There was a pause and eventually Virgil said, “Okay.”

Jack had the distinct impression from the tone that Virgil was disappointed and felt glad he had told him to leave the briefcase alone. “Are there any problems with you staying and partying with him?”

“No, it wouldn’t be unusual for me to hang out with him for a couple of days,” replied Virgil.

“Do it. If you can, I would like to know what qualities he is looking for in the people he hires.”

“I can find that out, but you might want to tell some of your people to back off me a bit. There was some stupid bitch with a silver bracelet hanging around the dock quite a bit. Oskar didn’t notice yet, but he soon will if she shows up again.”

Jack smiled to himself and felt relieved that Virgil was paranoid. “Special ‘O’ is so secret I don’t even know who most of them are. Older people, younger people. Male and female. They know what they’re doing, so forget about them. Act like they’re not even there. You’ll appear more natural that way.”

Virgil glanced suspiciously at an older couple walking past. Act like they’re not even there! He gripped the phone harder in anger. You have no idea what I will do when they’re not …

After Jack hung up, he relayed what he had been told to Rose and Laura.

“The force doesn’t even have a liaison officer in Russia,” said Rose. “I’m not sure of the procedure. I’ll have to contact Ottawa and see if anything can be done.” She looked at her watch and muttered, “And it’s lunchtime in Ottawa.”

“You try your route,” said Jack, “and I’ll try another angle.”

“You have a contact in Russia?” asked Rose.

“No, but I have one in Cuba who does,” said Jack.

“What is this about Special ‘O’?” asked Rose.

“We lied and told him there was a surveillance team on him,” said Jack, “to keep him on the straight and narrow.”

“How long do you think that ruse will work?” asked Rose. “Eventually he will clue in.”

“We’ll deal with it then. For now, I’m biding time until we can nail Oskar and whoever he takes his orders from.”

Back at his own desk, Jack dug out one of his old notebooks. He and Laura had worked on a human smuggling case a few years earlier and had gone to Cuba. He had befriended a Cuban Intelligence officer who he knew was well connected with Russian authorities. Eventually he found the notation: Donato Castillo — Seguridad de Estado (Security of the State).

Donato was delighted that Jack had called him and after a quick social visit, Jack told him they were investigating people being murdered for insurance money and explained that one potential victim was in Russia.

“It is almost eight o’clock Friday night in Russia,” said Donato.

“Eleven hours ahead of Vancouver,” noted Jack.

“Okay … I understand the urgency. Under the circumstances, I think it best that I have someone from Russia call you. There is no need to waste time by using me as a middle man.”

“You know someone there who speaks English and is a good cop?” asked Jack.

“The speaking-English part is easy. As far as the rest goes … well, it is Friday night. Stay by your phone. I will do my best my friend. Either I will call you back, or someone probably smelling of vodka will.”

A full hour ticked past before Jack got his call. A man who spoke with a heavy Russian accent identified himself as Detective Max Romanov.

Jack gave him a brief outline of the details and said, “I am sorry. Perhaps it’s ridiculous to think you can track down someone we only know as an American from Seattle, but I thought I should give it a try.”

“No so hard, comrade,” replied Romanov. “No so hard. I talk customs and passport control. This place, Seattle, is it big like New York?”

“No, much smaller. Around six hundred thousand people.”

“Six hundred people? That will be easy.”

“No six hundred thousand.”

“Six hundred and a thousand. What is thousand?”

“No … uh, think of it as less than a million.”

“Okay. Million I know. No too many Americans from Seattle who come Moscow. They say cold war over … but American in Russia … well, that is still important. If he work, he need permit. I find him.”

“I’ll give you my cellphone number and my office number,” said Jack. “Please call me immediately if you locate him.”

“Yes, I call you.”

“You might also run the name Ben Pike,” suggested Jack. “It is possible he is there as well, along with the names Merlin and Marlin.”

It was a forty-five-minute drive from Jack’s office to the Major Crime Unit office. Jack, Laura, and Rose left to meet Dyck at twelve-fifteen.

At twelve-twenty, Max Romanov left Jack an urgent message on his office phone. Romanov did not contact Jack on his cellphone.

Chapter Thirteen

Dyck was in his office when Rose, Jack, and Laura arrived and he phoned for Constable Sue McCormick to attend the meeting. Dyck was cordial when Jack introduced Rose and Laura and directed them all to sit in chairs across from his desk.

Amanda’s investigative file was lying on his desk and Jack noticed Dyck tucking the manila folder containing the pictures back into the file as they took their seats. He had obviously been looking at the pictures again. By the look on his face, it was also obvious he was emotionally distraught over the situation.

“Let’s get to the point, shall we?” said Dyck, turning his attention to Jack. “Have you thought things over and are you going to give me the name of your informant?”

“No, sir, as I —”

“I ordered him not to,” interjected Rose.

Jack refrained from giving Rose a sideways glance. It would have made it too obvious that he had not been given that order.

“You ordered him not to?” repeated Dyck, staring at Rose.

Rose nodded. “I believe that, as upsetting as the circumstances surrounding the sexual assaults are, the need to ensure the informant’s co-operation in a more serious investigation preclude disclosure.”

“Have you any idea of the psychological damage the victim has gone through?” asked Dyck, pointing to the file. “I personally think it is outrageous that you would not help me catch this evil bastard. Have you not a shred of moral fibre in you?”

“Sir,” said Jack. “I would be willing to help you catch him if he attempts to strike again, but I gave my word that I would do nothing to assist in this specific case.”

“Really? And what do you intend to do to help?”

“I may be able to assist you to be in a position to be one step ahead if the perpetrator were to attempt to strike again.”

“I’m listening,” replied Dyck.

“First, I need a little information,” he said, looking at McCormick who looked at Dyck for a response.

Dyck nodded.

“You mentioned that there have been other attacks,” said Jack, opening his briefcase and removing the booklet of maps he had purchased the day before. “Are you familiar with those other cases?”

“Very,” McCormick replied. “The other four are ones we have positively matched as being the same culprit. They are also my cases.”

“As you can see, we are not only talking about one victim,” said Dyck, glaring at Rose. “We’re talking at least five. Although one should be plenty enough reason to co-operate with us.”

“I am aware of that,” replied Rose.

“Did the victims all live in apartments and did they all have children?” asked Jack.

“The last three lived in apartments and all had at least one child,” replied McCormick. “The first two lived in houses. Neither of them had children. In fact, the perpetrator almost got caught during the second attack when the husband came home from working until midnight at a convenience store. The perp heard the car pull up in the driveway and fled out the back door.”