Above Ground

by Don Easton

Jack felt stunned. “I’ve never met this Dawson fellow! I’m sure of it. If he was murdered because someone thought he was my friend, then they’re completely wrong!”

  Connie gave Jack a copy of the report he submitted last year about Spider.

  “Sure, I know him,” admitted Jack. “We met last year when I worked undercover in the Black Water. Doing an Intelligence probe. Bought an ounce of speed off him. Never did find out who he really was. I was after someone else. Spider was just a stepping stone.”

  Connie told him about her phone call from some raspy sounding hooker who swore Spider killed the vet.

  “Spider doesn’t even know I’m a cop. I’m sure he didn’t do both murders,” said Jack. “Besides, he should remember what I look like.”

  “Holly’s husband didn’t look that much different than you. He was holding his baby in front of him. The killers were wearing visors. They might not have been able to see all that clearly.”

  “Spider is no professional. He could donate his brains to the field of scatology.”

  “So he could be dumb enough to kill the wrong guy? Like Holly’s husband?”

  “Dumb, yes. But not sophisticated enough to pack a piece with a silencer. Didn’t I hear on the news that the vet was stabbed?”

  “He was. Small amount of money and a piece of jewellery taken.”

  “That’s something Spider would do, but Holly’s husband was a professional hit. Robbery wasn’t the motive there. This bit about being killed at the front door is a coincidence.”

  “And you said that it was a coincidence that your name matched Holly’s husband’s.”

  Jack sighed but didn’t respond. “When you were working in the Black Water, wasn’t that to work your way up to someone connected with Satans Wrath?”

  “Yes. It worked, but that was several steps above Spider.”

  “Maybe some of those steps have since disappeared. Spider could be more connected than you realize.”

  Jack shook his head and said, “I don’t think so, but I’ll go down to the Black Water right now and find out.”

  “This is what you meant when you told Isaac you would keep a low profile?”

  “I said it would be prudent to keep a low profile. I didn’t say that I was prudent!”

  Connie smiled, then said, “Guess it’s your neck. I’d appreciate you coming with me to identify him.”

  “You’d be made in there. Let me go in alone. Pair up with Danny and wait in a parkade across the street. If Spider’s not there, I could wait or ask around without drawing heat.”

  “That is one sleazy hotel, but if you’re okay with that, then so am I. When you find him, let us know and we’ll come in and grab him.”

  “Do you have any evidence on this case?”

  “Not really. He did take some cash and a gold pendant in the shape of a heart. It was engraved on the back from when Albert and Essie got married. He ripped it off her neck. Being blind probably saved her life.”

  “If Spider did it, I doubt that he’ll be carrying it around with him. With all the heat he might even be afraid to pawn it right now.”

  “If he is as dumb as you say, maybe I can get him to confess.”

  “Right. You know how that goes these days. He’ll be sitting on the lap of some legal aid lawyer. How about DNA or prints?”

  “No prints. Recovered a single hair that we can’t identify. Could be from the perp, but it could also be from someone else. Grab Spider and hope we get a match.”

  Jack smiled politely, then turned and grabbed his jacket.

  Connie stared after him. The son of a bitch has no intention of grabbing Spider!

  chapter ten

  Jack, Danny, and Connie were leaving the office when Danny saw Elvis Secord approaching and whispered, “Uh-oh. ACU.”

  “You got a moment, Jack?” asked Elvis. “You too, Danny? It would be better if we talked in Louie’s office.”

  Connie smiled and said, “Take your time, Jack. A moment with Internal Affairs usually means an hour. I’ll just sit at your desk and browse through your briefcase while I’m waiting.”

  “It’s Anti-Corruption,” muttered Elvis under his breath as he turned and headed for Louie’s office. When Louie, Jack, and Danny were listening, Elvis told them about Molen.

  “We did surveillance. Had people from our unit and I-HIT. Molen met Leitch’s secretary in a coffee shop at noon. He gave her a large envelope and left.”

  “You follow the envelope?” asked Louie.

