Free Loose Ends by Don Easton Page B

ounce of speed and managed to flip him. I haven’t told you the best part yet. It’s a match. The lab matched the ounce with the meth at the murder scene and the meth associated to Satans Wrath back east. They’ve obviously started a new connection with the club out here!”
    â€œSounds like a reasonable theory.”
    â€œThis is a good opportunity to take a swipe at Satans Wrath. Give Wigmore the details; he’s bound to approve it!”
    â€œI’ll speak with Wigmore, but first, I want you to talk with Homicide.”
    â€œI’ve been doing inside surveillance. This isn’t the place for people in suits.”
    â€œI’ll vouch for that,” said Danny, glancing at his hand.
    â€œThey don’t have to go inside and hold your hand. I’ll call them myself.”
    Jack and Danny took a seat and waited while Louie called CC. He relayed the information and listened, then hung up.
    â€œWell?” Jack asked. “Are they coming to babysit?”
    â€œThey’re not interested yet. CC has worked on Satans Wrath before. She said they never talk on their phones and never rat each other out.”
    â€œSo they don’t want to be involved?” Jack’s voice sounded upbeat.
    â€œShe appreciates what you are doing but says she’s not interested unless you have something more substantial.”
    â€œShe’s got a point,” Danny said. “How do we take on an army like that? They must have hundreds of dealers, maybe thousands.”
    â€œHave to work our way up to the multi-kilo level,” said Jack. “Catch a club member who has the inside track. Someone willing to talk.”
    â€œBut these guys have a reputation for never talking,” replied Danny.
    â€œWe’ll see about that,” replied Jack. His voice sounded cold.
    â€œMaybe get an undercover operator inside the club?” suggested Danny.
    Jack shook his head. “Won’t work.”
    Danny looked at Louie, who explained. “They test their strikers for at least two years. Make them do all sorts of things. Robberies, drug trafficking, maybe murder.Things that UC operators can’t do. Jack is right. You need to turn someone on the inside.”
    â€œWith proper funding,” said Jack, “we’ll get our informant to make bigger and bigger buys. Maybe even introduce me. Once we get high enough, the bigger fish will surface.”
    Louie nodded in agreement. “I’ll talk with Wigmore. I’m sure he’ll be interested.” He dialled Superintendent Wigmore, who gave him an immediate audience.
    â€œTurned an informant, did they? Both Taggart and that new guy? What’s his name again?”
    â€œDanny O’Reilly.”
    â€œRight … O’Reilly. Did they both turn this informant, or just Taggart?”
    â€œI don’t know the specific details about that. Jack isn’t one to take credit. It might have only been him who grabbed the guy.”
    â€œWell, it doesn’t really matter. I was simply curious.” Wigmore took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I don’t mind Taggart placing that porn investigation aside. Taxpayers have more important issues. But as far as funding goes, I’m sorry to say that we’re way over budget and there won’t be any money available until next spring. I feel awful about it, but that’s the way it is. Tell your men they can continue with surveillance, but they’re not to do anything else. Even if Homicide isn’t interested now, I still don’t want your men trampling on something that could later turn out to be important.”
    Wigmore watched as Louie left his office.
Informant, my ass!
    Louie motioned for Jack and Danny to follow him to his office where he told them what Wigmore had said. It bothered him that Jack didn’t protest or utter a word. He just turned and walked out of the office. That meant that he already had an alternate