Samurai Code (16 page)

Purvis looked nervously around and said, “Give me a minute to look after some other customers. I want to talk to you about it. Would you like a drink on the house?”

“Thanks,” replied Sammy, trying to keep his suspicion from showing. “Canadian Club on ice with Coke on the side.”

“Sure thing. CC on the rocks with a side of Coke.”

Sammy watched carefully as Purvis prepared the drink and passed it to him. He was not taking any chances on being drugged.

Purvis smiled. “I’ll be back as soon as I’ve taken care of the other customers.

Sammy watched as Purvis puttered around at the far end of the bar.

“Come on, Purv’, you’re slower than hell tonight,” complained one of the waitresses.

Sammy’s attention was concentrated on Purvis and he did not see the arrival of two newcomers into the club. He was taking a sip when he felt the muzzle of a pistol on his back.

20

It was quarter to three in the morning. Jack and Laura sat with Goldie as one of the bouncers let the last of the other customers out the door before relocking it. Jack saw Patty cashing out at the register while Purvis put away some clean glasses behind the bar.

“I’ll be right back,” said Goldie. “There is something I would like to talk to you about before you go.”

Jack saw Laura’s raised eyebrows as she gave him an optimistic grin.

He shrugged in response and said, “I’m going to drop a twenty for Purvis before he goes.”

As Jack approached the bar, he heard Goldie say to Patty, “I’m having a party at my house next Saturday night. How would you like to be my date?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mister Goldie, but I have a boyfriend,” she replied. “Thank you, anyway.”

“Not a problem,” replied Goldie.

Jack walked to the end of the bar where Purvis was working and reached over to place twenty dollars in a tip glass.

“No, Jack,” said Purvis smiling. “Please, I appreciate it, but I feel I owe you tonight.”

“Ah, it’s nothing,” replied Jack.

“Your bill is on the house tonight,” said Goldie, as he walked over.

“Hardly necessary,” replied Jack.

“Look at it as part of my apology for having nosy friends.”

Jack smiled and said, “Apology accepted.”

“Now,” said Goldie, “may I have Purvis mix us one more round?”

“You’re asking an Irishman if he wants a free drink?” chuckled Jack.

“I’ll have Patty bring them over. I’ll join you in a sec.”

As Jack turned to leave, he heard Goldie say to Purvis, “Find a reason to fire Patty. I want her gone within the week.”

Minutes later, both Jack and Laura masked their feelings with a smile as Goldie sat across from them and said, “Wow! That was quite a night.”

“Hope the action didn’t scare off any customers,” said Jack.

“Are you kidding?” replied Goldie. “Everyone thought it was hilarious! I bet it will bring us more business.”

“That undercover officer must have had the shock of his life,” said Laura.

Goldie laughed and said, “I came out just as it happened. Too bad you couldn’t see his face! I almost pissed my pants trying not to laugh. Same for Purv’. Damned hard to keep a straight face.”

“I don’t think he saw it coming,” said Jack.

“Those uniformed cops weren’t taking any chances,” said Goldie. “When they found his gun they had him handcuffed behind his back so fast and face-first down on the bar — I thought he would break his nose.”

“Made Purvis look good, calling it in,” said Jack.

“It was perfect. Makes the club look good, too. Excuse me, nine-one-one,” said Goldie, sounding officious while holding his hand up by his ear to simulate a telephone. “I have a drug trafficker in my club saying he and his partner sold a kilo of heroin a few minutes ago. He said the police showed up and arrested his partner, but he escaped. Perhaps you would like to pick him up?” Goldie then broke down laughing. “Oh, Jack. You’re the best. The absolute best!” said Goldie, raising a glass of Tyrconnell on ice in a toast to Jack.

“It must have been embarrassing for the undercover officer to apologize to Purvis,” said Laura.

“Oh, that was fantastic,” said Goldie. “Telling him he was guessing that Purvis was somehow connected and was only doing his job to find out. His face was the colour of the cherries that Purvis keeps behind the bar. He couldn’t apologize enough for all the trouble he caused.”

“Enough of that,” said Jack, not wanting to be reminded any further of the favour he owed Sammy. “You mentioned that there was something you wished to talk to us about?”

