A Delicate Matter. Don Easton

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      “We’ll find out who did it,” Jack said. “You can’t be certain it was the Gypsy Devils. Personally I don’t think it was.”

      “They’re the only ones who know about it. It has —”

      “It could be that one of them told someone else,” Jack interrupted him. “It may take some time for us to find out.”

      “Wish I could find out right now,” Larry said bitterly.

      “We all do,” said Connie, “and believe me, we’ll do everything possible to catch the killer.”

      Jack pointed his finger at Larry’s face and spoke harshly. “You leave this to us! You hear me?”

      “Yeah … of course.”

      Chapter Eight

      At 8:30 a.m. Jack and Connie entered the monitoring room and listened to the call that Larry had made to Banjo, then to a call that Banjo made immediately afterwards to Carl Shepherd.

      “Who’s Shepherd?” Connie asked as the call began.

      “President of the Gypsy Devils,” Jack explained. “If it was Satans Wrath, there is no way a prospect would talk to the president direct. It shows how undisciplined this club really is.”

      They listened as Banjo told Shepherd about the call he received from Larry.

      “Fuck, another rip,” Shepherd responded. “Who the fuck’s doing it?”

      “If it’s the same ones,” Banjo growled, “this is the first time that someone’s been murdered. It could cause some heat.”

      “At least Larry was smart enough not to mention us,” Shepherd noted.

      “Yeah … but now what?”

      “Contact Neal and tell him to let his buddy know. There’s a possibility we may come up short.”

      “Hopefully the other three will have enough to cover it, but yeah, I’ll let Neal know.”

      “Also get a new phone. Did Larry call you on the one you’re using now?”

      “Yeah.”

      “Keep it in case he calls, but in the future don’t talk business on it. Meet him in person if you need to. Also check and make sure he isn’t wired if you do.”

      “Figure Larry will rat?” Banjo asked.

      “Fuck, his brother was whacked,” Shepherd replied. “What if he thinks we were involved? Who knows what he’ll do?”

      “Yeah, guess it don’t hurt to be careful.”

      “Let’s hope the cops solve it quick,” Shepherd added before disconnecting.

      Jack looked at Connie. “So much for the GDs being involved.”

      “Also this isn’t the first rip,” Connie said. “When Shepherd said Neal needed to contact his buddy, I presume he was talking about someone in Satans Wrath, wasn’t he?”

      “Yes, likely one of their prospects or maybe a full-patch member,” Jack replied, not wanting to divulge any more than he needed to in order to protect his informant.

      Connie nodded, then reached for her phone to take a call. When it was done she said, “That was one of my guys — Lyle Roster. He’s still at the scene. He said Forensics found a cellphone when the tide went out. Judging by the distance it was from shore and the height of the tide at the time, someone threw it.”

      “Dwayne’s phone. Did they find anything else? Keel marks from a boat, footprints, or the rock Dwayne used to strike their motor?”

      “Nothing. The dive team is still searching. Roster said Forensics sectioned off the shore into squares the size of floor mats when the tide was out. Usually when we say ‘no stone was left unturned,’ it’s just an expression. In this case it wasn’t. No sign of any stones with fresh scrapings or anything to indicate a rock had been used to bash a motor.”

      “What about elsewhere — up at the camp?”

      “They found a few footprints where the plants were growing, but nothing of value around the campsite.”

      “Those footprints will belong to Larry and Dwayne,” Jack said. “They’d already harvested the weed and put it into duffle bags at the campsite.”

      “Forensics will be there all day. Maybe something will turn up.”

      “Like a body,” Jack said grimly.

      “A body? Are you holding something back from me?” Connie asked suspiciously.

      “I’m referring to Dwayne,” Jack replied. “Come on, Connie, give me a break.”

      “Sorry. I’m so bloody tired I can’t think straight.”

      “Any thoughts on how you want to work this?” he asked. “Maybe let me focus on the bikers and you check for other possibilities?”

      “Christ, Jack, it’s me you’re talking to,” Connie replied in exasperation. “I don’t need any more bodies turning up — and I am thinking straight about that.”

      “Connie, I want whoever did it arrested as much as you.”

      “Arrested? I know you. Having one of your informants murdered — you take this personal.”

      “You’re damn right I do. Larry was actually my informant, but Dwayne … well, I guess he was my informant, too. He was trying to be one of the good guys and was calling me for help.” He grimaced. “It’s eating away at me that I should’ve done something different. Maybe arrested them both to start with. I don’t know.” He met Connie’s gaze. “Of course I want the case solved. I’m a police officer. Not some lunatic looking to kill someone.”

      “Maybe so, but I want you to stay out of the investigation,” she said forcefully.

      Jack suppressed his emotions. In his heart he knew she was right and gave a nod of agreement. “I understand. Defence would claim I was biased because of some sort of personal rage. They’d imply that I tampered with the evidence and was lying about whatever testimony I gave.”

      “You’re damn right they would, which is why you can’t be involved.”

      “Still, I’ve got these wiretaps,” Jack said. “I told you I didn’t think the bikers were involved. The call between Shepherd and Banjo proves it. I’m not dropping the biker investigation.”

      Connie was silent.

      “What’re you thinking?” Jack asked.

      “That I haven’t been to bed in twenty-six hours. I’m going back to the office, do a quick report, and assign day shift to work on it. Then I’m going home and starting fresh tomorrow СКАЧАТЬ