Jack crushed the empty pizza box and put it in the garbage, then cleaned up the coffee table and put the glasses in the sink.

Danny lurched back from the washroom. “I’m beat. Don’t feel so good,” he mumbled.

“I’m not tired, so sleep in my bed,” said Jack. “I put clean sheets on this morning and it’s closer to the bathroom. Think you might need it.”

“Where will you sleep?”

“The sofa pulls out if I need it. Get some sleep. I want to hit the street by noon.”

“Why so early?”

“I want you to borrow a car from GIS and talk to Marcie as soon as she hits the street.”

“After what happened to Crystal?”

“Especially after what happened to Crystal.”

“She didn’t listen to Crystal, she sure as hell won’t listen to me!”

“Use Crystal’s death to convince her. She’ll end up dead if we let her stay there.”

“She’s liable to tell everyone I’m a cop. I wouldn’t be able to cover you then.”

“I’ll only meet Red one or two more times. Then I’ll be doing business elsewhere.”

Danny mumbled in agreement and then wandered off to Jack’s bedroom. Moments later, Jack knew that Susan was right. Danny did snore.

He turned out the lights and turned the television on to the news channel. He watched as the news of Crystal’s death continued to recycle itself through the broadcast. He turned his attention to the paper fish. The light from the television cast an eerie glow on the aquarium. What if I never find out who killed you?

Perhaps it was the broadcast or the alcohol, or both, but he realized that his mind and body were spent. He could no longer focus and realized it was because of the tears filling his eyes and running down and dripping off his cheeks.

Eventually he drifted off to sleep.

chapter nineteen

It was dusk when Marcie arrived at the Black Water. She leaned against an air duct leading into the ally and watched indifferently as the four-door grey car with a microphone hanging from the dash pulled up to the curb.

Danny leaned over from behind the steering wheel and gestured with his finger for Marcie to approach the car. She sauntered over and opened up the passenger door.

“Good evening, officer, what can I do for you tonight?” she asked, giving a cocky smile.

“Get in the car, Marcie.”

She groaned audibly. “Vice? How do you know my name?”

“No, I’m not Vice. My name’s Danny O’Reilly. I just want to talk to you. Get in.”

“Are you arresting me?”

“No.”

Marcie glanced quickly up and down the street.

“Don’t worry if someone sees you. Cops talk to hookers all the time. Hurry up and get in. We’ll sit right here.”

“You got no proof I’m a hooker.”

“Get in!”

Marcie sat in the front seat and closed the door.

“So what’s this all about? How come you know my name? If you’re not Vice, what are ya, a narc?”

“No, I’m not a narc. I’m on an intelligence-gathering section with the RCMP. We’ve learned something that could save your life.”

The smile masking Marcie’s face was replaced by fear. She looked like the scared little girl she really was.

“Save my life? What are you talking about?”

Danny took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “We know a lot about you, Marcie. Who you’re involved with, what type of people they are.”

“I’m not involved with anyone.”

“What can you tell me about Crystal? Who killed her? Who was she involved with?”

Marcie gave a small, dry cough. “Crystal?” her voice cracked. “Is that the person who got killed on the freeway yesterday? I heard something about it on the news. I think she hung out down here sometimes, but I don’t really know for sure.”

“She was your friend, Marcie. Don’t you care about what happened to her?”

“I said I didn’t know her!”

“Three nights ago she met you here and wanted you to leave with her. Two nights ago she went to your apartment and asked you.”

Marcie’s face paled. “How do you know about that?”

“We know a lot of things. We also believe the same people who killed Crystal think you know too much. They’re going to kill you too.”

Marcie’s mouth twitched, then she shook her head and replied, “I don’t believe you! You’re just saying that!”

“Marcie! Please! Think about what I’ve said! Talk to me and I’ll make sure nobody hurts you. We’ll look after you. Think about what happened to Crystal!”

Marcie was silent for a brief moment, then slowly shook her head.

“If you won’t help me with who murdered your friend, then at least save your own life!”

“I can look after myself.” Her wide eyes and trembling lips revealed she knew she couldn’t.

“Come on, Marcie! Use your head!”

“I’m gettin’ out,” she said, opening the door.

“Marcie!” shouted Danny, grabbing her arm. “Believe me! I know what I’m saying!”

“Let go!” she wailed. “If I’m not under arrest, you can’t do this!”

“Look, think about what I’ve said. I want to help you, I really do. Take my card. It’s got my cell number. If you change your mind you’ll know how to reach me.”

Marcie reluctantly put the card in her purse and then got out of the car.

“Marcie,” said Danny, before she closed the door, “I hope you saved the little glass mouse Crystal gave you, ’cause there’s not much else left of her.”

Marcie’s eyes started to water, then she slammed the door and walked back to the mouth of the alley.

The hours slowly ticked by. Marcie stared at her watch to make sure it hadn’t quit. She kept thinking about Danny. Was he telling the truth? How did he know so much?

His face looked familiar. She was sure he had been coming and going from the BW. Should I tell Red? What if she thinks I squealed?

She took his card out of her purse and looked at it before stuffing it back inside. He said he’d look after me … but look what happened to the guy in the alley when he ratted out! She looked at the crystal mouse in her purse, then quickly closed it.

Almost midnight and still no customers. Typical Monday … when things are dead.

She saw headlights coming down the alley from behind the hotel. A dark-coloured pickup truck came to a stop. The headlights partially blinded her, but she could make out the silhouette of a figure gesturing to her from behind the steering wheel. She walked around to the passenger side, putting one foot on the running board as she stuck her face up to the open window.

“Hey, mister, looking to party?” she asked with a smile. Her smile vanished when she saw that the man was wearing a ski mask that hid all but his eyes and mouth.

She stood transfixed as the barrel of a shotgun rose toward her face. Abruptly, the shotgun jerked to a stop when it caught in the seatbelt harness.

The man pulled it free and Marcie screamed and turned her face as she started to tumble to the ground. The roar from the shotgun echoed up the alley as the truck careened wildly out into the street and disappeared.

Danny answered his cellphone. Two minutes after that, Jack and Danny pulled up to the curb a few blocks away from the Black Water. There was a telephone booth nearby, but it was empty. Seconds later, a figure crawled out from under a parked car and ran toward them.

Jack watched her yank open the back door of the car and clamber inside. She was saturated with urine, rain, and mud. Jack noted her face around her eyes. It was dry. The dirt and dust hadn’t been stained. As scared as she was, she hadn’t cried.