“Yes,” replied Sammy. “I’m throwing myself a birthday party next Saturday at my house. I was hoping you both could come?”

“We’d be delighted to,” said Jack.

“We should exchange phone numbers,” suggested Goldie.

“Good idea,” replied Jack.

“Your birthday is next Saturday?” asked Laura.

“Well, actually on the following Thursday, but I thought Saturday would be better for the party. And please, no gifts.”

Jack smiled.
Maybe play a party game. You can dress as a piñata and I’ll bring Patty along to beat you with a stick.

“I’ve traded in my Aston Martin for a new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti,” bragged Goldie. “It should arrive this week. That will be plenty gift enough.”

“Turning forty?” asked Laura, with a smile.

Goldie smiled back. “Actually, I’ll be forty-four. And I know what you’re both thinking. I am not having a mid-life crisis. At least, I don’t think I am.”

Laura smiled.
Actually I was thinking you are likely compensating for having a small penis.

Jack didn’t smile as he thought,
Buddy, believe me, you are far past “mid” life.

“I’m heading home,” said Purvis as he approached the table. “Wish to thank you again Jack, for a fun night.”

“No problem.”

“Purvis,” said Goldie seriously, “You will be a very good boy for the next few months, correct?”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry,” said Purvis, before leaving.

Jack raised his glass to Goldie and said, “
Sláinte
!”

“
Sláinte
?” asked Goldie.

“Irish for ‘cheers,’” replied Laura.

“God, you’re a fun group, you Irish,” said Goldie.

“You’ve got no idea,” replied Jack.

***

Another mid-week meeting with Jack, Laura, Sammy, and CC went about as well as Jack expected.

“I ran everything past the prosecutor,” said CC. “She reviewed all your notes. There is nothing to confirm that Goldie is personally involved with anything criminal.” She looked at Jack and added, “And I didn’t raise the small footprint issue. She did, but said regardless, even if it had been an adult-sized print, there are no grounds to substantiate a wiretap application.”

“Too bad,” said Jack. “He trusts me enough to think his office is free from bugs. It could be good. He told me he uses chat rooms to communicate. I’d love to have spyware on his laptop. You can bet that is how he keeps in touch with The Enabler.”

“Sorry,” said CC, “unless you come up with something more, warrants and bugs are out.”

“Same for drugs,” said Sammy. “We never got anything on Jojo’s phone to indicate Goldie was involved. In fact, we never even had him call Purvis. Although, from what you said, it sounds like he’ll be clean for awhile to ensure there’s no heat.”

“Maybe The Enabler will be invited to his birthday party,” said CC.

“I doubt it,” said Laura. “If he and Wang are afraid to even mention his real name when they talk, I doubt they would invite him to a party.”

“I agree,” said Jack, “but CC, if you’re available it might be nice to scoop some plates and see who does show up.”

“I’ll make myself available,” she replied. “So where does that leave you two?”

“Guess it leaves us time to party,” said Jack.

***

Goldie’s waterfront home on Lower Bellevue Avenue in West Vancouver afforded a view of Burrard Inlet from the rear. A towering hedge along the front of the property ensured privacy to anyone passing. An interlocking brick driveway wound its way up to the two-storey Tudor-style home.

It was ten o’clock at night when Jack and Laura were let in by one of the caterers, and the house was crowded. They were late, but Jack wanted to ensure that none of the two dozen licence plate numbers obtained by CC belonged to anyone he or Laura knew from their past. None did, although many of the owners were known in police intelligence reports as either suspected drug importers or financial backers for those who did.

“Hey! My Irish rogue!” shouted Goldie gleefully as he pushed his way through the crowd, slopping champagne onto his pants leg as he walked over.

“Looks like he started the party at noon,” whispered Laura.

Goldie embraced Jack like he was a missing relative and then leered at Laura and said, “A birthday kiss for an old gentleman, my lady?”

“Certainly,” replied Laura, sidestepping away as Goldie lurched forward. “But that will be next Thursday, so you will have to wait.”

“Ooow, wicked you are to make me wait,” said Goldie, “but I’ll hold you to it. Come on in and make yourself at home. I’ve hired a bartender who you’ll find set up in the dining room, and there’s plenty of food.”

