FIVE
Jack
It turned out the junkie was telling the truth. I was surprised they knew what day it was, let alone gave me actual valuable information. The guy who’d blabbed and given me the meth sample wasn’t your average wasted junkie. Even if he was such a meth head he’d probably still be useful for the occasional bit of info.
Never trust a junkie Jack, or a rat for that matter. Or a dirty cop. They’ll all sell you out as soon as they can get something out of it.
Having cruised around the east side of town for a while, I’d spotted a few guys at various street corners. It took me a little while to spot O’Hanlan, skulking in the recess of an alleyway near to what I guessed was his new corner. He’d sell drugs to people that visited him, and would give a cut of his profit back to the gangsters he was working for.
The gang would most likely give him batches of drugs up front, their signature 80 percent meth. He would have to sell roughly three quarters or so of it within a week in order to pay the gangsters back. The rest was his profit margin. He could either smoke it or sell it, or both.
No matter what, he had to sell the meth. These guys were not the sort you wanted to owe anything to. If he was wise, he’d buy the meth up front after starting to turn a profit. At least then a slow week wouldn't mean the loss of a finger, toe, or one of his expensive gold teeth. Teeth that he’d originally lost for owing money to nasty gangsters in the first place.
I watched him from a safe distance for a while. He made about three transactions in the ten minutes I was there.
I wasn’t gonna bust him. Not if he gave me the info I wanted. No, if I arrested him the biker gang would know about it. Also, if he got locked up there would be a new kid there selling meth within a day or so anyway.
I had formulated a plan of attack and intimidation. The fact that he was standing at the edge of an alleyway made it much easier to carry out.
I waited for his next customer to be on his way, then chose my moment. I had to get this done quick, otherwise he might get backup. I just hoped I wasn’t recognized by any spotters, that they didn’t know who I was.
Well, if they don’t know who I am, they damn well will soon. Taking over my town? I don’t think so.
I pulled the collar up on my trench coat and put some dark, large rimmed sunglasses on as I walked quickly towards John Goldteeth. I saw his five gold teeth flash bright yellow in the sun as I drew closer.
He saw me approach and flinched, cursing under his breath.
“Yo, Goldie. Been a while, bro,” I spat at him as I approached.
“Hey, Jack. Listen, I can explain…”
His words were cut short as I punched him firmly in the gut, knocking the air from his lungs.
“Guess you didn’t learn your lesson, John!” I said quietly as I pushed him into the dark recess of the alley, kneeing him in the chest as he tried to rise from his half crouch behind a dumpster.
He held his hands up defensively. “Fucks sake, Jack. Let me…”
I drew my glock and cracked the butt savagely against the side of his face, satisfied with the crunch as it connected with his cheekbone.
“I’ll do the talking, Johnnie boy. You’ll listen and tell me what I need to know.” I paused, waiting for him to give me another reason to hit him again. He stayed quiet, holding his face, wincing.
“Good. Listen, I heard from a good source you’re selling meth for the new gang in town.” He nodded, grimacing.
“I want a sample of your meth. And a name. Give me what I want or I’ll take all your meth and beat you senseless. And you can go explain to the new boys how you got beat up by a junkie and lost your meth. Then you’ll lose all your nice shiny gold teeth.”
He looked up at me, a pleading look in his eye. He looked pathetic.
I nodded at him. “Talk. Now.”
He gasped a breath in. “Look, I’ll tell you what I know. Alright. But just what I know, and it ain’t much, I promise.”
I nodded at him. “Go on, then.”
“Shit, man. Ok. You remember Conall O’Rourke? Word on the street is that he’s back. And he’s pissed, man. Wants to take back what’s his.”
I kicked John in the gut.
“It’s not his town. It’s mine!” I spat at him. “There’ll be no meth epidemic on my streets!”
He whimpered pathetically. “Hey man, enough with the beating. I’m only passing on what I was told.”
“Conall. Conall O’Rourke,” I said, thoughtfully. “I remember the piece of work. Nasty, reckless piece of trash. How in the hell did he get away?”
“I don’t know man, honest. They couldn’t get anything to stick, so I heard. That’s all I got. I just get meth off his dealers and give them the money. I don’t know any names, I promise. The two I deal with are called Shark and Cathal. Cathal’s got dreadlocks, see.”
“I get it, John. Shut up. Give me some meth before I decide I’m gonna beat you just for fun.” I held my left hand out and pointed my glock in his face with my right.
“Oh, I should say. If anything other than a big bag of drugs comes out of your coat, I will kill you. Instantly.” He looked shit scared.
“Alright man, slow and steady. I know the drill.” He drew out a small bag of meth with a shaky hand and passed it to me.
