“Couple of days ago,” she said. “He had a car accident – you know? Said not to bother coming round, he wasn’t much company.”
“You call him?” said Jack.
“No answer,” said Maddie. “I went round to his house. But it was all dark. He wasn’t there.”
Sarah looked at Jack. So Tim could be anywhere…
Then, having stood there while Sarah carried out this tricky interrogation, Jack spoke, his voice also somehow soothing in the now-quiet of the room.
“Maddie, thank you for telling us this. Louise, thanks too.”
The head, standing shoulder to shoulder with Maddie, nodded.
Then Jack turned to Sarah.
“Now we have a lot to do.”
Sarah nodded.
Tim in danger, threats and drugs in play, lives maybe on the line.
And as they said goodbye and walked out, Sarah guessed Jack had come up with a plan.
At least, she hoped he had.
39. Closing the Deal
Back in Jack’s Sprite, Sarah thought through what Maddie had said.
“Jack, this turns everything upside down – doesn’t it?”
He nodded.
Not happy…
“Think so – and not sure where it leaves us. Sounds like Tim found the drugs. But why didn’t he report them? And how the hell did they end up hidden at Josh’s house?”
“What if Tim saw the drugs as a way to make some quick cash?”
“Maybe. He said to me a couple of times he was short of money.”
“So, what if he took them – tried to do some kind of deal with the wrong people? Then just… got in over his head?”
“Possible. That would explain why he took a beating.”
“But where does Josh fit in?”
“Don’t know,” said Jack. “Maybe we got Josh all wrong. Maybe he was involved in drugs all along – and dragged Tim in too.”
“Hmm. Tim as Josh’s stooge? You really buy that?”
Jack laughed: “No I don’t – guess I’m just trying to keep an open mind.”
“What about Tim? He’s still out there somewhere. Maybe it’s time to bring in Alan?”
“Think you’re right. Whatever he’s been up to – Tim’s a dead man if he isn’t found soon.”
“How about I do that? I can help Alan look for him. But something tells me you have a plan?”
She saw Jack smile.
This was the point, in every case, that he became almost like a kid.
“Ah, you know me too well. I do indeed. Got to head back to the Goose first. And then I think tonight, with your help, and Alan’s, we can reel in Mr. Ross and his three amigos and deal with the drug problem for good.”
Jack was driving her back to her house and she realised he was going the wrong way.
“Jack – I moved. Remember?”
“Oh, right. Preoccupied. Change is hard! Made the trip to your old place so many times.”
He slowed, pulled over, and then did a three-point turn.
“Okay, I’ll get Alan up to speed. Meanwhile, how about you share this plan of yours?”
Jack laughed. “You’re going to love it. Though unfortunately you won’t be there for all of it.”
“What? Where will I be?”
“Your role, my friend, will be to close the deal.”
“Role? Sounds dramatic…”
Jack laughed. “Sounds, and is…”
And as he navigated back to her new home, she listened to something that – though it at first seemed outlandish – had her thinking…
It just might work.
***
The Quarry.
With the setting sun hidden by the rocky walls, the place was already gloomy and dark.
But not so dark that Jack – crouched and hidden by a cluster of bushes and a lone tree – couldn’t hear the men by the white van.
Rikky. Arms folded, standing back, not doing much to help.
Ted. Dragging out big speakers, amps. His arms straining with the weight, and even though the evening had started to turn cool, he had sweat on his brow.
And Callum. Doing his best to drag other equipment out of the van.
The three of them, Jack thought, getting ready for the pop-up party to come.
Another opportunity to sell drugs.
Which – if Jack had his way – would never happen.
For now, for these next few moments, Jack just listened, his hand resting on the bag that he’d brought with him from the boat.
Always good to get a feeling for what everyone was thinking before acting.
So, for a bit longer, he remained crouched down, his right knee still sending spiky bolts of pain.
The men’s voices carried in the rocky enclave quite clearly, none of them aware they were being spied on.
***
“Right, right, right,” Rikky said. “You two get this crap out of the van. Then we’re all going to pay a visit to that bastard teacher.”
The other two didn’t say anything.
And when they didn’t…
“You hear me?”
And now Rikky took a step, first closer to Callum, the kid struggling to lay down whatever heavy crate he was carrying without letting it crash to the ground.
Rikky got his bowling ball face right into Callum’s.
“You hear me, Brady?”
Callum nodded.
Jack had to wonder – was Rikky capable of using force to deliver his message?
Nasty piece of work, Jack thought.
And he had seen such guys before.
Many times.
Guys capable of any kind of physical violence, who operated with their own primitive code where a slap to the head, a fist to the gut – or simply a bullet at point blank range – was the best way they had to communicate.
Jack couldn’t stand that particular kind of human.
And the more he saw of this Rikky in operation, the less he could stand him.
Then Rikky turned to Ted. Different story here, maybe. Ted, a good ten inches taller. And looking strong, fit. That match – would be an interesting one to see. And appropriately, he saw Rikky adjust his tone.
