“I’m not interested in belonging to any gangs,” replied Jack. “I try to be independent. I do, however, have a lot of connections. I’m an entrepreneur. Sometimes there are things people want. Some times I can get them for them … cheap.”

“I can vouch for that,” said Sy, with a smile. “Anything from televisions to Russian vodka. I’ll tell you, Jay, after tonight, if there is anything you need … and I mean anything, you just ask.”

“You know,” said Jack, “there might be something you could help me with. Maybe in the next few days if —”

“Fuck the small talk,” said Mongo, looking at his watch. “Fuck the pizza, too. We got some loose ends to take care of before the sun comes up.”

Sy looked apologetically at Jack and said, “He’s right. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

Laura waited until she was alone in the car with Jack before saying, “They were going to do us.”

“I know, but with Sy behind us holding a gun in his hand, I figured it was better to play dumb. Speaking of which, I should call Connie. She’ll be freaking out.”

Connie answered her BlackBerry on the first ring. “Where are you?” she asked anxiously.

“We’re okay.”

“You get any heat? Scared the shit out of me when I heard uniform were after you.”

“Everything is fine,” replied Jack. “Sy doesn’t suspect us.”

“Good. Did Laura tell you we seized a lot of weapons tonight?”

“I saw them earlier when Sy handed them out. Tonight’s arrests were most of his top people. Seizing their guns is like taking the teeth out of one faction of The Brotherhood. At least for the moment.”

“Don’t know how long we can keep them in.”

“At least they’re identified. They might be hesitant to try it again.”

“Hope so.”

“Sy introduced us to Mongo and Munch.”

“Mongo and Munch? They’re bosses of two other factions in the group. What’s going on? Why would Sy meet them tonight after what happened?”

“I think they’re trying to figure out what went wrong. I passed it off as the police already knew Weasel was the shooter from last night and were waiting to see if anyone would retaliate.”

“Good thinking. They buy it?”

“Looks like it. They still think Laura and I are cool. Sy said if there was anything I need, I simply had to ask. I’ll meet with him tomorrow. I have an idea to draw Cocktail out.”

“How?”

“It’s time to tell him I’ve got a friend who wants to set up a meth lab. We’ll use Sammy.”

“Fantastic. These other guys are pissing me off, but it’s Cocktail I want to hang for murder.”

“And running meth and GHB labs. I’m certain there was another date rape last night at the party.”

“Makes me sick.”

“Believe me, Cocktail is going down.”

“Think your idea will work?”

“Hope so. After what we’ve been through with Sy in the last two days, I shouldn’t have any problem convincing him to help us with a lab. Cocktail might show up.”

“Maybe the narcs can concentrate on Roach and Bagger, too. They both sound like they are in the thick of things. It might give us another avenue to pursue if your lab idea doesn’t work.”

“Roach and Bagger are low-level punks,” replied Jack. “Watching them would be a waste of time. Let’s talk about it later. I’m going home.”

“Which one?”

“To Natasha. See you in about six hours.”

After Jack hung up, Laura looked at him and asked, “What was your other way?”

“Other way?” replied Jack. He was exhausted and knew he wasn’t thinking clearly.

“In regard to Roach and Bagger. When Sy was going to call them over and murder them, you said you would do it another way. Then you went in the hall. What did you tell him?”

Jack paused, wondering how best to articulate the matter.

“I have a feeling,” said Laura, “that Roach’s and Bagger’s futures hold more than, say, four months’ house arrest.”

Jack nodded and said, “As far as Roach and Bagger go, they don’t have a future. Not after their performance in the bedroom last night.”

“You don’t need to convince me. I saw Cassandra. She didn’t belong with that bunch. So what did you say to Sy?”

“I told him, hypothetically speaking, of course, if I were him I’d make it look accidental. Call Roach and Bagger and tell them to set Raven free and that you’re all going over to their place to have a drink and try to figure out what went wrong. At that time give Roach and Bagger a taste of their own medicine.”

“GHB?”

“Exactly.”

“So they’ll end up … dead drunk … but how?”

“After they’re unconscious, order a pizza for pickup and leave.” Jack paused, looking at Laura’s reaction. Her expression gave the impression of mild interest, as if she were studying a dinner menu. Only she is putting her trust in having me place the order.

Laura paused and thought about what Jack said. “Sounds like a gas,” she replied.

“It will appear they started the car in their garage, but passed out before opening the door. Accidental carbon monoxide poisioning.” Jack gave a grim smile and added, “You figured it out. Means you’re starting to think like I do. Doesn’t it scare you?”

“A little,” she admitted.

“What I suggested … no, not suggested, what I said to Sy was all hypothetical, of course. Simply musing about different ways to dispose of people. I don’t believe for a minute that he would actually do it.”

“Of course not … for the record. Act surprised, show concern —”

“Deny, deny, deny,” said Jack, finishing her sentence.

Chapter Thirty-One

It was five o’clock in the morning before Jack and Laura finished their paperwork at the office and an hour later before they each made it home to their own beds. About the time Jack was climbing into bed, Cocktail was slurping coffee out of a Styrofoam cup as he sat in a car in Kitsilano Beach Park overlooking English Bay in the heart of Vancouver.

Cocktail was waiting to meet Balvinder, one of the prominent leaders in The Brotherhood. He was told to gain Balvinder’s trust and bait the trap. He knew his orders came from the upper echelon of Satans Wrath. Appraise who is stronger and set up the losers to die.

Prospective members of Satans Wrath had arranged the meeting to ensure security from both the police and the warring factions of The Brotherhood. One prospect sat nearby on a park bench. He was a giant of a man with a short, cropped beard that did little to hide the multiple scars on his face. Cocktail knew he went by the nickname of “Hamburger” and it wasn’t because of his ugly face. Hamburger liked to fight. His nickname came from what other people’s faces looked like when he was done with them. Other prospects also roamed the area on foot and in vehicles.

Cocktail didn’t have to wait long. One of the prospects pulled up and dropped off Balvinder, who ambled over and got in beside Cocktail.

“Well, Balv, how’s it going?” asked Cocktail. “I understand some of your boys tried to take out Sy a couple of nights ago?”

“Yeah, they should have got him. Sy was so drunk he fell over in the house before he left the party. Came with some guy by the name of Jay and a broad. Jay was driving and was obviously sober. My guys said that when the shooting started he drove like a professional demolition derby driver. Sy was lucky. His time will come.”

“I need to be kept informed.”

“Why?”

“Think of who brought you to meet me. It’s them who asked.”

Balvinder glanced over at the biker who had brought him and saw Hamburger scowling at him from the park bench. “Mother of god,” breathed Balvinder under his breath.

“It’s not a good idea to make these guys angry,” continued Cocktail. “You know we do business with Sy’s, Mongo’s, and Munch’s guys too. What you’re doing is attracting police attention. If it keeps up, Satans Wrath will cut business with you guys because it could reflect police attention on them.”