Above Ground. Don Easton

fellows,” said Elvis, “I’m really sorry if these guys burned our surveillance. I feel pretty bad about it.”

      “I’ve been burned on surveillances too,” said Jack. “It happens. It was a chance we took when we decided to try this route. I’m not blaming you.”

      “Appreciate that.”

      “What are your plans now?” asked Louie.

      “I’m going to talk with Legg and recommend that we back off him for a little while. I’ve checked his file. He has a history of alcohol-related incidents. Maybe people won’t put a lot of faith in his paranoia.”

      “Is he married?” asked Jack.

      “Was. Divorced four years ago. No children. What about the other leaks? Anything more on the narc who was recruited?” asked Elvis.

      Jack shook his head and then said, “Did you ask Laura for suggestions?”

      “We usually agree not to discuss work at home, but this time I made an exception. She said she doesn’t know.”

      It was early evening when Jack walked back into the Black Water. He felt a surge of adrenalin when he saw Spider sitting with a hooker near the pool tables. He walked directly up to him and sat down.

      “Remember me?” asked Jack, leaning across the table.

      Spider looked a little surprised but sat back in his chair and said, “Yeah, I remember you. Where ya been? You lookin’ to score?” he added, before Jack could respond.

       Surprised by my abruptness, but not scared. Just as I thought. He’s not involved with anything to do with Holly’s husband.

      “Hey, Mister Kokanee! Another?”

      Jack nodded to the waitress and tried to turn his attention back to Spider but was interrupted once more by the tap of a pool cue on his shoulder.

      “Hey, good buddy! Want a chance to win your money back?”

      “Maybe later,” said Jack. When the man left, he looked back at Spider and said, “I’m lookin’ for some-thin’, but...” He stopped and gave a subtle nod toward the hooker sitting beside Spider.

      Spider waved a hand for Jack to relax and said, “Don’t worry about Ophelia here. She’s solid. What do you want? Crystal meth?”

      “Not now,” replied Jack. “Do need to talk to you in private.”

      “It’s okay, guys,” said Ophelia, her voice sounding hoarse. “I’m gonna hit the street for a while. Can’t even afford a smoke right now,” she added, harshly.

      Her raspy voice was not lost on Jack. She’s the tipster who called Connie!

      “So what ya after?” Spider asked before looking past Jack and yelling, “Hey! Freddy! Hang on!”

      Jack turned and saw a man on the other side of the bar yell, “I’m leavin’.”

      Spider looked at Jack and said, “Hang on. Be right back.” He then walked out of the bar with Freddy.

      Jack stayed where he was and the hours slowly went by without Spider returning. Jack decided not to play pool tonight and sat waiting. He watched three men, all wearing cheap sports jackets, stagger inside and take a seat closest to the stage. Two had their ties loosened around their necks while the third man had his tie half hanging out the side pocket of his sports jacket. As the night wore on, their catcalls became louder. Occasionally, one or the other would throw loose change at the strippers.

      “How ya doin’?” croaked Ophelia, taking a chair beside him.

      “Doin’ fine. Waiting for Spider. Know where he went?”

      Ophelia shrugged and said, “Nope.” She pointed to one of the three men hassling the stripper and said, “See the fat guy there?”

      “Yeah.”

      “Flashed his wallet when he bought the last round of beer. Figure he’s got at least forty bucks in it. Seein’ as you’re a friend of Spider’s, thought I might let you in on it. We’re gonna jump him in the alley. Could maybe use a man. Want in? We’ll split it three ways.”

      Jack shook his head and said, “Thanks. Appreciate the offer but I don’t need any cash at the moment.”

      “Suit yourself,” said Ophelia.

      Jack watched her speak with others in the bar. Eventually she ended up at a table talking to a skinny junkie. Fellow looks like he’s about to die at the ripe old age of twenty-two. Then both of them got up and walked past Jack a few steps to the fire escape door at the rear. They stepped outside, letting a girl into the bar as they did.

      It didn’t appear to bother any of the clientele that the girl was about twelve years old, but it bothered Jack. He had seen child prostitutes before, but that didn’t make it any easier. He watched her head straight to the fat man and bend over and whisper in his ear. Then she knelt beside him and ran her hand slowly up the inside of his thigh. Moments later, the girl walked out the back door.

      The fat man leaned forward and said something to his two friends. They all laughed, and then the fat man stood up and made his way toward the back door.

       Should I bump into him and pick a fight? Deck him and save him from being another victim in the alley? Jack felt his frustration grow. Who is the real victim here? Him ... or the girl?

      “To hell with you, asshole,” said Jack under his breath as the man staggered past him. Jack watched as he opened the rear door, blinking his eyes and staring into the darkness.

      Immediately a tire iron smashed his face. The sound of his skull crunching above his eye and upper cheekbone was slightly audible. Before he could collapse, a hand appeared out of the darkness, grabbing his collar and jerking him off the back step. The door swung shut.

       God! They didn’t even wait for him to step outside! He didn’t even get a chance to yell!

      Jack was no stranger to violence, but the sudden brutality in this instance caught him by surprise. Must not show my feelings... He looked around the bar. Some of the junkies were looking to see if anyone would react. Several glanced in his direction. He smiled and held his beer up in a silent toast before taking a sip.