Samurai Code (15 page)

“Yes, it is.”

“So,” said Jack harshly, pointing his finger at Goldie. “We’re not here to discuss flowers. What’s on your mind?”

The change in Jack’s demeanour caught Goldie off guard and he automatically leaned back on the sofa. “Well … I received some rather disturbing news this morning. Rather upsetting. It concerns you.”

“Concerns me?” replied Jack. His tone was friendly again. His face showed surprise, as he turned the pot back to its original position.

Goldie felt a little confused.
How will he respond? Admire my damned plant and smile … or reach in his pocket for a jackknife?
Goldie took a deep breath, subconsciously crossed his legs and said, “It’s about an incident that happened in Montreal two nights ago. You didn’t hear about it?”

“I’ve been out boating for the last few days,” said Jack casually. “Haven’t stayed in touch with the news. I do have a few calls to return, but no indication of anything urgent. Why? I can’t imagine anything that would have any affect on you. Has the RCMP been around again making their usual vociferous and blasphemous accusations? I understood they had finished prodding into my affairs.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. Well, sort of. It was because of the visit I received from them that —”

“That what?” said Jack coldly.

“That, uh, tweaked my curiosity at little. I happened to mention the incident to a friend. Turns out he knew someone who happened to move to Montreal recently. A Mister Woo. Apparently your name came up in conversation between the two of them. Mister Woo and a friend of his happened to find themselves in an Irish pub two nights ago and Mister Woo took it upon himself to ask about you.”

“Mister Woo sounds like a very nosy person,” replied Jack. His voice was monotone and he showed no emotion.

“Anyone he spoke to said they had never heard of you.”

That’s hard to believe. He wouldn’t have bothered to call me in if that’s all there was to it.
“See? It is as I said,” replied Jack. “The RCMP are completely wrong in their assumption that I am some type of gangster.”

“Later, when they left to go to their car, Mister Woo was attacked by several men and severely beaten with a baseball bat. His friend was told to stay out of the fracas or he would get the same.”

“Sounds unfortunate,” said Jack. “What with the economy the way it is, many poor people become desperate for money.”

“It wasn’t robbery,” said Goldie with determination. “They didn’t steal anything. As they were putting the boots to Mister Woo, their remarks indicated it was because he was rude to be asking questions, let alone insinuating that one of their friends was a drunk. By their accents, he knew they were all Irish.”

“He told one of them they were a drunk?”

Goldie shrugged and said, “He was being beaten so badly, plus English is a second language to them, they probably didn’t understand.”

“What an unfortunate incident,” said Jack, lightly. “Perhaps my people thought he was a cop or a reporter or something.”

“Your people?”

“Uh … I mean the Irish. Generally speaking. What with the problems over the years with the IRA, the British … you must understand what it was like. Old habits don’t go away so easily. Asking too many questions in an Irish pub can be detrimental to your health. I wouldn’t advise it, personally. How is the poor fellow? This Mister Woo?”

“He is out of intensive care, but he has two broken arms, a broken collarbone, and his jaw is wired shut. Some of his ribs are cracked, and on top of that, he will be in traction for the next six weeks.”

“Sounds like a most unfortunate misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding! Who are you kidding? It was
your
people.”

Jack leaned forward, sticking one finger into the moss at the base of the orchid. “This orchid is far too dry,” he said. “It needs a wee touch. Keep this up and you’ll have to borrow an intravenous tube from nosy wee Woo to rescue it.”

“Did you listen when I told you what they did to him? The poor bastard can’t even wipe his own ass!”

“Well,” said Jack, calmly, “with his jaw wired shut, it isn’t like he is going to be eating much, anyway.”

Goldie’s mouth gaped open in surprise. He thought about Jack’s comment and started laughing.

19

Jack returned to where Laura was sitting as Jojo stood up from a bar stool and pulled out his wallet to pay for his drink. Sammy was still seated in the same place.

“What happened?” asked Jack.

“Think Jojo was jerking the operator around, or maybe killing time. He came in, sat at the bar, and ordered a drink. Kept looking at his watch and now it looks like he’s leaving. Didn’t talk to anyone else. How did it go with you?’

“Goldie took the bait. Had Woo check me out.”

“How did that go?”

“Really well.”

“Is Woo dead?”

“Didn’t go that well, but he is in hospital. Goldie is going to join us for a drink in a few minutes. I’ve got to talk with Sammy before he goes. Sit tight.”

A moment later, Jack met Sammy inside the washroom.

“Laura tell you?” asked Sammy.

Jack nodded.

“The bastard didn’t meet with anyone.”

“Use his phone?”

“Nope. Just sat at the bar and had a drink. You find out anything? Where did you go?”

“Chatting with Goldie in his office. Nothing that helps you.”

Sammy answered his cell and said, “I gotta go. Jojo is back in his car and the surveillance teams are on the move. Sounds like they’re going to another fast food joint.”

“The operator is wired?”

“Yeah. With this much cash, we’re not taking any chances.”

“Let me know as soon as any arrests are made. There is something I want you to do right after.”

