“He started a humanitarian relief agency that provides medical equipment to hospitals and research facilities in third-world countries.”

“Do you know the name of the company?” asked Jack.

“No, but it is in Vancouver someplace. Lyle is the dearest man. I can definitely assure you that he is not who you are looking for. As a matter of fact, he stopped in about a month ago and dropped off a box of chocolates for me.”

And looked through Amanda’s file …

Whiskey Jake and Lance walked up to Damien’s house as he opened the front door.

“This better be good,” said Damien. “You interrupted my breakfast.”

“There’s something you need to hear,” replied Lance.

Minutes later they strolled through the backyard. Damien’s face darkened when he received the news about what had happened overnight.

“A complete fiasco,” Lance muttered. “These guys aren’t competent enough to tie their own fucking shoelaces.”

“I can’t believe it,” said Damien. “You’re telling me that they were armed and had four guys tied up and still couldn’t kill them! They even let them burn the barn down!”

“And a shed behind,” added Whiskey Jake.

“Fucking Christ!” yelled Damien.

“And let them escape,” said Lance. “Which means they might be looking for revenge.”

“Want to join up with Balvinder, Fateh, Rashard, and Quang and wipe the fuckers out?” asked Whiskey Jake.

“Are you stupid, too?” roared Damien. “There’s no fuckin’ way we’re doin’ business with any of these dumb fucks! I must have been out of my mind to have considered it in the first place.”

“What are we gonna do?” asked Whiskey Jake.

“Grab either Sy, Mongo, or Munch. If you can’t find them, grab someone in their gangs who has some clout. Tell them we found out that Cocktail tried to backstab us. Take whoever that is to see the two dumb shits we sent to help Cocktail. Blow the two dumb shits away as a sign of good faith and give their driver’s licences to whoever you grabbed from The Brotherhood.”

“So they’ll have pictures to show we took care of the right guys,” said Lance.

“Exactly. Mention we’re still looking for Cocktail and let the guy go.”

“What do we do about Cocktail?” asked Lance.

“He’s too valuable to waste. We’ll have to move him. Maybe back east. Tell him to lay low until we set up someone in his company to act as a replacement. After that, we’ll start Cocktail off all over again someplace else.”

Jack called Amanda’s home in Victoria and her mother said that Amanda was doing volunteer work at a senior’s lodge, but would be home by suppertime. “Perfect,” said Jack.

He and Laura caught the eleven o’clock ferry departing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. They arrived in the Victoria PD office after lunch and Jack called Connie.

“You just waking up?” asked Connie.

“No, I couldn’t sleep. After talking with you last night, I remembered a comment Cocktail made when we were ambushed about how we weren’t on the honour roll. I figured maybe he is, or was, a teacher.”

“Get down to the school and check it out,” replied Connie. “I’m sure it’s the same school Amanda Flowers taught at.”

“Already did it. Came up with some snapshots in school yearbooks from previous years. Some are of teachers who don’t work there anymore. I’ve got a suspect, but he doesn’t have a beard and the school pictures are grainy.”

“Who’s your suspect?”

“I don’t want to say until I’m positive. If I did pick the wrong photo and sent you to scoop the wrong guy … I mean, in court, that would blow everything … I want to talk to Amanda Flowers first.”

“Where are you?”

“At the Victoria PD office, having coffee with a friend. Laura and I are going to interview Amanda. I think when we do, I’ll know for sure.”

“Why didn’t you call me sooner?” asked Connie suspiciously.

“If I give you his name and you make the arrest, defence may demand that I appear in court. I can’t risk that because of our informant. It won’t be me that tips you.”

“Then who … Christ … Crime Stoppers? That’s not really kosher.”

“Neither is murdering someone or ordering a multiple rape and mutilation. Do you want to find out or not? I won’t jeopardize the informant.”

Connie sighed and said, “You know I want to find out.”

“Good. As soon as we know you will know. I want to talk to Amanda. Cocktail’s order to have the punks slash her face had to be personal. I think when we talk to her and ask her about her relationship with the suspect, it will come together.”

“I should be the one to interview her.”

“She trusts Laura and me. I know she will open up to us. She might not to you.”

“So it’s someone she dated? Maybe a married guy?”

Jack remained silent.

“All I want is for you to identify him, right? It will be me who makes the arrest.”

“Oh, for sure. As I said, we have to stay out of it to protect our informant.”

“Good, as long as we’re clear on that.”

“At that point, as far as I am concerned, Laura and I are finished. It will be up to you. Hope you have him in cuffs before we’re back.”

“Hope so,” said Connie, feeling relieved that Jack was going to let her handle it. “Well quit talking to me and go see her.”

“Unfortunately, we discovered she started a job at a senior’s lodge and won’t be home until suppertime. Her parents say she is still really distraught. I don’t want to bother her at work and cause a scene. We’re going to wait until she gets home. I want her as relaxed as possible. Her own home will help.”

“Yeah, okay,” sighed Connie. “Guess another three or four hours won’t hurt.”

“As long as we’re killing time,” suggested Jack, “I remember reading your file and there were three potential witnesses you never interviewed.”

“What? Those three winos?”

“Yes. As I recall, one of them was originally from the Duncan area. That’s less than an hour away. Want Laura and me to make a few inquiries? Maybe check with relatives and come up with an address or something?”

“I tried before but it wouldn’t hurt to ask again. That would be appreciated. Then I can stroke it off.”

Jack waited patiently as Connie gave him the details about John-Wayne Charlie and said, “We’ll see what we can find out.”

“You’ll let me know as soon as you talk to Amanda.”

“That’s a promise,” said Jack.

“One more thing about Amanda. An hour ago I got a call from the prosecutor handling the case on the three punks who attacked her. Defence is willing to plead to a three-year sentence for each of them to be served in juvenile detention. Ask her what she thinks.”

“Amanda doesn’t want to testify. I know she will go for it, but I’ll still ask.”

An hour later, Jack and Laura parked their car and approached a man who was working under the hood of a car in his driveway. He looked up as they approached and asked, “You from the department? The guy who called me this morning?”

“Yes,” said Jack.

“My brother is around back in a shed. He carves masks. They’re nice. You should buy one.”

“How long has he been doing that?” asked Laura.

“A few months, but he’s good. So how come he is getting some money? I’m his brother, Gunnar. How come I don’t get any?”

“Are you older or younger?” asked Jack.

“I’m two years younger. What’s that got to do with it?”

Jack opened his briefcase and passed Gunnar a picture of Father Brown.

“Evil eye!” said Gunnar. “So that is what this is about.”

“You know him?” asked Jack.

Gunnar nodded and quietly passed the picture back to Jack. “None of us will forget him. His name is Father Brown, but all us kids called him Evil Eye because of the mark on his forehead.” Gunnar looked at Jack and nodded in understanding and said, “So that is why my brother is getting money. It’s for what Evil Eye did to him on Kuper Island.”