life looked frail. He’d always been a powerful and remote figure when she was growing up, but now he just seemed like, well, her Dad.

  “I’m sorry for being such a terrible father, Rebecca.” He let out a deep sigh. “But that’s going to change from now on. It took a bullet in my chest to make me appreciate what matters most to me, and that’s you. Nothing else is so important.” Rebecca grabbed a chair and sat next to him for a while, until he fell asleep.

  Ralph was waiting for her in the reception area, flipping through a battered fishing magazine. When he saw her, he jumped to his feet and held out his arm.

  “Let’s get on with the tour.” Rebecca smiled. “We’ve got about three hours before you have to start work, right?”

  “That’s it,” Ralph said. “Can’t be late in opening a bar around here. So, where are we going next?”

  Rebecca said, “Have you ever seen a gold mine?”

  “No,” he said, “but it’s at the top of my list of things to see, although that might have something to do with the company I’ll be keeping.” He laughed.

  “I’ll try to behave like a lady, then, and give you the platinum tour.”

  “How’s your father doing?” Ralph asked.

  “Very well, it seems. The staff tell me he might make a full recovery.” There were so many things she and her father hadn’t done together.

  They got into her Mercedes and sped out of the medical centre lot, chatting nonstop during the twenty minutes it took them to get to the mine site. As they headed to the administration office, Rebecca said, “I hope you don’t mind if I do a bit of business while we’re here.”

  “Not at all.” Ralph grinned. “Just don’t flirt with any of the men, please. My ego couldn’t handle it.”

  Rebecca shot back, “Not a chance. Most of them will avoid me if they can, although they’ll be curious about my father’s condition. My father isn’t popular with the employees, most of whom complain that he drives them too hard, but their jobs depend on him, so his recovery should be good news.”

  “That’s a relief,” Ralph said, and added, “I’m really looking forward to seeing how a gold mine works.”

  * * *

  After she’d shown Ralph the mine, Rebecca went back to the admin office and asked for Freddie Stafford. Told that he’d just gone over to the mill, she asked Ralph if he could wait once more, and set off to find him. She hadn’t seen him earlier, but soon spotted him this time. As she approached, he turned and saw her.

  “Rebecca!” He cast around, as if looking for somewhere to hide.

  Rebecca strode up to him. “Freddie. Don’t you dare run away from me. I need to talk to you.”

  Looking like a trapped animal, Freddie replied weakly. “Sure. Of course, Rebecca. It’s just that you startled me. What’re you doing here?”

  “You must know about my father,” she said. “Anyway, let’s go outside and find a quiet place to talk. The police have been searching for you for nearly two months.” She grabbed his arm and almost dragged him from the mill.

  Rebecca towed him to a spot next to a massive piece of mining equipment. Nobody else was nearby, and Freddie seemed to relax.

  “Okay, Freddie,” she began. “You’ll be needed as a witness during the trial of Kingsley McBride, and later on of Jackie, assuming we catch her again. Without your testimony, that scumbag Kingsley will evade his money-laundering charges, as well as his attempt with Jackie Caldwell to murder you. We can’t let that happen, can we?”

  He said nothing for a long while. “I’d rather have that than get killed by the syndicate.”

  “The police will protect you, Freddie. Is that why you came here, to hide out from the syndicate?”

  “Yes,” Freddie mumbled. “I thought this would be a safe place to stay until things blew over, maybe even permanently. Kingsley will never forgive me for ratting on him, but if he’s set free he won’t have any good reason to have me killed. It would just be another risk for him, and he’s really cautious. I thought he’d just leave me alone.” He swallowed hard. “But I was mistaken.” He backed around the mining equipment and peered at the admin office through a small opening. His hands were shaking.

  Rebecca turned to see what he was looking at and saw nothing but Ralph, standing outside the office and looking out over the mine site.

  “What’s wrong?” She
asked. “What are you afraid of?” When he didn’t reply, she nudged him. “Tell me, please.”

  Freddie pointed. “That guy over there, beside the office. He works for the syndicate. I saw him talking with Guido Daglioni in Orillia a few months ago.”

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Sunday, October 7, 2007

  Hound woke up early on Sunday morning. It was dawn when he left his room to check on Jackie and Matthew. He was surprised to see them standing at a far corner of the parking lot chatting like old friends, which Hound realized they were, in a sense. At least Jackie hadn’t bolted during the night. She really was serious about giving herself up to the police.

  Leaving them to their private conversation, Hound went back to his room and called the OPP in Orillia. “I’ve got some important information to share with you.” Hound went on to tell the officer about Jackie, and where she was located. The man sounded stunned.

  “Stay where you are. A team of constables is nearby. They’ll be there in a quarter of an hour. Are you sure she’s not armed?”

  “Definitely, Officer. Tell your men to keep their guns holstered and their rifles out of sight. I’ll bring Jackie to them when they arrive, and she’ll come along willingly, I promise. Please don’t have your men do anything to upset her.”

  After giving the police a few more details on how Jackie had been found, Hound went outside and strolled over to Matthew. “I just phoned the OPP,” he said. “They’ll be here soon to pick up Jackie.” He gave her a grateful nod. “Your mother will be pleased.” He paused. “I don’t know what else to say.”

  Jackie stepped up to him, and Hound had to check himself from flinching. “It was time,” Jackie said. “I will go peacefully, if they let me.” She looked sad but relieved too. Matthew was gazing up at the sky where the sun was about to crest the horizon. A new day was dawning.