  “Both. We split up the surveillance teams. Some went with Molen and the rest stayed with the envelope. Molen returned to the office and the secretary went to a park and handed the envelope to Leitch.”

  “Which park?” asked Jack.

  “Nelson Park. Corner of Nelson and Thurlow. She then waited while Leitch took a walk in the park. He showed the envelope to an unidentified man, then returned and gave it back to his secretary. She then took it to her bank and put it in her safety deposit box.”

  “The guy in the park didn’t get a copy of the report?” asked Jack.

  “No, but it was pretty short. Juicy enough, but short. Might have been able to remember what was in it.”

  Jack nodded and said, “Well I’m sure that the guy in the park was either Damien or another Satans Wrath member who goes by the name of Pussy Paul.”

  “One of them a dark guy with a British accent?” asked Elvis.

  “No.”

  “I walked past when they were meeting. I’m sure I heard him say ‘jolly good.’ Then they looked at me real hard and I just kept going. I’m hoping I didn’t get burned.”

  “I hope not too,” said Jack. “Let me show you some pictures.”

  Elvis spent the next half-hour looking through pictures of Satans Wrath. “Sorry,” he said, “don’t believe it’s any of these. The fellow was quite dark. Maybe Indo. We’ll do another report for Molen tomorrow. See what happens then.”

  “Good luck,” replied Jack. “Is Laura still around? Or is she off to Bangkok or someplace again?”

  “She’s home. Why?”

  “Nothing. Just tell her I said hello.”

  East Hastings was swarming with a variety of the drug addicts, low-level dealers, pimps, muggers, and prostitutes who laid claim to the area. Drug overdoses, murders, and AIDS took a severe toll, but the population continued to grow.

  Jack felt dirty just walking into the Black Water Hotel. Even the regulars considered it a dirty, dangerous place. I’ll be showering tonight as soon as I get home. Maybe after the first shower, Natasha will join me for the second...

  The place had not changed any since last year. Pot lights marked a stage in the centre of the bar where a stripper was performing. She wore only a variety of tattoos and stood gyrating her crotch against a pole that ran up to the black ceiling before disappearing amongst the broken cardboard tiles. She didn’t have much of an audience.

  Jack sauntered to the rear of the bar where the pool tables were located. He didn’t see Spider but did recognize the face of someone he had continually lost money to when he played pool last year. The man recognized him and was eager to continue making money.

  The waitress came along a few minutes later. She also recognized him but didn’t know his name. “Hey! Mister Kokanee, right?” she said.

  Jack smiled. Like most waitresses, she knew her clients by what they drank.

  “Haven’t seen ya around for a while.” she said.

  “Ya, you know. Been travelling around the world. Staying in my penthouse suites as I go.”

  The waitress laughed, then said, “Good one. You’ll be able to drop me a tip then.”

  Halfway through losing at pool, Jack casually asked if Spider had been around.

  “Was here about an hour ago, don’t know where he went.”

  Jack continued to sip beer and continued to lose at pool. Numerous hookers made eye contact with him but a subtle shake of his head indicated he wasn’t interested. His mind drifted to what Elvis had to
ld him about Leitch’s contact in the park. Is Leitch playing both sides? Wanting to represent the Indos and the bikers? Dangerous territory for a lawyer to be in.

  Spider did not return and it was long past midnight when Jack arrived home. Natasha was sleeping so he quietly slipped into the shower. When he stepped out to reach for a towel, she was standing in the doorway wearing a fluffy white bathrobe. “Remember me?” she asked.

  “You sort of look familiar. Did you follow me home from the Black Water?”

  “Noooo. Guess again.”

  “Your face is familiar, but I’m not sure. Maybe if I was to see a little more of you.”

  “Like this?” said Natasha, slipping the robe off her shoulders and letting it droop to reveal the tops of her breasts.

  “Exactly ... but I still can’t quite put my finger on it.”

  The bathrobe fell around her feet and Jack took a moment to reflect upon how beautiful she was ... and how lucky I am that she loves me.

  “Perhaps you can’t put your finger on it,” said Natasha, “but it would appear that another part of your body is rising to the challenge.”

