24

Later that evening, Jack and Laura returned the wave from Purvis, who was standing behind the bar as they took a seat in a booth. A new waitress served them, and a few minutes later, Goldie joined their table.

“We’ve only dropped in to ask you something,” said Jack.

“Tomorrow is your real birthday,” said Laura. “How would you like to come out with us on our boat, the Blue Gator, and have dinner while the crew tours us around Vancouver Harbour?”

“That would be absolutely fab!” replied Goldie.

“Perhaps come over to our apartment for a drink first,” said Jack, “then you could follow us to the marina.”

“Bring a date, if you like,” said Laura.

“This is really something. I’m absolutely thrilled,” Goldie said, beaming with delight. “I’ll bring Candy. She was at my party last Saturday. Perhaps you met her?”

“I did,” replied Laura. “Very pretty girl.”

“One rule I must insist upon,” said Jack. “No drugs onboard the Blue Gator. We travel into the U.S. too often to risk some customs dog finding a trace of anything and having my boat seized. Understood?”

Goldie smiled and replied, “I don’t do drugs, anyway.”

“Neither do we,” said Jack.

“Good,” replied Goldie. “Leave that stuff for the suckers. I prefer friends who are a little more cerebral.”

“You might want to mention that to Candy,” said Jack.

Goldie chortled and said, “I don’t use her for her brains or friendship. But don’t worry; I’ll make sure she behaves.”

“One other thing,” said Jack. “My crew, Paul and Katie … they’re Irish and I don’t want you to jump to any conclusions. No business talk in front of them. They think I’m totally legit.”

“Understood,” replied Goldie.

As Jack and Laura were walking away from Goldie Locks, Jack looked at Laura and said, “So far so good. It’s supposed to rain all week, so Goldie should be dressed for it. Tomorrow we can tell the narcs to drop their surveillance. He’ll be with us. Also, we’d better do a little window dressing in the apartment. Make it look like we do live there. Same for Paul and Katie’s boat. Put up a couple of pictures of us together.”

“Why the apartment? I thought you were going to do it on the boat?”

“Gives me two chances. I’m not all that good with a needle and thread.”

“Me, either.”

“But you will be better at distracting Goldie in case I take too long.”

“His new girlfriend may not take kindly to me flirting with him.”

“I doubt that how she feels would be a consideration to Goldie.”

“If your plan works, he’ll never have anything to consider again,” said Laura, quietly.

“Fly with the crows, expect to get shot.”

Laura’s sigh was audible.

“You think this is wrong?” asked Jack.

“No, but it isn’t right, either.”

“Envision yourself with a garbage bag over your head, running through the woods and being shot. Picture Goldie with his diamond-studded tooth, laughing and —”

“I know, I know. Don’t remind me.”

“Maybe his lucky rabbit’s foot will save him.”

“This isn’t anything to laugh about,” said Laura, frowning. “This will be his last birthday and we’re acting like we’re his best friends. Instead, we’re assassins. Don’t you feel dirty inside?”

“No, I don’t,” said Jack, firmly. “If you feel that way, then take another look at the photos from the park. It isn’t anything to laugh about, either.”

They walked a little farther and Laura said, “Sorry, I’m okay with it. Just had to talk it out.”

Jack nodded. “Good. We’re partners. We should talk things out. Are you really okay with it?”

“Yes.”

“Great.” They walked on and Jack added, “Wish I could see the look on his face when he sees what we gave him as a surprise birthday present.”

Oh, man …

On Thursday evening, Goldie and Candy arrived on schedule. “Welcome!” said Jack, inviting them inside the penthouse.

“And your birthday kiss as promised,” said Laura, kissing Goldie on his cheek while giving him a quick hug.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Goldie’s face. Is that all I get? A quick peck on the cheek? He glanced at Jack and pretended to smile. Just as well, Jack is bound to have a jackknife lying around somewhere …

“Come on in, make yourselves at home,” said Jack. “I’ll take your jackets and toss them on the bed. Laura, how about showing them around and I’ll be back to see what everyone likes to drink. Then in an hour, we can head down to the marina.”

