by Don Easton
“They had the car doors locked and would only wind down the window a crack to talk. He couldn’t get them to break their cover story. They were better than most of the UC operators trained by the force.”
Jack gave a half-grin. “I am really proud of them, but when you think about it, it’s pretty sad that a seasoned investigator couldn’t get them to crack.”
“Yeah, but come on. Your kids have been trained since birth.”
“Pretty close,” admitted Jack.
“It shows,” said Laura, matter-of-factly. “Anyway, what do you think us two entrepreneurs should do now?”
Jack looked over as Connie walked in. By the grim look on her face he knew the answer to Laura’s question was about to be revealed.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“We’re screwed,” said Connie, pulling up a chair and plunking herself down in front of Jack and Laura’s desks. “I was at AOCTF. Roger doesn’t have a clue who the guy was in the parkade on Friday. We sat in his office and went through a ton of photographs he had on his computer. No match.”
“What about facial recognition through driver’s licences?” asked Jack.
“Negative on that, too,” replied Connie. “Maybe he doesn’t have a driver’s licence, although the image we got is a little grainy, so that could be the problem also.”
“Is it really that big of a deal?” asked Jack. “We know that Benny Wong ordered the hit with instructions to make it look like a hit-and-run accident. With how professional Mia Parker was on Friday in regards to counter-surveillance, it confirms our theory that she is ultimately the reason for Betty Donahue’s murder. Mr. X, as we can call him, has to be the go-between. Maybe he’s somebody who’s been too insignificant in Wong’s organization to hit the spotlight yet, which would be a good reason for Wong to use him. Forget Mr. X, I think Wong is who we need to concentrate on.”
“All well said and done,” replied Connie, “but how?”
“What would you usually do?” asked Laura.
“I was trying to get a wiretap on the Vietnamese,” replied Connie. “But that was when I thought we were dealing with low-level punks on the bottom.” She looked at Jack and said, “Do you really think we would catch Wong on a wiretap?”
“Possible, but not likely,” replied Jack.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” replied Connie, bitterly. “He’s been around for years and by the way Parker was, you know she’s been trained too well to blab much. Also, if she isn’t meeting Wong in person, it’s not like she would be talking about it with him regardless … and that’s the guy I want to nail.”
“I agree,” replied Jack, “not to mention, from what she said to Rankin on Friday, she thinks the police were bribed and doesn’t know about the murder.”
“That is strange,” replied Connie. “After her performance on Friday, I’m confident she’s part of their organization, so why wouldn’t they tell her they were going to kill the witness?”
“Maybe they don’t think she has the stomach for it,” said Laura.
“From what I’ve heard of Benny Wong, if you work for him you better have a stomach for it,” said Jack, grimly.
“There’s another problem,” said Connie, sounding exasperated. “Nancy Broughton is ticked off and wants to return home. I can’t convince her to stay in Chilliwack much longer. I’ve been picking up her mail once a week and delivering it to her, more to keep in touch than anything, but she is becoming more upset every time I see her.” Connie looked at Jack and said, “She’s expecting me this morning, actually.” She paused and added, “Doesn’t your sister live out near Chilliwack? When’s the last time you visited her?”
Jack stared briefly at Connie, then smiled. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Good, I appreciate it,” replied Connie, letting out a sigh of relief. “A neighbour has been looking after her place and picking it up. I’ll make the calls so they’ll know to expect you. Maybe when you give the mail to Nancy you can use your charm to convince her to stay where she is. She won’t listen to me.”
“Maybe my charm will be to show her pictures of a bunch of the thugs who work for Wong,” replied Jack. “If she’s not suicidal, she should listen.” He stared at Connie a moment and asked, “Have you thought of what any other motive could be? Other than Parker simply trying to avoid getting a criminal record?”
“That’s a puzzler, too,” replied Connie. “Roger said the same thing, that Parker has to be a high-valued asset for Wong to do what he did. She’s not his mistress, so what is it?”
“Wong is behind major drug, gun, and people-smuggling activities,” noted Laura.
“You think Parker is connected to one of those?” asked Connie.
Jack shook his head. “Guess it’s possible, but if she is, we should have heard about her. Particularly with her connection to Wong. So with that in mind, maybe she’s involved in his more legitimate enterprises.”
“Which is the shipping industry, commercial real-estate ventures, and property rental,” noted Laura. “Property rental that includes a lot of massage parlours.”
“Parker doesn’t strike me as being involved in prostitution,” said Jack.
“So where do we go from here?” asked Connie. “Considering that Parker didn’t even know about the murder, it puts my sights directly on Wong … but how do we go about it?”
“I have an idea,” replied Jack. “A little hazy at the moment …”
Hazy at the moment? thought Laura. Oh man … the words Jack uses when he doesn’t want someone to know what he’s up to.
“However,” continued Jack, “there is something I would like you to check out. Parker came out of the house on Friday all smiles and waving.”
“Yeah, Rankin said she was like Jekyll and Hyde,” said Connie, “becoming a real B when she got in the patrol car.”
