THIRTEEN
Jack
I awoke the next day, disorientated slightly as I studied the unfamiliar surroundings in the room. Then I remembered with a smile where I was. Eden’s. I looked down at the weight on my shoulder. Eden was still asleep, breathing gently as her head rested on my shoulder, her small hand resting on my chest. I sighed with pleasure at the memory of the previous night's activities.
Damn. She’s perfect. Ain’t letting this one get away. I’m gonna keep her safe, that’s for damn sure.
Adrenaline rushed into my blood as I remembered her words about John “Goldie” O’Hanlan and how he assaulted her. I’d managed to remain calm at the time, my understated comment that he’d crossed the line masking the desire for serious revenge that was welling inside of me.
I needed to get to Goldie as soon as possible. I figured he’d be the final piece of the puzzle. All I needed to do was get him to squeal like the little pig he was. I grimaced wryly. Not good odds of things going any other way, I knew.
He’ll talk, sure. Once I’ve hurt him.
I felt a longing desire to stay with Eden. It was Saturday and we should just be relaxing in each other’s company, but she was in too much danger for me to sit around. I had work to do. I wasn’t going to rest until I saw Conall and anyone associated with him behind bars.
I checked the time on the alarm clock next to Eden.
Shit. 10:00am already. Need to get outta here.
I shook her gently. She moaned as she stirred, smiling in her half sleep.
“Eden. Wake up. I’ve gotta go.” I nudged her gently again.
“Don’t go, Jack. Stay with me,” she said sleepily, snuggling against my chest. I could smell her, her scent filling my nose.
God, I wish I could stay here.
“We’ll have plenty of time to relax once I’ve taken Conall down. Trust me, babe. I gotta do this. Now.” I pushed her gently off me and she sighed with mild annoyance.
“Ok, whatever Jack. You’ve got what you came for and now you’re outta here.” I wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. I couldn’t always decipher female sarcasm.
“Listen. I’ll be back for you. Once Conall is behind bars or dead. I mean it.” I looked down at her. She was gazing into my eyes and didn’t seem to be listening to what I was saying, her gaze heavy with desire.
“I was joking, Jack. Go. Do your thing. Go clean this town up, you handsome hero.” She smiled at me.
I leaned over and gave her a big passionate kiss, resisting the urge to roll over onto her warm, naked body.
I jumped out of bed before I lost the small amount of willpower I was channeling to leave her. I glanced back, smiling and waving goodbye as I headed toward the stairs to retrieve my clothes and be on my way. They were still on the kitchen floor where we’d left them last night.
“Remember, any trouble you call me. And you gotta make a decision about testifying. I’ll speak to the Lieutenant if you decide to do it. I’ll get it arranged by next week. Promise.” She was nodding back at me, eyes on my naked body as I stood in the doorway. I remained there for a second, stretching my arms out and flexing my muscles. Her eyes widened.
I laughed as I ran down the steps to get dressed quickly, feeling like a naughty teenager as I left through the back door, effortlessly vaulting the back wall into the alleyway behind Eden’s backyard.
A little while later I’d returned back to my apartment, took a quick shower, and dressed into clean clothes. A quick donut and coffee was all I had time for before I headed out to my car, mind racing with ideas.
How do I get hold of that scumbag, Goldie?
I could cruise the streets but last time I’d done so I had seen no sign of him. I’d already guessed that he’d had a word with Conall and taken a step or two up the ladder.
Just as easy to slip as it is to climb, Johnny boy. Unfortunately for you, you’re gonna find that out the hard way.
An idea popped into my head suddenly. There was an old biker’s bar on the other side of town, Freddie’s. It had been the headquarters of the old O’Rourke gang. They’d been brazen enough to run their drug operation from the bar.
I didn’t think Conall would be as stupid, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he’d taken his uncle's old bar back. Somewhere they could stay away from prying eyes, make deals with dirty cops and associates, organize distribution…
That’s where I’d find Goldie, if my assumption was correct.
That’s the thing with gangsters. Most of the time they have no imagination. Too predictable. Trying to be what someone else was, trying to be like people who are dead or in jail.
