Jack Taggart Mysteries 8-Book Bundle. Don Easton
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“Yes, sir. Sidney Bishop is still at large for that.”
“I’m sure Bishop’s escape must be constantly on Taggart’s mind. How has he been handling it? Is he spending a lot of time trying to find him?”
“I don’t think he has any leads to go on at the moment. He won’t give up, though. Last week I saw him pound his desk in frustration, muttering that someday he would bring Bishop to justice.”
“He did?” said Isaac, sounding surprised.
“But you know Satans Wrath,” said Louie. “Chapters all over the world. I’m sure Bishop is living under an assumed name someplace. The prospects of finding him don’t look good.”
“Taggart has an informant in Satans Wrath. Surely by now he could have found out something.”
“Taggart’s informant wasn’t high enough up the ladder to be privy to the information. It isn’t the type of organization where you can ask questions. If you do, you’re liable to receive a bullet as an answer. Taggart’s rather protective of his informants, and quite frankly, when it comes to Satans Wrath, I don’t blame him.”
Isaac slowly nodded in agreement, then said, “Well, Louie, I’ve got some good news on that issue. I’ve just received a report that Bishop was located in Mexico.”
“That’s great! Taggart will be elated to hear this! We’ll get an extradition order and —”
“Hold on,” said Isaac, gesturing with his hands for Louie to stop. “Bishop is dead.”
“Dead?”
“It happened last November. The Mexican police say he tripped and fell beside his swimming pool, knocking himself out and falling into the water and drowning. He was living under an assumed identity from the U.S. Things didn’t match up there and it took until now for a fingerprint search to reach Ottawa, where he was properly identified.”
Louie let out a deep breath and said, “I see. Well at least that wraps things up. Connie Crane from I-HIT was handling the case, but with your permission I would like to tell Taggart. He’ll want to inform his sister and brother-in-law.”
“Not a problem. I’ve discussed this with Staff Sergeant Randy Otto.”
“I-HIT doesn’t mind if Jack breaks the news?” Isaac shook his head and said, “Staff Otto said he had no objections.”
Louie stood to leave, and Isaac said, “By the way, just out of curiosity, do you happen to know where in Mexico it was that Taggart spent his honeymoon?”
“I believe it was around Mexico City. I’m not sure.”
“Bishop was living on the Pacific side. Some little settlement that doesn’t even have a name. Near a village called Barra de Navidad. Quite a coincidence that Bishop died during the same week that Taggart was in the country.”
Louie briefly allowed his mouth to droop open in surprise and then said, “Good God! You’re not thinking that Taggart had anything to do with...?”
“It certainly crossed my mind, but I feel reassured that you said he is still upset about not finding him. Go and tell him now. Maybe it will help provide him some closure to all this.”
Isaac waited until Louie left his office before dialling Staff Sergeant Harry Legg, who was in charge of the Anti-Corruption Unit and was waiting for his call.
“Louie just left,” said Isaac.
“Taggart is still in his office,” replied Legg. “How did it go with Louie?”
“Not good. He scanned the report when I gave him the opportunity. Later he feigned surprise when I told him that Bishop was dead.”
“Louie is in charge of Intelligence. It’s his nature to be nosy. He might have been covering up that fact.”
“I considered that, but I still don’t like it. I asked Louie where Taggart went in Mexico. His reply was, I believe it was around Mexico City. I’m not sure.”
“That’s the opposite side from where Bishop was.”
“It’s also a vague response. Hard to pin down. Just like Taggart not using any credit cards in Mexico, yet you say he did in Costa Rica.”
“Could be he started with cash, then used his Visa when the money ran out.”
“Or he didn’t want to leave a paper trail. You sound like you support his innocence?”
“Sir, I’m not saying that. I’m just considering other possibilities, or what Taggart could say if he was interviewed.”
“You said that Louie’s nature is to be nosy. Yours is to be suspicious. I want to know for sure. If Taggart is responsible, find out how he knew where Bishop was. Was it his informant in Satans Wrath? Louie said the informant wasn’t in a high enough position to know at that time. From what I know of Satans Wrath, I believe that to be true. But if Taggart is responsible, how did he find out where Bishop was? If only the top dogs in Satans Wrath knew the location ... Taggart might have not only committed murder but could now be working for them.”
“All this is purely speculation, sir. We don’t have grounds for a wiretap, and surveillance, except for today, isn’t likely to shed much light and could jeopardize Taggart and his investigations if he is innocent.”
“I know, but see if you can find out exactly where he went in Mexico. Also give the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit a call. I know they’re also monitoring Satans Wrath.”
“CFSEU? They’re independent. Do you really think we should be passing on our suspicions about Taggart this soon? He could be entirely innocent, and even if he isn’t, it might jeopardize our —”
“No need to point fingers. Just say that we’re investigating potential leaks and would like to be kept apprised should they become aware of any involvement between any of our members and Satans Wrath.”
“Yes, sir. One moment, please.... I just got word that Taggart is leaving the office,” added Legg.
“See if the news was a surprise.”
“We’re on him. Will let you know.”
Jack was glad that he had the rest of the afternoon off as he crossed the Port Mann Bridge and headed east on the Trans-Canada Highway. He replayed the scenario in his head from when Louie had broken the news. Danny had been excited and anxious to call his wife, Susan, and let her know. She too had almost become a victim of Bishop’s assassination plot.
Louie had then taken Jack into his own office and told him about Isaac’s concern. Louie’s advice was welcome but something Jack would have done regardless. Naturally he would want to tell his sister and brother-in-law that the man responsible for their children’s murders was dead.
At first, Jack was careful not to move his head while scanning his rear-view mirror. Advertising paranoia could be construed as evidence of a guilty mind. Then again, if someone is trying to kill me — who wouldn’t be paranoid!
He decided to make no pretence of hiding his actions and carefully studied all the vehicles around him. Nothing aroused his attention.
It was almost three-thirty when he arrived at the farm. He gave his sister a big hug and a kiss as she came to the door.
“What a pleasant surprise! Come on in. Where’s Natasha?”
“Still at work.”
Elizabeth hollered to Ben and he appeared from out of the barn and came over.
“You have time for tea?”
Jack nodded, then asked, “Is Marcie home yet?”
“Her school bus should be along any minute. Why?”
“Nothing. Just haven’t