some business up here to make things easier to connect with us. Probably have a mom and pop and couple of kids operation someplace.”
“That’s a lot of money for a mom and pop operation.”
Lance shrugged and said, “That’s just The Toad’s guess. Maybe it’ll be a few more than that. I don’t know.”
“So the Colombians are coming off the ship and going to the motel?”
“No. I guess some of them are already here. I don’t know how many for sure, but I think only a handful. Probably looking to scout out the business front. A couple will be at the dock and two are supposed to wait and go to the motel when The Toad calls ’em.”
“You haven’t met any of them?”
“Nope. From what The Toad says, they barely speak English. All this was arranged by The Toad previously so we don’t expect any problems.”
“Just two Colombians for all that money?”
Lance chuckled and said, “That’s what I asked. The Toad said that these Colombians treat that like you and I would a hundred bucks. We’re paranoid as shit about it and they just laugh. I think the fucking cartel deals in truckloads of cash. This is just peanuts to them.”
“A lot of peanuts.”
“No shit. But I guess if you try an’ rip ’em for fifty bucks they’ll slash your throat.”
“A matter of honour.”
“Yeah, I guess. I can only wonder at how much their organization is rolling in.”
“How many of your guys will be protecting the money?”
“The Colombians agreed that they won’t be packin’ when they come to the room.”
“You can bet they’ll have weapons close by.”
“Yeah, for sure. But not with them. They go to the room and consent to a search. Then The Toad makes a call and the money is brought in. We’re not worried about a rip. It went smooth with them last time.” Lance paused, then added, “Not counting what happened at the storage locker after.”
“Right,” replied Jack. “We won’t count that. How far away do you think the money will be?”
“Last time we brought it in a van. This time we rented adjoining rooms. Once the Colombians are frisked, The Toad will just rap on the door. Things should go smooth. We’ve already established a trust with each other. Unless, of course, you do something...”
Jack arrived back at his office. Louie arrived for work an hour later and motioned for him to come in.
“Anything going on?” asked Louie.
“No,” said Jack. “I just talked with my friend but he doesn’t know who the Brit is. Doesn’t think Damien knows either.”
Louie nodded and said, “Too bad. Nothing else happening?”
“No. That was it.”
Louie looked at Jack closely, then said, “Maybe just as well. You need a rest. I want you to take some time off. We’ll find out who the Brit is sooner or later.”
“I’d rather it be sooner.”
“All of us would. The thing is, he obviously knows what you look like. It would be better for everyone concerned right now if you weren’t around. Maybe take a week or two off. You should be with Natasha.”
“I’m okay ... and there’s no way this guy is going to start dictating who works in this office and who doesn’t.”
“Have you thought about Natasha? Cooped up at the farm? She must be worried sick about you. I’m not telling you to run away and hide. Just take a holiday. Maybe I-HIT will nail him in the meantime.”
Jack sighed and said, “I’ll think about it over the weekend. Monday is a holiday so I should be rested by then.”
“Why not take tomorrow off too? In fact, you should take off now.”
“It’s only eight-thirty in the morning.”
“Yeah, and you’ve already put in ... what? Four hours? How many more hours in the last couple of weeks? You’re a newlywed for God’s sake. Start acting like one and go see your bride.”
Jack thought for a moment, then said, “Thanks, Louie. I appreciate what you’re saying. I’ve got some paper work to do. I’ll leave at noon.”
“Good.”
“Anything further from Danny?”
Louie frowned and said, “I spoke with him briefly, tried to be supportive. Don’t think he wants to talk to any of us right now. They’re all getting counselling. I think we should just butt out for now.”
Jack called Natasha and told her that he would be out to the farm shortly after lunch. She said she was pleased, but he heard the irritation in her voice. He knew he couldn’t hold her off much longer from getting back to the clinic.
At noon, Jack stopped at a café for lunch before driving out to the farm. The café did have one thing going for it, thought Jack, as he dabbed a greasy french fry into some ketchup. It was clean and the service was friendly. Unfortunately, it was just a little too busy for Holly to be able to take the time to visit with him.
He watched as she greeted the customers and gave them all big smiles. Sometimes her lips trembled slightly, revealing her real thoughts. It had been less than a month since her husband had been gunned down. Pretending to be happy ... trying to get that extra quarter or loonie for a tip. Welcome to hell.
Jack left a twenty on the table and nodded politely to Holly as he left. He was barely out the door when she came running after him.
“You forgot your change,” she said.
“No, that’s for you. It’s your tip.”
Holly shook her head. “You don’t drop a twenty on someone for a seven-dollar burger. I don’t take charity,” she said, thrusting the twenty toward him.
“It’s not charity. It’s just a tip.”
Tears filled to the brim of her eyelids and she said, “You think you can buy off your guilt for twenty bucks? Forget it! What you ate is on me!”
Jack didn’t know what to say. It occurred to him that she might be right.
“Get the two men who killed my husband and shot Charlie,” she said, “then you can leave me a tip.”
Jack nodded, then reached over and slowly took the twenty from her hand. “You’ll be getting this back soon,” he said. “That’s a promise.”
Natasha waited until she climbed into bed beside Jack, and then whispered, “How much longer?”
Jack pulled her close and she lay with her head on his chest.