The next two hours went by without incident and Jack and Laura mingled with the crowd, making small talk, while Goldie spent the time draped over a young woman.

“Notice our Chinese friend from the restaurant isn’t here,” observed Jack, quietly.

“Yes, I noticed dear Mister Wang is conspicuous by his absence.”

“I suspect their affiliation is strictly business. Between them and The Enabler,” replied Jack.

“Making The Enabler a rather interesting character if he controls two completely different drug syndicates.”

“Exactly.” Jack nodded toward the young woman who was receiving Goldie’s attention. “Any idea who she is?”

“Told me her name is Candy,” replied Laura. “Coke slut, I think. She offered me some earlier on the way to the washroom. Her sister is with one of the other guests.”

Jack saw Candy giggle as Goldie peeked in the top of her blouse before pretending to slap his hand away.

“Nice,” commented Laura. “I was with her for about a minute and she mentioned twice about how rich Goldie must be. Coke slut or hooker. Take your pick.”

“Is there a difference?” asked Jack. “Either one will do anything for —”

“To Arthur!” yelled one of the guests. “Hope you have the best birthday ever!”

Goldie seemed to appreciate the applause and his head wobbled around looking at the crowd until he spotted Jack. “Hey, Jack, my buddy! You got one of them Irish toasts you could give me?”

The crowd fell silent as everyone turned to look at Jack. He nodded, raising his glass and said, “We drink to your coffin.”

Laura heard the gasp from several people.
Oh, man …

After a pause, Jack continued, “May it be built from the wood of a hundred-year-old oak tree …” He looked around the room and added, “that I shall plant tomorrow.”

Goldie howled with laughter and made his way toward Jack.

Jack looked at Laura and whispered, “You have any idea how much I hated adding that last part?”

“Jack, Laura,” said Goldie. “Come with me. You gotta see this!”

Jack and Laura followed Goldie as he led them down a hall and through a door leading into his three-car attached garage.

One spot was empty, one was taken up by a speedboat, and in the third spot was a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti that reflected the overhead light like a shiny black emerald.

“What do ya think?” asked Goldie, beaming while groping inside his pants pockets with both hands at the same time. “Wanna, want … want me to take you both for a spin?” he said, pulling out a keychain and dangling it in the air.

“Not tonight,” replied Jack. “You’ve had too much to drink. This car is too beautiful to risk damaging.”

“Ah, my lucky rabbit’s foot will protect us,” said Goldie, indicating the white stump of animal hair dangling from his keychain.

It reminded Jack of a three-legged cat in an alley and he unconsciously clenched his fist. He glanced at Laura and saw a quick flash of disgust cross her face before she regained her composure. He knew she felt more compassionate about animals being killed than people. Or at least, some people.
Now I’m starting to feel the same way …

“So what say? The cat got your tongue?” asked Goldie.

“No, not tonight,” Jack said. “It really is awesome. I’ve never seen a car like it.” Jack then approached the car and slowly walked around it, looking inside as he went.

“Take a look inside,” said Goldie opening the car door. “Go ahead, sit behind the wheel.”

Laura felt it might be an opportune time to let Jack talk in private with Goldie so she said, “It’s beautiful, but I’m not really into the car thing. I’ll see you when you come back inside.”

“Laura, wait!” ordered Jack. He glanced at Goldie and said, “Would you show her the car? She won’t appreciate it until she sees all the detail. I have to go to the bathroom, but I’ll be right back.”

“Sure thing,” replied Goldie, getting in to the driver’s seat. “Laura, hop in beside me,” he yelled.

Jack pretended to kiss Laura on the side of her neck as he was leaving. “Keep him busy,” he whispered. “Don’t let him out of the garage until I get back.”

“Not a problem. Did you see his keychain? I’m going to slap a sleeper hold on him, start his car and euthanize him. Why, what’s up?”

***

CC answered her phone and recognized Jack’s voice.

“I was just in Goldie’s garage. There’s a workbench there with a box of garbage bags on it. The clear plastic type. Same as what was over Melvin’s head.”

“It could be a coincidence,” replied CC.