The Grey Zone

by Easton, Don

  Not for long.

  * * *

  It was 11:40 a.m. when Derek called Jack to say that he was across the street from the Pan Pacific and that he had a guy waiting inside the Urban Fare to check out Mason when he arrived.

  “Where’s he now?” Jack asked.

  “Unfortunately we lost him about five minutes after he sold his car.”

  “No worries.”

  “I’ve also got two people in a car on West Cordova about half a block past the restaurant, in case you end up going somewhere else.”

  “Super.”

  Jack put his phone away and rolled up his sleeve. He stuck the hypodermic needle into a vein and sucked back on the plunger.

  Five minutes later, he walked out of the hotel’s front entrance carrying what appeared to be a heavy sports bag. In reality, the bag held nothing but a few sticks of Styrofoam to make the sides bulge out. He’d barely started down the boardwalk when he saw Derek fall in behind him.

  Jack’s phone rang. It was Derek.

  “You’re too early,” he said. “Mason’s not at the restaurant yet.”

  “That’s okay, I thought I’d take my time and wander a bit. I figured that would make it easier for you to see if someone is following me.”

  “Okay, but don’t go to the restaurant until I let you know that it’s okay.”

  “Yeah, no worries.”

  “What, uh, is the sports bag for?”

  “Oh, just some stuff Mason wants. Call me when it’s clear,” Jack said, then ended the call.

  Jack strolled along the boardwalk, and Derek followed about thirty seconds behind him. When he reached Harbour Green Park, he approached three flights of stairs which led up to Cordova Street. The park itself was bordered by tall hedges and decorated with cement pillars. An abundance of park benches were laid out amongst passageways through the trees.

  Jack knew that once he reached the top of the stairs, it was only a short walk out of the park, across the street, and into the restaurant. He was pleased to see that there were few people around as he climbed the stairs.

  Derek was quick to phone. “He’s not there yet. Don’t go in.”

  “I won’t. I’m going to grab a seat near the top of these stairs and wait. Let me know when I can go in.”

  “Okay, I’ll be close. So far it doesn’t look like there’s anyone following you.”

  “Good.”

  Jack took his time climbing the stairs, but once he reached the top and was out of Derek’s sight, he ran to a park bench facing out from a tall hedge and took the syringe out of his jacket pocket. Seconds later, he tossed the sports bag containing the syringe over the hedge to a woman working for Special O, who crumpled it and stuffed it in her baby stroller before sauntering off.

  Derek arrived at the top of the stairs a moment later and took a quick look around, then spotted Jack slumped over on the park bench. He ran over.

  Jack pushed himself to a sitting position, then staggered to his feet as Derek grabbed his arm to steady him.

  “Christ! What happened?” Derek yelled. “Are you okay?”

  “They got it,” Jack breathed. “Fucking Mason and some guys. They got it.”

  “You’re hurt! I better call an ambulance.”

  “No, I’m okay,” Jack mumbled. “Don’t do that.”

  “You’ve got blood running out your ear and your nose. You’ve probably got a concussion. You should see a doctor.”

  “No, I gotta find them,” Jack said, pushing Derek aside. “That was half a million bucks. I can’t let them get away with —”

  “You had five hundred thousand dollars in that bag?”

  “Yeah.”

  Derek’s mouth gaped open.

  Jack looked around wildly as if he were desperate to see where his attackers had gone. He gawked at Derek. “I barely sat down and then Mason was like, right in front of me. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and turned to look back,” he said, glancing behind the bench. “It happened so fucking fast … but I think there were three guys. I knew something was up, and I turned toward Mason and was reaching for my piece, but I was too late. The next thing I know I’m lying on this bench, my head feels like it’s about to explode, and you’re running toward me.”

  “You’ve got a gun?” Derek asked.

  “Hell, yeah. I’m not that stupid to be packing that much cash around without one. Got it right here,” Jack said, flipping his jacket back and patting a holster attached to his belt, on the back of his hip.

