Above Ground (29 page)

It was a voice that Connie knew she recognized ... but from where?

“You know a guy called The Toad?” asked Legg.

“Yeah, I've been talking to Jack about him. Fuck! If someone found out, I'm dead!”

“No, it's nothing like that,” said Legg. “We just want to ask you a few —”

“I know you,” interjected Connie.

The hooker glared at her and said, “No ya don't.”

“I recognize your voice. Ophelia, we talked on the phone. It was me you spoke to about Spider.”

Isaac listened as Randy told him about Ophelia saying she was Jack's informant.

“Taggart still in interrogation?” he asked.

Randy nodded and said, “Staff Legg just got back and is with him. I just came out to tell you about this hooker. It's the same hooker who solved that homicide for us. With the war veteran.”

“So Taggart did have an informant,” mused Isaac. “Guess he doesn't lie about everything.”

“I don't think he has her anymore. She was pretty upset that he divulged her identity.”

“So be it,” said Isaac. “I feel bad about that, but this takes priority. Once we get the confirmation report from Mexico, I want you to —”

Isaac was interrupted by his secretary, who brought in the report and said, “You told me to bring this in immediately, sir.”

Isaac quickly read the report, then grimaced and said, “It seems the Mexican police would like to have Taggart return. I'm delivering this message in person. Bring him to me!”

Minutes later, Randy reappeared in Isaac's office. Isaac glanced up as Jack Taggart entered, followed by Legg. Isaac immediately arose and came around from behind his desk and walked directly up to Jack.

Legg saw the angry look on Isaac's face. That's when it occurred to him that Taggart might be armed. He placed his hand on Taggart's forearm while nodding to Randy to do likewise.

“Damn it, Harry! Let go of the man's arm!” ordered Isaac.

Legg quickly pulled his hand back in surprise.

Isaac looked at Jack and said, “I owe you an apology and I believe apologies should be made in person.”

“Sir?” said Jack.

“I'm afraid I made some presumptions that turned out to be false,” said Isaac. “With your association with
Damien, coupled with Bishop's death in Mexico at the same time you were in the country ... well, it aroused my suspicions.”

“Sir, that was just a coincidence. That is what I have been trying to tell —”

Isaac raised his hands, gesturing for Jack to stop. “I know. I just received a report from our LO. The day Bishop died, you were on the opposite side of the country. A place called Merida.”

“Sir!” said Legg. “What proof is there of that? Even if he was booked in a hotel, it doesn't mean that he didn't —”

“Don't interrupt!” said Isaac. He then looked back at Jack and continued, “There's more to it than that. Something that makes me even more ashamed of my actions.”

“Sir?” asked Jack.

“An incident near the hotel you were staying in. It took place the same morning Bishop died...”

“The Angeles de Merida?” asked Jack.

Isaac glanced at the report in his hand and said, “Yes.” He then looked at Randy and Legg and said, “That morning, five thugs jumped a policeman in an alley. They credit Taggart with coming to his rescue and saving his life.”

“Oh, that,” said Jack. “It was really nothing. I barely remember the incident.”

“Well, they do! They have a report on it. They wanted to honour you with an award, but you left before they could get their act together. They said they tried to locate you but weren't able to. Speaking of which, you don't use credit cards much when you travel, do you?”

“I find I can negotiate better rates at some places using cash. Especially in Mexico.”

Isaac nodded. “Well, they would like to see you get recognition for it. Later, at a more appropriate time, I'll be presenting you with a letter of commendation.”

“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate that, but now I am kind of busy. May I get back to work?”

“You certainly may.”

Isaac waited until Taggart left his office before turning his attention to Randy and Legg.

“Do you think he was sincere?” asked Isaac.

“Sir?” responded Legg.

“Taggart ... do you think he was sincere?”

“I certainly think so,” replied Legg. “This is rather embarrassing. I'm afraid I may have been a little overzealous in my questioning.”

“There is an addendum on the report from the LO,” said Isaac. “Take a look.”

Both Randy and Legg leaned over Isaac's desk and read: “The policeman who claims to have been rescued by Jack Taggart arrived at the meeting on a new Yamaha motorcycle. Unusual, considering the low salary of policemen in the area. This may be coincidental, but it should be noted that Satans Wrath has a history of influence with the Mexican authorities. Undoubtedly, this is the very reason that Sidney Bishop fled to this country.”

“If Taggart is innocent,” said Isaac, “I do not wish to be embarrassed any further ... so be careful.”

“Sir?” asked Legg.

“Don't close the file on him yet,” said Isaac.

It was late afternoon when Pussy Paul met with Leitch and passed on the information that he was the subject of a police wiretap. Leitch's concern was immediately evident on his face. Pussy Paul was barely out of sight
when Leitch used his BlackBerry to send Ray a text message to arrange a meeting.

It was the last message Leitch would ever send.

Laura drove into the office parking lot and picked up Jack, who stood waiting for her.

“How did it go?” she asked. “You didn't call me this morning, so I figured...” Her voice trailed off as she waited for a reply.

“You figured right,” replied Jack. “Everything has been cleared up. They discovered I was on the opposite side of Mexico when Bishop died.”

“Really?” said Laura, looking surprised.

“What have you got?” said Jack, changing the subject. “On the phone, you said you had a good lead.”

Laura nodded and passed Jack her notebook as she drove. “It took awhile, but between Customs and company checks, I finally hit pay dirt. Take a look at the last entries. You were right about the van. It is registered to the same company that picks up shipments of coffee from
the dock. I've found seven different addresses associated with them.”

