Pride, page 19
Staying inside while the case wrapped up didn’t work for me. I grabbed everything, noticing my car keys and a note that it was in the Bayshore lot, then I headed across Georgia Street to the restaurant for a very late breakfast.
There was a text from Andy, requesting my presence at headquarters at four. They were in Surrey, so I’d need to leave an hour at least if I wanted to be on time. Not sure that I did.
I checked my phone for the news while I ate. My ‘no comment’ had made it to the website, my face was turned away and blurred.
With this case over, I needed to follow up on a few leads for new business, but a day or two off wouldn’t kill me.
I left the restaurant and walked over to my car. There was one loose end I could tie up. Glenda and Nora.
Traffic was already building up to rush hour as I made the drive to VGH. I texted Andy to say I’d be late, but no time estimate. Yes, I was screwing with him, but it felt good.
I stepped off the elevator to Glenda’s ward and saw her guard, Sean, standing outside her private room. He recognized me and pushed the door open. The curtain was drawn for privacy, so I called out.
“Come through,” Glenda said.
She looked healthier. The bruises were colorful, but no machines or IVs flowed from her body. Nora was curled up beside her, asleep.
“How is she?” I asked.
“Fine now,” Glenda said. “You almost missed us.”
“You got your deal?”
“We’ll be leaving for a different hospital in a couple of hours. My stuff is on its way, but they brought my purse and a few clothes for Nora and me.”
“Good. Did they tell you what happened?”
Glenda reached for her purse, trying not to wake Nora. The girl stirred and looked at me.
“You saved us,” she said.
I smiled and hoped I wouldn’t start crying. I usually had more self-control, but the last few days had drained me. “Your mommy missed you.”
“We are going on an adventure soon.” She wiggled to a sitting position. “Can you come?”
Glenda put her purse on the swing table and pressed the button to raise the bed. “Charity has to stay here. The adventure is just for us.”
“Oh.” Nora slipped off the bed and went to the side table. “I will draw you a picture so you can remember us.” She pulled out a sketch pad and pencils, placed them on the seat of the only chair in the room, sat on the floor and started working.
“She doesn’t recall much about last night. The RCMP spared me the details, but I’m sure I’ll be told before I go to court. I’m glad you survived.” Glenda pulled out her checkbook. “I don’t think I’ll be able to send you money after I leave, so let me pay now.”
“I can get the invoice to you through the proper channels,” I said. I felt awkward taking the payment, but I earned it and more.
“No. Go to the bank and cash this or ask for a certified check. I think the account is likely to be frozen soon, but not yet.”
“If this is part of the proceeds of crime, I can’t accept dirty money.” I could accept it, but I wouldn’t be allowed to keep it.
“It’s clean,” she said. “And I’ve been assured I’ll get access eventually. Just don’t take the chance that you’ll have to wait.”
She wrote out the check without asking me for an estimate and handed it to me. Way too much.
“The bill won’t be anywhere near the amount.”
“I know, but you didn’t just do the job. You risked a lot to bring Nora back to me. You saved our lives. I have more stashed away, and I don’t need much.”
Nora jumped up and ripped the sheet from her sketch book. “You can put it on your fridge like mommy does.”
Three people in a park — at least I thought that’s what the half page of green meant — drinking tea out of weirdly sized cups. Only us, no Alan. At some point in the future, it was going to come back to her, what awful things she’d experienced, but for now Nora was a happy little girl.
* * *
I made it to the RCMP headquarters only an hour late. Andy didn’t say anything about the time. David was with him in the office, along with some muffins and coffee. I was in favor at least.
“You’ll need to testify in court,” Andy said without any preamble. “So, make a lot of notes. What you gave us helped. We don’t have Kuznetsov yet, but we’re closer than before you got involved.”
“And the Guptas? Alan?”
“Blackhouse took the deal first,” David said. “His first words were ‘I have information, I want a deal’. He’s going to plead guilty to money laundering. He’ll serve time somewhere safe. The Guptas are pleading not guilty, but we’ve got enough evidence to put them away for a long time.”
“And the other children?”
“In good hands,” Andy said.