“What the hell is that supposed to be?” I threw the bag back at him. “Do I look like I’m in the mood?”
“Ok, ok.” He rummaged around in his pocket again and drew out a much bigger bag.
“That’s better. Now, I’m sure it goes without saying but this meeting never happened. Alright? You came back here to sort out a deal with a long time customer who wanted bulk.” I was satisfied when he nodded at me enthusiastically.
“Don’t cross my path again, Goldie. You stay here on your little corner, selling drugs to kids like the weasel that you are. If I see you trying to climb up the social ladder, or if word gets back to me that you’ve blabbed, I will put you behind bars. Same place the O’Rourkes went, and I’ll make sure they think you talked about Conall. You’ll get shanked in the lunch line, after the boys have had fun with you in the shower. And no one will care.”
I backed away, aiming my glock at him as I headed for the other end of the alleyway.
“Now get lost,” I said gruffly. He scrambled to his feet, straightened his clothes and then coughed as he prodded his cheek with a fat, grubby finger.
When he was back at his spot at the end of the alley I turned and walked swiftly away, holstering my service pistol. I looked down at my boots.
The piece of work scuffed my boots. He so much as breathes a word about me to anyone and I’ll make sure his face is imprinted on them. Permanently.
Satisfied I hadn’t been spotted, I headed back to my car. I’d got a name, and two samples of meth from dealers at either side of town. Along with Lucas’s evidence and statement, I had the workings of a case on my hands.
I turned on the ignition and drove away casually, scowling thoughtfully as my mind raced through what I’d found so far.
Looks like the O’Rourkes are back. The one that got away decided to become big time. Too bad you came back to my town, Conall. Shoulda ran off to Mexico. I’m gonna take you down, scumbag.
I made my way slowly back to the precinct, taking unnecessary turns just in case O’Hanlan had squealed already. I knew enough of his character from my time undercover to believe he was shitting himself, and would go back to slinging meth from his spot. Wouldn’t say a word.
I reached the parking lot, confident I hadn’t been followed.
One of the old, corrupt detectives was smoking by the back entrance as I got out my car. He looked my way as I headed towards the doors.
“Jack. I know you think you’re doing the right thing. But don’t go sticking your nose in where it ain't warranted. Don’t think you want to step on anyone’s toes, right?” He paused, taking a big drag from his cigarette.
“We got an understanding in this town. Me and the old boys got these scumbags under control. We take them down, someone else steps in their place. Better to keep the peace, keep everyone happy. In the green, right?”
He flicked his cigarette into the gutter next to his feet. He took a step towards me, one hand in his pocket, the other pointing a finger at me.
“People gonna be smoking meth no matter what. Not much else to do around here. So why not see me and the boys later for a beer. We can work something out. Keep everyone sweet, make a deal. Get it?”
I stopped, my hand on the door. I turned my head to look at the balding, fat detective who was appraising me with bloodshot eyes.
“No. I don’t get it. People come into this town, our town, and start selling meth to kids and junkies? Start intimidating and killing people? And you want me to make adeal with them?” I let go of the door and turned to face the old detective.
“How the hell do you sleep at night? Did you become a cop because you were too much of a pussy to become a gangster? I hope you enjoy spending the dirty money you get on strip clubs and hookers and holidays for your family who think you’re a fucking hero.”
“Whatever you say, Jack. You ain’t got a clue how things work. Just be careful you don’t end up getting yourself in something you can’t handle. Keep running your mouth off, and me and my boys will see you don’t cause any more trouble. Understand?”
He had stepped closer to me as if to intimidate.
I laughed in his face. Then I grabbed his shirt and put my face inches from his.
“Where are your boys now?” I gestured around me.
“Can’t see them anywhere. You threaten me again, I will destroy you. You think you got something on me, doing my damn job? ‘Cause you don’t. All you got is empty threats, old man.”
His eyes widened as I spat my words aggressively in his face.
“You and your boys better leave me alone from now on. You do that, and I’ll leave you alone. Let’s just all do our own thing, right?” I glared at him. He raised his hands, as if he was surrendering.
“Look, Jack. Do what you want, OK. I’m just sayin’ there’s another way. If you change your mind, I’m all ears. Otherwise, we’ll stay out of your way. Sure.”
“Good.” I let go of his collar and headed into the building. I wasn’t sure of the consequences, if any, of what I’d just done. But I wasn’t gonna end up like one of his boys.
Hell no. They get in my way, I’ll take them down too.
I reached the Lieutenant's office a short walk later. I knocked gently, seeing he was on the phone. He smiled and waved me in.