“Perfect!” said Jack, while scanning the addresses that Laura had written in her notebook. “Let's go! Find that van and I bet we find Vicki and Katie!”

Leitch sat on the park bench and warily watched the faces of various people as they passed him. He didn't think any looked like police officers. He was right.

Leitch stood when Ray arrived, and the men walked while Leitch divulged what he knew about the police wiretap.

“Does it really matter, ol' chap?” asked Ray. “We have never spoken of any illegalities on the phone. Why are you so worried?”

“I didn't think you wanted anyone to know that you were here. Obviously the police are aware of your presence!”

Ray smiled, then patted Leitch on his back and said, “You gringos ... you really do worry too much. They were bound to find out sooner or later. We will buy them. Do not worry.”

“It is not as easy in this country,” said Leitch. “Some can be bought, but it is much more difficult. Bribery ... killing those in the judiciary ... it is not the same as in your country.”

“Still, they must be reasonable,” said Ray. “My brother has an expression. Silver or lead. Reasonable men will take the silver. If not, they will die. Either way, it is not a problem.”

Leitch felt less anxious as he walked with Ray back to the parking lot — until he discovered he had been duped.

Jack peered through the window of the premises. It was a small unit in the middle of a commercial mall where the businesses appeared to be wholesale outlets. The door was locked and there was nobody around. It was a few minutes past six o'clock and the other businesses were also closed for the day.

“This place is like the last,” said Laura. “What's inside? Half a dozen chairs and a coffee machine? From the outside, you wouldn't even know this was a coffee shop.”

“It's not,” said Jack. “It's a laundromat. Got any dirty fifties on you?”

“Not on my salary. No back rooms?”

“They wouldn't be here,” replied Jack.

“Four down, two to go,” said Laura. “Want to grab a burger first?”

Jack shook his head.

Damien lay down on the back seat while Lance and Whiskey Jake sat up front and drove through Damien's gate. Several minutes passed before Lance indicated that they were not being followed. Neither Lance nor Whiskey Jake had been informed about what they were doing. Damien's instructions were brief and Lance drove as directed.

Rush hour traffic was over by the time they arrived at Wet Willy's. The automatic car wash was closed and looked to be deserted, but Lance knew otherwise. He spotted a striker sitting low in the seat of a parked car at the front of the business. Two more of Rellik's men sat in a truck at the back. Security remained where they were while the three bosses were ushered in a rear door.

The lights were on inside, but tarps hung from both doors, giving the appearance that the business was in darkness.

Rellik nodded to them as they entered and gestured to the two men who were tied spread-eagled and face-down between the inside rails of the car wash. Both men were naked except for the band of duct tape wrapped around their mouths.

“This how you wanted 'em?” asked Rellik.

Damien nodded.

Both men turned their heads and stared up at them. Lance recognized Leitch. His face was thin and pointed, making his wide eyes look almost comical. His hands were tied close to the soles of the feet of the man in front of him. Lance didn't recognize this man, whose dark eyes stared up at him.

“Leitch dancing with the Indos?” asked Whiskey Jake.

Damien shook his head, then looked at Rellik and said, “Show them.”

“Found this in his Mercedes,” said Rellik, while handing Lance and Whiskey Jake a Colombian passport. The meaning became startlingly clear.

“This ... Ramon. He's Carlos's brother!” said Lance.

Damien nodded. “They call him Ray.”

“Dealing with The Toad,” said Whiskey Jake.

“Probably,” said Damien. “We do know he was dealing with Leisure Suit Larry here!”

Leitch mumbled something inaudible while pleading with his eyes.

Damien turned his attention back to Rellik and said, “I don't know what the fuck is going on, but right now all I want is my wife and daughter back. They do any talking?”

Rellik prodded Leitch in the ass with the toe of his boot and said, “Larry says that Ray is just a client. Says he didn't know that he had anything to do with us.”

“Liar!” screamed Damien, stepping between the rails and kicking Leitch hard in the groin.

Leitch's body arched and bucked against his restraints. Despite his gag, his scream and whimpering echoed through the room.

Damien savagely kicked Leitch again and saw Ray looking back over his shoulder. Leitch's body became a quivering mass after the third kick.

Damien continued to stare into Ray's eyes, then walked up and ripped the tape from his mouth.

“Where are they?” Damien asked. “My wife and daughter — what have you done with them?”

Most men would have told, but Ray was no stranger to torture ... only he had always been the one to inflict the pain. He knew his life would be worthless once he talked.

“I — I don't know,” he said. “I had nothing to do with it.”

Damien looked at Rellik and said, “Get on with it!”

Rellik grinned down at the two victims and said, “Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the talking stick!”

Ray gasped when he saw Rellik pick up a length of broken broom handle with a spiral of barbed wire wrapped around the end. He held the stick close to Ray's face and slowly examined it.

“Please ... no ... sir,” pleaded Ray. The reason for his nakedness and face-down position had become evident to him.

Rellik stepped between Ray's legs and slowly twisted the end of the stick between his buttocks. The barbs drew thin red lines of blood.

“Please, no!” screamed Ray. “You must believe me! My brother is the boss. He controls everything. Everything! It was his men ... I don't know where they took your family. Please, call him. He will pay big money for me. Big money...”

Damien held up his hand, gesturing for Rellik to stop, then held out the cellphone that Carlos had supplied him earlier. “His number,” said Damien. “Give me his number and I will hold the phone so you can talk to him!”

Jack scanned the warehouses in the industrial area that Laura was driving through. It would be dusk in another hour, but there were still a few trucks moving about.