“Any chance you can close down the whole operation?” Ivan probably had replacements already up and running.
“That’s the hope,” Andy said. “Unfortunately, as long as there’s a market, kids will be in danger.”
“Is Nora going to stay with her mother?” If they were going to take her away, I needed to know now so I could help prevent it.
“We found no evidence to suggest the adoption wasn’t aboveboard. And we’re not going to look any deeper,” David said. “She’ll be safe. I promise.”
I believed him. “So, what next?”
David gave Andy a look that I couldn’t interpret.
“You are a pain in the ass,” Andy said. Then he held up his hand as I started to argue. “And without you we wouldn’t be this far along in the investigation.”
“You’re welcome.” I knew I should stand and leave. I had my money tucked nicely in my account. I had a thank you of sorts. Time to go before something went sideways. Or Michel barged in and spoiled everything.
“Wait,” Andy said as I stood. “We use consultants occasionally. I’d like to bring you in on some of our cases.”
“Getting Ivan Kuznetsov off the streets?” I was in for that.
“Maybe. I haven’t thought that far in advance.”
I suspected not everyone was on board with me becoming involved with future investigations. The last time I worked with the authorities, I pissed off a bunch of people, solved the case, and ended up with a boyfriend. “I’ll think about it. I have clients and a good relationship with the VPD. I’m not the only pain in the ass in this case.”
57
David and I were snuggled up in bed a couple of hours after I left the RCMP office. My body wasn’t fully recharged, so we’d decided on dinner in bed.
“What do you think of Andy’s offer?” I asked as David topped up my wine glass.
He didn’t answer right away, just brushed some pizza crust crumbs off the sheet and into his hand before tossing them into the empty box.
I gave him time. His opinion mattered even though I’d decided to take Andy up on it, at least for a while.
“I like it better when you are simply following up on insurance fraud or cheating spouses.”
I laughed. “Those aren’t as safe as you seem to think.”
“I know. But what Andy wants will put you in harm’s way. And not just the kind you get when some guy is going to get mad because he’s been caught with a hooker. Organized crime isn’t forgiving, and you are an easy target.”
“I’m already one.” Ivan had seen me. Viktor too probably. The henchmen. Too many people knew who I was. “Won’t I be safer working with the RCMP?”
“You’re right, but if you back off, you might be okay. Keep going and... I don’t want to go to your funeral, Charity.”
I sipped my wine while I thought. This conversation wasn’t just about consulting on dangerous cases. Yes, Andy was annoying, but he wouldn’t put me in danger for the hell of it. To be honest, the only person putting me in danger was me.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away,” I said.
“Okay,” he said. “Why do you withdraw like that? When you have people around who can help, you run.”
“Long history of being told to go home and be a good girl and don’t get in the way of the professionals.” It was more than that, and this was the time to lay everything out. “And some of my contacts won’t talk to me if you’re around. And mostly because I don’t want to keep fighting about me taking risks.”
“I can’t promise I won’t ask you to be careful,” he said, “but I understand. The thing is, when you go solo, I think it’s because you are protecting me. That you are going to commit a crime and you want me to be able to deny knowledge of it.”
I sat up and stared at him. He was so far from what I thought, I couldn’t figure out how he got there. “I don’t do it for that reason. I mean, I don’t commit crimes you need to ignore.”
“Break and enter? Hacking?” He grinned when he said the words, and I started to see the trail of actions leading to his assumption.
“Minor things all PIs do.” I flopped back on the bed. “I do turn a blind eye when my contacts are criminals. But nothing the cops would use. I would never give anyone a heads up you were coming so they could get away.”
“Does your Hells Angels contact know that?”
“Do I have any secrets?” I didn’t feel that gut reaction he was trying to control me.
“Plenty, I’m sure. I don’t want to get in your way. I want to help so you are safer when you do reckless things.”
“I promise to try,” I said.
“And don’t let Andy push you around,” he said.
“He doesn’t have what it takes.” I yawned so hard my jaw cracked. David took my glass and tucked the blanket around me.
