by Don Easton
“Carlos!” screamed Ray, then rapidly spoke his native tongue.
Rellik’s face betrayed his wishes as he looked at Damien.
Damien stared briefly at Rellik and thought, You disgust me. He then said, “Yeah, go ahead. Do your thing. Leitch first.”
Ray looked back in panic as Rellik put on a pair of coveralls and surgical gloves before picking up the broken broom handle. He held it with both hands and closely examined the spiral of barbed wire, then looked down at Leitch’s upturned face and grinned.
The high pitch of Ray’s voice made it almost unrecognizable as he relayed the details of what was happening as Rellik twirled the broom handle slightly between Leitch’s buttocks.
Leitch’s body writhed and squirmed against the restraints while he emitted muffled screams. Rellik then thrust deep and Leitch’s eyes and fists closed tight as his body arched. His scream was muffled by vomit. A moment later, his body went limp.
Rellik slowly pulled out the broom handle, then walked around and knelt in front of Ray, holding the bloodied implement close to Ray’s eyes. He looked at Damien and said, “I better tape his mouth.”
Damien nodded and took the phone from Ray, who pleaded until Rellik applied the tape.
Rellik then looked at Ray and said, “For you, I will not be so kind. It will be much slower.”
Damien held the phone close to Ray’s mouth. The gag that Ray wore did not block out the screams broken by the intermittent whimpering of a dying man. In the background, the sound of Carlos’s voice could be heard on the phone as he alternated between pleading, offering money, and then screaming when Ray quit speaking.
Damien put the phone to his mouth and said, “How does it feel, Carlos?” before smashing the cellphone on the floor and grinding it with his heel. He then hurried out of the building.
Lance followed and stood silently as Damien vomited before getting in the car.
Jack was awake when he received the text message from Damien. They were to meet at six o’clock.
Jack called Laura and asked, “You awake?”
“Already showered.”
“We meet him in an hour and forty-five minutes. I’ll pick you up. It’s on the way to the meet.”
“An hour and forty-five! He could have let us sleep longer.”
“I’ll buy you breakfast. Something other than olive soup.”
Elvis’s eyes were closed, but he was awake when he heard Laura rummaging in the bureau dresser. She then went to the bathroom.
He listened to the sound of her refilling the bullets in her clip ... and then the backup clip. What the hell happened yesterday? Moments later, he felt her warm kiss on his cheek, then she was gone.
Jack and Laura were just pulling into a coffee shop parking lot when Jack received another text message. It was from Lance.
“Our friend is still up,” said Jack. “Better cancel breakfast. We don’t have much time.”
“Cemetery?” asked Laura.
“You trying to pick up another date? Forget it. We’re using a parkade.”
Twenty minutes later, Lance climbed into the back seat.
“The Brit is Ray,” said Jack, before Lance could speak. “Carlos’s brother.”
“Yeah, I fuckin’ figured you knew that,” mumbled Lance. “I thought I was about to be done with all this bullshit of havin’ to work with you, until Damien met ya at the hospital last night. Thought he would tell ya. Didn’t know you two were so tight.”
“Actually we figured it out before then,” replied Jack. “So what happened? I know Damien had both Leitch and Ray grabbed.”
“They were more than grabbed.”
Lance recounted what happened and Jack and Laura listened quietly to the grim fate of Leitch and Ray. When Lance finished, he stared quietly at Jack for a moment and then said, “So you knew that Ray was the guy before Damien talked to ya in the hospital?”
Jack nodded.
Lance frowned and said, “Shit! I was close to winning this time.”
“Winning what?” asked Laura.
“An agreement with your partner here. He said if I could identify the Brit before he did, I wouldn’t have to work for ya anymore.” Lance looked at Jack and said, “Okay, I better go. I’ll be in touch when I need to be.”
“Don’t bother,” said Jack.
“What ya talkin’ about?”
“We’re even,” said Jack. “As far as I’m concerned, you’ve more than repaid your debt. This is the last time I ever expect to hear from you.”
Lance’s eyes opened wide. “You mean it?”
“I mean it,” said Jack, while extending his hand over the back seat.
Lance was quick to shake his hand and then said, “Man, you don’t know what a relief this is! Don’t take it personal — you’ve been real solid with me — but not seein’ ya anymore is ... well, better than winnin’ the lottery.”
“You’re president of the west-side chapter,” said Jack. “Think about it. If you don’t want to see me, don’t look in your rear-view mirror!”
Lance paused as he thought about what Jack said, then laughed. When he got out of the car he turned and automatically said, “See ya around.” He then took two steps and said, “What the fuck am I sayin’? I ain’t never seein’ ya again!”
Laura waited until Lance left the car before saying, “You’re cutting him loose at a time like this?”
Jack shrugged and replied, “I don’t really like it either, but fair is fair. I’ve put the guy through enough. Besides, right now I want Carlos and he can’t help me with him.”
“Your call,” replied Laura. “Right now I’m too sick thinking about what Rellik did. A bullet in the head is one thing, but this ... I feel nauseous.”
“I feel the same way,” replied Jack.
