A Delicate Matter

by Don Easton

  “Good morning, Mr. Westmount. My name is Veronica Daley. I understand you’re representing Mr. Buck Zabat?”

  “I will be if he’s ever charged,” Basil replied.

  “The reason I’m calling is that Mr. Gosling is undergoing a tonsillectomy in the hospital today and I’ve received a call from a client of his who sounds somewhat distressed. She wants to know if all charges have been dropped against her and her son, Mr. Buck Zabat.”

  “Your client is Vicki Zabat?” Basil was astonished.

  “Yes, and going by some notes on Mr. Gosling’s file, it would appear that potential charges against her and her son would be dissolved once it was verified that her husband had performed his end of a deal with the police.”

  “A deal with the police,” Basil repeated slowly.

  “Yes, a Corporal Jack Taggart with the RCMP. Apparently Mr. Damien Zabat provided information in regard to a large shipment of drugs in exchange for charges not being laid against his wife and son. I’m told that the seizure took place last night — actually I think I heard about it on the news this morning. It was that thing in France where several members of Satans Wrath were arrested along with —”

  Basil interrupted her. “What was Vicki being charged with?”

  “It’s alleged she tried to shoot Corporal Taggart during a search last week of the Zabat home.”

  “She tried to murder him?”

  “Yes, it sounds serious.”

  “I’ll say it is.”

  “So the police haven’t contacted you yet to say the matter has been dropped?”

  “Sometimes these things take time,” Basil replied. “I spoke to Corporal Taggart recently concerning Buck. I’ve not heard anything new since, but will make some calls and find out. It’s not even nine o’clock yet, so I’m not sure if their office is open. Regardless, I’ll get hold of him as soon as possible. When I do, I’ll let you know.” Basil abruptly hung up, then pushed speed dial.

  “Yeah?” Pure E answered.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Jack and Laura sat in the front seat of the Mercedes. Billowing smoke and ash added to the chaos of the police and fire department personnel trying to work around each other. Neither Jack nor Laura paid any of it much heed. Both were lost in their own thoughts. Even when Connie retrieved her suitcase and slammed the trunk, Jack didn’t move.

  “Uh, Connie has her bag,” Tina said from the back seat, then added a bit impatiently, “Looks like we can go now.”

  Jack glanced at Corporal Lyle Roster. He looked bewildered as he stood beside their car. Connie had told him they were under orders not to assist with the investigation. Roster was a seasoned investigator, but never in his long career had he heard of such a thing.

  Jack didn’t blame Connie for opting to catch a ride back to her office with someone else. He shared her anger, but while she chose to direct her anger at him, his anger was directed at the man responsible. The man who gave the orders for the torture and murders. The man who made it personal by seeing that a message was left on the wall. Yeah, I got your message. Wait ‘till you get mine.

  He put the car in drive and was about to pull out when he received a call. “Weenie Wagger,” he said tersely to Laura.

  “I just got free,” Cockerill said. “You heard yet?”

  “I’m at the scene now,” Jack replied. “What the hell happened?”

  “Okay, to start with, when —”

  “Why?” Jack yelled, unable to control his emotions any longer. “Why all three? Was it because Pure E was in a rage over the boat being seized in France?”

  “Fuck, don’t yell at me,” Cockerill yelled back. “You think I enjoyed watchin’ ’em screamin’ an’ chokin’ while they was burnin’? I still got the stench in my mouth.”

  You’re not the only one. Jack resisted the urge to wind down the window and spit. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m not blaming you. I just want to know why.”

  “Yeah … okay. Pure E was real pissed off about the boat, but what happened with Neal, Bob, and Roxie had been planned before then.”

  “How do you know?”

  “’Cause when the party was endin’ last night, I went with Pasquale out to the farm. There was no way I could call you. He shut his phone off and made me shut mine off as a security precaution to prevent us from ever being tracked.”

  “I’m not pissed off about you not calling. Tell me how it went down.”

