“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.