“... yeah, I know Marlene. Right. Ok.” He paused, making a talking gesture at me with his hand.
“Alright. Dinner is booked for 7, be home by 6. No, I don’t want to piss your parents off. Ok darlin’, see you later. Love you too.” He hung up the phone. Marlene was his wife. She usually called him at least once per day to remind him of something. As if he didn’t have enough to deal with.
“Sorry Jack.” He gestured at the seat in front of his desk as he took a gulp of coffee.
I sat down obligingly, leaning forward on my elbows.
“No problem, sir. You got a minute?” I said, a serious expression on my face.
“Sure thing. What you got for me? I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit?” He sighed, staring into the corner of the room wistfully. “Hell, if I didn’t have dinner with the wife’s parents later I’d suggest we have this conversation in a bar over a few ice-cold beers.”
“Well, I’m always down for a few beers. What about next Friday? Just tell your wife you got a police meeting or something.” He laughed, nodding.
“Anyway, I got some info earlier this week. From my old pal Lucas. Said he busted some young kid with biker meth. Which is almost identical to the meth the O’Rourkes used to push, before we took them down.” I waited for the Lieutenant to look up at me, concern in his eyes.
“No shit. Not just an old batch? Or a new cook following the old recipe?”
“Well, of course that’s always possible sir. But I took the liberty of obtaining two more samples, from different sides of town. Both look exactly the same as the stuff Lucas brought me. He said there’s other cops finding the same stuff as well.” I took the three samples from my jacket, arraying them on the desk in front of the Lieutenant. All had the exact same yellowish hue, and they sparkled blue in the light as he studied them.
“Amazing. Looks exactly the same.”
“That isn’t all, sir. I got a name. From someone who was selling that meth.” I paused, leaning forward, my hand on the edge of the desk.
“Conall O’Rourke.”
The Lieutenant breathed in sharply through his teeth. “That scum bag. If he’s back in town, he’s more of a moron than I thought.”
The Lieutenant rose from his desk, and closed the blinds on his office windows. He paced thoughtfully.
“Listen, Jack. I know you got history with these O’Rourkes. Hell, it was that case that made me Lieutenant, after years of trying to get in this office. You were like an ice-cold spy infiltrating them the way you did.” He stopped pacing, turning to face me.
“I guess the Captain was right about you after all. Just promise me one thing, if I let you look into this further.”
I nodded at him seriously.
“I know the things you had to do to get into the O’Rourke gang. We all had to do stuff to make detective, stuff we aren’t proud of. I need you to make sure you’ve… taken care of all loose ends, right? Make sure the past don’t rear its ugly head. ‘Cause if it does, and shit gets pinned on you...you’ll lose the case.”
I nodded again. “Sir, I understand your concern. But I’ve taken care of it already, I promise. I’m clean, boss.”
“Ok, good. Knew you weren’t gonna ruin your career by leaving loose ends I sure as shit did. You’d be amazed at how many don’t bother. Always good to have a friend down in evidence, you know…” He trailed off. It was well known the Lieutenant had an affair with the pretty young officer in charge of the evidence room when he was detective.
Man, I shoulda thought of that. Damn sight cheaper than the bribes I had to pay…
“Right, tell you what. You take these three samples down for testing, now. Get the results sent straight to me. I want Lucas to bring in anyone who’s heard so much as a whisper about this new gang.” He sat back down, fingers interlaced. His face serious.
“These three samples come back within one percent of each other, that’s more than just coincidence. With that and what you and Lucas have found already, we got a case. Your case.”
He looked up at me, eyes searching mine.
“I know your partner’s out of action. If the Captain gives the go ahead to get started Monday - which, between you and me, he will - you got this, Storm?”
“Sir, I got this. You know me. I work better alone, means I don’t have to worry about anyone else.”
And my fearlessness won’t put anyone else in danger this time. Only those who get in my way.
I picked up the three samples, pocketed them. “I’ll get these tested, Sir. Thanks.”
The Lieutenant smiled at me. “Don’t mention it, Jack. You done great already. Once you get the results emailed to me, take the rest of the afternoon off. Go get some beers. Enjoy the weekend. Hard work starts Monday.”
I nodded gratefully, remembering Lucas’s offer of a drink from earlier in the week. “Thank you, Sir. I was gonna meet Lucas, OK if I call him off his shift early?”
The Lieutenant nodded. “Yeah, as long as he ain’t busy or busting someone.”
I headed for the exit, turning back to the Lieutenant as I was half out the door. I pointed at him, frowning seriously.
“Don’t forget, Sir. Gotta be home by 6!”
I heard his laughter echoing from his office as I headed to the Lab.