“Sure, what?”

Jack showed Sammy a picture he had saved on his cellphone.

“What the fuck! That’s my ID photo from work,” said Sammy.

“I know. After the arrest, I want you to come back and meet with the bartender. His name is Purvis. Say you’re a friend of Jojo and warn him that Jojo got arrested.”

“Purvis is the man?”

“Has to be. The only guy Jojo talked to was Purvis. I’ve seen how Purvis dresses. He’s got bigger diamond rings on his fingers and more jewellery than a Hollywood mistress. His tips aren’t that good.”

“Son of a bitch.”

“I want you to say that the heat came down as Jojo was talking to you on your cell. Tell Purvis that Jojo sent you back to warn him.”

“Purvis will never fall for that.”

“I know. Besides, I’m going to burn you with Goldie before you arrive.”

“You’re what?”

“Come on, it’ll help me out. Busting Jojo will make people a little paranoid, especially when it comes out that you were doing surveillance in here. Do this for me and I’ll be able to story it in a way to take the heat off of this place. I don’t need Goldie thinking he is under the magnifying glass.”

Sammy thought about it momentarily and sighed. “Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll call you on your cell. Guess I better dig my Kevlar out of the trunk,” he mumbled.

“Good idea,” said Jack, “but let me tell you how I hope it will go down.”

***

Jack and Laura smiled as Goldie joined them for a drink.

“This round is on me,” said Goldie. “Consider it an apology for having overly inquisitive friends.”

“Jack told me,” said Laura. “It sounds like Mister Woo was lucky.”

“Lucky?” replied Goldie.

“His body is intact, is it not?” replied Laura. She turned to Jack and said, “They didn’t! Tell me poor wee Woo still has his winky!”

“Oh, honey,” said Jack, smiling. “The boys didn’t do that. They only roughed him up a little for fun. Don’t be giving Arthur the wrong impression!”

“For fun?” Arthur noted admonishingly.

Jack’s face instantly hardened and his tone became serious as he looked at Goldie and said, “I dislike violence. I’m not a violent man by nature.”

The abrupt change in Jack’s demeanour caught Goldie off guard.
You may dislike violence, but there is no doubt that you have no qualms about using it …

Jack’s face softened and a whimsical smile appeared. “I suppose I should apologize,” he said. “Maybe send him some candy. Perhaps some toffee to chew on while he reflects upon his nosy ways.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” said Goldie, unsure whether he was supposed to laugh or not. He glanced quickly at Laura before looking at Jack and whispering, “I suppose I should not have made that comment in front of Laura about having overly inquisitive friends.”

“It’s okay,” replied Jack. “Laura is not kept in the dark on such matters. Anything you say to me can be said in front of her.”

“I see,” said Goldie. “No insult was intended,” he added, looking at Laura.

“Just don’t refer to me as madam,” said Laura.

Goldie looked puzzled. “I’m not sure what you —”

“On the matter of you checking me out,” said Jack firmly, changing the subject.

“I wasn’t really,” replied Goldie. “I happened to mention you to —”

“Listen,” said Jack coldly. “There is an old Irish expression that says it is better to have fifty enemies outside your house than one in it.”

The comment caught Goldie off guard and he hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

“I understand the need to check people out,” continued Jack, sounding matter-of-fact. “I do so myself on occasion. But there are enough troubles in the world without insulting each other’s intelligence. If you and I are to become better acquainted, I suggest we start by being honest from the beginning. Agreed?”

Goldie stared silently at his glass. After a moment he looked at Jack and said, “Agreed.”

“Good,” said Jack, raising his martini. “Then with that I will propose a toast to new friendships.”

After the three of them clinked glasses, Jack smiled and raised his glass in Goldie’s direction again and said, “May your troubles be as few and as far apart as my grandmother’s teeth.”

Goldie chuckled and sat back and smiled.

Jack smiled back.
The hook is in, you bastard. Wonder if you would mind if I drove you to a park? Let you run around awhile …

The next forty-five minutes passed with the three of them making idle conversation before Sammy called Jack.

“You free to talk?” asked Sammy.

“No, not at all. Just sitting with Laura and … a friend, having a drink.”

“Okay if I talk?” asked Sammy.

“You’re not interfering at all.”

“We just took Jojo down in a restaurant bathroom,” said Sammy. “He was showing the operator the kilo. Went like last time except it was a Tim Hortons. Surveillance saw him pick the kilo up from under a bush outside the restaurant. The restaurant is crowded. I’m sure whoever laid it down is probably watching and will soon see Jojo leave in cuffs. Your end will know Jojo was busted soon enough. Still want me to come back there?”

“Of course.”

“Be there in ten minutes. If I get shot, I’m not going down without shooting you, too,” said Sammy as he hung up.

Jack still pretended to talk on his cell and said, “The chat room? I think so, hang on.” Jack looked at Goldie and asked, “Could I borrow the laptop in your office for a moment? Are you hooked up to the Internet?”

“Sure. I’ll bring it out. We’re on wireless.”