“And we’re supposed to meet Damien in less than half an hour! He’s as demented as Carlos is! ”
“It made Damien sick. Neither of us has thrown up.”
“Yet.”
Jack nodded. I won’t be sick ... but my nightmares are going to become wilder.
“Rellik ... sticking that up a person’s bum!” exclaimed Laura. “You heard our friend. He enjoyed what he did! What kind of person would do that?”
“A psychopath, just like Carlos.”
“And you think we should talk to Damien? Rellik wouldn’t have done it if Damien didn’t let him.”
“You can’t show weakness when you’re the lead wolf. Besides, we can use Damien to catch Carlos. That is who made this personal for us.”
“Yeah, he made it personal, and I would like to see someone put a bullet in his head. But he’s too protected. I think we should go with who we can catch. Concentrate on Rellik and Damien. Which is why I wish our friend — or ex-friend now — was still working for us.”
“I want Carlos!” said Jack, feeling agitated. “Who do you think is worse? Carlos, who is responsible for the murder of Holly’s husband, turning Charlie into a paraplegic, and trying to drown O’Reilly’s baby ... or Damien, for murdering the people who kidnapped and mutilated his wife and daughter?”
“I know what you’re saying, but...”
“But what?”
“After what we just heard? I won’t sleep as long as Rellik’s above ground! I can picture him grinning as he did it! His long stringy red hair, that thin face and chipped front tooth. I can feel myself vibrate with anger, just thinking about him.”
“You’ve been studying photographs.”
“He stands out. Now in more ways than one. I’d love to get the chance to double-tap two into his chest.” She then became silent, imagining the horror of what went on inside the car wash.
Jack drove out of the parkade toward their rendezvous with Damien and then said, “Maybe when it comes to protecting our families, certain actions are made without much rationalization.”
“You condoning what they did?”
“No. Definitely not. Damien’s a monster. No doubt. But he does have a human side to h
im. Can’t say the same from what I know about Carlos.”
“Carlos lives in another country protected by an army. He’s untouchable. Damien might not be. I think you’re making a mistake. Let’s nail Damien ... or at least Rellik. That’s who I really want. Ray is dead. We’re going to have to forget about Carlos.”
“Nobody is untouchable.”
Laura paused, then conceded, “You’re right, but neither are we.”
“Are you that upset that Leitch and Ray are dead?”
Laura sighed and then said, “Not that they’re dead. Upset with how they died. Wish he had just shot them instead. Treat them like you would a rabid dog. Don’t torture them. Just shoot them and be done with it.”
“Oh, I see. Your philosophy. Shoot, shovel, and shut up!”
Laura smiled and said, “Yeah, maybe that is becoming my philosophy. Right now I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Over? It’s not over!” The anger flashed across Jack’s face as he reached to the visor and threw Charlie’s picture down on her lap. “Look at that and tell me it’s over! Call Susan O’Reilly and tell me then that it’s over!”
Laura felt stunned, then said, “I meant over as far as who attacked Danny’s baby. That was Ray. He’s dead.”
“Ray was a pawn!” said Jack bitterly. “Carlos calls the shots. As long as he’s alive, there will be more victims. Think about the ones you and I know ... imagine how many others there are.”
Laura looked at Charlie’s picture.
“Carlos has the power to continue his terror,” continued Jack. “When he’s dead, then we can say it’s over,” he added quietly.
“Jack, you said it yourself. He lives in Colombia. Surrounded by his own army. DEA have tried unsuccessfully to extradite him for years. There’s no way.”
Jack gave Laura a hard look. “There’s always a way ... but I need a partner who thinks like I do.”
“And how do you think?”
“Not afraid to play dirty.”
“Like torture?”
“I agree with you on that philosophy, but I do consider Carlos to be a rabid dog.”
Laura looked at Jack for a moment, then asked, “You already have a plan, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Laura waited, but Jack didn’t elaborate. He’s not going to tell me unless I agree to help. Laura glanced at Charlie’s picture one more time. Oh man! She looked at Jack and asked, “Do I need to buy rubber boots and a shovel?”
“Maybe.”
“If it was for Rellik, I’d buy them right now, but Carlos? How can we?”
“My plan won’t work without you.”
Laura sighed and said, “I figured that. What’s your plan?”
“It’s really quite simple,” replied Jack.
Jack left Laura sitting in the car as he walked along the path meandering through New Brighton Park. Damien, freshly showered and clothed, was on time.
“How are Vicki and Katie?”
Damien took a deep breath and slowly let it out before saying, “They’re going to be okay. Thanks for asking.”
“They’re both traumatized,” said Jack. “They’re going to need special help.”
“I know. They’ll get it.”
Damien extended his hand and said, “I should have done this last night in the hospital. I want you to know I wasn’t ashamed to be seen shaking your hand ... I was just too upset to think about anything other than seeing them.”
Jack accepted the handshake and Damien said, “Thank you. I will never forget what you did. You saved my family twice.”
“Twice?”
“First time on Sunday when you found the money.”
Jack shrugged and said, “You helped me become a Mexican hero.”
“That was one favour. You saved two of my family. Then did it again yesterday. Figure I owe you three more favours.”
