“They’ll be pissed if they ever find out who you really are.”

“I played along. Bart said just one more small score and they’ll start funding larger transactions.”

“Great. The sooner we’re out of here the better I’ll feel,” said Danny, while unconsciously massaging his jaw. It ached from grinding his teeth in his sleep.

“I know,” said Jack. “You don’t like working in this den of snakes.”

“Who are you watching?”

Jack passed the binoculars to Danny and he saw Marcie on the sidewalk a short distance from the hotel. He heard someone yell from directly below where they were parked.

“Hey, Mouse!”

“Cyrstal!” Marcie yelled back, then crossed the street.

Jack and Danny got out of their car and peeked over the edge at Marcie and Crystal.

Marcie was pleased that Crystal gave her a hug.

“So, Red has got ya back out on the street,” observed Crystal.

“Just started.”

“How much ya usin’ now?”

“I sort of did what you told me.”

“Sort of?”

“I only used twice this last week.”

“Twice is twice too much! Damn it, Mouse, if you can’t quit now, you won’t be able to by next week. Then you’ll be here until ya die! Which won’t take long.”

“Yeah. I gotta get to work. I need to make some money.” Marcie started to walk away.

“Hold it! Don’t go yet. I got somethin’ for ya!”

Danny watched Crystal reach in her purse as Marcie walked back to her. He couldn’t hide his sarcasm when he whispered, “Bet the bitch is giving her some dope just to help her out a bit!”

Marcie examined what Crystal gave her and said, “Oh, Crystal! It’s beautiful! A little glass mouse! Look! It’s got little beady eyes and black whiskers! It’s really cute!”

“Yeah, well, I wanted to give ya somethin’ for your birthday. It’s made out of crystal, just like my name, so you’ll think of me.”

Danny was shocked. “A birthday present?” he whispered.

“A real den of snakes,” commented Jack, as they quietly got back in the car.

Danny sat quietly.

“They should all be shot,” added Jack.

“Up yours. I get the point.”

“Good. We’ll soon be out of this neighbourhood. You can take a crack at her then. Doubt that she’ll listen to you, though.”

Wigmore received a call back from Vital Statistics. He wasn’t surprised. Yes, they had a record for Edward Trimble. He died of a drug overdose two years ago.

Wigmore reached for a file he had marked “Project Hotshot.”

It was Friday night when Jack paged Red and arranged to meet inside the Black Water within the hour. It was to be the last small purchase. Red said her connection didn’t trust her enough to handle large quantities yet. If Jack wanted a larger amount, she would have to bring in her connection. It was what he had hoped for. Bart and Rex assured him that they would have the authority next week to provide the money to make bigger purchases.

Jack and Danny parked in the parking garage and Jack went to the hotel. Danny waited a discreet amount of time before walking down the ramp toward the street. He had reached the ground level of the parking lot when a voice spoke behind him.

“Good evening, officer!”

Danny spun around as Crystal walked up to him.

“I’m not a cop!”

Crystal laughed and said, “Damn right, you are! I’ve been watching. The way you swing your arms says you’re a Mountie. City cops don’t take that much drill marching, or whatever it’s called. Not to mention,” she clicked her teeth before continuing, “you’re on a dental plan.”

“You’re mistaken. I used to sell cars.”

“Yeah, right! Don’t worry about it. I’m not going to tell. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Taking your yearly holiday to the Mediterranean?”

“Don’t I wish. Naw, I’m goin’ back east. I finally saved up enough to do it. I’m gonna go back to school. I want to be a social worker. Bet that surprises the shit out of ya, huh?”

Danny was momentarily stunned.

“Told ya it would shock the shit out of you!”

“Crystal, to tell you the truth, I think that’s great. I wish you all the best, I really mean it.”

“Thanks.”

“Why spend your last night down here?”

“Just hoping to convince someone to come with me.”

“Marcie?”

“Yeah.” Crystal looked at Danny and smiled before continuing. “I saw you spyin’ on us that day when you were pretendin’ to tie your shoelace. That was the same day that Lenny got whacked. You should have been in the alley catchin’ them instead of spyin’ on me and Marcie.”

Danny didn’t know how to respond and said nothing.

“It still pisses me off that you don’t arrest kids like her and get their sorry little asses off this street. Nobody seems to give a shit about kids.”

“I care, but —”

“Yeah, I know. Nothin’ you can do. It just pisses me off, is all.”

“You said it was ‘them’ who whacked Lenny. Who is ‘them’?”

Crystal thought for a moment, then glanced all around before saying, “I’ll tell ya what. I’ll give ya a tip, but promise you’ll wait until tomorrow before doin’ anything.”

“I’m really not a cop. I’m just curious. I won’t say anything to anyone.”

Crystal chuckled, then said, “God, you’re a horrible liar, but I’ll tell ya anyway. Red is the key. She knows who did it. She fuckin’ works for them.”

“Who is ‘them’?”

“I’m not that stupid. You’ll have to find that out through her somehow. Now, I gotta go. Nothin’ personal, but talkin’ to you makes me feel nervous.”

Crystal sauntered across the street. O’Reilly stared after her, then started to walk toward the hotel. After a few steps he realized he was swinging his arms. He shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced back at Crystal. She gave him the thumbs-up sign. Danny took one more look at Crystal when he reached the door. She was standing on the sidewalk looking around. Marcie was not in sight. Danny entered the bar and sat at his usual table.

A few minutes later, Crystal found Marcie working the street at the end of the alley that came out from behind the Black Water. Heat escaped from a large vent on a building and Marcie huddled close to it.

“Hey, Mouse! What ya doin’ workin’ back here?”

“It’s warmer.”

Crystal looked down the alley. “Yeah, also more dangerous. Come on. I got somethin’ to show ya!”

Marcie walked with Crystal over to the parking garage. Her wide eyes and open mouth revealed her astonishment when Crystal held up a set of keys.

“Crystal! Is it yours? You actually bought a car? Or is it…?”

“No. I bought it! Get in! It’s mine!”

Marcie quickly got in. “It looks great! I can’t believe it!” She giggled.

Crystal smiled while nodding her head. She started the car and backed out of the stall.

“Where we goin’?” asked Marcie, sounding excited.

“Just around the block.” Crystal drove down the street before glancing at Marcie and saying, “I want to talk to ya. I’m leavin’ tomorrow morning. Goin’ back to Ontario.”

“You’re leaving?” Marcie looked like she was going to cry.

“You can come with me! I’ll either drop you off with your grandma or you can come and stay with me.

We’ll get straight jobs.”

Marcie stared wide-eyed at Crystal and shook her head. “No, oh no, I can’t!”

“Why not? Because of Red?”

Marcie looked down and didn’t answer.

“That bitch! Fuck her! You don’t want to live with her! You can stay at my place tonight. I got a lot of stuff to pack but there’ll be room for you. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”