I shuddered to think what we’d be up against if we ever came up against an intelligent, original, subtle gangster with a decent imagination. I prayed that day never came.
I checked my guns as I headed to my car, ensuring both were fully loaded. The weight of them against my body comforted me. I could draw and shoot a headshot in a second or so and was deadly accurate. I’d taken plenty of hard men by surprise, disbelief on their faces as they dropped to the floor.
Lightning reflexes, and years of nurturing an almost superhuman natural talent with handguns. Sometimes I wondered if I took after my namesake gunslinger more than I thought.
I drove casually over to Frankie’s bar, focusing on remaining calm. My sharp eyes surveyed the road as I approached the bar, looking for any sign of activity. I couldn’t see anyone leaving or arriving as it was and took a position back down the road from the bar. Far enough away to avoid too much suspicion, but near enough to keep an eye on the bar.
There was no sign of much, other than some big mean looking bikes arrayed out the front of the bar. A few big, skin headed figures emerged every now and again to smoke by the door. Black, sleeveless jackets. Some had bandanas. The biker uniform. Everyone who walked past the bar looked the other way. Most crossed the road well before getting near Freddie’s.
A long time passed before I saw anything useful. Then someone caught my eye.
A smaller, squatter figure emerged from the bar with two other massive bikers. Gold teeth flashed in the early afternoon sun as he lit up a cigarette. A large beer was in his hand, and he drank it greedily, gut extending as he took big chugs.
I frowned, nodding as I saw him.
Got ya.
It was a good few hours still until Goldie left the bar, staggering slightly. Drunk at 3pm. I figured it would make my job all the easier.
He walked drunkenly over to his car which was parked near the bar, struggling with his keys as he opened the driver’s door. He set off, swerving only slightly as he drove, hopefully back to his place. I smiled ironically at his surprisingly good driving.
You’ve done this before, ain’t ya. Still, driving a little too slow. It’ll be easy to keep up, at least.
I followed behind his car, surprised by the direct route he took back to his bungalow near the middle of town. Money and power had made him overconfident, it seemed. Decent sized, immaculate garden. Pool by the side of the house. Drug money extravagantly spent already without regard of suspicion.
What a moron.
I gave him a minute to get out of his car and stagger to his front door. I ran my hand over my short hair, watching as he approached his house.
I quickly jumped out of my car, which I’d parked a way down the road from his house. He looked round in surprise as I vaulted his picket fence, his jaw slack, hand still on the open door in front of him.
He raised his arms in attempted defence, turning to face me as I rushed across his lawn. I was too quick for him. Anger surged through me, turning into raw power as I swung a right fist at his face, solid knuckles crunching against his cheekbone. He staggered back, head cracking against the doorframe as he half fell through his doorway.
“You can’t come in here, Jack. You ain’t got a warrant. Fuck off!” He had recovered slightly and stood, hands raised in defence. He’d adopted a rough fighter’s stance.
I stepped in the house, slamming the door behind me.
“Oh, I got my warrant right here.” I growled, hand in my trench coat. He looked in surprise at my jacket, confusion on his face.
I swung my clenched fist from my jacket, swinging my arm in a savage backhanded punch that connected with his other cheekbone. He grunted and fell back, landing heavily on his ass.
He attempted to rise. I stepped in, swinging a leg in a brutal side kick, my shin connecting to his temple with a sickening crunch. He slumped back onto the floor.
“Fucks sake, Jack. You’re an animal. I ain’t done nothing wrong. What’s your problem?” I got the impression he was stalling to avoid the savage beating he was about to get.
Then my suspicions were confirmed. A clumsy hand went to the small of his back, and he snarled as he twisted, drawing something from the rear of his pants.
My glock was in my hand in an instant, recoil pulsing up through my arm as I shot him in the shoulder. The gunshot cracked out through the house. Followed by Goldie screaming in pain as he writhed, right arm useless.
“Now that was a really, really bad idea.” I stood motionless, left hand at my side, right hand holding my gun casually. I waited to see if he was going to try anything else.