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW
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Yes, send me my free book
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ALSO BY P A WILSON
For more books by P. A. Wilson
click below or go to pawilson.ca
* * *
MYSTERIES
* * *
SCIENCE FICTION
* * *
URBAN FANTASY
* * *
FANTASY
* * *
ROMANCE
* * *
NON-FICTION
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Perry Wilson is a Canadian author based in Vancouver, BC who has big ideas and an itch to tell stories. Having spent some time on university, a career, and life in general, she returned to writing in 2008 and hasn't looked back since (well, maybe a little, but only while parallel parking).
She is a member of the Vancouver Writers Social Group, The Royal City Literary Arts Society, and The Surrey Writing Workshop. Perry has self-published several novels. She writes the Madeline Journeys, a fantasy series about a high-powered lawyer who finds herself trapped in a magical world, the Quinn Larson Quests, which follows the adventures of a wizard named Quinn who must contend with volatile fae in the heart of Vancouver, and the Charity Deacon Investigations, a mystery thriller series about a private eye who tends to fall into serious trouble with her cases, and The Riverton Romances, a series based in a small town in Oregon, one of her favorite states. Her stand-alone novels are Breaking the Bonds, Closing the Circle, and The Dragon at The Edge of The Map.
* * *
For more information
www.pawilson.ca
pawilson@pawilson.ca
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
People think that the process of writing is solitary. That’s not the case for me. I have help from so many people it would be hard to acknowledge everyone, but I’ll give it a try.
The support and inspiration I get from my writer’s groups is incalculable. The Vancouver Writers Social Group opens my mind to other ways of telling a story. The Royal City Literary Arts Society gives me the opportunity to meet and share with other writers who have more knowledge than I do. The Other 11 Months group is where I learn about getting the words on the page. And my critique group who helps me find the best parts of the story I want to tell. Thanks to all of the members of these great groups.
Last of all, but definitely a huge part of the process, my beta readers. These are the people who love stories and are willing, and more than able, to tell me if my finished story is ready for you, my readers.
P A Wilson, Pride
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There was a text from Andy, requesting my presence at headquarters at four. They were in Surrey, so I’d need to leave an hour at least if I wanted to be on time. Not sure that I did.
I checked my phone for the news while I ate. My ‘no comment’ had made it to the website, my face was turned away and blurred.
With this case over, I needed to follow up on a few leads for new business, but a day or two off wouldn’t kill me.
I left the restaurant and walked over to my car. There was one loose end I could tie up. Glenda and Nora.
Traffic was already building up to rush hour as I made the drive to VGH. I texted Andy to say I’d be late, but no time estimate. Yes, I was screwing with him, but it felt good.
I stepped off the elevator to Glenda’s ward and saw her guard, Sean, standing outside her private room. He recognized me and pushed the door open. The curtain was drawn for privacy, so I called out.
“Come through,” Glenda said.
She looked healthier. The bruises were colorful, but no machines or IVs flowed from her body. Nora was curled up beside her, asleep.
“How is she?” I asked.
“Fine now,” Glenda said. “You almost missed us.”
“You got your deal?”
“We’ll be leaving for a different hospital in a couple of hours. My stuff is on its way, but they brought my purse and a few clothes for Nora and me.”
“Good. Did they tell you what happened?”
Glenda reached for her purse, trying not to wake Nora. The girl stirred and looked at me.
“You saved us,” she said.
I smiled and hoped I wouldn’t start crying. I usually had more self-control, but the last few days had drained me. “Your mommy missed you.”
“We are going on an adventure soon.” She wiggled to a sitting position. “Can you come?”
Glenda put her purse on the swing table and pressed the button to raise the bed. “Charity has to stay here. The adventure is just for us.”
“Oh.” Nora slipped off the bed and went to the side table. “I will draw you a picture so you can remember us.” She pulled out a sketch pad and pencils, placed them on the seat of the only chair in the room, sat on the floor and started working.
“She doesn’t recall much about last night. The RCMP spared me the details, but I’m sure I’ll be told before I go to court. I’m glad you survived.” Glenda pulled out her checkbook. “I don’t think I’ll be able to send you money after I leave, so let me pay now.”
