“Like you said, let’s not go there.”

“I presume you’ll need a hand with the murders? Speaking of which, where is Laura?”

“She’s out in the car making a personal call. As far as the offer to help goes, I appreciate it, but they are not in your jurisdiction.”

“Can’t say that I’m not relieved to hear that.”

“Three are American, one is British, and one is from Vancouver. I’m told that at least two of the next three victims will be Canadian. If things check out, I’ll liase with Vancouver PD on the Canadian victim.”

“Oh shit,” muttered Connie, while looking over Jack’s shoulder. “McCormick went and got Inspector Dyck.”

“Who’s he?” asked Jack, turning to see McCormick approaching with a man who was dressed in a suit and tie. The man was tall and had a physique that said he worked out. He strutted across the room with the confidence of someone in charge.

“A new inspector transferred in from Ottawa,” whispered Connie.

“Are you Corporal Taggart?” asked Dyck, pointing his finger at Jack’s chest.

“Yes, I’m Jack Taggart,” he replied, extending his hand. “And you are?”

“Inspector Dyck,” he replied, ignoring the handshake. “What’s this garbage I hear that you know who is responsible for the sexual assault on Amanda Evans and are refusing to disclose who it is? Do you think this is some kind of a joke?”

“It’s no laughing matter,” replied Jack. “I have an informant who is providing me details on five murders, along with three more potential murders. The victims are apparently honest citizens murdered on an insurance scam. The informant supplied details about Amanda Evans to show credibility.”

“Who are the victims?”

“I don’t know yet. Some are American. One Canadian and a Brit. I need a few more days to check things out.”

“This is preposterous,” spluttered Dyck. “I demand that you give me the informant’s name immediately.”

“I promised the informant that I would not disclose or compromise his or her identity.”

“From what I have been told, either your informant is the rapist … or someone damned close to him. We need to know who it is and we need to know now!”

“Sir, I work on an Intelligence Unit targeting organized crime. Keeping my word is not only a moral issue I take seriously, it is also tantamount to maintaining my reputation as someone to be trusted. I deal with high-level criminals on a regular basis. They need to know that I will protect them.”

“For your information, Corporal, I am very familiar with the file. Let me tell you that this isn’t his first time. Knife marks left on the beds of other rape victims match. He is becoming more brazen and increasing his level of violence. The profilers believe he will graduate to mutilation and murder soon.”

“The profilers could be right,” said Jack, “but the current murders trump the sexual assault. I need to investigate the murders.”

“Current murders? Where’s your proof of that? You don’t even know who the victims are.”

“That is why a need a few days,” replied Jack.

“We may not have a few days. If your informant has already given you what he or she knows, then you don’t need the informant anymore. You shouldn’t have any qualms about giving me the name.”

“Maybe that is how you work, but I don’t work that way,” snapped Jack.

“Don’t you use that tone with me, Corporal!”

Jack sighed. “Sir, I gave my word. I will be in a position to monitor the rapist. If he tries to strike again, I will give you the name. My promise to the informant is only for past crimes.”

Dyck turned to McCormick and said, “Where is the file? I need to see it again.”

McCormick handed Dyck the file and he went through it and quickly opened a brown manila envelope. A second later, he thrust a picture in front of Jack’s face.

Jack blinked his eyes to control his emotion. It was a picture taken of Amanda Evans shortly after the assault. Her grief and tears were evident, along with superficial knife marks on her neck. Jack swallowed and clenched his fists to contain his own grief.

“Take a good look,” seethed Dyck. “She also has a three-year-old daughter who witnessed the assault! You are so hot on protecting your informant … who is protecting her, or the next victim?”

Jack momentarily closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before slowly exhaling. “It’s simple logic,” he sighed. “I’m willing to let a rapist go to catch someone committing murder. I really do hope you catch the person who attacked Amanda … but it won’t be with my help for crimes up to this point.”

Dyck’s face darkened. “I’ve had enough of your insolence,” he growled. “So listen very carefully. I am not asking. I am ordering you to tell me!”

“I do not burn my informants,” said Jack firmly.

“You will this time, or I’ll have you charged with obstruction of justice,” said Dyck matter-of-factly. “To make it very clear, you will not be leaving this office, except in handcuffs, unless you give me the name.”

Silence descended as all eyes were fixed on Jack. Eventually Jack nodded and took a piece of paper from the desk and wrote on it. He carefully folded the paper to hide the name and glared at Dyck a moment, then said, “Leave me out of it,” before handing the paper over.

“I’m glad for your sake that you came to your senses,” said Dyck, as he unfolded the paper to glance at the name.

“There is something you need to realize,” replied Jack. “More than my reputation is at stake. Most of my informants would be murdered if word leaked out that they were talking to the police. I would respectfully ask that you give considerable thought as to how you proceed with this.”

Dyck nodded and watched as Jack strode out of the office. “Crane, McCormick, the both of you into my office,” ordered Dyck.

A moment later, Connie and McCormick sat in front of Dyck’s desk as he toyed with the slip of paper in his fingers while thinking about his next step. “Okay,” he said, “Corporal Crane, it has been brought to my attention that you’re one of the best interrogators in the office.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I realize you work homicides, but I would like you to assist and take the lead for the interview in this matter.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Connie.

Dyck glanced at McCormick. “I hope you don’t take offence, but Corporal Crane does have far more experience than you.”

“No offence taken, sir,” replied McCormick. “I look at it as a chance to learn.”

Connie glanced at McCormick and thought, Believe me kid, with Taggart involved you’ll probably learn more than you will ever want to know …

“I expect the interview to take place as soon as possible,” said Dyck. “You can use whatever location you think is appropriate to try and maintain confidentiality.”

“So I won’t be interviewing the rapist?” asked Connie.

“No. The name and phone number he gave me is for a woman.” Dyck shook his head and added, “She must be one sad, demented soul to be hanging out with the guy we’re after.”

Connie accepted the piece of paper Dyck handed her. Goddamn it, Jack …

“Is there a problem?” asked Dyck.

“Uh, sir, the name on the paper that Jack … I mean Corporal Taggart gave you, uh …”

“Her phone number is there,” noted Dyck, sounding irritated. “Scoop her up as soon as you can.”

“It’s not that, sir. The name he gave you is Rose Wood.”

“I saw that.”

“That is Staff Sergeant Rose Wood. She is Taggart’s boss. The phone number is her office number.”

Dyck’s face reddened and he yelled, “Give me that paper!”

Chapter Nine

Jack was already dialling his phone as he got back into the SUV while at the same time telling Laura to drive back to where Virgil’s car was parked. As he waited for Rose to answer, Virgil leaned forward from the back seat.