Dead Ends (26 page)

“We're set,” said Sammy. He looked at Connie's worried face and lightheartedly said, “Hey, cheer up kid! What could possibly go wrong?”

* * *

Jack was driving to Sy's apartment when his BlackBerry rang again. It was Gabriel Parsons.

“Hope I didn't catch you in the middle of anything?” asked Gabriel.

“I'm not busy,” replied Jack. “What can I help you with? Is it Faith?”

“Faith is doing okay. Too sick to do much, but at least she's home now. No, the reason I called is because of Noah. I would like your opinion on something.”

“My opinions are free. What is it?”

“Lately he's been wanting to dress all in black like he is a vampire or something pagan. I simply won't allow it. Now he's bugging me to allow him to get a ring put through his eyebrow. It's like he's trying to make himself ugly. I know some of the kids at his school pierce their faces with jewellery, but Noah is only thirteen. What do you think?”

“He's been through a lot for such a young guy. I realize he is still a child, but he is also reaching the age where he wants to show his independence. You need to talk to him. Maybe you could compromise a little. Perhaps allow him to wear certain clothing, but hold off on the face jewellery.”

“I try to be a good mother,” replied Gabriel, as her voice cracked.

“You're a great mom. I admire you. Considering what has happened in your life … the stress you must be under … I've seen people fold under a lot less.”

“Well … thank you. I do find comfort in God. I pray that the man who killed Father Brown will turn to God and beg forgiveness.”

Jack thought about her comment after he hung up.
Glad she didn't ask for my opinion on that …

* * *

Jack met with Sy and told him that Sammy had a good spot already rented for a lab.

“Where at?” asked Sy.

“Somewhere out in Langley. An old house. It used to be a chicken farm. The owner is retired and is travelling around the world. Sammy is anxious to get started.”

“That's great. Finding the right place is the hardest part. Chicken farm, eh? Cocktail will like that.”

Oh, I thought he would have preferred a daycare …
“How soon before we can get started?” asked Jack.

“I gotta clear it with the bikers first. You staying upstairs tonight?”

“I'm not sure. Princess is afraid someone will come looking for you and start shooting up the place.”

“They didn't get all my guys. I've got people guarding the place twenty-four-seven. I hate using phones. Why don't you at least stay and I'll come up and see you in a couple of hours. I might know somethin' by then.”

* * *

An hour after Sy met with Jack, he took another stroll down the apartment hallway with two prospects from Satans Wrath, Chugger and Hamburger. Sy quickly told them about his new friends, Jay and Princess.

Hamburger did not tell Sy that Cocktail had given him the names earlier that morning.

“Jay is really connected,” said Sy. “He could make us a lot of money if I can convince him to partner up with me. He wants to set up a lab for a buddy of his. Good chance to impress him.”

“Yeah?” replied Hamburger. “You trust them both?”

“Fuckin' A. They're rock solid. Stake my life on it.”

“You will be,” said Chugger.

“Not a problem,” replied Sy. “They're ready to go. Got an old farmhouse already.”

“We'll front you what you need to get started,” said Hamburger. “First payment is seven days after delivery. If anything goes wrong …”

“I know.”

“How long have you known them?”

“Not long, but we've already done a lot of shit together. They came recommended to me by Rodine. They're cousins. He's known them all his life.”

“Tell 'em we'll do it tomorrow. Take them both on a little trip while we check them out. If they're not okay, you won't be bringing them back.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Later that night, Sy met with Jack and told him that things were set for the following morning. Jack left the apartment complex immediately and he and Laura had another brief meeting with Connie and Sammy.

“Sounds like everything is a go,” said Connie.

“My team will supply some of the cover out at the farm,” said Sammy.

“Make sure it is only your team that does,” said Jack.

“Still no word on the dirty narc?” asked Connie.

Sammy shook his head.

“Nothing unusual has come over the monitors from our UC apartment,” said Laura.

“Not yet,” said Jack. “It would really surprise me if Satans Wrath doesn't check us out before tomorrow. Maybe tonight we will get lucky. I mentioned to Sy that I would be staying in our other apartment tonight. I know he has a pass key.”

