By Saturday officers from the Major Crimes Unit had been arranged to supply cover for Jack north of the border while a team of ATF agents led by Wayne Dawson were detailed to take over on the U.S. side.
Once Jack crossed into the U.S., two MCU investigators by the names of Corporal Geoff Frisby and Constable Kate Willisko had then been authorized to accompany the ATF agents in their vehicles.
It was 3:45 p.m. and Jack was on his way to the MCU office for a last minute debriefing when he received a call from Vath.
“There’s been a slight change of plans,” Vath said.
Jack groaned inwardly. “What the fuck?” he said angrily. I’ve already got my bag packed and my ol’ lady’s made plans for after she drops me off.”
“No, no. Everything’s still like we talked about, but instead of you coming to my place we, uh, need to meet at a restaurant.”
Need to meet at a restaurant? Sounds like you were given orders.
“Sure, I know a good spot not all that far from —”
“No, we need to meet at the Eagle’s Perch Restaurant out in White Rock. It’s, uh, close to where we have to go and less chance we’ll be late crossing the border in case there’s lineups.”
Yup, you were given orders.
“Same time?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, yeah. Everything else is the same.”
Okay, let the games begin.…
* * *
Jack arrived at the Eagle’s Perch at precisely 6:00 p.m. after being driven there in a car by Corporal Tina Chan, who was an undercover operative borrowed from Drug Section. When they arrived, she double-parked near the entrance.
For an hour prior to Jack’s arrival, two members from MCU had been watching from inside a surveillance van parked in the restaurant lot. Their objective was to see if they could spot anyone doing counter-surveillance. None had been spotted, but it didn’t mean they weren’t there.
Two other MCU vehicles, one containing Corporal Frisby as a passenger and the other Constable Willisko, were positioned a couple of blocks away to conduct a loose surveillance on Jack when he was taken to the border. At that time Frisby and Willisko would then join the ATF agents in their vehicles.
Jack eyed the parking lot. “No sign of Vath’s white Hyundai,” he noted. He then reached over the back seat and grabbed the backpack he’d stuffed with two days’ worth of clothing and toiletries.
“Forgetting something?” Tina prodded, leaning toward him.
“Hell, no.” Jack leaned over and embraced Tina before kissing her. “I knew there was something about working undercover that always attracted me,” he whispered, giving a husky tone to his voice.
Tina snickered. “And a kiss and a hug is all you get,” she said, sitting back.
Jack chuckled. “Obviously your nickname, Asian Heat, isn’t all that deserved.”
“Well, I’ll tell you, Bubba, my husband sure thinks it is.”
“Bubba?”
Tina grinned. “With the guys you’ll probably be dealing with, that name sounds appropriate.”
Jack gave her his usual lopsided smile. “You’re right. Come to think of it, if someone pulls out a banjo, I’ll run for the hills.” He reached for the door handle but Tina placed her hand on his arm.
“Be careful down there.” Her eyes and her tone conveyed her worry.
“Always.”
“You sure I couldn’t come along as your ol’ lady?”
“As much as I’d like you to, real bikers wouldn’t allow a woman along at this point. The bad guys might smell a rat.”
Tina appeared to reflect on what he said, then replied, “Yeah … you’re right. They really are a chauvinist bunch of assholes.” She then kissed her fingertips and touched his lips. “Good luck.”
Jack got out of the car, tossed his backpack over one shoulder, and entered the restaurant as Tina drove away. A quick look around confirmed that Vath wasn’t there. He took the only window seat available in the hope of remaining visible from the surveillance van, but the location did not afford that.
Moments later, Jack saw Vath arrive in a taxi.
We’re not taking a taxi into the U.S. What’s going on?
He knew the observers in the van would be wondering the same thing.
Vath entered the restaurant and quickly approached Jack, but he didn’t sit down. “You ready to go?” he asked.
Jack lifted his backpack and said, “Ready whenever you are.”
“Good, once you pay for your coffee we’re on our way.”
“I saw you arrive in a taxi,” Jack noted as he remained seated. “How’re we going?”
“I parked my wheels here earlier,” Vath replied, looking uncomfortable.
“Oh? I didn’t see it. You drive a white Hyundai … right?
“I traded that in yesterday and bought a Nissan Rogue. We’ll be taking it.”
“So why’d you arrive in a taxi?
“Yeah, uh, listen. Don’t get pissed off. I trust you, but my guys in the States … well, they’ve heard stories.”
“Stories?”
“Of guys being ripped off dealing with bikers. Not Satans Wrath, but I’m sure you understand. They’re nervous and want me to jump through a few hoops to make sure you’re alone.”
“I’m alone,” Jack stated. “Also not carrying any weapons. If you want to search me, go ahead. We can go to the can.”
“Naw, that’s okay.” He gestured toward the coffee mug. “You done?”
Jack took the hint and went to the till. After he paid for his coffee he turned to head for the exit, but Vath tapped his arm.
“No, this way,” Vath said. “Follow me.”
So that’s your plan. Jack did as instructed and was led through the restaurant’s kitchen and out the rear door. By the surprised looks of the kitchen staff, he knew Vath wasn’t known to them.
The Nissan Rogue was parked nearby and moments later they drove away via a back alley.
Jack glanced at Vath.
You’re not smart enough to pull a stunt like this. Obviously your source is.
He took a long, slow breath.
Too bad, I was hoping you’d all be dumb.
Jack thought about his cover team still back by the restaurant, but told himself that within seconds the GPS in his phone would alert them to his movement.
I’ve got nothing to worry about.