“I can get the invoice to you through the proper channels,” I said. I felt awkward taking the payment, but I earned it and more.
“No. Go to the bank and cash this or ask for a certified check. I think the account is likely to be frozen soon, but not yet.”
“If this is part of the proceeds of crime, I can’t accept dirty money.” I could accept it, but I wouldn’t be allowed to keep it.
“It’s clean,” she said. “And I’ve been assured I’ll get access eventually. Just don’t take the chance that you’ll have to wait.”
She wrote out the check without asking me for an estimate and handed it to me. Way too much.
“The bill won’t be anywhere near the amount.”
“I know, but you didn’t just do the job. You risked a lot to bring Nora back to me. You saved our lives. I have more stashed away, and I don’t need much.”
Nora jumped up and ripped the sheet from her sketch book. “You can put it on your fridge like mommy does.”
Three people in a park — at least I thought that’s what the half page of green meant — drinking tea out of weirdly sized cups. Only us, no Alan. At some point in the future, it was going to come back to her, what awful things she’d experienced, but for now Nora was a happy little girl.
* * *
I made it to the RCMP headquarters only an hour late. Andy didn’t say anything about the time. David was with him in the office, along with some muffins and coffee. I was in favor at least.
“You’ll need to testify in court,” Andy said without any preamble. “So, make a lot of notes. What you gave us helped. We don’t have Kuznetsov yet, but we’re closer than before you got involved.”
“And the Guptas? Alan?”
“Blackhouse took the deal first,” David said. “His first words were ‘I have information, I want a deal’. He’s going to plead guilty to money laundering. He’ll serve time somewhere safe. The Guptas are pleading not guilty, but we’ve got enough evidence to put them away for a long time.”
“And the other children?”
“In good hands,” Andy said.
“Any chance you can close down the whole operation?” Ivan probably had replacements already up and running.
“That’s the hope,” Andy said. “Unfortunately, as long as there’s a market, kids will be in danger.”
“Is Nora going to stay with her mother?” If they were going to take her away, I needed to know now so I could help prevent it.
“We found no evidence to suggest the adoption wasn’t aboveboard. And we’re not going to look any deeper,” David said. “She’ll be safe. I promise.”
I believed him. “So, what next?”
David gave Andy a look that I couldn’t interpret.
“You are a pain in the ass,” Andy said. Then he held up his hand as I started to argue. “And without you we wouldn’t be this far along in the investigation.”
“You’re welcome.” I knew I should stand and leave. I had my money tucked nicely in my account. I had a thank you of sorts. Time to go before something went sideways. Or Michel barged in and spoiled everything.
“Wait,” Andy said as I stood. “We use consultants occasionally. I’d like to bring you in on some of our cases.”
“Getting Ivan Kuznetsov off the streets?” I was in for that.
“Maybe. I haven’t thought that far in advance.”
I suspected not everyone was on board with me becoming involved with future investigations. The last time I worked with the authorities, I pissed off a bunch of people, solved the case, and ended up with a boyfriend. “I’ll think about it. I have clients and a good relationship with the VPD. I’m not the only pain in the ass in this case.”
57
David and I were snuggled up in bed a couple of hours after I left the RCMP office. My body wasn’t fully recharged, so we’d decided on dinner in bed.
“What do you think of Andy’s offer?” I asked as David topped up my wine glass.
He didn’t answer right away, just brushed some pizza crust crumbs off the sheet and into his hand before tossing them into the empty box.
I gave him time. His opinion mattered even though I’d decided to take Andy up on it, at least for a while.
“I like it better when you are simply following up on insurance fraud or cheating spouses.”
I laughed. “Those aren’t as safe as you seem to think.”
“I know. But what Andy wants will put you in harm’s way. And not just the kind you get when some guy is going to get mad because he’s been caught with a hooker. Organized crime isn’t forgiving, and you are an easy target.”
“I’m already one.” Ivan had seen me. Viktor too probably. The henchmen. Too many people knew who I was. “Won’t I be safer working with the RCMP?”
“You’re right, but if you back off, you might be okay. Keep going and... I don’t want to go to your funeral, Charity.”