  Their bed was only a few steps away, but it was a few steps too far. They made love on Natasha’s bathrobe. When they were finished, Natasha snuggled in with her head on Jack’s chest. He covered her with part of her robe, and then they both fell asleep.

  In the morning Natasha put on a pot of coffee. She did not have to be at work until after lunch. She was pleased that she had convinced Jack to spend the morning with her.

  Jack walked into the kitchen and used the phone to call Danny. Susan answered and said that Danny was in the shower.

  “Tell him that we’re not starting work until one-thirty today,” said Jack.

  “Great. I’ve got shopping to do and he can look after Tiff and Jimmy for me.”

  “You say he’s in the shower?” said Jack, loud enough for Natasha to notice. “Hang on, I should let you speak with Natasha. She’ll tell you what you should do when he gets out.”

  “Jack! Damn it!” said Natasha, as Jack tried to pass her the phone. “No! You are such a turkey!”

  “A turkey?” Jack started to laugh, then said, “If I’m a turkey, then so are you for marrying me!”

  It had been too long, decided Natasha, since she had seen him laugh. She laughed as well. Not so much over what Jack said, but simply because their life seemed normal again ... at least for now.

  They had a leisurely breakfast and Jack told Natasha about his visit with Holly yesterday and her response to what he had told her.

  “Now you know it’s not your fault,” commented Natasha.

  “Part of my brain tells me that. Sometimes another part makes me question the consequences of what I do.”

  “You do what you think is right. You weren’t born with crystal balls ... thank heavens.”

  Jack smiled and said, “I know. Things just don’t turn out as I plan sometimes. I need to think more about potential consequences.”

  “How about the potential consequences of another shower?”

  It was mid-afternoon when Elvis arrived and motioned for Jack and Danny to follow him to Louie’s office.

  Elvis ignored Louie’s greeting and said, “Things didn’t go well. This morning Molen received the second report and delivered it to the secretary. Then he started to act real kinky. Maybe burned the surveillance. Later when the secretary showed the report to Leitch he sent a note on his BlackBerry and then burnt the report in a garbage can.”

  “Son of a bitch!” said Danny. “Leitch and Satans Wrath are on to us! They’ll change how they get the info.”

  “This could draw some heat on our source,” added Jack.

  “Listen, fellows,” said Elvis, “I’m really sorry if these guys burned our surveillance. I feel pretty bad about it.”

  “I’ve been burned on surveillances too,” said Jack. “It happens. It was a chance we took when we decided to try this route. I’m not blaming you.”

  “Appreciate that.”

  “What are your plans now?” asked Louie.

  “I’m going to talk with Legg and recommend that we back off him for a little while. I’ve checked his file. He has a history of alcohol-related incidents. Maybe people won’t put a lot of faith in his paranoia.”

  “Is he married?” asked Jack.

  “Was. Divorced four years ago. No children. What about the other leaks? Anything more on the narc who was recruited?” asked Elvis.

  Jack shook his head and then said, “Did you ask Laura for suggestions?”

  “We usually agree not to discuss work at home, but this time I made an exception. She said she doesn’t know.”

  It was early evening when Jack walked back into the Black Water. He felt a surge of adrenalin when he saw Spider sitting with a hooker near the pool tables. He walked directly up to him and sat down.

  “Remember me?” asked Jack, leaning across the table.

  Spider looked a little surprised but sat back in his chair and said, “Yeah, I remember you. Where ya been? You lookin’ to score?” he added, before Jack could respond.

  Surprised by my abruptness, but not scared. Just as I thought. He’s not involved with anything to do with Holly’s husband.

  “Hey, Mister Kokanee! Another?”

  Jack nodded to the waitress and tried to turn his attention back to Spider but was interrupted once more by the tap of a pool cue on his shoulder.

  “Hey, good buddy! Want a chance to win your money back?”

  “Maybe later,” said Jack. When the man left, he looked back at Spider and said, “I’m lookin’ for some-thin’, but...” He stopped and gave a subtle nod toward the hooker sitting beside Spider.

