It was seven in the morning when Jack picked up Laura, after having driven both her and Otto home the night before.
Upon getting in the SUV, Laura immediately shut the radio off. She scowled at Jack and said, “What time did you bring me home last night?”
“Two o’clock. Right after we dropped Otto off.”
“You dirty rat,” she groused. “Is that what you call looking after your wingman?”
“I tried to get you to ease off. Even suggested you drink some water, but you —”
“Shh,” she said, putting her finger to her lips for emphasis, before leaning back and closing her eyes.
Jack dropped her off at the bar they’d been at the night before to collect her car and then headed for the office. He’d completed his notes but had not yet photocopied them to give to Isaac.
At seven-thirty he was at the photocopier when Rose arrived.
“Well!” she said. “Aren’t you the punctual one.”
“The trouble with being punctual is that there’s usually nobody around to notice.”
“Oh, believe me, you’re being noticed these days,” retorted Rose. “Those for Isaac?” she asked, gesturing to the copier.
Jack nodded. “I wrote them last night, but knew the door to his office was locked, so —”
“More like you were afraid you were missing out on last night’s debriefing.”
“Well, that, too,” Jack admitted.
“First Clive’s killed and then Klaus,” noted Rose. “Both guys who could have identified your informant. Isaac asked me if she’s safe now. I said I’d check with you.”
“There was a third guy abusing her that night.”
“Liam Quinn,” stated Rose.
“Good memory.”
“It might behoove you to remember that. I also remember that Roche Freulard told you they would never use Liam again.”
“That’s a chance I can’t take. If they want revenge, they would use whatever means possible.”
“Any other reasons I could tell Isaac?”
“Yes, it might get a little sticky if Defence goes after the angle that I forced Clive into a situation at gunpoint that got him killed.”
“Or went after Klaus’s recent orthodontic records,” Rose said.
“Yeah. It’d better if I were to get evidence on what these guys have done in Europe and testify there. With how calm Anton was when he killed Clive and Klaus, I know they weren’t his first.”
“So you’re concerned that Liam could be used to track down your informant?”
“That’s a good explanation to tell Isaac, rather than pester him with the other details.”
Rose bit her lower lip as she thought, Jack’s right. Keep it simple and use informant safety as a reason.
“So you agree.” Jack spoke matter-of-factly.
Damn it. He reads me like a book. “See me in my office once you turn in the copies of your notes. Bring your notebook, too.”
“I told you everything that’s in my notes,” said Jack evenly.
Rose looked quizzical. “That’s in your notes? Don’t you mean that you told me everything?”
Jack looked at her silently and thought about the lie he’d told Klaus to keep him at the hospital. That sure as hell isn’t in my notes.
“I see,” said Rose. “Are you forgetting that I’m your boss?”
“I heard you stuck your neck out for me yesterday — suggesting I should receive commendation.”
Rose frowned. “That didn’t go over too well.”
“Doesn’t matter. The point is, you were protecting me. I like to protect you in return.”
As Rose considered how to respond, Laura arrived. Abruptly, she said, “I think I’m going to be sick.” And putting her hand to her mouth, she rushed off down the hall to the washroom.
Rose looked at Jack and whispered, “Morning sickness?”
“No, I suspect she consumed a bad olive during the debriefing last night.”
Rose shook her head in admonishment, then said, “Meet me as soon as you drop off the copy of your notes.”
At eight o’clock, Jack walked into Rose’s office carrying a mug of coffee, along with his notebook. Rose and Laura were sipping their own coffees. He placed his mug on the desk and handed Rose his notebook.
“I’ll read them later,” she said. “I want to know what your plans are. I’m sure that’ll be the first thing Isaac will ask me after he reads your notes.”
Jack picked up his mug, leaned back in the chair, and took a sip, then said, “Well, the thing is, I really don’t like to say what my plans are.”
“Why not?” Rose instantly became irritated.
“Because then, later on, words like premeditated get tossed around in the courtroom,” replied Jack, doing his best to keep a straight face.
Rose realized he was teasing her. “That’s not funny,” she said, trying to maintain a straight face.
But the stress they’d been under broke the decorum and both started to laugh, unable to stop as their joviality fed off each other.
“Do you mind keeping the noise down?” Laura muttered.
Jack felt his phone vibrate, and the moment of levity came to an abrupt end. “It’s Wolfgang,” he said, putting his finger to his lips.