  “Well … before we left the party, Pasquale already had eight cans of lighter fluid.”

  “Eight cans — one for each member of the Gypsy Devils,” Jack said.

  “You got it. There were nine GDs, but Neal ain’t with ’em now.”

  “No shit,” Jack replied sarcastically.

  “Yeah … so anyway, the GDs thought we were havin’ an after-party at the barn and a quick talk about how they handled things for us. When we got to the barn Shepherd told Neal to go to a gas station back out by the highway and round up some ice. As soon as Neal left he told everyone that Neal was a rat. He said Neal was never robbed, but got busted with the weed. He then told ’em about the bust in Dallas and said Neal squealed to save Bob and Roxie from goin’ to jail. He also said Neal tipped you off about King, which was why you were there and got the video.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “Fuck, everyone went nuts. They wanted to take Neal away someplace and do him, then later tell Bob and Roxie that Neal disappeared while doing a deal.”

  “Which is what I expected to happen,” Jack said.

  “It didn’t. Shepherd looked at Pasquale, who gave ’im a nod like he was urgin’ him on, then Shepherd told his guys they had to send a message to stop anyone else from ever rattin’.”

  “A message,” Jack repeated.

  “Yeah. By the time Neal got back with the ice, Bob and Roxie were tied to the kitchen chairs with their yaps taped shut. When he came in the house to see what was goin’ on … well, lots of screamin’ and shoutin’ went on. Then his own guys kicked the shit out of him and hog-tied ’im with tape. Then they sat him on a chair facing Bob and Roxie. Then … then, uh …”

  Jack was patient. He knew Cockerill was still fighting the horrible images in his memory. Eventually he suggested, “Don’t hold it in. Get it out. Then what?”

  “Then, uh, that’s when everyone got kinda quiet. Pasquale handed a can of lighter fluid to each of the GDs. He told ’em all to take turns, startin’ with Roxie. They splashed her first so Neal could watch. Then …” Cockerill’s voice had become shaky and he stopped.

  “Stay focused,” Jack said. “Quit thinking about her eyes.”

  “How’d you know I was thinkin’ about her eyes?” Cockerill asked sombrely.

  “Years ago I watched a young woman burn to death after Damien ordered her car blown up because she wanted to quit being a prostitute. It wasn’t pretty.”

  “Yeah … neither was this.” Cockerill paused. “After she died it was Bob’s turn. They did Neal last.”

  “Neal wasn’t burned,” Jack stated.

  “No. Shepherd told Thor to use a blade on ’im.”

  “Norm Thorsen, the sergeant-at-arms for the GDs,” Jack said.

  “Yeah, him. It didn’t take any urgin’ by anyone, either. Thor went at ’im like he was enjoyin’ himself. Then when he was done, Pasquale found a broom and used it to write you a message on the wall. I asked him about it later. He said that Pure E wanted you to know what would happen if you got any more rats.”

  “Why did you set the barn on fire?”

  “Two reasons. One was to burn out the truck with the secret compartment. They knew you already knew about it, but decided it might help get rid of evidence if you wanted to use it down the road in case some bits of weed were still inside. The second reason was Pure E wanted you to see things when everything was still, uh … fresh, I think is
the word Pasquale used. That was just to attract your attention.”

  “Well, they’ve got it,” Jack said.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  It was almost noon when Jack finished telling Rose everything that had transpired. Grim-faced, she looked at him across her desk, then asked, “The message written in blood … do you feel it represents a danger to you personally?”

  Jack glanced at Laura, then at Rose again. “Not at present. The message was written to scare me in the hope I’ll back off or be transferred. If that happens Pure E will be more inclined to take extreme measures in the future with whoever replaces me. That’s where the danger lies.”

  Rose nodded. “I agree.”

  “I almost lost my breakfast when I saw what they did to those people,” Laura said.

  “Me, too,” Jack admitted, “and I can’t blame the ferry food.”