  Spider waved a hand for Jack to relax and said, “Don’t worry about Ophelia here. She’s solid. What do you want? Crystal meth?”

  “Not now,” replied Jack. “Do need to talk to you in private.”

  “It’s okay, guys,” said Ophelia, her voice sounding hoarse. “I’m gonna hit the street for a while. Can’t even afford a smoke right now,” she added, harshly.

  Her raspy voice was not lost on Jack. She’s the tipster who called Connie!

  “So what ya after?” Spider asked before looking past Jack and yelling, “Hey! Freddy! Hang on!”

  Jack turned and saw a man on the other side of the bar yell, “I’m leavin’.”

  Spider looked at Jack and said, “Hang on. Be right back.” He then walked out of the bar with Freddy.

  Jack stayed where he was and the hours slowly went by without Spider returning. Jack decided not to play pool tonight and sat waiting. He watched three men, all wearing cheap sports jackets, stagger inside and take a seat closest to the stage. Two had their ties loosened around their necks while the third man had his tie half hanging out the side pocket of his sports jacket. As the night wore on, their catcalls became louder. Occasionally, one or the other would throw loose change at the strippers.

  “How ya doin’?” croaked Ophelia, taking a chair beside him.

  “Doin’ fine. Waiting for Spider. Know where he went?”

  Ophelia shrugged and said, “Nope.” She pointed to one of the three men hassling the stripper and said, “See the fat guy there?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Flashed his wallet when he bought the last round of beer. Figure he’s got at least forty bucks in it. Seein’ as you’re a friend of Spider’s, thought I might let you in on it. We’re gonna jump him in the alley. Could maybe use a man. Want in? We’ll split it three ways.”

  Jack shook his head and said, “Thanks. Appreciate the offer but I don’t need any cash at the moment.”

  “Suit yourself,” said Ophelia.

  Jack watched her speak with others in the bar. Eventually she ended up at a table talking to a skinny junkie. Fellow looks like he’s about to die at the ripe old age of twenty-two. Then both of them got up and walked past Jack a few steps to the fire escape door at the rear. They stepped outside, letting a girl into t
he bar as they did.

  It didn’t appear to bother any of the clientele that the girl was about twelve years old, but it bothered Jack. He had seen child prostitutes before, but that didn’t make it any easier. He watched her head straight to the fat man and bend over and whisper in his ear. Then she knelt beside him and ran her hand slowly up the inside of his thigh. Moments later, the girl walked out the back door.

  The fat man leaned forward and said something to his two friends. They all laughed, and then the fat man stood up and made his way toward the back door.

  Should I bump into him and pick a fight? Deck him and save him from being another victim in the alley? Jack felt his frustration grow. Who is the real victim here? Him ... or the girl?

  “To hell with you, asshole,” said Jack under his breath as the man staggered past him. Jack watched as he opened the rear door, blinking his eyes and staring into the darkness.

  Immediately a tire iron smashed his face. The sound of his skull crunching above his eye and upper cheekbone was slightly audible. Before he could collapse, a hand appeared out of the darkness, grabbing his collar and jerking him off the back step. The door swung shut.

  God! They didn’t even wait for him to step outside! He didn’t even get a chance to yell!

  Jack was no stranger to violence, but the sudden brutality in this instance caught him by surprise. Must not show my feelings... He looked around the bar. Some of the junkies were looking to see if anyone would react. Several glanced in his direction. He smiled and held his beer up in a silent toast before taking a sip.

  Minutes later, Ophelia and the skinny junkie walked in through the front of the hotel and went straight to a table where a dealer had been busy all night. The skinny junkie hadn’t bothered to wipe the spray of blood off his face. Jack watched them make an exchange under the table.

  He could feel the knot in his stomach tighten as the crunch of the man’s skull continued to echo in his own head. The only ones who hadn’t noticed the attack were the two drunk friends up near the stage. One jostled his buddy with his elbow as he stood up and put some money between his teeth. The stripper squeezed her breasts with her hands to grip the money and take it from his mouth.