chapter forty-nine
On Wednesday morning, Assistant Commissioner Isaac received a call from the commissioner in Ottawa, who skipped any pleasantries and immediately asked, “What are you doing about Taggart?”
“In what way?” asked Isaac.
“In what way? That is the question. I’d like him charged with a criminal offence.”
“A criminal offence? Are you questioning the validity of his report in regards to the seven bodies found at the house in Mexico?”
“No, not that, but I appreciate your thinking. I’ve already looked into it. Our liaison officer in Mexico City was contacted by a police commander in Juarez. One of his own detectives was one of the seven bodies they found. The commander wanted to thank us for the work we did in identifying the corrupt officer and also for finding the tunnel.”
“He wasn’t upset to find out a Canadian policeman had gone there without authorization?”
“Apparently not. The commander said he understood there were some tight time restraints and a life was at risk. Anyway, our L.O. asked him about the victim who was shot anally and the other victim who died of multiple injuries. The commander said it happens all the time where these guys get drunk and fight amongst themselves. Also the retribution on the other five men was predictable, considering the damage done to the cartel’s smuggling route.”
“So what criminal offence are you talking about in regard to Corporal Taggart?” asked the commissioner.
“Birds of a Feather. Taggart deliberately told the subject of a wiretap investigation there was a bug in the car. That is an offence. At lease it is in Canada. I’m sure it is in the U.S., as well.”
“Corporal Taggart was also targeted.”
“It doesn’t matter. Even if a criminal trips over a bug in his own house, it is a criminal offence for him to tell anyone else about it.”
“I don’t have any transcripts of the conversation that took place in regards to Birds of a Feather. Did Corporal Taggart actually tell Special Agent Adams there was an electronic eavesdropping device in the car?”
“Not in those words, but it was obvious he changed the conversation when Adams was about to tell him what he did.”
“That would hardly hold up in court.”
“That’s the problem. I said I would like him charged with a criminal offence, I didn’t say we could. You know Taggart … do you think we could get him to crack under interrogation or at least say something incriminatory?”
“I’m certain he wouldn’t. Look how it went with Birds of a Feather … and that was when he should have felt safe to talk openly.”
“This is really embarrassing. A national disgrace.”
“A national disgrace?”
“We sent Taggart down there for the purpose of helping the Americans catch their rogue agent. This was supposed to make us look good. Instead, this happens. They’re absolutely furious down there.”
“I thought the primary objective was to find the girl. Corporal Taggart did that,” Isaac said.
“That’s incidental. We didn’t even get any press on it. Right now the issue is Taggart. If we can’t charge him criminally, then at the very least, I sure as hell expect you to give him an official reprimand for his personnel file.”
“As you wish, but we still shouldn’t overlook that he did do an admirable job down there under extreme risk of his own personal safety.”
“Admirable job? What are you talking about? He went down there without authorization!”
“I don’t think Lily or her mother cares about that.”
“Who? Oh, them. That’s not the point. Besides, as far as rescuing the girl, Taggart simply got lucky.”
“Lucky?”
“It was a lucky coincidence for him that the Mexicans started fighting each other when he was rescuing the girl, or things might have turned out much differently. His overall stupidity and complete disregard for policy could have gotten them both killed.”
“There’s no doubt he placed himself at extreme risk.”
“You’re damn right he did. It was totally unacceptable. I have to go, but I want you to send me a copy of the official reprimand you put on his file.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Isaac hung up, he muttered, “Lucky coincidence?” and shook his head. His next telephone call was to Staff Sergeant Rose Wood, telling her he expected to see Corporal Taggart in his office first thing the following morning.
At eight-thirty Thursday morning, Jack entered Isaac’s secretary’s office and was told to go directly in.
Isaac sat behind his desk and with an angry nod, gestured to a chair across from his desk. After Jack sat down, Isaac said, “You went into Mexico without authorization … even after it was made totally clear in the operational plan that you were not to do so.”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“Did you even try to call anyone to gain permission?”
“No, sir, I did not.”
“Your behaviour was cavalier, irresponsible, and reckless. You not only risked your life, but the potential lives of other policemen who may have tried to save you because of the stunt you pulled.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What I am telling you is documented in writing before me. Sign it as acknowledgement you have read it, after which it will be placed on your personnel file.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jack, taking the document and reading what he had been told verbally. He signed the bottom of the page and handed it back.
“That is all,” said Isaac. “Get out!”
As Jack was leaving the secretary’s outer office, her phone rang and she answered, then said, “Corporal Taggart, please wait a moment.” She spoke into the phone briefly and when she hung up she said, “The assistant commissioner wants you to go back in.”
Jack sighed and went back into the office as the secretary closed the door behind him.
Isaac immediately approached him with his hand extended and said, “Jack! Good to see you! I wanted to tell you I think you did a fantastic job down in Mexico,” he said, smiling.
Jack accepted the handshake as he tried to figure out what was happening.
“I was so pleased to find out you were able to rescue Lily Rae.”
“It made me happy as well, sir.”
“At immense personal risk to yourself, I might add. As a member of the force, I have to say … what you did makes me feel proud.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Isaac handed Jack a document off his desk and said, “I have written a letter expressing my views for the purpose of placing it on your personnel file.”
Jack read the letter and saw it was filled with accolades.
“Thank you, sir. I don’t know what to say.”
The smile disappeared from Isaac’s face and he lowered his voice and said, “I would suggest you say nothing … ever. There is one more thing I want you to know … and it is to be kept strictly between us.”
“Sir?”
“It was not my idea to send you to El Paso. That decision was made in Ottawa.”
Jack felt stunned. Up until this moment he had thought it was only a coincidence he had been paired up with Adams. This was no coincidence … they were after me, too …
“You look surprised,” noted Isaac. “Did you think it was a coincidence you were assigned with Special Agent Adams?”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“You, of all people, shouldn’t believe in coincidences. I know I don’t.”