“And you, Mr. ‘DJ’, Mr. ‘the girls all love me’, if you want to keep doin’ what you’re doin’, then you’re going to be all on board tonight.”
The younger brother stood by the pile of his equipment. Even in the shadowy darkness, Jack could see Ted look away.
“Rikky, I told you, I don’t want any part of that. It’s not–”
Now it was Rikky’s turn to look away, like he might be scanning the ground for a good size rock to bang against his brother’s head.
Which – Jack guessed – was entirely possible.
“Yeah, yeah. Well guess what – you are part of it.”
Jack thought about Ross. He probably had a small army of guys like this. And, for sure, his work stretched well beyond the confines of Cherringham and the Cotswolds.
Closing this deal meant more than ending a single drug operation.
Ted looked to be searching for something to say.
Rikky spat at the ground.
“Now finish this up. And fast!”
And with that, Jack stood up from his crouch. His knee protested.
There was no better time to get this particular ball rolling.
Would it work?
One way or the other, he thought, it simply had to.
And, leaving the bag of drugs at the base of the tree, he walked into the bowl-shaped area of the quarry.
***
For a few moments, with the three of them struggling to unload the massive equipment, they didn’t see Jack approaching.
Jack took his time.
And he had a thought, one he hadn’t had in any of the other work he done with Sarah.
Wish I had my gun.
Back in the city, Jack wouldn’t have even gone for a cup of jo and a newspaper without his police issue Smith & Wesson in its hols
ter.
But in this country?
Different world. And yet, in another way, maybe a better world than Jack’s home.
Finally, Callum looked up, arms holding a box of cables that stuck out from the top, like snakes eager to escape.
He saw Jack.
“R-Rikky. Ted!” he said, the alarm ratcheting up the pitch of his voice.
Jack stopped.
Ted turned from where he had stacked two massive speakers.
Rikky turned too – fast for someone of his bulk.
The burger maestro was maybe more agile, more physical than Jack gave him credit for.
“What the f–”
Rikky started.
Which Jack cut off with a simple: “Evening, gents.”
***
And now that he had all of their attention…
“We got some business to attend to.”
He saw Rikky – stunned for a moment – begin edging towards the front of the van.
Could the king of burgers and local drug bully have a gun stuck somewhere in the glove compartment?
Even with a guaranteed five-year sentence for possession – he might be stupid enough.
“Rikky – why don’t you hold it right there.”
That gave Rikky pause, and Jack thought he could feel the tumblers of Rikky’s brain clicking and clacking their way to a decision whether to keep on going.
Could go either way, Jack thought.
Then: “I thought I’d pop in here to give the three of you a chance to save yourselves.”
Rikky looked at Ted. Ted to Callum, then Callum to Rikky, before the older brother took steps towards Jack, and away from the van.
Good.
“Save ourselves? Save ourselves from what, you effin’ Yank?”
Oh, would Jack ever like a piece of Rikky.
But when you had a plan, best to stick with it.
So he did.
***
He kept his tone light, voice low, a bit of reverse psychology that always worked.
The more at stake, the quieter things should get, as if a whisper a shade too loud could unleash mayhem.
Which, in this case, it just might.
“We know it all. You, Callum, running drugs for Rikky.”
“I di–”
Jack stopped the kid with a hand up.
“And you, Rikky, running that operation, and who knows what else, for Marc Ross. One dangerous man. Now even more so.”
“Whatcha mean?” Rikky said.
But Jack turned to Ted, keeping in mind what Sarah had said to him.
Did Chloe have it right? Was Ted really not part of this, just stuck with his brother, the whole grimy business?
Either way, Ted was involved, no matter what.
“And you, Ted. God, how the hell did you let yourself get tangled up in all of this?”
“I’m not ‘tangled’ up in anything,” Ted said, unconvincingly.
But Jack shook his head.
“Oh yes, you are. Very much so.”
Then Jack looked at Callum whose eyes showed that he might be figuring the best way to dart out of this quarry, now turned trap.
“You, Callum. Leaving all those drugs in your locker?”
“I didn’t–”
“Guess Mr. Ross’s really not happy about that. Drugs gone, money gone. And all leading back to you two.”
Jack smiled at Rikky.
“Maybe you can find a buyer for the burger van. It’ll need a new name of course, cause – well – we won’t see you two for a long time.”
Now Ted raised his voice, the reality of this dawning on him.
“I didn’t do anything, I didn’t–”
“You can try that in court, Ted. For what it’s worth, I kinda believe you. Kinda. But, see, there’s another problem that I doubt the three of you have figured out.”
They waited. Jack felt as if he was their judge and jury now. The quarry an apt place for the three of them to be cornered.
“You see, the drugs – bad enough. Hardcore drugs. In my village.” And Jack now raised his voice, his eyes boring into each one of them. “My village. But it’s much worse than that.”
Rikky licked his lips.
Maybe Mr. Burger had figured out this last, very difficult bit.
