SEVEN
Jack
I was in damn good spirits as I left the precinct and made my way to the bar Lucas and I had agreed to meet at. All three samples of meth had come back within less than 0.1% of each other, which meant the cook knew what he was doing, assuming they were from different batches. Either he didn’t quite have the recipe, materials or ingredients to get the quality higher than around 79%, or the gang was stretching their resources. Either way, the three samples were from the same batch or the same cook.
Now, is this an old batch or are the O’Rourkes back in town? My gut is telling me Conall is back in business. And business is good...
I knew that we didn’t quite have the evidence yet to form any sort of probable cause, to get a warrant or to question anyone officially. My gut instinct was telling me this was real. Hell, I knew something was happening.
The Lieutenant and I both knew that it was his call if he opened a case, as he looked after the precinct’s detectives. If he wanted a case opened, and had sufficient reason to do so, the Captain wouldn’t stand in his way. Therefore, with the results coming back how I’d hoped, come Monday I would have a case.
I couldn’t wait to tell Lucas and to celebrate. I was feeling good, confident, and strong.
I took a quick look at myself in the rear-view mirror of the car, brushing my hair back and adjusting my collar.
Damn, ain’t looking half bad either, Jack.
I strode purposefully from the car, skipping up the step and half jogging to the bar’s entrance. I shrugged to adjust my trench coat over my shoulders as I walked in, one hand in the right pocket of my jeans.
My eyes scanned the drinkers in the bar, spotting a few familiar faces, old friends, and a few old adversaries I’d come across in the past. The latter all avoided my gaze. I spotted Lucas down to my right, smiling up at me.
I felt a grin creeping onto my face as I spotted him.
“Lucas! You fucking genius!” I said through my inane expression that was spreading from cheek to cheek. “You’ve only gone and got me a case to work on, my case.”
“Glad to hear it, Jack. Couldn’t have you sitting there wasting away, the best damn detective in the department. Just doing my bit for the town, y’know?” He was grinning back at me, eyes shining.
“Forget what I said about it being your turn to get the beers! Next rounds are on me!”
We both laughed heartily as we shook hands, and I slapped him good naturedly on the shoulder.
Now, time for a well-earned drink. Or three.
I saw Lucas had a beer already, with only a few gulps gone. Wouldn’t take too much catching up.
I glanced at the locals at the bar as I approached. Old guys, drinking casually from their glasses. My gaze flicked to the blonde behind the bar, I recognized her as a colleague’s girlfriend, Cindy. Then my gaze shifted to the right again, resting on the second waitress.
Damn.
She was adjusting her shirt, wriggling slightly and pulling it down a fraction. She brushed her long black hair away from her face casually, looking just past me. Pretending she hadn’t seen me.
She was absolutely stunning, full figured, slim waist, wide hips. Hopefully a big butt, too.
Then she froze as I approached, her eyes widening. She looked like she was in shock, or just remembered she’d left her dog in the car or something.
I took the opportunity to look her up and down as I got to the bar. She looked even better close up. My gaze was drawn first to her hourglass figure, those hips and waist, then up to the push up bra that was showing off her pert breasts underneath a tight black shirt.
Then my eyes rested on her face Recognition sparked briefly in my mind. I couldn’t place where I’d seen her before. Our eyes locked as she attempted a strained smile, looking up at me furtively.
I probably recognise her from my dreams. Fuck, she’s hot.
I tried to act casual as I ordered a beer and a shot of whiskey. I knocked the whiskey back in one, pleased at the almost too harsh burn, gasping gratefully.
The dark-haired girl passed me a beer with a shaky hand. I offered her a drink and her colleague too. Not that I wanted to buy them both one, I just didn’t want to seem rude. To my surprise, she refused, mumbling that she had a drink already.
I promised I’d buy her one at some point in the evening as I headed back to the booth.
What’s got into this girl? I’m not that scary, am I? Guess I’ll try and be a bit nicer when I get the next drink and hope she hasn’t run off by then.
I shuffled into the booth opposite Lucas and took a huge swig of beer, trying my best to drink the same amount as he had in one go. I didn’t do half bad, either.
Lucas raised his glass in toast. “Here’s to you, bro. Good luck with the case. Let me know if you need any help, eyes on the street or whatever. Got a few guys I know are straight as a die, would be happy to help clean this town up.”
“Thanks, Lucas,” I said, raising my glass in a toast and taking another gulp of ice cold beer.
“There is something I need done It’ll be the last time I talk about work until Monday. Promise.”
Lucas nodded back at me, smiling. “Ask away, bro.”
“Can you come in to see the Lieutenant first thing Monday? Bring anything and anyone you got on this new meth, locations, names. I’m pretty sure we got a case. Lieutenant seems worried anyway. I need everything I can get.”