  Laura’s voice was shaky. “What was done … I … I feel that we’re responsible.”

  “Neither of you are responsible,” Rose said firmly. “What you’re responsible for is solving a murder, causing major damage to Satans Wrath’s connection to a notorious gang in Texas, and severing a major drug pipeline to Europe.”

  “But nobody, criminal or not, should have to die the way those three died,” Laura said.

  “I agree with you there,” Jack said bitterly.

  Rose nodded. “I appreciate you’re both exhausted from what you’ve been through, but Isaac has already been apprised about the Barlows by I-HIT. He called me an hour ago and wants to talk to you. We’re booked to see him at three this afternoon.”

  “Bet he’s upset.”

  “He is, but not with you, Jack. Ultimately it was his decision. He has to live with the consequences.” She eyed Jack and Laura. “I know you feel responsible, but what happened … happened. Everyone did what they thought was in the best interest of the public. Hindsight is —”

  “Pure E made this personal,” Jack said coldly. “The bloody message was directed specifically at me. Even Damien would have never done such a —”

  “I’ve a message for you, too,” Rose interjected. “You can’t always control or predict the actions of others. Abhorrent behaviour is just that — abhorrent.”

  Jack stared silently at Rose. Message received — but I’ll also have a message for Pure E. One that’s more personal.

  It was noon and Jack and Laura were entering their office when Jack received a call. “Basil Westmount,” he said, looking at the call display.

  “Bet he wants to know if you’ve received any messages lately,” Laura said sarcastically.

  “I’ll find out.” Jack answered. “What do you want, Basil?”

  “Hello, Corporal Taggart. I thought you’d like to know that I just got off the phone with Veronica Daley.”

  “I don’t know a Veronica Daley,” Jack said.

  “Then let me enlighten you. She works for Ed Gosling.”

  Jack felt the bile rise to his throat for the second time that morning. “Ed Gosling?” he repeated.

  “She told me she was filling in for Ed because he’s undergoing a tonsillectomy at the moment, but let me know that they’re representing Mrs. Vicki Zabat. She asked if all potential charges against her and her son, Buck, are finished now that Damien has fulfilled his end of the bargain.”

  “His end of the bargain? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The son of a bitch knows! Who am I fooling?

  “Let me refresh your memory. Damien provided you with information that allowed for the seizure of that boatload of cocaine in France.” Basil paused, no doubt savouring the moment. “So is the matter with Vicki and Buck closed now? May I inform my client that there’s no need to worry any further?”

  Jack didn’t bother to reply. He hung up and immediately punched Damien’s number into his phone.

  “What’s going on?” Laura asked.

  “They know!” Jack shouted. “Basil found out that Damien talked to us! I have to warn him!” He turned his attention back to the phone when his call was answered. “Damien, it’s —”

  “Ah … Corporal Taggart. I thought it might be you.”

  “Who’s this?” Jack demanded.

  “Purvis Evans. I’m afraid Damien is not available — but I’ll let him know you called. Goodbye.”

  Damien was seated on a log in a wooded area near Abbotsford. Six men were with him, four of whom were members of the three-three. The fifth man, Purvis Evans, sat across from him. He smiled as he hung up the phone after speaking with Jack.

  Ignoring the sixth man, who was pointing a pistol at his face, Damien looked at Purvis and smiled.

  “You think it’s funny?” Purvis asked.

  Damien’s chuckle was sincere. “Yes, Purvis, I do. I’m looking forward to greeting you in hell — which will be much sooner than you think.”

  “Fuck you, you piece of shit.” Purvis gave a nod. “Do it.”

  The shot was muffled by a silencer — but was no less deadly. The bullet entered Damien’s forehead. He was dead before his body slumped sideways off the log.

  “I fell for it!” Jack moaned. “Christ!” He began to jab Vicki’s number on his phone.

  “Fell for what?” Laura asked. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ve got to warn Vicki,” he replied anxiously. “Damien’s dead — I’ve got to warn her.”

