Above Ground. Don Easton

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СКАЧАТЬ try to keep that down to individual cells as much as possible. That way if a couple are busted they won’t be able to link it to the rest of the club. There is some overlapping. Big projects like the ships coming in ... well, that’s treated a little different.”

      “How so?” asked Jack.

      “All the chapters in Canada are invested in those, but smaller amounts are divided into smaller groups. Naturally, we are all brothers and stand behind each other. If someone is having a problem with distribution or competition, the club name in itself is usually enough to see that we get our way. If our name is not enough, then anyone who is needed will step in to do whatever needs to be done.”

      “Like Rellik,” said Jack.

      “Exactly. So what do ya think? Enough to keep ya busy for a while?”

      “Not enough to keep us busy. Just food for thought,” replied Jack.

      “This won’t keep you busy?”

      “We’ll try to identify them, but I don’t see a lot that we can do without risking you getting burned.”

      Lance nodded and said, “Appreciate that. I would-n’t have known this stuff if I hadn’t just made president. You start a witch hunt and Damien would put it together in two seconds.”

      “You think you’ll be going to war with the Indos soon?” asked Jack.

      “Damien says it’s inevitable, but with two more ships arriving in the next couple of weeks, he doesn’t want the war to start any time soon.”

      Danny gestured to the last four entries in his notebook and asked, “Does Pussy Paul handle these sources direct?”

      Lance glanced at the notes and said, “Naw, he would stay insulated. Most of the communication would go through someone else. Usually someone of the opposite sex, but these days, who knows.”

      After some further discussion about union affiliation for targeted interests and overseas expansion, Lance opened the door to get out but stopped and said, “Oh yeah, almost forgot to tell ya. There’s something else.” He waited until Danny retrieved his notebook again.

      11) Damien to handle public relations in the event of any bad press on the club. Might also arrange some charity drive as a result of the bad press from the labs being taken down.

      Jack and Danny arrived back at the office and Jack said, “Take out your notebook, I want you to make another entry.”

      “Sure,” said Danny, pulling out his notebook. “Okay, what?”

       “Source advises he might be able to set up Lance and Damien but is concerned about being identified.”

      Danny grinned when he understood Jack’s comment. If his notebook ever fell into the wrong hands or was ordered revealed by some judge, then the bad guys would think Whiskey Jake was the informant.

      Moments later, Jack and Danny told Louie what they had learned.

      “I think the report on the Indos came from Dick Molen,” said Jack. “The Mole ... Molen. Think about it. The report is fresh, and two days ago Molen asked me how I knew about the speed labs.”

      “What did you say?” asked Danny.

      “I told him it was through surveillance. He volunteered to assist. I thought it strange then because I hardly know the guy, but I passed it off as someone else wanting to help.”

      “What can we do about him?” asked Danny. “If we do anything, we risk burning our friend.”

      “First let’s confirm it’s Molen,” said Louie. “If it is, he will slowly have to be neutralized. All reports to him will have to be sanitized. I’ll speak to Isaac. If it’s him, then down the road we could have him transferred someplace — like Highway Patrol on Baffin Island.”

      “This will have to be handled with extreme care,” said Jack. “Our friend’s life depends upon it.”

      “I fully understand. We could start by submitting a false report and see where it ends up. Something juicy to demand immediate action.”

      “I like that idea,” said Jack. “Maybe indicate the Indos are about to do a hit next week. Speculate that it might be on the bikers. A day or so later, follow it up with another report to indicate that the hit is on some low-level trafficker behind on his debts.”

      “Good,” said Louie. “I don’t want to scare anyone into starting a war.”

      “That would get messy,” said Jack. “Satans Wrath has generally learned to be precise, but the Indos have a flair for drive-by shootings. Innocent people could get killed.”

      Louie reached for his phone and said, “I’ll try and meet with Isaac now. Tomorrow is Friday. If Isaac agrees, we could provide Molen with the fake report first thing Monday morning.”

      “Good enough,” said Jack, “except I have a funeral to go to tomorrow.”

      Louie understood. “No worries. I’ll look after it.”

      “There’s always worries,” replied Jack. “Our friend is in a hell of a position.”

      “Yeah, a great position for us,” said Danny.

      “See if you feel that way when he starts fulfilling the responsibilities associated with his position,” replied Jack.

      Louie gestured for them to be quiet as he spoke with Isaac. He hung up and said, “All of us have an immediate audience. Wants to hear a shortened version now, with a written report to follow.”

      Jack sat forward in the stuffed leather chair and quickly provided Isaac with the organizational structure and history of Satans Wrath.

      Isaac listened carefully to Jack’s words. “They have their own hit squad, surveillance teams, and intelligence unit ... which is highly funded,” Jack added.

      A flicker of Isaac’s eyes told Jack that his point had been heard. He then continued, “For their intelligence unit, corruption and knowledge of the enemy is the name of the game. They are actively targeting transportation systems. Currently, they have some influence over the unions, particularly at the docks, and are working on the airports, railways, and trucking firms. They’re also expanding elsewhere.”

      “Such as?” asked Isaac.

      “Anything to do with import and export. Downtown Vancouver is the western terminus for CN and CP Rail. We have Canada’s largest deep-sea ports and are the gateway to the Orient. Deep-sea freighters exchange products from all over the world here. With Seattle just spitting distance away, large amounts of goods are shipped back and forth by truck and rail.”

      “These fellows certainly aren’t sluggish when it comes to expansion,” commented Isaac.

      “There’s more,” said Jack. “The Trans-Canada Highway and U.S. Interstate Highway system are also vital links. Vancouver airport is continually expanding to provide international air cargo and passenger transportation across the Pacific and to Europe. Feelers have already СКАЧАТЬ