the farmhouse.”
Laura’s voice became edgy. “How? What’s going on?”
“I-HIT called me at suppertime, telling me that Damien’s phone had been turned back on. They got an address to where it was.”
“Where? Did you go out? You should’ve called me.”
“No, I stayed home. It was my address. Someone dropped the phone in my mailbox.”
“Jack!” Laura was obviously shocked.
“There were photos on it. You can see for yourself.” He dug the phone out of his pocket and passed it to her.
Laura flipped through the photos. “Oh, man. Jack … your kids … you and Natasha.”
“Like I said, Pure E has a real sense of humour. Natasha isn’t amused, though.”
“She must be terrified,” Laura replied.
“Not terrified — angry. Told me she was fed up with the bullshit.” Jack paused, then added, “I said I’d deal with it.”
Laura was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, her voice sounded grave. “How, exactly, do you plan to on doing that?”
“Don’t worry. I can’t step outside the law and make it personal. There’d be retaliation. That being said, we need to send a message. What I want to do is submit a plan to have Drug Section, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, Integrated Proceeds of Crime, and any other relevant section to focus their attention on Satans Wrath. Traffic Enforcement, as well. I don’t want these guys to be able to move without being hassled. Show the assholes what their new leader has brought down on them. Given what happened, I’m sure the brass will approve it.”
Laura looked at the pictures again.
“They weren’t emailed to anyone,” Jack noted. “Bet they used their own phones and sent copies to Pure E, though.”
Laura scowled. “We can’t let him get away with this.”
“I won’t.”
“We won’t,” Laura said forcefully. “I told you, I’m with you on this. Forget the three months. If it takes longer, so be it.”
Jack felt the lump in his throat. “We’ll see. If you change your mind and want to go, I’ll be okay. To be honest, I don’t know how you held on this long.”
Laura chuckled. “Maybe because I’m as pigheaded as you are.”
“I’ve no idea how long it’ll take.”
Laura cast him a sideways glance. “With the home visit you got yesterday, I don’t see you letting Pure E get away with it for long.”
As soon as Jack and Laura arrived at work, they met with Rose in her office and Jack told her about finding Damien’s cellphone in his mailbox.
Rose’s jaw slackened, then concern crossed her face.
She’s worried for my safety. “Don’t worry. As my ten-year-old-son figured out, Pure E was just trying to scare us.”
“Scare you!” Rose exclaimed. Her face hardened. “Pure E doesn’t know you, but I do. What are you intending to —”
Christ! She’s concerned for his safety! The rage Jack felt was instant. “What the hell?”
Rose stared at him.
“You’re worried about his safety?” he said.
“And —”
“My family is the victim here! Yes, I’m pissed off, but I don’t plan on running off half-cocked.”
“I am worried about you and your family. That worry includes how you’ll respond.”
Jack forced himself to calm down. “If anything,” he said, “my anger makes me more focused on the best way to handle it.”
“Which is?”
“We’re meeting Isaac and Mortimer this morning. I want your support, Rose, to submit an operational plan to make Satans Wrath a priority in this province. Drug Section, CFSEU, Integrated Proceeds of Crime … everyone needs to get involved. Right down to the members handing out traffic tickets. We have to send the bikers our own message.”
“Of course you’ll have my support for that,” Rose said. “There are what, about 115 Satans Wrath members in the province?”
Laura spoke up. “I think 127, if you include prospects.”
“Okay … and as a rule of thumb, for every member, there are about ten hardcore criminals affiliated with them,” Rose noted. “So altogether you’re talking about 1,270 professional criminals.”
“Yes. I realize we are badly outnumbered, but —”
“‘Outnumbered’ is an understatement,” Rose said. “Then there’s the puppet clubs who work for them, such as the Gypsy Devils. Also we’re only talking about the army they have in this province. These guys cross borders and intermingle on a daily basis.”
“I know, but we can’t give up. Something needs to be done.”
“I totally agree, but if extra manpower is allotted, they’ll be looking to you to provide them with specific targets. Have you given any thought to that?”
“Only briefly,” Jack admitted. “I’ve got one source who might come around.”
“Weenie Wagger.”
“Yes.”
“Who you told me is stressed out, drinking, and using drugs.”
“I’ve tried the drinking,” Laura said dryly. “Doesn’t work.” She must have seen the sour look on Jack’s face, because she elbowed him in the ribs. “Hey, only teasing. I’d never turn down one of your famous olive soups.”
Jack eyed Laura briefly. Her humour seemed forced. She’s trying to show me that she’s not stressed out and that it’s game on as usual. He gave her a smile, then turned back to Rose. “He’s more than paid his debt, but I might be able to turn him around.”
“Money?”
“No, I think he’ll be looking for a friend. Offering money would negate that. The problem is, even if he does co-operate, he’s only a peon. He’s not even allowed to speak to Pure E or chapter presidents unless they expressly okay it.”
“Are there any other avenues of investigation available?”
“Possibly. I’m expecting to receive some intel from down south that might help.”
“You’re talking about the connection Satans Wrath has with the West 12th Street Gang in Texas and the money-laundering scheme Damien had going in Mexico?”
“Yes.”