  “Damien’s dead?”

  “Goddamn it! Her phone’s no longer in service. I’m going to call Gosling’s office. Maybe they have a new number for her.”

  “Damien’s dead?” Laura said again.

  “Yes, I already told you that!” Jack yelled.

  Rose heard the commotion and hurried into their office. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know,” Laura whispered. She gestured to Jack, who was punching another number into his phone. “He told me that Damien’s dead and he’s trying to reach Vicki and warn her.”

  Jack listened to the voice-mail message at Gosling’s office, then disconnected. “His office is closed for lunch and doesn’t reopen until one,” he said.

  “What the hell’s going on?” Rose demanded.

  Jack briefly closed his eyes and clenched his fists in anguish, then looked at Rose. “Damien was accidentally burned by someone who works for Vicki’s lawyer.”

  “How?” demanded Rose.

  “Ed Gosling is getting a tonsillectomy today. A Veronica Daley from his office took it upon herself to call Basil Westmount — she wanted to confirm that the charges against Vicki and Buck had been dropped now that Damien gave us the boatload of coke in France.”

  “Oh, fuck!” Rose exclaimed.

  “It gets worse,” Jack said. “Basil called me a moment ago to say he just hung up from talking with Veronica. Like a fool I immediately called Damien to warn him.”

  “Were you able to warn him?” Rose asked.

  “Warn him?” Jack snarled. “It was me who put the final nail in his coffin. Damien never answered. Pure E did.”

  “Oh, no,” Laura uttered. “No.”

  “Pure E said he thought it might be me who was calling,” Jack continued. “I’m sure Basil got the call from this Veronica hours ago.”

  “That son of a bitch,” Rose swore.

  “I tried to reach Vicki just now. The number I have for her is no longer in service. I tried to reach her through her lawyer’s office, but it’s closed for lunch.” He glanced at Laura. “Sorry I yelled at you. I screwed up, not you.”

  “With what happened, I feel like yelling myself,” Laura said.

  “Grab your coat,” Jack ordered. “Let’s see if she’s home. On the way I’ll call I-HIT to explain the situation. Maybe they can trace Damien’s phone.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Rose said. “I might spend my day behind a desk, but if the shit hits the fan, I still remember
how to shoot.”

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  At twelve-thirty that afternoon Buck entered his parents’ house. He was surprised to see Vicki in the kitchen. “Hey, what are you doing home?” he asked. “When I called earlier you said you were heading out to see Grandpa. I thought you were having lunch with him.”

  “I decided he could have lunch on his own today. What are you doing here? Everything okay? You look tense.”

  “I came to gather up some of Dad’s things.”

  “Why? Where is —”

  “We need to talk,” Buck interrupted her. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  A moment later they were walking along the path at the back of the mansion. Vicki glanced sideways at her son. “So? What’s up?”

  “What’s up is we found out you tried to shoot a cop when they raided the house,” Buck said.

  “What?” Vicki exclaimed. “Where’d you hear that?”

  “Dad told me.” He kissed her on the cheek. “In a way I’m proud of you. He also told me what he did to keep you … and me from being charged.”

  “Where’s he now?” Vicki asked bluntly.

  “That’s what I was sent over to tell you. The club had an unexpected opportunity to sneak him out of the country. I came over to grab some of his stuff and pack a suitcase.”

  “He went without even telling me?”

  “It was a last-minute thing. I’m sure he feels awful that he couldn’t tell you in person. He’ll be able to pass on messages to you later. The good thing is the cops never found all his money. He’s got lots to live on.”

  “Is that what the club is being told?” Vicki asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I suppose that’s a better story. It wouldn’t be good for morale if they knew their top guy ratted.”

  “Why are you saying that?” Buck demanded.

  “I was home. I heard you arrive and then argue with your dad downstairs. Then I heard the guys from the three-three come in and take him away.”