  “Your holster is empty,” Derek observed.

  “What? The fuckers took that, too! Shit,” Jack mumbled, then sat down on the bench, pinching the top of his nose with his fingers.

  “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

  “Yeah, give me a moment to stop the bleeding,” Jack replied, not bothering to look up. “I feel like someone stuck an ice pick in the side of my skull.” He gingerly touched his ear with his other hand, then gazed at the blood that stuck to his fingers.

  “I’ll phone my people,” Derek replied.

  Jack wasn’t surprised by the news that Derek’s people hadn’t seen anything. Especially since Mason wasn’t even in the downtown area, but booked into a hotel, out of harm’s way.

  “Come on,” Derek said, putting his phone away. “Let me take you back to my office and clean you up. I might call in more of my people to help. Do you think you’re okay to walk to my SUV? It’s about a block away.”

  “Yeah, I can walk,” Jack said, getting to his feet again. “But fuck going to your office. You know where his apartment is. That’s where I wanna go. First, though, any chance you can get me a gun?”

  “Maybe you didn’t hear what I said on the phone. I already sent my people over to watch his apartment.” Derek frowned. “Except he sold his car, so we don’t know what he’ll be driving if he shows up. Could be with his associates or in a taxi.”

  “Hope he’s with his buddies. I’ll do them all if I can get a piece. I want my money back.”

  “I know you’re pissed off, but this isn’t the time to be irrational. Not to mention, his apartment building is really high-end. Lots of security cameras and locked gates. Come on, we’ll go to my office and see if we can figure something out.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Maybe we should talk,” Jack replied.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Derek’s office space consisted of a room with four desks and another, smaller room with one desk. This was where Derek went after directing Jack to a washroom. Jack left the door open as he stood over the sink, using paper towels to dab off the blood. In the mirror, he could see Derek using his computer.

  When Jack entered the room, Derek gestured for him to sit down and took another cellphone from his desk.

  “Two phones?” Jack asked.

  Derek smiled. “Sometimes it pays to be cautious. I’m waiting for a call. Shouldn’t be long.”

  Obviously not from the young people working for you. Bingo!

  “You’re looking way better,” Derek commented. “You still feel okay? If you have a concussion, it could continue to manifest. You need to keep an eye on yourself.”

  “I’ll be okay,” Jack replied. “I’ve been thinking, though. If Mason owed these guys, there’s a good chance my money’s already been divvied up.”

  “I expect it has. I wish you’d told me what you were doing. I’d have provided closer protection.”

  “I figured the fewer people who knew, the safer I’d be,” Jack replied. “Anyway, I’ve kind of got an idea.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’ve got his mother’s phone number. From what I know, she’s filthy rich and would freak out if she knew what Mason is involved in. If I call her and tell her who I am and what Mason has done, maybe she’ll pay up to keep me from going after him.”

  “Uh, but if you tell her who you are, aren’t you afraid she’ll go to the cops?”

  “I don’t think she would. At least, not according to Mason. He once to
ld me that she’d piss herself if word ever got out about what he did. Besides, it’s her son who’s been dealing blow to me for a couple of years, and him who robbed me.” Jack shook his head. “Naw, a rich bitch like that won’t be calling the cops. Maybe she’ll decide not to pay me, but she won’t want to rat me out. At the very least, she’ll get hold of Mason and tell him to give me back whatever he’s got left.”

  “I, uh, might have a better idea,” Derek said. “One almost guaranteed to get all your money back.”

  “All of it? How?”

  “Let me talk to someone first, then I’ll tell —” Derek’s spare phone buzzed, interrupting the conversation. “Could you, uh, let me take this call in private?”

  “Sure,” Jack said. He went to the outer office, closing the door behind him.

  He did his best to listen, but Derek’s words were mumbled. The only thing he heard Derek say clearly was, “No, no, you should’ve seem him. He was really messed up. Blood running out his ear …”

  A minute later, Derek opened the door and gestured for Jack to join him. He was still holding the phone to his ear.

