“That enough people in Vancouver share names with people you work with that it would be ludicrous to try and protect them all. You’re not to blame for what happened to my family. Do you know that there are at least a half-dozen J. Taggarts listed in the phone book in the lower mainland? Except for you, mine might have been the only Jack.”
“I’m not listed in the phone book.”
Holly paused and then said, “That figures. But you see what I mean. Taggart isn’t even that common of a name.”
“Maybe that was the problem.”
“Maybe.” Holly reached across the table and patted Jack’s hand. “I admit that a few days ago I felt like smashing you in the face. Especially when I found out about Charlie. I know it was really mean of me to call you to the hospital that day.”
“It’s okay. I wanted to know.”
“But the way I told you ... that must have been awful.”
“Don’t worry about me. I understand your anger.”
“It wasn’t just you. I have moments where I feel angry at the whole world. That day you just happened to be a convenient target to lash out at. In my heart I know it’s not your fault.”
Funny, in my heart I think it is my fault...
“What I guess I’m trying to say is that I’m not blaming you. I just want you to catch them.”
Jack felt like some of his sorrow had been lifted, but it didn’t ease his stress — nor his own anger. He put his other hand on top of hers and said, “Thank you. I promise ... I will get them.”
Jack left the apartment after promising Holly he would keep her informed as best he could. She assured him that she would call if she needed help and thanked him for delivering the envelope from her previous landlord.
“Something to do with it being covered by insurance,” said Jack.
“Hey, Connie, that name you asked me to check — Spider — got something on him.”
Connie took the report and saw that it was an Intelligence report submitted last year by Jack Taggart. It described an individual he identified only as Spider who was a low-level speed dealer in the Black Water Hotel. Jesus Christ! Did Taggart know the war vet?
Jack had just arrived back at his office when Connie entered.
“You hear the news about the war vet murdered on Friday?” asked Connie.
“Heard about it on the news.”
“Albert Dawson. His wife’s name is Essie. Do you know them?”
“No. Why?”
“I’ll tell you why. We’re approaching close to a hundred murders a year in the lower mainland. Do you know how many murders last year took place at the front door when the victim had just arrived home?”
“No.”
“None. Last week, in a period of five days, we’ve had two.”
“What’s it got to do with me?”
“You’re connected to both murders!”
Jack felt stunned. “I’ve never met this Dawson fellow! I’m sure of it. If he was murdered because someone thought he was my friend, then they’re completely wrong!”
Connie gave Jack a copy of the report he submitted last year about Spider.
“Sure, I know him,” admitted Jack. “We met last year when I worked undercover in the Black Water. Doing an Intelligence probe. Bought an ounce of speed off him. Never did find out who he really was. I was after someone else. Spider was just a stepping stone.”
Connie told him about her phone call from some raspy sounding hooker who swore Spider killed the vet.
“Spider doesn’t even know I’m a cop. I’m sure he didn’t do both murders,” said Jack. “Besides, he should remember what I look like.”
“Holly’s husband didn’t look that much different than you. He was holding his baby in front of him. The killers were wearing visors. They might not have been able to see all that clearly.”
“Spider is no professional. He could donate his brains to the field of scatology.”
“So he could be dumb enough to kill the wrong guy? Like Holly’s husband?”
“Dumb, yes. But not sophisticated enough to pack a piece with a silencer. Didn’t I hear on the news that the vet was stabbed?”
“He was. Small amount of money and a piece of jewellery taken.”
“That’s something Spider would do, but Holly’s husband was a professional hit. Robbery wasn’t the motive there. This bit about being killed at the front door is a coincidence.”
“And you said that it was a coincidence that your name matched Holly’s husband’s.”
Jack sighed but didn’t respond. “When you were working in the Black Water, wasn’t that to work your way up to someone connected with Satans Wrath?”
“Yes. It worked, but that was several steps above Spider.”
“Maybe some of those steps have since disappeared. Spider could be more connected than you realize.”
Jack shook his head and said, “I don’t think so, but I’ll go down to the Black Water right now and find out.”
“This is what you meant when you told Isaac you would keep a low profile?”
“I said it would be prudent to keep a low profile. I didn’t say that I was prudent!”
Connie smiled, then said, “Guess it’s your neck. I’d appreciate you coming with me to identify him.”
“You’d be made in there. Let me go in alone. Pair up with Danny and wait in a parkade across the street. If Spider’s not there, I could wait or ask around without drawing heat.”
“That is one sleazy hotel, but if you’re okay with that, then so am I. When you find him, let us know and we’ll come in and grab him.”
“Do you have any evidence on this case?”
“Not really. He did take some cash and a gold pendant in the shape of a heart. It was engraved on the back from when Albert and Essie got married. He ripped it off her neck. Being blind probably saved her life.”
“If Spider did it, I doubt that he’ll be carrying it around with him. With all the heat he might even be afraid to pawn it right now.”
“If he is as dumb as you say, maybe I can get him to confess.”
“Right. You know how that goes these days. He’ll be sitting on the lap of some legal aid