“That won’t be necessary. Actually it would be better for you to come with me and talk about something in private,” said Jack, glancing around at some patrons sitting nearby. He spoke back into his phone and said, “Two minutes. Get online.”

Moments later, Jack used Goldie’s laptop while Goldie watched him patiently from his sofa. When Jack was finished, he turned the computer off, shook his head, and snickered.

“Everything okay?” asked Goldie.

“I just found out why the RCMP decided to talk to you about me the other night,” said Jack. “Turns out it was a coincidence.”

“A coincidence?”

“Yes. They’re working on some heroin dealer associated with your club. Guess they started running licence plates in the vicinity and discovered I was a customer. Typical. They jumped to the wrong conclusion and thought I was involved.”

“Heroin dealer … in my club?” said Goldie, looking concerned.

“Nickel-and-dime stuff. Some street urchin dealing a pound or two.”

“You call a pound or two nickel and dime?”

Jack continued as if he didn’t hear him. “Rather insulting that they would think I would stoop to that level.”

“Did your friend say who it was the police were working on?”

“Yes. Some punk. The police realize that my being here was a coincidence. Apparently there was an undercover cop in earlier tonight watching this dealer.”

“Did you get the … uh, punk’s name?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I can’t remember. I deleted everything, including the trash bin. It was an odd name. Something like Mojo. Not really important. My friend also sent me a photo of the undercover officer … hang on, my phone vibrated. Probably it.”

Goldie looked at the photo of Sammy on Jack’s phone and asked, “Would you mind if I show this to my bartender. Just to see if he’s been in?”

“Sorry, no,” replied Jack, deleting the photo. “Purvis seems like a nice guy, but I don’t want word getting out that I have access to cop photos. It could cause a huge problem for the person who is helping me.”

“I trust Purvis,” said Goldie. “He wouldn’t tell anyone about the photo.”

“I had a tough time deciding on whether or not to tell you.” Jack paused, as if deciding upon a course of action. “Tell you what, give Purvis a description of what you remember in the photo, but don’t tell him you actually saw a photo. Ask him if he knows this Mojo character. Okay?”

“Okay,” agreed Goldie.

“I’ll wait. If there are any other concerns you might wish me to help you with, I may need to borrow your computer again.”

Laura saw Goldie come out from the back of the club and hurry over to speak with Purvis. Seconds later, Purvis used his cellphone, but quickly hung up and slammed his fist onto the counter. Goldie said something to him and then retreated back to his office while Purvis paced back and forth behind the bar.

“Did Purvis know Mojo?” asked Jack when Goldie returned to his office.

“Yes. His name is actually Jojo.”

“Jojo! Yes, that was it. If he and Purvis are friends, I would suggest he warn him somehow. But keep in mind that Jojo’s phone could be tapped.”

“He already tried to call him. Someone else answered.”

“Not a good sign,” replied Jack.

Goldie eyed Jack carefully and said, “Remember when you said we should be honest with each other?”

“Of course.”

Goldie nodded and said, “Let’s step out back in the alley for some fresh air. There is something I want to tell you.”

“Your office isn’t bugged,” said Jack.

“You know that? How can you be sure?”

“I’m positive. Otherwise I would not have borrowed your laptop, let alone used this room to tell you what I did.”

Goldie eyed Jack curiously and said, “I take it you have a
very
good friend to keep you so well informed?”

“Blood is thicker than water and easier to see,” shrugged Jack. “Kinship is important.”

Goldie smiled. “I think you and I will become good friends.”

“Oh?”

“You see, I also have an entrepreneurial spirit. We have things in common, not to mention that I also use chat rooms for communication. We should get to know each other better.”

“If Jojo was arrested, does it affect you?” asked Jack, sounding surprised.

“No, not at all. We’ve never met. As you say, he is a nickel-and-dime operator. Hardly worth —”

Purvis burst into the room. “He’s here! He just walked in!”

“Who?” asked Goldie.

“The … uh,” Purvis stopped talking when he saw Jack.

“It’s okay,” said Goldie. “Jack is my new friend. He knows you and Jojo are acquainted.”

“The guy you described,” said Purvis. “The undercover cop. He just came in and beelined straight for me. Says his name is Sammy.”

“He didn’t try to arrest you?” asked Goldie.

“Not yet. He told me he is in business with Jojo and that Jojo just got busted with a key of smack. He said Jojo got word to him to come and warn me! What the fuck? What should we do?”

“What did you say to him?” asked Goldie.

“Told him my boss wanted something and I’d be back in a second. What the hell should I do? He obviously suspects me from when he was in earlier and saw Jojo meet with me. It could be my neck on the line.”

“Perfect,” snickered Jack. “Sammy the narc is trying to incriminate you or set you up.”

“No shit,” replied Purvis.

“Want to get rid of him for good?” asked Jack. “Nice and clean with no heat on you or the club?”

***

Sammy was surprised when Purvis came back to the bar and smiled at him and said, “You say you’re Jojo’s partner and he got busted with a kilo of heroin?”

“Yeah,” replied Sammy.