  “Listen, Jack, I didn’t mention this last night because I didn’t think it was important, but I think I know where Mason will be tomorrow afternoon.”

  “You do?” Jack exclaimed.

  “What do you think about the idea of us grabbing him, then you calling his mother to demand your money back?”

  “Christ, no problem! If we got Mason, I’m sure she’d pay up. Maybe take her a day or two.”

  “And you’re comfortable with calling her?”

  “Hell, yeah. It’s my money he took. She’s gonna know it was me, anyway. We could even put Mason on the phone. Bet she’d have the half mil for me by the next day.”

  “You hear that?” Derek said into the phone.

  “Wait a minute,” Jack said. “Kidnapping is kind of a big deal. How much would your cut be?”

  “I’ll ask,” Derek replied.

  So you’re not the boss.

  “You heard that, too?” Derek asked. “So what — okay.” He looked at Jack and said, “Half for you and half for us.”

  Jack pretended to think about it.

  “To do this right takes quite a few people,” Derek urged. “We’ll be ensuring security, doing countersurveillance when the money’s delivered, checking for GPS tracking … all sorts of things. Personally I think you’re getting too good of a deal.”

  Jack waited a beat. “I didn’t think of all that. You got people who’d do all this?”

  “Yes … people with experience.”

  “Then I’m in.” Hopefully you’ll be in, as well. For about fifteen years.

  A moment later, Derek ended the call.

  “So where’s Mason going to be tomorrow afternoon?”

  Derek hesitated. “Sorry, I was told not to tell you that for security reasons.”

  “You don’t trust me? You think I might try to grab him on my own and get all the money for myself?”

  “I’m not the one running the show, but I understand why you’re angry. We don’t want to take the chance that you’ll do something reckless. The people I use are professionals, and it’s their necks that’ll be on the line.”

  Jack pretended to mull it over. “Fine. But how do we go about it?”

  “Details need to be worked out. I’ll talk to you about that later.”

  “Will you and I be involved?”

  “When it comes time to pick up the ransom, I’ll provide cover and monitor the situation from my van. I’ve got everything I need in there. Other people will be doing countersurveillance, as well. Same for when we make the grab.”

  “What about me? What’ll I do?”

  “I figure you’ll be with me, but like I said, that still needs to be worked out. I don’t know if these people will even want to meet you.”

  “I have to be involved. Mason will know it’s me. Besides, if his mother hears only my voice, it’ll be safer for anyone else involved.”

  “I agree.” Derek glanced at his watch. “Unfortunately there’s not a lot of time. Usually we’d plan something like this over a period of weeks or months. Let me get going, and I’ll either call you or stop by your hotel later.” He eyed Jack, then added, “Guess in your line of work, I don’t need to tell you not to say anything over your phone.”

  “I’ve never been busted yet and I don’t intend to start now.”

  * * *

  Jack returned to his hotel, on the way making a quick call to Laura to tell her what had transpired.

  “You gotta love it when a plan comes together,” Laura exclaimed. “Alicia and I are meeting with Connie and Ned at the moment. They’ve heard my end of the conversation, and they’re so excited I think they might spring for that fridge we need.”

  “The show’s not over yet. To reiterate, for tomorrow, let everyone know that Derek will be in his van and I might be with him. I saw him using another cellphone, so we know they cover all the bases. I’m sure his van is equipped to monitor cellphone transmissions and radio traffic. Basically everyone needs to get into place, wait, and keep as silent as possible. I don’t want any heat on Derek. We can’t afford to have him spot surveillance. We know where they’re going, so have everyone in place at the cemetery.”

  “No problem. I’ve already gone over everything with everyone. We’ll have our plane overhead and a full complement of Emergency Response Team guys ready to do the takedowns.”

  “Good.”

