Art and Murder by Don Easton

certain that he and Liam aren’t going straight to where you are?”
    â€œI think Klaus will be going to Emergency. Try VGH — it’s the closest hospital.”
    â€œYou said you roughed him up a little. ”
    â€œI brought it to his attention that he has bad teeth and should get them looked at.”
    Rose’s sigh was audible. “Hang on, I’ve got another call.”
    Jack waited for about a minute, then Rose came back on line. “That was Maurice Leblanc — Kerin’s partner. He’s glad you’re alive and wanted to know what we knew about the guys here. I told him we hadn’t even heard of them until tonight.”
    â€œAnd?”
    He heard Rose swallow. “Kerin was married. His wife’s name is Gabrielle.”
    â€œChildren?” Jack asked.
    â€œFirst one due next month.”
    Jack felt his stomach knot and swallowed the acrid taste of bile that burned up the back of his throat and into his mouth. How would Natasha get along if it was me?
    â€œJack … I’m sorry.”
    â€œSorry enough to support me,” he said coldly, while staring at his prisoners.
    â€œYes. I’ll do what I can, starting with calling Special ‘O’ to watch Klaus.”
    Jack felt a little relieved. Special “O” was an elite surveillance team that was in high demand. Rose is onside … at least for now.
    â€œAnything else?” Rose asked.
    â€œNot at the moment. I’ll call Laura and tell her to meet me here.”
    â€œAnd here being?”
    â€œI’ll get back to you on that. The address is difficult to explain. I don’t have time.”
    â€œTime for what?”
    To tell you that I’m about to do an illegal search.
    â€œOr is it that you won’t give it to me until you find out if the brass will approve Homicide not getting involved until you okay it?”
    â€œThat would be insolent. I need to call Laura for security reasons. I don’t know who else might show up. Every second I spend talking to you could be putting me at risk.”
    He heard Rose sigh with exasperation. He knew she was thinking he always had an excuse.
    â€œAnd as far as the brass goes,” he said, “let’s wait a couple of hours and see what I come up with. It’s not like they could do anything at the moment, so why bother waking them?”
    â€œOkay, but after you call Laura, sit tight and don’t do anything until I call you back.”
    â€œWell, there is one thing I’ll be doing,” Jack said.
    â€œAnd what is that?” Rose snapped.
    â€œI’ll be calling Roche to have a little chat.”

Chapter Thirteen
    Jack’s first call was to Natasha. “Hi, I’m okay,” he said quietly. “Thought you might be awake. I heard that telecoms and Rose called you.”
    He heard Natasha take a deep breath, then slowly exhale. “I’m lying in bed reading.”
    â€œSorry about that.”
    â€œYou’re whispering. I take it whatever you’re doing is not over yet?”
    â€œIt’s far from over … but I wanted you to know I’m okay.”
    â€œYou sound unhappy. Are you really okay?”
    â€œI’m okay. Very tired and busy. Hopefully I’ll be home for supper and I’ll explain then. Go back to sleep.”
    He heard her yawn. “The boys will be up soon.”
    â€œSorry, I have to go. I love you.”
    â€œI love you, too.”
    â€œYeah? Well, I love you six.” Jack hoped a little humour would provide assurance to Natasha that he really was okay, but she’d hung up. His next call was to Laura.
    â€œYou heard?” she asked glumly.
    â€œYes. Get over here.”
    â€œI need directions.”
    â€œHang on a sec.” Jack walked to the rear of the shop and kicked Bojan in the knee. “Hey. I’ve got a friend coming to pick me up, but she needs directions. You two can figure out a way to untie