“First time for everything. I have to say, it sure sounds a lot easier than the old days.”

“For sure. The laptop will even sound an alarm. Every time he moves, we’ll know. Then you can watch the map on the laptop to see where he’s going. It will even time his stops.”

“If he goes to a playground, can I shoot him?” asked Laura.

“Thought you wanted to castrate him with his knife?”

“You gave that back to him. Completely ruined my fantasy.”

“Sorry about that.”

“All kidding aside,” said Laura seriously, “if he is arrested, it could seriously jeopardize any chance of catching Oskar.”

Jack brooded as he picked up his phone and started to dial. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. As long as he thinks he is being watched, he should behave.”

“Guess if he does end up watching some playground, I could have uniform check him out. That might scare him off until you’re done the UC.”

“Too risky. If he goes into predatory mode, he will do a lot of counter-surveillance. If he doesn’t spot anyone following him, but ends up getting checked near a playground, he’s liable to clue in.”

“So what do we do?”

“Have to decide at the time. It makes it all the more urgent to get the UC underway and finished.” Jack gestured to his phone. “I’m hoping Comical Crime can help with that.”

Laura grinned at Jack’s way of mocking the section.

Jack’s call to Commercial Crime received the urgency he was hoping for. After a flurry of phone calls back and forth throughout the day, Jack received a call from Inspector Penn at Commercial Crime.

“You’ve kept half our office pretty busy today,” said Penn.

“Sorry about that, sir. It is urgent.”

“No problem. We don’t usually get involved in these things. It’s got everyone’s adrenaline pumping. I think it’s been a good break from the usual routine.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“We have a resumé prepared for you that I think you will like. Also the right people are in place to verify it if someone checks.”

“What’s my cover story?”

“You used to work with the Ministry of Labour investigating best practices for employment and safety. I have someone you can contact to coach you on the basics of what you need to know.”

“Much appreciated,” said Jack.

“I’m not done. After the Ministry of Labour, you went to your current position working for EICG, which specializes in ethical investments. Their head office is in Vancouver, but they do hire people who work on contract out of their homes. Victoria would make sense. I have a contact person for you there, as well.”

“Sounds perfect, but who or what is EICG?”

“It stands for Equitable Investment Consulting Group. A retired member from our office is a CEO there. He is willing to meet you, as well.”

“This is really fantastic. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”

“I’ll email you the resumé for your perusal, along with the contact numbers. The one thing we are missing is an accounting background, but that is not something you could muddle through without getting caught.”

“A few years ago I took a basic accounting course to help me with a drug-money-laundering investigation. This guy isn’t looking for a chartered accountant. I think what you did for me is the best we can do.”

“You mentioned he might want someone with a knowledge of Asia?”

“I’ve been to Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan before. Once I went across a river into Myanmar, as well, so I do know some of the basic customs and culture of those countries. That part I can pull off.”

“With the type of background he is looking for, I would be surprised if there is anyone in Victoria that could match this resumé. This should get you an interview, the rest will be up to you.”

“I owe you one.”

“Maybe you’ll quit referring to us as Comical Crime,” said Penn.

“That’s a promise,” Jack said, smiling.

“You’re home early,” said Natasha, as she followed Mike and Steve to the door to greet Jack. “It’s only four o’clock.”

Jack gave the boys a hug and then kissed Natasha before saying, “I have to go back to work tonight at midnight.”

“An all-nighter?”

“No, only a couple of hours. But I do have a UC assignment that will keep me tied up for a while.”

“UC. Shhh,” said Mike, putting his finger up to his lip and looking at Steve. “Undercover,” Mike whispered.

“Undercover,” whispered Steve back, then made a loud “Shhh,” splattering bubbles at Mike.

“Local?” asked Natasha.

“No, but not far. I have to go to Victoria tomorrow. I’m applying for a job with a bad guy over there and have to make it look like I’m from Victoria. I should know by the end of the month if I’m hired.”

“Will you be gone until the end of the month?”

“No. I need to get a local cellphone and make it look like I live there. I’ll befriend a few waitresses and check out the regular haunts that I would be expected to know. If I’m hired, I will also need an apartment. I expect the operation to be short-term. Maybe a month or two, although it will likely include some foreign travel.”

Natasha let out a loud sigh and nodded.

“Do have some good news, however,” added Jack. “I called Bill and Marlene. If I am stuck working over there for a while, they are more than happy for you guys to stay with them so we can see each other.”

“We can do that?” asked Natasha, looking pleased.

“If by some remote chance a bad guy sees us together, I’ll use a cover story that you’re my ex-wife bringing the kids over from Vancouver to visit me.”

“Sounds good.”

Jack looked at Mike and Steve who were both listening carefully. “Going undercover with daddy, do you two think you can remember the cover story?”

“That you and Mommy are divorced and we are visiting you,” said Mikey in a serious voice.

“That’s right,” said Jack, before looking at Natasha and asking, “Where did he learn the word divorce? He’s not even four yet.”

“Half the kids he plays with in the park come from single-family units,” noted Natasha. She saw a distant look on Jack’s face and quickly said, “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to bring up the park thing.”

“It’s okay,” replied Jack, as an image of Virgil came to his mind.

“Will Laura be with you?” asked Natasha.

“No, I’ll be solo. I’ll have a cover team, but Laura won’t be involved. She will have to stay and keep an eye on our informant.”

“Of course.” She glanced curiously at Jack and said, “This UC … high-end or low-end?”

“High-end. Suit and tie … clean-shaven.”

“Yes!” exclaimed Natasha excitedly. “Whoopee! My good-lookin’ guy is coming back!”

Jack grinned in response.

“So when does that thing come off?” Natasha asked, giving Jack’s goatee a tug.

“How about now?” suggested Jack.

“Perfect,” smiled Natasha, turning her attention to the boys. “Mikey, do you want to take your brother and watch TV? I think an old re-run of The A-Team is on. Daddy and I are going to have a nap after he shaves,” she said, with a wink at Jack.

“Isn’t The A-Team a little old for them?” asked Jack.

“You would rather they watch us?” replied Natasha.

“Enjoy The A-Team, boys,” said Jack over his shoulder as he hustled down the hall.

Jack met Laura at midnight, where she was parked down the street from Virgil’s house. He got into her car and handed her a laptop computer.

“Hey, you clean up good,” she said.

“Thanks. It does appear to have its benefits.”

“You certainly do look less stressed,” Laura said with a smile.

Jack decided to ignore her comment. “How long have his lights been out?”