Jack Taggart Mysteries 9-Book Bundle. Don Easton
Чтение книги онлайн.

Читать онлайн книгу Jack Taggart Mysteries 9-Book Bundle - Don Easton страница 173

Название: Jack Taggart Mysteries 9-Book Bundle

Автор: Don Easton

Издательство: Ingram

Жанр: Полицейские детективы

Серия: A Jack Taggart Mystery

isbn: 9781459735224

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ three pictures of Damien from the Colombian police. They were found during a search of Carlos’s home and given to Jean-Louie as a matter of courtesy. The pictures were not mentioned in his report to Assistant Commissioner Isaac, which simply stated that continual physical and electronic surveil-lance of the Canadian investigative team did not reveal any irregularities. Further investigation of the Ramirez cartel was not recommended at this time due to unrest in the area and an inability to provide adequate protection.

      In August 2005, Satans Wrath held a memorial service on an acreage owned by one of the club members. Rellik’s ashes were dumped inside his motorcycle helmet and buried. His colours were hung with distinction inside the east-end chapter clubhouse. Only a few members of the club were ever aware of how their fallen comrade had died.

      In September 2005, a woman discovered a large amount of cash inside a duffle bag on the seat of her car. She turned it over to the police, who, when it went unclaimed, transferred the million dollars in Canadian hundreds to the woman’s bank account. The police told her that part of a torn twenty-dollar bill had also been found in the bag. She retained it as a souvenir.

      In December 2005, the B.C. Supreme Court struck down the anti-gang legislation under Section 467.13 of the Criminal Code as being too broad and too vague.

      Within hours, strikers manning Satans Wrath clubhouses in B.C. received orders to purchase a total of 114 bottles of champagne. The clubhouse phones were used as a gesture to slap the police in the face. The amount ordered indicated to the police that the club had grown from their original estimation.

      While most bikers celebrated the event, Damien remained worried. The decision served to advertise that B.C. was choice territory for organized crime. Competition would be fiercer. He was not upset when the Crown indicated they might appeal the B.C. Supreme Court decision.

      In early January 2006, Damien was approached by two members of the Russian mafia and invited to join in a criminal venture. Damien believed there was something much more sinister to the offer, fearing the actual plan, if implemented, would result in thousands of lives being lost. He searched for a solution. Club rules would not allow him to phone the police ... but what if the police came to him?

      In mid-January 2006, Laura received a carton delivered to her apartment. It contained ten pairs of expensive shoes and two pairs of knee-high boots. A note from Damien said that it was a gift from Ramirez. The gift had the potential of placing Jack and Laura once more in the sights of the Anti-Corruption Unit. They decided they would meet with Damien to discuss his lack of good judgement.

      Anyone wishing to help children such as “Charlie” and others in British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital may do so by making a donation online through www.bcchf.ca or through their toll-free number: 1-888-663-3033.

      Others are doing their bit to help society. Please do your bit.

      To those who give, thank you.

Angel in the Full Moon

       chapter one

      It was ten o’clock at night in Hanoi as BiImagen stood at the back of the cargo van with his twelve-year-old daughter. The incessant January rain, coupled with a light breeze, made the fifteen-degree Celsius temperature seem colder. BiImagen had no idea that his dream for the future was about to become a permanent nightmare—or that the rear doors on the van opening in front of him were the gates to hell.

      The driver turned in his seat and gave BiImagen an impatient nod. BiImagen grimaced and shoved the plastic bag containing HImageng’s belongings into the van. Saying goodbye was difficult and it was more than the rain that made his cheeks wet.

      HImageng was the older of BiImagen’s two children. When BiImagen was given the opportunity for both his children to go to America he could hardly believe his good fortune. There was little future for them in Vietnam. He bent over to give HImageng another final hug.

      A swarm of motor scooters zoomed past like angry, wet hornets and disappeared into the night. Hanoi was like a hive when it came to scooters. Few people could afford cars.

      BiImagen ignored the scooters and forced himself to smile at HImageng. She smiled back, but the corners of her mouth twitched, revealing her nervousness. On impulse, she checked the pocket of her new coat again. Yes, the gift was still there. Wrapped in a small piece of tissue paper and tied with a pink ribbon.

      The silver necklace with the pearl from Halong Bay had cost BiImagen the equivalent of sixteen American dollars. An exorbitant amount of money, thought BiImagen. But the American lady will be grateful.

      BiImagen’s mind turned to HImageng’s new coat. She will need it. It can be very cold in the United States. A long blast from the van’s horn interrupted his thoughts and he watched as HImageng quickly climbed in to join a handful of young women who sat on the floor of the van. BiImagen had opted to leave his other daughter, nine-year-old Linh, back at their apartment with her grandmother. It wasn’t simply that he didn’t own a car. He often pedalled with both children on his bicycle. The real reason was he was afraid he might cry. He didn’t want Linh to see him cry. Especially when she was scheduled to leave next.

      The children’s mother died of cancer when Linh was six months old. BiImagen’s own mother lived with them, but time had been hard on both her body and her mind. HImageng, despite being only three years older than Linh, had taken on more of a role of a parent than that of a sister.

      BiImagen started to close the doors but HImageng looked at him and quickly blurted, “Con thImageImageng cha thСКАЧАТЬ