“Someone died. And I think that’s all going to be on you.”
***
When you corner a rat, as anyone who knows NYC rodents is well aware, they turn from this slinky, near reptilian thing that hugs corners and squirrels away as fast as it can…
To something else.
The rat, cornered, suddenly turns on whomever, whatever, has it cornered. That pointy mouth opens. Teeth glow. And whatever cornered that rat, could very well soon wish it hadn’t.
Because a cornered rat does not go down without a fight.
And so it was with Rikky.
***
He took big steps to Jack, arms unfolded, fingers in motion as if they wanted to rip something, anything apart.
“I didn’t kill nobody.”
Jack looked at the other two. He guessed they hadn’t figured that with all their other problems, homicide might also be an issue.
Rikky took another step.
And Jack thought: might get my wish after all.
Rikky looked ready to lunge.
“Hang on. Easy, Rikky. We got a long night ahead. Take a breath, hmm?”
Jack waited.
“Right – you didn’t give Josh Owen the drug that led to his drowning. But we know where it came from.”
He waited.
“You guys – you three sharp gentlemen – see that, don’t you? Leads straight back to you.”
Jack nodded – letting it all sink in.
“Wasn’t us, damn it!” Rikky said again.
“Maybe. But what will a jury say about whoever supplied those drugs – in a school?”
He repeated the words, helping them imagine the effect on a jury.
“Looks worse than bad. Think the book will be thrown.” A breath. “At all three of you.”
Then Callum pushed his way past Rikky.
“It’s Wilkins you should be after – not us,” said Callum. “It’s his bloody fault.”
“Really?” said Jack. “His fault, because he got in the way of your deals?”
“He had it in for Owen,” said Callum. “That night – the two of them were laying into each other.”
Jack now alert – listening to every nuance of what Callum was saying.
“Wait a minute. Where was this – in the pub?”
“No, later. Out on the road. Me and Jake saw them. Shouting at each other. Swearing.”
Jack thought back to what Maddie had said:
‘I dropped Tim off at his house…’
This didn’t make sense.
Unless… Tim went out again that night…
Jack saw Rikky edging back towards the van. No time now to think about what happened to Josh.
He had a situation here.
He knew, having done similar things before, that these guys currently had only two options floating in their minds…
Run like hell.
Or have a go at Jack.
Time to present them with a third.
“Whatever Wilkins had to do with it… There is a way you can make this all somewhat better. For yourselves.”
“What is it?” Ted said quickly.
“You are all still guilty, even you, Ted. Though maybe not so much as your brother here. And Callum? Well, let’s just say you probably can take uni off your upcoming plans. But whatever’s going to happen, you can make better.”
A pause.
“Know what I mean?”
Another swab of Rikky’s lips with what Jack now imagined was one dry and leathery tongue.
“Go on,” he said – more of croak.
“You just got to make a call. Give someone a message. And then, you disappear. Leave the van here. Walk back to the village – and wai
t for me to contact you. Don’t even think about making a run for it. I promise you – there is no way out.”
They could just clam up, Jack knew.
After all, Rikky must know that Ross could get them lawyers, probably damn good ones. But when someone has you dead to rights? When there is no defence, no answer? Then, again, like rats, you will look for a way off the ship.
So Rikky probably knew the answer to his next question.
Still – just to be sure, to maybe really know what would be happening… he said: “All right. But who do you want us to call?”
Jack looked around at them.
“Why Marc Ross, of course.”
On cue, a buzzard flew overhead, its screech echoing through the canyon-like walls of the quarry.
And then Jack told them exactly what they would say to the bald man with the big car, the big operation, the big money – and soon – a very big problem.
40. Waiting for the Boss
Alan watched as Sarah explained what she and Jack knew about the drugs, Rikky, Ross…
And finally the still-missing Tim Wilkins and the death of Josh Owen.
For a minute Alan didn’t say anything. Just sat back in his office chair, looking down at the notes he’d made.
Up on the wall behind him, Sarah could see the old-fashioned police clock, the second hand ticking round.
She needed Alan onside – and there wasn’t much time. But she also knew he couldn’t be pressed.
Then: “This doesn’t sound safe, Sarah. Not for you, not for Jack.”
Sarah nodded. She knew that Alan wrestled with what they did. Every time he cut them some slack, he was taking a chance.
She made a mental note to tell him how much she appreciated that sometime.
“Right. But Alan – is it safe to have this drug operation? An unsolved murder? Tonight – if all goes according to plan – it ends.”
Alan smiled. “If all goes according to plan…” He took a breath. “Okay – with Jack already down at the quarry, I think looking for Tim can wait. I ought to get down there. Maybe best if you–”
She knew where he was headed with this.
Wanting me safe, out of harm’s way.
But she knew – that wouldn’t be possible.
“No. I need to be there.”
Alan smiled. “To push his buttons?”
She shook her head. “Make sure you get the right guy.”
And Alan laughed. “It’s going to be an interesting evening.”
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