* * *

The following morning, Jack and Laura rented a van and drove to Sy's apartment complex and parked in the underground lot. They went to Sy's apartment and saw a note on the door telling them he was next door at Brewski's. Moments later they were let inside by Lorraine and saw Sy and Brewski slurping coffee at the kitchen table. The apartment was covered with empty beer and liquor bottles.

“Good to see that you got out,” said Jack, giving Brewski a friendly pat on his back. “Looks like we missed a good party.”

“You did,” said Sy. “I went back to get you last night, but you were already gone.”

“I got sprung yesterday afternoon,” said Brewski. “Gotta appear in court next week to enter a plea. Should be able to drag it out for a couple of years. My lawyer says the cops aren't saying why they searched us. Could be because of a wiretap or somethin'. He thinks we have a good chance of getting it tossed under a charter argument.”

“That's great,” replied Jack.

“Same goes for the two in the Mustang,” said Sy. “It hadn't been reported stolen yet so the cops had no legal reason to search it.”

“Excellent,” replied Jack.

“So, I hear you're introducing Sy to someone to go into business with us,” said Brewski.

Jack nodded and said, “A buddy of mine by the name of Sammy.”

“And what business would Sammy be in?” smirked Lorraine.

“It's called none of your business,” replied Jack.

Lorraine mouthed the words “fuck you” and smirked again.

“Speaking of which,” said Sy, “You both ready to go?”

“Both of us?” replied Jack. “I was thinking we didn't need Princess.”

“Hey, I don't want to be stuck sitting in the apartment by myself,” protested Laura.

“Not really any choice,” said Sy. “You have to come. My friends said they wanted to meet the both of you. You get a van to use?”

“Got one from Budget. It's in the underground lot. You better duck down when we leave.”

“You don't have to tell me. I'm doing a lot of ducking these days. Give me a minute to go back to my place and use the can. I'll meet you both downstairs.”

When Jack and Laura left Brewski's to go to the van, Laura grabbed Jack by the sleeve and said, “You try to cut me out of the action again and I'll kick you in the nuts.”

“It just occurred to me, why should we risk the both of us if there's no need?”

“That's bull. You thought of it before and waited until we were in front of Sy, hoping he would agree with you.”

Jack frowned and said, “Okay, you're right, but think about it. Why risk your life if we don't need to?”

“Because I'm your partner. That's why.”

* * *

Balvinder received his second call that morning and passed it on to Fateh. After that he sent the second text that morning to his contact with Satans Wrath, asking to meet. He received a text message back saying: “Like before. I'm busy. Meet this afternoon.”

Balvinder shrugged. He had done what was asked.
Besides, by this afternoon the war might be over …

* * *

There was a reason why the prospects couldn't meet Balvinder right away. They were waiting in Sy's apartment to confirm that Jack and Laura had left with Sy, before using the pass key they had been given.

The prospects weren't the only ones waiting. In a wooded area close to the United States border, Fateh bounced along in the back of a van with one arm draped over Big Bertha. A gang member by the name of Hadad drove, while three other gang members sat with him in the back of the van.

Fateh looked out the window as the van approached an uprooted tree beside the road. Rutted wheel tracks led past the fallen tree into the woods. “This is it,” he said. “Hadad and I checked it out early this morning. There is only one way in and out.” He looked at Hadad and said, “Drive past the entrance and find a place where we can watch. They're in a Budget van. Once they arrive, give 'em a minute to get in there and park. Then we introduce them to Big Bertha.”

* * *

Jack and Laura gave Sy a curious look when he arrived and climbed in the rented van. He was carrying a box made of thin plywood that he set in the back of the van.

“What's that?” asked Jack, hearing a scratching noise come from the box.

“That my friend, is Harry the Hamster.”

“You've got a hamster in there? What on earth for?” asked Laura.

“It's a safety thing,” replied Sy. “Something my friend Cocktail came up with for the lab.”

“The old canary in the coal mine?” asked Jack.