“Sure thing, Jack. I’ll have a chat with the other guys tomorrow. There’s at least two who have some info. I’ll bring them in to see the Lieutenant Monday. No problem.”
I sighed and sank back into the comfortable leather of the booth behind me I started to relax as I pushed the thoughts of the case from my mind, resolving to think about it again tomorrow. I’d do a bit of planning and brainstorming over the weekend, ready to get started first thing on Monday.
Ain’t as if I got a woman to keep me busy.
I’d been single for years. My time undercover had taken over my life and hadn’t left me with any time to actually meet anyone. Other than gangsters and meth heads. But now I’d made detective, I had a bit more time to myself, and had started to think about how nice it would be to have someone. Someone sexy, to have fun with. Maybe more. Hell, I’m not getting any younger.
Someone just like that girl at the bar.
My gaze flicked back to her. I was amazed to find her smiling back at me, genuinely. She brushed her hair back as our eyes locked. All sign of fear had gone. It was my turn to be shocked for a second. Then I smiled back, holding her gaze for longer than was strictly necessary.
I could see out of the corner of my eye that Lucas was looking at me, eyebrows raised. He turned to look over his shoulder, and then waved at the waitress. She turned away, blushing as she approached the regulars to get them some more drinks.
Lucas was laughing. He leaned over and poked me in the ribs. “Got a crush, have you?”
I sighed, dramatically. “I think I’m in love, Lucas boy. Why haven’t we come here for beers before?”
“Maybe because I wanted to keep her away from you?” I shrugged innocently, raising my hands in protest.
“She doesn’t look like that usually though, damn.” He shook his head as he took a gulp of beer.
“Probably made the effort ‘cause you told her I was coming, right?” I smirked at him mischievously.
He grunted. “She did ask about you, actually. Asked if you were hot. I said yes, but don’t he just know it!”
We both laughed. Then Lucas looked up at me.
“That’s Eden. I’ve known her for years, she was a friend of my kid cousin. Never used to be that good. She’s filled out in the last year or so. Now it’s hard to look at her as an old friend, y’know.”
I nodded, thoughtfully. “Know what you mean, bro. Plus Maria would rip your balls off if she caught you cheating!”
Lucas leaned forward, looking around for anyone within earshot. He had a serious expression on his face, and spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone.
“Listen Jack, I ain’t supposed to tell you this. But it's relevant, given the new case you’ve probably got on Monday.” He paused to take another gulp of beer, as if to steady himself.
“She used to date Conall O’Rourke. Way back, when you were working undercover. She was the reason he got free. Wouldn’t talk. Think he scared her shitless.”
My mind started to race, going over my time undercover. I hadn’t really associated with Conall O’Rourke. He had been lazy, living off his uncle’s power and wealth. I had risen above him in the gang, and it wasn’t even worth dealing with lowlife scum like him. I had to get dirt on the big boys.
But I remembered seeing a young teenage girl once when I was round the O’Rourkes. Small, skinny. Long dark hair. Scared. Bloodshot eyes, looking tired and fed up.
No shit. Well, she ain’t a little girl anymore, that's for sure.
“So you’re telling me that the hottest girl in this town used to date the guy I’m gonna be taking down? Goldie O’Hanlan told me Conall boy is back and means business.” It was my turn to take a gulp of beer, cursing my luck. I shook my head in disbelief.
Lucas nodded at me thoughtfully. “I thought so. Seemed to me that was the only way this meth was re-appearing everywhere at once. He’s laid low, let things quiet down. Now he’s cornering the meth market in town, street by street. There’s been disappearances, changes in allegiances. Hell, I’ve seen sworn enemies working the same corners.
“Thing is, Eden had dirt on him. She shoulda talked, but was too afraid. Conall must have scared her shitless. Hate to think what he did to her, threatened her with.” Lucas grimaced.
“If I wasn’t a cop I would have killed him myself.” He looked down at his glass, thoughtfully. I sensed that an old regret had surfaced within Lucas. That he had demons of his own.
“Listen to me, Lucas. You did the right thing. You go around, start killing people who piss you off? You’re no better than them. That’s why you joined the force. You’re one of the good guys.”
He looked up at me, nodding gratefully.
I laughed, winking at him. “Fuck it, I’m still gonna chat her up. Conall or no Conall O’Rourke. I’m gonna ask her out.”
Maybe I can look after her. Help her out if Conall comes back to visit, if he ain’t already. If she’s got no-one, she might be scared shitless. I’m not gonna let Conall hurt her a second time.
Plus I really wanna see what’s under those tight clothes she’s wearing...