Twenty minutes later they cleared U.S. Customs without incident. After that they were southbound on the I-5. It was then that he saw Willisko in the passenger seat of a car as it passed them. Thanks, Kate, for the reassurance. All is well, now make sure everyone backs off and gives us lots of space.
Twenty-five minutes south of border Vath exited the I-5 into Ferndale.
“Where we going?” Jack asked, feeling a sense of foreboding as Ferg’s murder came to mind.
“This is where we’re to meet them.”
Jack nodded, then quietly stared out the passenger window at the side streets as they drove past. Which street were you murdered on? Wish I’d asked. Was it this one … or this one? Does the murderer live here? Maybe in one of the houses we’re passing? He viewed a row of houses. It all seems so peaceful … like a place everyone would like to live.
Moments later, Vath parked at a restaurant called Jack in the Box. Jack wondered if the restaurant name foretold his fate, then he thought, Naw, I want to be cremated when my time comes. No coffin for me.
Once inside, Vath ordered a hamburger. Jack did the same. They’d almost finished eating when Jack saw Vath glance at his watch. He seemed worried.
“Something wrong?”
“Jerry usually isn’t late,” Vath explained. “He said they’d be here half an hour ago.”
“That’s only a little late. I wouldn’t worry.”
Jack excused himself to go to the men’s room. After checking to ensure he was alone he went into a stall and phoned Wayne.
“What’s happening?” Wayne asked anxiously. “We followed you to the restaurant.”
“It’s where Vath said we’re to meet Jerry and his sidekick. He told me they were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago and that it was unusual for them to be late.”
“Maybe they’re like dope dealers. Those guys are never on time, no matter what they say.”
“Maybe, but Vath seems concerned. Anyone on your team think they might have been burned?”
“No, if they had they’d have mentioned it. Nobody is in sight of the restaurant. In fact, both your people are insisting we don’t come within a couple of blocks of you. Personally, I think that’s a little too far away.”
“Did you hear about the stunt Vath pulled at the restaurant in Canada before I left?”
“Yeah … okay, I hear you. I’ll keep my people well back, but be warned that you’re strictly on your own in there.”
“That’s how I want it.” Jack paused. “Hopefully everything is okay. If they do show up, it might be a while before you and I talk again.”
“You’re packed for a two-day trip. Still no idea where you’re being taken?”
“No, Vath doesn’t have a clue. At the earliest, I won’t find that out until Jerry arrives.”
“When he does, it’d be good if you could let us know or at least call us each time you stop at a gas station or something.”
“I could fake having food poisoning, but I think these guys are too kinky for me to be running back and forth to washrooms. Even if … or when they do show up, I might not be told. It wouldn’t surprise me if I was blindfolded.”
“Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
Jack ended the call and headed back to the table. As he approached, he saw Vath talking on his phone while writing on a napkin. His face looked tense and he looked up to eyeball the other customers.
Damn it, something has them heated.…
As he sat down, Vath glanced at him and shoved the napkin in his pocket while continuing to talk on the phone. “He’s back. I’ll ask him.” He then looked at Jack and said, “They want your phone number. Is it okay if I give it to them?”
“Fine with me. Same number you used to call me earlier. I’ll give it to you again.”
As Jack gave the number, Vath repeated it into his phone, then said, “Okay, we’re on our way.”
Jack looked around to give the impression he was suspicious, then leaned forward and whispered, “What’s going on? Why’d they want my number?”
Vath frowned. “He said it was in case we get split up. I’m supposed to take you some place and drop you off, then go meet them for a chat. I think they want me to assure them once more that you’re okay.”
“Why don’t they come here?” Jack asked. “I can see them not trusting me, but if they have concerns they should meet me face to face so we can talk.”
“It’s not only you,” Vath replied. “All of a sudden I get the feeling that they don’t trust me, either.” He shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe I’m wrong. It was Jerry’s friend I was talking to and he seemed pissed off and suspicious-like. Could just be his personality.”
If they don’t trust you either, perhaps you should be thinking about what happened to Graves.
“But as far as them not coming here,” Vath continued, “they told me they’re introducing you to someone and he doesn’t want to risk being seen.”
“Being seen?” Like perhaps one of the Coggins brothers? “Do you mean being seen with me, or being seen by anyone? It’s not like I’m wearing any colours.”
“I don’t know the reason. I didn’t ask. I think because of what happened they’re being extra cautious.” Vath paused. “Anyway, after I meet ’em and have a talk, I’m to take ’em back to where you’ll be waiting. Then you’ll go with them and I’ll head back home.”
After you meet them and have a talk? Damn it, they’ve either spotted surveillance or are checking to see if one of us is being followed through the GPS on our phones.
He eyed Vath. “Still no idea where they’ll be taking me after you go back?”
Vath shook his head. “I’ve no idea. I’ve only met them in restaurants or bars.” He waved to the waitress to get the bill. “Let’s pay, then we’re on our way.”
Jack trailed behind Vath toward the till. Should I dump my phone … or am I too late and our executions have already been planned? He thought of Ferg. Do I really have a choice about going along with this? He swallowed. Guess not. Not if I want justice.…
Two men wearing heavy coats and work boots were paying their bills at the till ahead of them. When they turned to leave, Vath stepped forward to pay.
I’m going to have one pissed off cover team, Jack thought, as he brushed past one of the men and slipped his phone into the man’s coat pocket.
A moment later Jack followed Vath outside where he saw a man and woman with two boys heading to the restaurant. It left him with a lump in his throat.
Wonder if I’ll ever see my family again.