“Yeah, something like that,” replied Sy, laying down on the seat behind Jack and Laura as Jack drove toward the exit.

Shortly after Jack pulled out from the underground parking lot, Sy sat up and directed Jack to drive to a rural area near the United States border, which was about a thirty-minute drive from their apartment.

“Why down there?” asked Jack.

“They didn't want to do the deal around my apartment. There's a place in the bush we are to go to. I've never been there, but I drew a map,” said Sy, taking a piece of paper out of his coat pocket. “They always pick different places,” he continued. “They know what they're doing. Don't worry, there won't be anyone around to bother us.”

Part way to the destination, Jack realized that a car was following them and told Sy.

Sy glanced back and said, “Yeah, I recognize Croaker, the guy driving. The bikers are pretty cautious. They do that sometimes. I told them what you were driving. Last night they gave me the route we're taking. They put guys out along the way to make sure we're not being followed.”

Minutes later, Croaker passed them, slowed in front and turned off.

“Just got the okay,” said Sy. “If he had turned on his four-ways, it would have meant we were being followed and to abort.”

“Good,” said Laura. She swallowed and added, “I feel safer already knowing how careful these guys are.”

“Is your friend Cocktail going to be there?” asked Jack, glancing in the rearview mirror at Sy's face.

“Naw, Cocktail turned the chemicals over to them. He won't be coming.”

Jack glanced at Laura who also tried to hide her disappointment by turning to look out the passenger window.

“I thought Cocktail was going to help train Sammy,” said Jack. “We were supposed to meet him.”

Sy shrugged and said, “He's trained me. Don't worry, I can set it up. Also got the recipes with me,” he added, gesturing to his BlackBerry.

* * *

Back in the RCMP Headquarters building in Vancouver, a monitor saw an indicator light go on in Jack and Laura's undercover apartment and turned up the volume.

“Hey, we've got some action,” she said to her colleague. “Sounds like several men are searching the place.” A man's voice over the recorder soon announced who they were.

“Hey Taco! Look what I found,” yelled the voice. “Got a broad's driver's licence.”

The monitor checked her list of names. Taco was the nickname of a Satans Wrath prospect.

“What ya doin'?” asked Taco.

“I almost missed it,” said the voice. “It was taped to the bottom of the desk drawer and fell off when I opened it. Look, there's more. We got some of the guy's ID too.”

“Fuckin' A,” replied Taco's voice. “Take a look and see who Jay and Princess really are. Get on your BlackBerry to Pussy Paul right fuckin' now.”

Both monitors in the RCMP building smiled.

“Snoopy bunch, these bikers,” said one.

“Yeah, we should talk.”

* * *

Jack drove as instructed and turned down a rutted lane past a fallen tree leading into a wooded area. Moments later they reached a small clearing where a scattering of empty beer bottles and the blackened remains of a fire pit told him the location was no doubt a favourite hangout for young people looking to party. He parked the van and shut off the engine.

Another van immediately appeared from behind them and Jack realized it had been parked in a location hidden from view on the far side of the clearing.

“That was quick,” said Jack.”

Sy peered out the window and said, “Yeah, that's Hamburger who is driving. He's big enough to lift a full barrel by himself. That's Chugger beside him. He's no wuss, either.”

Hamburger backed his van up and parked so the rear doors of both vans were facing each other.

“You two wait while I go chat with them first,” said Sy.

Jack and Laura watched as Sy stepped out of the van and met with Hamburger and two other bikers who got out to meet him. Jack opened the door and looked at the group and Sy motioned for him to step out of the van.

Before Jack could move, the roar of an engine caught everyone's attention as a third van bounced into the clearing and came to a broadside stop.

“What's going on?” asked Laura nervously.

“Don't know,” replied Jack. “Maybe more bikers for security.”

“Hope so, or — oh, man!”

Jack looked in disbelief as the side door of the newcomer's van slid open. Inside they saw a 50-calibre machine gun mounted on a tripod. Fateh looked like a raging fanatic as he swung the muzzle around in their direction.