“Her performance outside the car had to be an act so someone in the house wouldn’t know about her drug charge,” said Jack. “I’d suggest you dig into the owners a bit more and see what they’re all about.”
“That would be the Rolstads,” replied Connie. “They own the house. I checked them out previously. No criminal records on either and both appear to be model citizens.”
“What do they do for a living?” asked Jack.
“Some kind of PR company,” replied Connie.
“Check into it a little further,” suggested Jack. “Give Commercial Crime a call. See if we can find out who their clients are.”
“Will do. And you two?” asked Connie.
“We need a source,” said Jack. “Someone to tell us what’s going on.”
“Sounds a bit like déjà vu,” replied Connie. “I was stuck and needed your help when I thought we were going after the Vietnamese. Took you less than a day to come up with something. Think you can pull a rabbit out of the hat again?”
“Possibly,” replied Jack. “I’m toying with the idea of doing an undercover operation on Wong.”
“He already knows what you and Laura look like,” said Connie, “from the night you tried to follow him.”
“I know.”
“I take it you’re thinking of a long-term operation using Chinese members?”
Jack shook his head. “That type of UC on Wong would be next to impossible. We have a couple of Chinese operators, but when it comes to someone as high up as Wong, the bad guys would want to know all their family connections. They might even expect to know what cities or villages in China their families were originally from. Our operators would never pass the screening process that Wong would have in place.”
“So then you’re looking at turning someone who is willing to testify,” said Connie. “That’s going to be difficult. Even if you do, it would mean turning a criminal, which gives defence a huge opportunity to question the credibility in front of a jury.”
“Getting a source is part of my idea,” said Jack. “Like I said, the other part is still a little hazy.”
“Would your idea result in another
three bodies turning up?” chided Connie.
“Wasn’t me who passed the report on to AOCTF,” replied Jack coldly.
Connie stared silently back at Jack. It wasn’t … but why do I sense that the hazy part of your idea involves something you don’t want me to know about …
Chapter Thirty
Jack glanced across the street at Nancy Brighton’s house as he knocked on the neighbour’s door. He was greeted by a smiling, middle-aged woman with a handful of mail.
“Jack Taggart, I presume?” she said.
“You presume correctly,” replied Jack with a smile, “but let me show you my badge as well.”
“Officer Crane told me to expect you,” she replied, briefly glancing at his badge before handing him the mail. “Please say hi to Nancy for me and tell her not to worry about her house. I’m keeping an eye on it.”
“It looks like it is being well cared for,” replied Jack.
“Thanks. Tell Nancy that I had a realtor peering at it the other day, but I told him I knew she wasn’t interested in selling.”
“Did he drop off his card?” asked Jack.
“No.”
Jack felt his stomach muscles tighten. “Interesting that he didn’t do that. Can you remember what he looked like or any other details?”
“Well … yes. It was Friday around suppertime. He was a well-dressed man in a suit and tie. That’s what clued me in that he was probably a realtor. His English was perfect.”
“English?” asked Jack.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you. He was Asian.”
Moments later, Jack showed the woman the picture of the man who met Mia Parker in the parkade.
“Yes, that was him,” replied the woman, looking bewildered.
Jack felt nauseous. I screwed up. I should have had surveillance here …
An hour later, after making certain he wasn’t being followed, Jack arrived at the house in Chilliwack where Nancy was staying. He knew he wouldn’t be taking the time to visit his sister today. He had already called Laura to help Connie check whatever security-camera footage was available in the vicinity of Nancy’s house to see if they could identify a vehicle connected to the phony realtor.
It took some time after Jack pushed the buzzer before Nancy Brighton was able to hobble over to the door with the help of her cane. She was a petite woman with a thick crop of short white hair. After initial greetings, Jack said, “I’d like to update you a little on the investigation.”
Nancy gestured to her knee and said, “The damn thing started acting up again last week, but I can still make you a cup of coffee if you like. Come on in. My friends are out shopping at the moment so it will be only the two of us.”
Jack accepted her invitation and followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the table while Nancy prepared coffee.
At seventy-five, Nancy’s face had the usual number of wrinkles and despite an array of laugh-lines spreading out from the corners of her eyes, she looked depressed and her face was drawn.
“So? Do you have some good news for me?” she asked, while sitting down to wait for the coffee to percolate. “Can you tell me how the investigation is progressing?”
Jack sighed. Good news? Hell no. I screwed up. I should have realized someone might go to her house later …
“By the look of your face, I take it there is no good news,” added Nancy.
Jack eyed her for a moment. “Guess I shouldn’t play poker with you,” he replied, then told her what had transpired on Friday, starting with Mia Parker meeting with the unknown man in a parkade. “The same man who then went to your house after meeting with her,” noted Jack.
“I see,” replied Nancy.
“It was my fault. I should have thought to cover your house as well.”
“What time did you identify him through the security cameras as being the man Miss Parker met?” asked Nancy.
“About eight o’clock Friday night.”
Nancy shrugged. “Didn’t you say the man was looking for me around suppertime? By eight o’clock he had already come and gone.”
