supposed to start working with Jack until Tuesday.”
“He needed a hand.”
“Something couldn’t wait?”
“A lot of action right now. Some bikers just got wasted in a motel.”
“Some?”
“Two guys. Both with Satans Wrath. Drug deal went sideways. Jack has a good source. He introduced me. Pretty heavy stuff.” Laura turned away and headed for the bedroom. “I’m going to shower and go to bed.”
“You’re not on Homicide. How come you were called?”
“We found out about that later. It was Jack’s source we were meeting. We knew a major deal was going down. Just didn’t know where until we heard Homicide radio it in.”
When Laura finished her shower, she was about to get into bed when she saw a penny on her pillow. She paused, then slipped on her housecoat and walked into the kitchen where Elvis sat in a chair staring at her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she replied.
“You’re avoiding looking at me. Can you talk about it?” he said, then saw the tears in her eyes. He rose quickly and wrapped his arms around her. “What is it? What the hell happened?”
Laura wiped her eyes with her fingertips and then said, “Everything is okay.”
“Bullshit,” said Elvis quietly. “I’m your husband. Talk to me.”
Laura sighed, then said, “Jack has a picture ... he just got me to do something.”
“To do what? What is it?”
“To meet someone.”
“This informant?”
“Not about that. The mother. This baby’s mother! The ... oh, the picture was of a little guy taking his first steps. His name is Charlie. He was shot last month when his dad was killed.”
“The one in the news?”
Laura nodded. “Now Charlie is paraplegic. His mom is a waitress. Her name is Holly. Now she’s trying to raise a four-year-old and Charlie by herself.”
“Why the hell did Jack introduce you to her?”
“He’s become friends with her. She’s really a nice lady. I’m glad I got to meet her.”
“So she showed you the picture?”
“Actually Jack did, the first time. She gave it to him a while ago. He keeps it tucked in his sun visor.”
“The first time?”
“When we were working. I looked at it again just as Jack dropped me off. My choice.” Then she started to cry and added, “What kind of human being could do something like that!”
Elvis pulled her close so that Laura’s head was on his chest. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I just don’t know.”
They stood for a moment, hugging each other, then Laura said, “We’re going to get the fucking asshole! That’s for sure!”
Her words shocked Elvis and he stepped back. It had been about four years since he last heard her swear. Then she had said shit.
“One shift with Jack and you’re learning a new vocabulary?” he asked.
Laura blushed and said, “Sorry. I didn’t hear that from Jack. His methods of investigation are ... rather unorthodox, but he acts like a gentleman.” She smiled and added, “I came up with them sweet little cuss words all on my own.”
“Think maybe I should wash your mouth out with soap,” Elvis chided.
“Not now, I’m too tired,” she said, kissing him quickly before heading back to the bedroom.
“Hon!” yelled Elvis. “What did you mean when you said that Jack’s methods were unorthodox?”
“Don’t worry about it,” she replied. “He just thinks outside the box. I’m looking forward to working with him. I suspect we’ll become — actually, we already are — good friends.”
Jack flopped on his bed and called Natasha, who was still out on the farm.
“Sorry, sweetie,” he said. “It was a long night. I don’t have the energy to drive all the way out there. I need sleep.”
“Hey, turkey! How did it go?” she asked. “Have you identified this British person yet?”
“No,” Jack admitted. “But we’re a lot closer.”
“We?”
“I called Laura. She came out to help.”
“Good! So you’re not on your own, then?”
“No. She’s my new partner.”
“Think she will ever be as good as Danny?”
“I trust her. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty.”
Lance saw the pain in Damien’s eyes. It had been less than fifteen minutes since Damien found the package, but the driveway was already filling up with vehicles. A state of war had been declared, and every available soldier and resource was being alerted. Damien’s house would be packed with loyal followers within the hour.
Buck and Sarah were inside battling each other over a computer game. The children ignored the two strikers who stood warily at the doorway. They had been taught since birth not to ask questions about Dad’s work, especially inside the house.
Damien and his upper echelon met in hushed tones outside by his pool. The word had gone out to every source who might know something.
Pussy Paul was the first to break the news when he hung up his cell and said, “Our rat-narc came through. Both strikers dead. Nobody knows where The Toad is and the pigs are looking for him. They think he skipped out with the money.”
“How did the feds know about the money?” Damien snarled.
“That fuckin’ Jack Taggart is involved. He was working on The Toad. Has some whore as a rat. Had info about him doin’ the deal. Also says The Toad has something to do with some dark guy with a British accent. They figure if they find that guy, they might find The Toad.”
“Who the fuck is that?”
“Don’t know. Taggart, or I guess it was the whore, said that The Toad met with this dark guy about three weeks ago. Said The Toad was with him in a park and that they met Leitch.”
“Leitch? That doesn’t make sense! He doesn’t know The Toad ... at least as far as I know.”
“Isn’t that around when you got the info
