“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.
chapter thirty
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.