Jack frowned. “Yes, but we still would have identified him had we been there.”
“Beating yourself up won’t help,” continued Nancy. “Believe me, I know. It only causes burnout … which I am personally familiar with.”
Jack silently stared back at her. She’s pretty sharp. Dealt with a lot of criminals in her time … and cops.
“Besides,” continued Nancy, “perhaps he was only wanting to verify that I was still alive and that the police were not simply hoping for a quick plea bargain.”
“I’m sure that was part of it,” agreed Jack, “but knowing that you’re alive means they may try again.”
“You really think so?” asked Nancy. “Connie Crane told me you identified the driver who killed Betty and my dog, Toby. She said the man was killed in a gang slaying two weeks ago.”
“I think he was killed by his own people to hinder our investigation,” replied Jack.
“Really?” said Nancy in surprise. “So who is Miss Parker that she can order a witness killed?”
Jack shook his head. “That’s not what we think is going on. Parker doesn’t know about your sister being murdered. It was evident from conversation when she was being served with a summons on Friday morning that she thinks the police were bought off to have her charge withdrawn.”
“Bought off!” said Nancy. “Where does she think she is? Some third-world country?”
“Maybe China,” replied Jack.
“China? I understood from Corporal Crane that Vietnamese hoodlums were responsible for murdering Betty.”
“Uh, listen, if it wasn’t for your previous occupation, I don’t think I would tell you what I am about to tell you,” said Jack.
“I know enough to keep a secret, if that is what you are trying to say,” replied Nancy. “Tell me what?”
“We think the Vietnamese were hired by a top Chinese gangster as a way to insulate himself. When they discovered we were on to the Vietnamese, they killed them to stop us from finding out who was behind it.”
“I see. So it wasn’t only the driver who was killed?”
Jack shook his head. “Three Vietnamese were killed. The driver was murdered in Surrey and two men who were involved in arranging it were murdered in Hong Kong, although their bodies have not been found.”
“Hong Kong? Sounds like more than your local talent is involved. This gangster must be well connected.”
Jack nodded.
“I have to say, knowing that the three of them who were involved are dead makes me feel a little better, but it still won’t bring Betty back, will it?”
Jack sighed. “No … and I am sorry for your loss.”
“Who is this gangster? Can you tell me?”
“I could tell you, but I think it’s best I don’t.”
Nancy nodded. “I understand.” A small smile appeared at the corner of her mouth and she added, “You’re probably afraid I’ll whack him.”
“Stranger things have happened,” replied Jack. “I’m sure you know.”
“Well, can’t say as I wouldn’t be happy to read that guy’s name in the obits, but I do believe in judicial process. I would like to see him behind bars for the rest of his life.”
Jack gave a grim smile. Is that what used to happen when you worked in the system forty years ago?
“That being said, I’ve still decided I’m going to move back to my own house,” said Nancy. “After breakfast tomorrow morning, actually.”
“What?” replied Jack, astounded. “After what I told you?”
“I never believed in letting criminals push me around. Their lawyers, either, for that matter. As far as your gangster goes, he’s obviously been in place for years to be in that position. Well insulated … protected. How long did you expect me to hide out?”
“Until we run Mia Parker through a trial,” pleaded Jack.
“Don’t give me that crap, Officer. I may have retired y
ears ago, but I still have a pretty good idea how long that would take.”
“We don’t have the manpower to protect you,” argued Jack. “It would take a lot of people to cover you day and night. Even more to travel with you when you went out. You can’t return home yet. We need more time. You’ll have to stay here.”
“You are not in a position to tell me what I can or cannot do,” replied Nancy.
“Our only choice then would be to withdraw the charge against Parker.”
Nancy slammed the palm of her hand on the table. “Don’t even consider that option! My sister died because of these people! That would be allowing them to win and set precedence that murdering witnesses works!” She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest before adding, “Do that and I will go to the media. Think your bosses will like being asked on camera why they can’t protect a seventy-five-year-old pensioner?”
Jack was quiet for a moment. He knew he was in a losing battle. He returned her stare and said, “I only met you a few moments ago, but I really like you. In fact I feel like giving you a hug, but believe me when —”
“Give me a hug, eh? I know what that leads to. Sorry to dash your hopes, but keep your pants on. I don’t hug guys the first time I have coffee with them.”
Jack saw a brief sparkle in her eye and gave a lopsided smile. “Let me finish. I wanted to impress upon you that things have changed since you were prosecuting. It’s far more dangerous now.”
Nancy’s expression became serious. “I read the news. I know what’s going on out there. It’s time somebody stood up to them.” She reached across the table and patted Jack on the hand. “Don’t worry about me. You’ve done your bit … no matter what happens. Don’t put any blame on yourself. I can see the compassion in your eyes. It tells me you’re a good cop.”
Jack sighed. “I do my best, but a lot of the time the bad guys still win. I don’t want you to become another statistic.”
“I don’t plan to.” Nancy looked at Jack and her voice became solemn. “There are still a few areas where the law hasn’t changed much. I have a right to protect my own home … or myself, for that matter, if I feel my life is threatened.”