  “Do you think Hernández might be there tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know. It’d sure be nice if he was. Right now I need to spend a few hours making notes, which I’ll put in the hotel safe. Call Rose for me. She’s probably at home, but she told me she wants to be updated.”

  “Will do, but before you go, have you thought what’ll happen if you’re in the van with Derek and ERT starts swooping in on everyone? Things could get a little hot for you. He’s probably going to be armed.”

  “Yeah, I thought about it,” Jack replied sombrely. “I’ll jump him before he pulls a gun. With luck, maybe he’ll have a bat. I can use it on him like they did on Greg.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  On Saturday evening Derek called Jack at the hotel. “How’s your head?” he asked.

  “It doesn’t let me forget it’s there, but I’ve got a feeling it’ll feel a lot better tomorrow.”

  “Let’s hope so. The business arrangement has all been worked out. My people would like to meet you.”

  You’ve no idea how glad I’ll be to do that. “When?”

  “Probably around noon. I’ll swing by to pick you up.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  * * *

  Derek knocked at the door at 9:45 a.m. the following morning.

  “Thought you weren’t coming until about noon,” Jack said. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, it’s happening. I’m taking you to meet the people I told you about.”

  To meet and hopefully yap about previous kidnappings. “Good, I’m all for that,” Jack said, putting on his jacket.

  “First let me say that they’re feeling paranoid because they don’t know you.”

  “Yeah, that goes both ways. I don’t know them, either. Hope you don’t have any rats in your midst.”

  “I guarantee that there aren’t. All have proven track records. But before we go, you’re to get the mother’s phone number and write it down, then leave your phone here. They don’t want the cops to ever be able to trace your movements, at least not to the place I’ll be taking you.”

  “There’s no way the mom would ever go to the cops. How about I simply shut it off? I’ll need it to call her.”

  “No, leave it. Our, uh, team leader will give you a disposable phone. She also wants to go over what you’ll say when you call.”

  “She?”

  “Yes, she.”

  Jack recalled the witness who was interviewed after Leo Ratcliffe’s murder who said a woman
had entered Leo’s yard through the back alley while a man waited by the fence. Looks like I’m about to meet a lady killer. A real lady killer. He shrugged, pretending he didn’t care about his phone, and placed it on a bedside table.

  “You’ll need to write the mother’s number down first,” Derek said, with a nod toward the writing desk. “There’s a pen and paper over there.”

  “Don’t need to write it down,” Jack said. “I memorized her number.”

  “You sure?”

  “Like you said, trust is a bit of an issue. I want to make sure I don’t get cut out of the action.”

  “Suit yourself. There’s something else I need to do, so don’t take it personal,” he said, taking a scanner from out of his pocket.

  Jack stood spread-eagled while Derek searched him. Minutes later, Jack was following Derek into the parking garage. They got into Derek’s black SUV.

  “Thought you said we’d be in a van,” Jack said.

  “They didn’t want that. Don’t worry, everything’s okay. I’ll let the boss lady explain.”

  It doesn’t matter. I can’t wait to see the looks on your faces when you’re busted. Hope you all decide to put up a fight.

  * * *

  It was 11:15 a.m. when Derek pulled up to a mobile home on an acreage halfway between Abbotsford and Chilliwack and parked beside a van. Unlike Derek’s blue Ford surveillance van, this was a black Dodge, so Jack memorized the licence plate. Near the mobile home was a hangar and a small runway with a windsock.

  Son of a bitch. I wonder if the good guys aren’t the only ones doing surveillance from the air?

  A pit bull lunged at the end of its chain, barking and snarling at Jack when he got out of the SUV. At the same time, three men and a woman came out onto the wooden porch attached to the trailer and put on their shoes. One of the men had a shaved head. Jack recognized him as Derek’s brother, Peter.

  “Don’t worry about the dog,” Derek said. “He lives under the trailer. There’s not enough chain for him to reach the steps on the porch. They only let him off at night, so don’t go outside the trailer then without one of us.”