“Yesterday I wasn’t alone,” replied Jack. “My partner was actually the one who found out where they were being kept.”
Damien nodded.
“How are you going to explain Vicki’s injury?” asked Jack. “They’ll know it’s not fresh.”
“Accidentally chopped it off when she was backpacking in the wilderness. Was a two-day hike to get back out. Katie said she fell.”
“Their clothes aren’t what you would call hiking clothes.”
“The docs know it’s not true ... but they also know who we are. All they needed was an excuse to write down on some form. They’re too afraid to call the police.”
“Good thing you didn’t try and pull that stunt with Natasha.”
Damien grinned and said, “I know better. She’d probably slash my throat with a scalpel.”
“You find out the answers to my questions?” asked Jack, choosing to ignore the remark.
“Yeah, I did.”
Jack listened closely as Damien told him everything he had found out. He didn’t mention how Leitch and Ray died. He summed it up by saying, “There are some details that are best left unsaid. If I was psychic, I might make a prediction that Leitch and Ray are deep-sea diving. Bet they remembered their weights but forgot their tanks.”
Jack gave Damien a long, hard stare. He realized he was holding his breath and slowly exhaled. He then asked, “So now what? You know Carlos is going to come after you.”
“Yeah, I know. But what was I supposed to do? By the time I figured out who Ray was, it was too late for apologies. Besides, Carlos was going to kill me anyway. He wanted me to make the last payment myself in Colombia. Once I did that, he would have whacked me and my family.”
“So what will you do? Take your family and hide? Carlos is not going to let this drop. Especially when he finds out ... what you did.”
“He already knows. I let Ray talk to him just before ... a certain procedure.”
“His revenge could be swift,” noted Jack. “He’s already set up here laundering money through coffee companies. He’ll have guys looking for you or anyone else you know.”
“I know. I don’t know what to do. It’s not like I’d ever get a chance to nail him first. All I wanted to do was save my family.”
“You’re not the only one who wants Carlos. He made this personal for our side. I want him!”
Damien’s thoughts were still on his own family and he said, “I’ve got guys guarding my house. I thought of moving everyone to some other country, but with Carlos’s money and connections, it would probably be just a matter of time.”
“Witness protection program?”
“Fuck you. I’m not testifying on anything. I’d take my chances with Carlos first.”
“If I told you a way to get to Carlos, would you help?”
Damien eyed Jack suspiciously and then said, “Maybe. What are you thinking?”
“You would have to pretend to be my informant and —”
“Not a chance! I’m not being a rat to —”
“I said pretend! You won’t say anything we don’t already know or would find out.”
Damien looked at Jack curiously and then asked, “What’s your plan?”
“It’s really quite simple. There’s another cartel in Colombia that rivals Carlos’s. It’s called the Ramirez cartel. With your connections, I bet if we were in Colombia, you could connect with that cartel in less than a week.”
“Diego Ramirez. He lives in Cali.”
“You’ve heard of him then?”
“I’ve been to his villa for dinner.”
“Perfect.”
Damien grunted and said, “His prices were a little steep.” He then glanced around and added, “But I guess, ultimately, not as steep as Carlos’s.”
“Is Carlos based out of Cali too?”
Damien shook his head and said, “Nope. A small city called Buga. It’s less than an hour’s drive north of Cali.”
“Close enough,” said Jack thoughtfully.
“Close enough for what?”
Jack looked at Damien closely, then said, “Time for you to m
eet my partner, then we’ll discuss strategy.”
“Fine by me. I want to shake O’Reilly’s hand, too, for what you guys did last night.”
“O’Reilly’s busy looking after his own family. My new partner is Laura Secord.”
Damien’s face registered his surprise, then he said, “Jesus. A fucking broad?”
“A fucking broad? This is from someone who once told me that there could be a ‘certain degree of verisimilitude’ to what I say? The same guy who asked why cops tend to ‘lard on the tough talk’?”
Damien stared at Jack but didn’t respond.
“You sound like you think I’m one of the bozos who work for you!”
Damien frowned and said, “That’s upsetting. I think you might have a point. Sometimes it’s hard to think you’re not just some guy from another chapter.”
“That kind of scares me,” said Jack, wondering if Danny was right. How close am I to being one of the bad guys?
“You trust her? Your new partner?” asked Damien.
“She’s the one who found your family last night. She’s smart ... pragmatic. I trust her. Something I don’t feel about too many people.”
“If Carlos finds out I’m in Colombia, he’ll slowly skin me alive. I mean that literally.”
“Do you want Carlos or not?”
“It’s either him or me. Do I really have a choice?”
“Then let’s do it. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Laura. Your life will be in her hands. I suggest you don’t call her a ‘fucking broad’.”
Damien shook hands with Laura. The meeting was brief as Jack quickly reiterated what Damien had just told him. He then told them about his plan to trap Carlos.
When Damien left, Laura looked at Jack and said, “Find me a ladies’ room. I shook hands with him. I know it’s psychological, but I need to wash.”
“Likewise,” said Jack.
“Then your plan says we go to the office and lie to the people who are on our side?”