“I know, but someone higher up the ladder might.”

“But East Hastings?”

“I’ve got to start somewhere. I’ll come up with bigger connections sooner or later.”

Louie paused, then said, “Okay. Check it out. But be careful! The brass wouldn’t approve of you sticking your nose into the murder investigation. Wigmore is acting a little kinky these days. He would never authorize funding for us to do street-level drug buys. For now, keep it strictly to surveillance and see what you learn. Forget trying to claim any expenses.”

“I know. I haven’t claimed any expenses yet.”

Louie gave him a hard look. “I didn’t really think you took last week off. You’ve already been buying dope, haven’t you?”

Jack shrugged and said, “I wasted my time — and money. Three scores and no matches.”

“Jesus, Jack! I don’t want you taking risks like that! Policy says you need authorization and a proper cover team if you plan on buying dope. If Wigmore found out, you’d be toast.”

“Wigmore won’t find out.”

“He didn’t get to where he is by being stupid. I’ve got some news for you. Your new partner has arrived. He’s been here all week. Seems anxious to meet you.”

“Who?”

“His name is Danny O’Reilly. Came from back east. Was in Public Relations but —”

Jack groaned. “Just what I need, my own PR person. I bet he’s a pansy.”

“He has Drug experience and GIS. I’m told that PR was just temporary while he was waiting to sell his house and transfer out. It was his baby who puked on the prime minister.”

“That guy? What a hoot! The way I feel about politicians, I’d rather work with his baby.”

“He’s a few years younger than you. Acted a little nervous, but after what he went through with the PM, who wouldn’t be? Take him with you on surveillance. Nothing else until we get grounds to ask for authorization.”

“You got it.”

“Better come up with a project name.”

“How about Project 13?”

“Perfect. One more thing. I have no idea what your new partner is like, so be careful. I mean it when I say I don’t want you taking risks. Especially with Satans Wrath. If something doesn’t feel right, phone me and I’ll back you up. Day or night.”

“Thanks, Louie.”

“Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Later that afternoon, Danny found a private moment to call Susan.

“What’s your new partner like?” she asked. “Or can’t you talk now?”

“I can talk. He looks like a hood, but actually seems quite nice.”

“You sound surprised.”

Danny paused, then said, “Sorry, I don’t have much time to talk. I wanted to let you know that I won’t be home for dinner. Sounds like I might be working late.”

“You’ve already worked all day! I thought we were going to unpack tonight. Speaking of which, the movers found the headboard and frame for our bed. It arrived today.”

“Sorry, honey, I have to work.”

“Is he making you work?”

“Jack? No. He told me to go home and work with him tomorrow night, but…”

“But what?”

“I need to stick close to him.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do. I’ll dig into those boxes tomorrow.”

“Okay. Maybe I’ll put the bed frame and headboard together myself.”

“Who needs a headboard? It’ll just bang on the wall and wake up Tiffany.”

Susan giggled. “You’re awful. Love ya.”

It was getting dark as Danny drove the two-door compact sports car, following Jack’s directions. He stopped for an early amber light and heard a slight grunt of disapproval.

“I heard about your niece and nephew. Just wanted to say I’m sorry. Susan and I have a baby girl. It would be hard to imagine anything more terrible.”

“Thanks,” Jack replied.

“I hope Homicide solves it soon. I wonder if they have any leads?”

“They don’t think they do.”

Neither spoke for several minutes. Danny then flipped on the windshield wipers and asked, “Where we going?”

“East Hastings.”

“Being as we’re partners, maybe you could tell me why?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Danny could see Jack sizing him up. He seemed to be weighing his response carefully.

“We’re starting what’s called an intelligence probe. Project 13. It’s —”

“About speed,” said Danny.

Jack looked surprised, so Danny continued. “The thirteenth letter of the alphabet. Letter M. Stands for methamphetamine. Bikers sometimes tattoo the number on —”

“So you know a little bit about drugs and bikers.”

“A little. Spent four years on Winnipeg Drugs. Also saw you at the office going through pictures of bikers.”

“Satans Wrath. Ever work on them back east?”

“Not really.”

“They have at least eighty-five members out here on the West Coast. In our area they’ve got four chapters with between eighteen to twenty-five guys in each chapter. Every chapter in the country has a local president and they all report to the national president. He’s a guy by the name of Damien who also lives here. They’ve also got about a dozen strikers.”

“Strikers?”

“Probationary members who do a lot of the dirty work for the club and take the risks.”

“Sounds like a big group to be taking on.”

“It’s worse than that. The rule of thumb is that for every regular member of the club, there are about ten hard-core criminals who work for them. Overall, in our area alone, we’re dealing with an army of about nine hundred professional criminals.”

Danny let out a low whistle, then said, “So what are we up to?”

“I think someone in Satans Wrath is either directly or indirectly supplying speed to the area we’re going to. I’m going to find out who. Are you a trained operator?”

“UC? No.”

“Didn’t think so.”

“Why not?” Danny tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“You look too straight for undercover.” Jack paused for a moment, then looked at Danny and said, “Actually, that’s not altogether true. There is a certain aura about you. You remind me a little of a used car salesman who’s trying to sell me a lemon.”

Danny chose not to respond. He stared out at the part of the city they had entered. On the steps of a men’s hostel, a small knot of men huddled in the doorway. Farther down the block was a small park. A syringe stuck out of the trunk of a dogwood tree.

He drove past several pawnshops. Heavy steel reinforcement bars guarded the windows and doors. One building had been bulldozed, leaving a cesspool of rubble and garbage.

“Turn left and drive slow down the next alley.”

Danny did as directed. Partway down the alley, he noticed that Jack paid particular attention to a grey steel door behind one building. A light above the door had been smashed out, but the words Black Water Hotel could still be seen in black on the door.

Moments later, Danny parked on the second level of a parking garage that overlooked the front of the hotel. The hotel was in dire need of paint. A sign in red neon lights hung from the front of the building. The letter T was burned out so it appeared from a distance as “HO EL.”

“Pop the trunk.”

Danny watched as Jack took off an ankle holster holding his Smith & Wesson semi-automatic 9-mm calibre pistol and, along with his badge, stashed them both in the trunk. He handed Danny a pair of binoculars.

“Why are you stashing your piece?”

“I find it uncomfortable to wear.”

“Really?”

Jack stared at Danny briefly, then said, “Your job, O’Really, is to stay here and watch.”

Danny wasn’t amused. “You’re not going down there alone. Policy says that —”

“Policy can get you killed. You’re not ready for the Black Water yet. Wait here.”

Danny waited until Jack walked away from the car before making an entry in his notebook. No doubt Superintendent Wigmore would be interested. He checked his watch. Less than an hour before he was to call him and report in.