I need him alive. But if he wants to die, not much I can do about it.
He remained on the floor, gasping with pain and cursing at me.
“Shut up, John. It’s not that bad. Try anything else and you’re dead. If you don’t believe me, just do something stupid.” He snarled at me, anger and pain evident on his ugly features.
“That was for hitting Eden. You’re lucky I’m able to show restraint or you’d be a pulverized, useless mess on the floor. I told you not to try and think, didn’t I John? I told you not to be greedy. You’ve let me down, again.” I shook my head, tutting.
“Now, as it is no one knows I’m here. I’m looking into Conall solo, and I’ve been damn sly about it so far. So if you think anyone’s coming to help, you’re wrong.” He winced, managing to sit up, hand at the wound in his chest that was pulsing blood onto his wooden floor.
“So, here’s how this went down in my report. I came here to ask you a few questions. Friendly like. You swung at me. I hit you. You drew a gun and got shot. It’s my word against yours, a known snitch.” I looked down at him as he cowered pathetically in front of me.
“I’m taking you in, John. You had your second chance. We made a deal and you blew it. Game’s over now. All you can do is make things a little easier for yourself, right?” He nodded at me.
“Tell me where Conall’s lab is. Where they cook. You tell me that and I’ll let you make a deal with us. Sing like a bird and you won’t go away for the rest of your life.” He was looking down at the floor, his face flooded with despair.
“Jack. I never told Conall about nothing, I promise. I just needed more money. You know what it’s like. I was getting peanuts while the other guys were talking about their new houses. Watches. Cars. Wives.” He looked up at me, pleading.
“Listen. I’m rolling with Conall now. One of his trusted. I got cash, man. Lots of it. I can have a word with Conall, we ca….”
I shot him in the left thigh, trying to avoid any major blood vessels but still made sure the wound was deep enough to sear with excruciating pain. He cried out, sobbing.
“Tell me where the lab is John, or I will kill you. You’re useless to me otherwise.” I walked over to him, handcuffing him with a little difficulty as he struggled in pain.
I took his gun and threw it to one side. I looked around the apartment. My eyes widened as I saw a large bag of meth sitting on a glass coffee table. A couple lines were arrayed haphazardly next to the bag.
Wow. His stupidity never ceases to amaze.
Goldie spoke to me through gritted teeth. “Alright man, I’ll do it. I don’t wanna die. There’s an old warehouse over the rough side of town. 42nd, the old industrial district. Pretty much deserted nowadays, but there's a building there Conall’s got as his lab. Got his uncle's old cook making the meth. Using the old materials, they managed to hide just before they got busted.” He grunted with pain.
“If you’re lying, I’m gonna get word to the O’Rourkes that you snitched. I got contacts inside. You’ll face a much more unpleasant end than the one I’m offering. So just rack your brains, right?” He was nodding.
I read him his rights, citing him for drug dealing, assault, drug possession, attempted assault and murder of a police officer.
My phone rang just after I’d finished reciting.
An unknown number flashed on the screen as I swiped it to answer.
“Jack Storm,” I said, frowning.
“Jack! It’s Eden. Conall’s here. Banging on the door, he sounds pissed. You gotta get here!” She sounded scared, and I could hear faint banging and shouting in the background.
“Keep the door locked, Eden. Barricade it if you have to. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” I hung up, looking down at Goldie.
“Looks like I won’t have the pleasure of busting you. Damn shame.” I quickly dialed Lucas’s number, breathing out with relief as he answered quickly.
“Lucas, listen. I need a favor. Sorry for calling you on a Saturday, but you gotta do something for me, now. Grab your badge and gun, get in the car. I’m gonna give you a location. You gotta come bust a dealer, the meth is here in the living room. He’s been shot… twice. Better call an ambulance, too.”
I gave Lucas my location and checked Goldie’s cuffs, snapping them tight against his fat wrists. I tied his legs together at the ankles with a couple cable ties, just to be sure.
Then I sprinted out to the car. Time for a meeting with Conall.