“But why? What are you going to do?”
“They probably know where we live! Jack told me to move in with him while we sort things out. He’s going to make a few calls.”
“To who? What for?” said Susan, starting to cry.
“This is against the rules. The bastards have just declared war and they’re going to get it.”
Wizard answered his cellphone.
“We’ve got a problem!” Rolly’s voice was high-pitched.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Find a television! It’s on right now!”
Wizard and Damien went into one of the airport’s lounges and saw live coverage of a breaking story on television. An explosion had ripped a van apart. Two bodies were recovered, but the broadcast said they were burned beyond recognition.
“I don’t get it,” said Wizard. “Rolly saw them put the package on the pig’s car!”
Damien looked at Wizard for a moment, then said, “This being the same Rolly who the cops know killed the little boy and later the Indo? Who else knew he whacked them two?”
“He said he hasn’t told anyone.”
“So only you know … and the police.”
Wizard didn’t respond.
The two men walked back to where Vicki and the children were waiting.
“You gonna cancel their flight now?” asked Wizard
Damien shook his head. “There could still be retribution. The fact that you failed won’t make a difference.”
“But…”
“Shut the fuck up and listen! We’ve got a rat in-house! It could be Rolly or someone else in your chapter.”
Wizard was about to defend Rolly, but Damien gave him a long, hard look, and he decided it was in his best interest to stay quiet on that subject. “What about the two pigs?” he asked.
“Unfortunately, because of your stupidity, now I have to deal with them immediately before any more shit hits the fan. Then we’ll find out who the rat is. In the meantime, nobody in your chapter is to go anywhere near them. It’ll strictly be the east-side boys. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“And that means you, too!”
chapter thirty-two
Jack and Danny made sure they were not being followed, then checked the area around Danny’s home. Nothing aroused their suspicions. Six hours later, Danny kissed Susan and Tiffany goodbye and watched them go through security at the airport to board their flight. Jack had taken another car and followed them to the airport.
Jack and Danny were walking back to their cars when Danny’s cellphone rang.
“Danny! It’s Sid Bishop. I just saw the news! Did you hear what happened?”
“About what?”
“Two bikers were blown up in a van this morning near Willy’s Restaurant! It had to have happened right after we left. That’s no coincidence!”
“Oh, that. Yes, I heard.” Danny covered the mouthpiece on the phone and whispered to Jack, “It’s Sid Bishop!” He then held the phone so they could both hear.
“What do you mean, oh, that? How did they know we were there? They tried to kill us! Christ, I don’t want to go home!”
“Sid, relax. If they wanted to kill you, they could have shot the both of us when we were leaving.”
“That’s not very comforting! I called Marvin at home and —”
“Marvin?” asked Danny.
“Sorry, Superintendent Wigmore. He gave me the home number for Assistant Commissioner Isaac. He’s not home yet; I keep calling. I want to hear what he says about this!”
Jack rolled his eyes, then took the phone from Danny and said, “Sid. This is Jack Taggart, Danny’s partner. I’m positive that your life is not in danger. If you think about it, the bikers would have nothing to gain by killing you. In fact, they would have a lot to lose. We don’t think this is connected to us. We have intelligence that a drug war is starting. Getting the wire hooked up is the best thing we can do right now.”
Sid sounded surprised. “You think it’s a drug war? That it was a coincidence?”
“I’m certain of it. We heard that Satans Wrath killed a speed dealer by the name of Bobby Singh. This is probably retaliation for that.”
Sid paused, then calmed down. “So you don’t think I’m in danger?”
“No.”
Jack heard Sid turn away from the phone and say, “Oh, God, thank heavens.” He then spoke to Jack: “I must admit, this incident has shaken my composure. I’m glad to hear you say that. It took me a long time to get through on Danny’s cell. He should get a new phone!”
“There’s no need to panic.”
“I don’t panic! I was just concerned.”
“I’ll give you my home and cell numbers. Danny will be staying with me for a couple of days, so if you need to, you can reach either of us there.”
“Why is he staying with you if there’s no need to panic?” said Sid, his voice rising.
“Just coincidence. His wife is out of town and we decided to bach together. By the way, how well do you know Superintendent Wigmore?”
“Not well. Just socially on occasion. He didn’t speak very highly of you.”
“Oh?” said Jack, feigning surprise. “He’s had some emotional problems lately. I won’t hold that against him. I’ll call you as soon as we know something further.”
“Now what?” asked Danny, after Jack hung up.
“If Isaac thinks our lives are in danger, he’ll transfer the both of us so far north we’ll need a dogsled team. If that happens, I’ll quit and stay here to finish this on my own.”
“After what happened, how can you convince him otherwise?”
“Play up that it’s a drug war. I’ll have a report on his desk first thing tomorrow morning saying our informant told us a drug war is starting. Convince him that today was a coincidence.”
“Isaac will want to know who is dumb enough to take on Satans Wrath.”
“I’ll say it’s conflict within Satans Wrath. That way when more of them start dying, it’ll make sense.”
“You think he’ll swallow that?”
“I hope so. Otherwise you and Susan better develop a taste for whale blubber.”
“Speaking of our friend?”
Jack glanced at his watch. “This should be interesting. When I cancelled the meet with him at noon, he sounded like he didn’t know anything yet. Since then he’s left half a dozen urgent messages for me to call him.”
“Why not call him?”
“I will, but I want to see his face when we talk.” Jack called Lance’s number. His message was brief. “Cemetery! Two hours!”
Jack then said to Danny, “Tell me you’ve got your vest on?”
“It’s on.”
Two hours later, Lance made sure that his jacket covered the handle of the 9 mm tucked in the front of his jeans before