Early Wednesday morning, when a routine telephone call from the officer in charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team in British Columbia was received, wanting to confirm the approval of the operation plan, he was brushed off with an explanation the delay was because the U.S. counterpart who usually handled such requests was on holidays and someone new was temporarily filling in. The I-HIT officer was told the operational plan would likely be approved later that afternoon.

The meeting with the U.S. ambassador was held and the bureaucrats felt smug that they went armed with enough circumstantial evidence against Taggart to alleviate any embarrassment or inclination that they were not completely on top of the situation.

They were soon disappointed. It had nothing to do with Jack Taggart. The U.S. had their own special investigation going in El Paso involving a rogue agent of their own who was the primary suspect in a recent murder of a Mexican drug cartel member.

The ambassador said it was believed that the Canadian investigators would come in contact with the rogue officer in El Paso because he was apparently the most knowledgeable about the Mexican cartels in that area and also had a high-level confidential informant who supplied him with valuable information about the cartels.

He went on to say that their criminal profilers, armed with a psychological profile of their rogue agent, said the agent would be under a great deal of stress, which was evidenced by the sudden appearance of excessive drinking. It was predicted he would soon make an admission of guilt to someone, possibly as a psychological need for self-vindication.

The ambassador said he felt they were obliged to share the nature of the investigation with the Canadians so as not to ruffle any feathers and to alleviate any misunderstandings should the Canadian investigators accidentally be overheard in an ongoing wiretap investigation concerning their rogue agent. The possibility also existed that the Canadian investigators could become involved in future criminal proceedings to give evidence should the rogue agent make some comment or disclose something to help convict him.

The disappointment that the RCMP bureaucrats momentarily felt turned to elation. They explained that they, too, had a rogue officer who was involved in the intended investigation in El Paso. They suggested that with a little manipulation, they could not only assist the U.S. in their investigation, but perhaps kill two birds with one stone.

A flurry of phone calls ensued. The result was the U.S. special investigators and the district attorney assigned to the case were more than happy with the idea. The timing and the similar personality traits of the two men fit perfectly with what the criminal profilers said was needed for an ultimate admission of guilt. It was further predicted that an admission by one would generate an admission of wrongdoing by the other.

This joint U.S.–Canada investigation was given the code name of Birds of a Feather.

chapter nineteen

It was six-thirty Thursday morning and Jack was lying on his back, awake, when Natasha came out of the bathroom and slipped back under the sheets and cuddled up to him.

“You’re a very dangerous man, Mr. Jack Taggart,” she said, mischievously. “Do you know that?”

“A few people have suggested that,” he replied suspiciously, as a half smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Yup, armed and dangerous, I would say,” she continued, as her hand gave a playful tug on his penis. “I think I should call you Dead Eye Dick.”

“What are you talking about? You’re not …?”

“Yes, indications are I am,” she replied, giving a smile.

“It’s only been a couple of weeks since we said we would try,” said Jack, feeling dumbfounded. “How do you know already? I mean, is this for real or only hopeful thinking?”

“I just did a test.”

“Did it come back blue, meaning it’s going to be another boy?” joked Jack, while his brain still tried to process the moment.

Natasha smiled and said, “I think it’s a good thing you never decided to enter the medical profession. I only know I’m pregnant. I figure we should be due around the middle of next April.”

Jack felt at a momentary loss for words, so he hugged her and kissed her long and passionately on the lips and then on her neck, while holding her as close to him as he could. He felt her tears on his cheek. Or are they mine?

As Jack drove to work he glanced in the rear-view mirror. He saw he had a goofy grin on his face. It only made him smile more. As he got closer to his office, he wondered if Mikey would be getting a baby brother or a baby sister.

The thought of having a daughter made him think about Lily Rae and the joy he had been feeling disappeared. As a parent, he appreciated even more how much her mother must be hurting. He decided he would phone her when he got to the office. He would not risk endangering the secrecy of the investigation by telling her about El Paso, but he would make her a solemn promise to reassure her he would do everything he possibly could to find her daughter.

As he stopped for a traffic light, his mind went back to the hundreds of murdered and missing women out of Juarez … and the thousands of loved ones who still must be grieving their loss. How do they deal with the pain? Many of the bodies were never found. Some would never have closure …

As he sat waiting for the light to change, sadness was replaced by rage and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. If someone ever came after my family …

Jack knew then he would do everything he could to find Lily Rae.

Including going into Mexico if need be …

Assistant Commissioner Isaac received a call from Assi-stant Commissioner Franklin in Ottawa and Birds of a Feather was explained. He was told to ensure Corporal Taggart was sent alone to El Paso for a few days to work with Special Agent John Adams.

“Hopefully that will give the two of them a chance to bond without distractions from other investigators,” Franklin said.

The muscles rippled across Isaac’s clenched jaw. Using Taggart like this is wrong. The fact that the commissioner didn’t ever bother to talk to me about it is wrong … “You likely won’t have to worry about Taggart bonding,” sighed Isaac. “He’s like a chameleon when it comes to fitting in and making friends. From the winos to the academia. People generally like him and go out of their way to accommodate him.”

“You’re probably right, there. The way he got Slater to trust him and open up so quickly was amazing.”

“That’s not an example I would use,” replied Isaac.

“Oh, that’s right. Corporal Crane made a notation Slater may have felt a little intimidated. But still, you agree this plan should work?”

“No, I didn’t say that. Taggart is pretty sharp. Others might trust him, but he isn’t one to put his trust in someone else or seek their approval.”

“The psychological profile that the Americans have put together indicates there is a strong chance for success. These two have very similar personalities. The plan is fairly simple. All the psychologist says needs to be done is to isolate the two of them so they think they are on their own, while putting a little pressure on them to give them the feeling it is them against the world. It will help them bond.”

“The Stockholm Syndrome,” Isaac remarked.

“Basically. Our hostage negotiators do it all the time.”