Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight

It was eleven o’clock at night when Damien turned off the news and buzzed his electronic gate to let Pussy Paul inside. Moments later, the two men went for a walk outside.

“Our Horseman narc got a call this afternoon,” said Pussy Paul. “He’s being transferred back to uniform. They told him it was time to circulate some people out of some small detachment up north.”

“Too bad, that’s the trouble with the RCMP. They keep transferring people. Makes it hard to develop permanent rats. This guy’s father is a Member of Parliament, I was hoping we could eventually get him to co-operate with us in exchange for saving his son.”

“I know. Even more disturbing is our narc thinks the transfer is a bit sudden and premature. He says other guys have been in the unit longer than he has.”

“Interesting,” replied Damien. “Has he done anything for us recently?”

“Yeah, he checked out a couple of people for us. Some guy by the name of Jay, along with his girlfriend. Jay is rumoured to be part of the Irish mafia from back east. They moved here recently.”

“Where do they fit in?” asked Damien.

“Jay’s cousin is a cook who works under Sy and he introduced the two of them. Jay and Sy are doing business together. They were with Sy this morning when Fateh showed up. It was Jay who convinced Hamburger to send the text. Hamburger relayed to Whiskey Jake, who decided to put a stop to Fateh’s plan.”

“I haven’t spoken to Whiskey Jake about that yet, but I’m glad he put a stop to it,” replied Damien.

“Because we might be starting a war with the Irish?”

“Fuck the Irish. No, it’s the heat I’m trying to avoid. The Brotherhood has the attention of the police now, but it would be nothing compared to what they would have if they opened up with a 50 calibre. The city would panic. There isn’t a politician around who wouldn’t jump on the bandwagon to demand more police and resources to keep the city safe.”

“Gotcha. Well, maybe it’s a coincidence about the narc being transferred, but I thought I should tell you,” said Pussy Paul.

“I’m glad you did. I don’t believe in coincidences. Hasn’t Sy suffered some serious losses in the last couple of weeks? Some of his guys busted with guns?”

“Yeah, but Sy figured he took care of that. Two of his guys named Roach and Bagger.”

“Maybe he took care of it and maybe he didn’t,” replied Damien.

“You think Jay is a rat?”

“Or a cop … possible …”

“Balvinder’s guys tried to do them all last Saturday when they left a party. That was the deal on the news.”

“I spoke to Lance and Whiskey Jake about it,” said Damien.

“I know. Lance filled me in on your meeting. The thing is, there haven’t been any arrests over the car chase and shootings. Also none today after Fateh showed up and donated the 50 calibre to us.”

“You would think there would be if Jay was a cop. Still, who knows, it’s possible he’s a rat.”

“Want him taken out?” asked Pussy Paul.

“I heard that Rashard is hooking up with Balvinder, Fateh, and Quang.”

“Yeah, I think he heard about the 50 cal and figured he would go with whoever had access to the biggest guns. Of course, that was before we took it.”

“Sy’s gang has had some serious problems lately,” noted Damien. “He, Mongo, and Munch will lose the war for sure. With all this bullshit that’s taking place, it’s not worth jeopardizing Cocktail to let it continue.”

“Time to eliminate the weak?”

Damien looked thoughtfully at Pussy Paul and said, “Yes, time to protect our assets. Have the three losers taken care of. If Jay tags along with Sy, do him, too.”

“When?”

“Tell Cocktail to arrange it before the week is over. Tell the losers we will broker a truce talk between all the bosses of both sides. Tell them everyone will be searched and that no guns or phones will be allowed and that they will be blindfolded. If Jay is a rat, it will make us sound like good guys for trying to stop the violence. Have Cocktail set up the ambush using Balvinder, Fateh, Quang, and Rashard to carry it out.”

“You want them all involved?” asked Pussy Paul.

“Yes. Tell Cocktail we will supply him with a couple of guys to help with the initial search of Sy, Munch, and Mongo, but after that, the killing will be done by the new Brotherhood. Don’t lend Cocktail any of our prospects for the search. I want our hands to look clean if something goes sideways. Use some wannabe bikers. Someone expendable.”

“Why use four bosses to carry it out? I’m sure any one of the gangs are capable of looking after three or four unarmed guys.”

“I want the remaining four bosses from The Brotherhood in on it together. Make sure all their hands are dirty. No loose ends to ever rat out. Once Sy and his buddies are taken care of, bury the bodies and tell everyone to keep mum about it.”

* * *

Jack put his martini glass down on the table. “Are you sure?”

Natasha smiled. “If I’m not, I shouldn’t be practising medicine.”

“I’m going to be a dad!”

“I’m eleven weeks along. I’d like to wait another week or two before telling anyone.”

Jack held both of Natasha’s hands in his as he gazed at her, before his eyes watered and he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

Incredible, unbelievable … I’m going to be a dad!

When he stopped kissing Natasha he leaned back as his BlackBerry vibrated. It was Gabriel. Jack answered automatically, but his thoughts were with Natasha.

“I did it,” Gabriel whispered. “I searched his room tonight when he was watching television. You were right that I should have.”

Jack felt his heart sink. Gabriel did not need the extra stress.

“Marijuana?” asked Jack.

“No. Smut. Filthy smut.”

“Smut?”

“Magazines. They were under his mattress. Playboy … something called Hustler.”

Jack was glad that Gabriel couldn’t see him smile.

“What should I do? Maybe confront him,” said Gabriel as her initial shock turned to anger.

“Uh, I wouldn’t get too upset,” said Jack. “Your son has reached puberty. It is perfectly normal.”

“Normal! These magazines are not normal. Where could he have gotten them from? They’re lurid, un-Christian, disgusting —”

“Explains why he has been staring off into space,” said Jack. “He’s thinking about girls. It is a phase that most young men go through. Be happy that there was no sign of drugs. What Noah is going through is life. His blank stares … give him time. He’ll mature and snap out of it.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. I would leave him be for now.”

* * *

Jack was wrong. Noah would never snap out of it for as long as he lived.