I sipped my wine while I thought. This conversation wasn’t just about consulting on dangerous cases. Yes, Andy was annoying, but he wouldn’t put me in danger for the hell of it. To be honest, the only person putting me in danger was me.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away,” I said.
“Okay,” he said. “Why do you withdraw like that? When you have people around who can help, you run.”
“Long history of being told to go home and be a good girl and don’t get in the way of the professionals.” It was more than that, and this was the time to lay everything out. “And some of my contacts won’t talk to me if you’re around. And mostly because I don’t want to keep fighting about me taking risks.”
“I can’t promise I won’t ask you to be careful,” he said, “but I understand. The thing is, when you go solo, I think it’s because you are protecting me. That you are going to commit a crime and you want me to be able to deny knowledge of it.”
I sat up and stared at him. He was so far from what I thought, I couldn’t figure out how he got there. “I don’t do it for that reason. I mean, I don’t commit crimes you need to ignore.”
“Break and enter? Hacking?” He grinned when he said the words, and I started to see the trail of actions leading to his assumption.
“Minor things all PIs do.” I flopped back on the bed. “I do turn a blind eye when my contacts are criminals. But nothing the cops would use. I would never give anyone a heads up you were coming so they could get away.”
“Does your Hells Angels contact know that?”
“Do I have any secrets?” I didn’t feel that gut reaction he was trying to control me.
“Plenty, I’m sure. I don’t want to get in your way. I want to help so you are safer when you do reckless things.”
“I promise to try,” I said.
“And don’t let Andy push you around,” he said.
“He doesn’t have what it takes.” I yawned so hard my jaw cracked. David took my glass and tucked the blanket around me.
PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW
Word of mouth is important to any author looking for readers. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review, even a short one. I greatly appreciate readers who share their opinions.
* * *
CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A REVIEW
* * *
Or head back to where you bought the book and leave your review there to help other readers.
FREE BOOKS
Sign up for my newsletter and get an exclusive short story and heads up on more free books.
Yes, send me my free book
Or…
Head over to www.pawilson.ca/mysteries and sign up.
ALSO BY P A WILSON
For more books by P. A. Wilson
click below or go to pawilson.ca
* * *
MYSTERIES
* * *
SCIENCE FICTION
* * *
URBAN FANTASY
* * *
FANTASY
* * *
ROMANCE
* * *
NON-FICTION
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Perry Wilson is a Canadian author based in Vancouver, BC who has big ideas and an itch to tell stories. Having spent some time on university, a career, and life in general, she returned to writing in 2008 and hasn't looked back since (well, maybe a little, but only while parallel parking).
She is a member of the Vancouver Writers Social Group, The Royal City Literary Arts Society, and The Surrey Writing Workshop. Perry has self-published several novels. She writes the Madeline Journeys, a fantasy series about a high-powered lawyer who finds herself trapped in a magical world, the Quinn Larson Quests, which follows the adventures of a wizard named Quinn who must contend with volatile fae in the heart of Vancouver, and the Charity Deacon Investigations, a mystery thriller series about a private eye who tends to fall into serious trouble with her cases, and The Riverton Romances, a series based in a small town in Oregon, one of her favorite states. Her stand-alone novels are Breaking the Bonds, Closing the Circle, and The Dragon at The Edge of The Map.
* * *
For more information
www.pawilson.ca
pawilson@pawilson.ca
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
People think that the process of writing is solitary. That’s not the case for me. I have help from so many people it would be hard to acknowledge everyone, but I’ll give it a try.
The support and inspiration I get from my writer’s groups is incalculable. The Vancouver Writers Social Group opens my mind to other ways of telling a story. The Royal City Literary Arts Society gives me the opportunity to meet and share with other writers who have more knowledge than I do. The Other 11 Months group is where I learn about getting the words on the page. And my critique group who helps me find the best parts of the story I want to tell. Thanks to all of the members of these great groups.
Last of all, but definitely a huge part of the process, my beta readers. These are the people who love stories and are willing, and more than able, to tell me if my finished story is ready for you, my readers.
P A Wilson, Pride