Later, after a tour of the apartment, Goldie leaned back on the sofa, with one arm draped over Candy, and the other holding his wineglass as he used it to gesture around the room. “How did you ever find this place? A penthouse backing on to Stanley Park. Two bedrooms, a view of the city. All I can say is, wow!”

“Ah, it’s nothing,” replied Jack. “It used to be rented by a couple of Russians who I am told ran into some business difficulties. The timing happened to be right for Laura and me to move in. Actually, I think the Blue Gator is much nicer, but I find this quieter.”

“Your own home is lovely, too,” said Laura. “Right on the water. I think it — Jack! Watch it!”

“Shit,” muttered Jack, looking down at the red wine he had slopped on himself. “Excuse me, I better change.”

Some time later, Jack returned with a fresh shirt on. Laura saw him make eye contact with her as he casually made a fist and scratched his chin with his thumb. Mission accomplished.

The rest of the evening continued to go as planned. Once they arrived at the marina, Jack quickly introduced Candy and Goldie to his crew. While Paul and Katie took charge of slowly navigating the waters of Vancouver Harbour, Jack and Laura entertained their guests with glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and a beautiful view of the city lights reflecting off the water. Later, the four of them enjoyed a dinner that Jack prepared, consisting of Caesar salad, Dungeness crab, garlic toast, and plenty more Sauvignon Blanc.

After dinner, Goldie and Candy snuggled together on a sofa, where Candy started kissing Goldie on his neck.

“A toast,” said Jack, raising his glass. “Here’s to women’s kisses, and to whiskey, amber clear. Not as sweet as a woman’s kiss, but a damn sight more sincere!”

Goldie looked at Candy and laughed. “Aptly put, Jack. Aptly put!” He stood and grabbed a bottle of wine and said, “Mind if I go up top and offer a drink to your crew?”

Jack shook his head and whispered, “I wouldn’t. I told you they are strictly legit, but Paul has got a fearsome reputation. Kind of guy who would start a fight in an empty house.”

“Oh, I see,” replied Goldie, giving a nervous glance up toward the helm before sitting back down.

Jack hid his smile. Paul had a great sense of humour and was one of the nicest, gentlest people he knew. Too nice a person to be putting up with the likes of Goldie.

The rest of their time together was spent in idle gossip, with much oohing and aahing over the night lights of the city reflecting off the water. Goldie was not shy about drinking, but several hours later, as the Blue Gator approached her berth in the marina, he did order a limousine to take him and Candy home.

As Jack helped first Candy, and then Goldie on with their jackets; he knew he would also have to help Goldie get off the boat without falling in.

“Jack, my Irish rogue,” slurred Goldie, reaching for his wineglass one last time. “I think you and me are going to conquer the fuckin’ world. You and me, buddy. You and me.”

“One last toast,” smiled Jack, reaching for his wine glass. “Some Guinness was spilled on the barroom floor, when the pub was shut for the night. When out of his hole crept a wee brown mouse, that stood in the pale moonlight. He lapped up the frothy foam from the floor, then back on his haunches he sat. And all night long, you could hear the mouse roar, ‘Bring on the goddamn cat!’”

Goldie tossed his drink back and laughed. If he hadn’t had so much to drink, he might have wondered why Jack and Laura’s faces momentarily turned to stone as they watched him.

As Jack and Laura stood on the back of the boat, watching Goldie and Candy make their way down the wharf, Jack said, “And there staggers the wee brown mouse. Tomorrow we hunt rat.”

“You think Rose will figure out what we were really doing tonight?” asked Laura. “Especially after tomorrow?”

“She might.”

“What do you think she’ll do?”

Jack shrugged and said, “I guess it depends upon whether she believes in justice.”

Laura returned Goldie’s wave goodbye, as did Jack.

“He certainly enjoyed himself tonight,” noted Laura.

“His next party will be his farewell party.”

“Yeah,” replied Laura. “Either his or yours.”