“So once in the field, who would be in charge?” asked Dyck. “Is it the cover man, the UC operator, or do you go by seniority or rank?”

“Matters relating to security are usually the responsibility of the senior member of the cover team, although it is usally done in agreement with the operator who might be in a better position to know if the presence of a cover team might do more harm than good. That being said, if the cover man figures the UC operative is getting out of line, he has the power to quickly pull the plug on the entire investigation. Often, an experienced UC operative can fill in as a cover man, but never the reverse.”

“In this case, I would expect it to be a joint decision when it comes to who is in charge in the field,” said Rose. “Jack would be directing the course of the investigation, but if the cover man feels Jack’s decision puts him at too much risk, then the cover man would have the power to veto Jack’s decision.”

“I see,” replied Dyck. “Continue.”

“My top pick for a cover man is a fellow who has provided me with protection on several UC operations. His name is Randy Hundt and he is currently a corporal in Kelowna Drug Section.”

“Randy Hundt?” said Dyck. “Have you talked to him recently?”

“A few days ago. He and his wife, Donna, are some of our closest friends, why? Do you know him?”

“No, but his name crossed my desk this morning. He has just been promoted to sergeant and is being transferred down here to MCU. He’ll be working for me.”

“That’s great news. You’ll be lucky to have him. The guy is a hard worker and the type to call a spade a spade.”

“Not a yes-man, I take it?” replied Dyck.

“No and he is not afraid to stand by what he says and put his name to paper. If he isn’t happy with something, you can expect a few memos to be landing on your desk.”

“Are there any reasons for picking him other than the fact that he is your friend?” asked Rose. “This is not some holiday you’re going on. I want the best people we have available —”

“He is the best,” said Jack.

“Why?” demanded Rose.

“Because he genuinely cares about doing the best job possible. He cares about the people he protects and has a terrific sense of humour that helps diffuse stressful situations. If that is not enough, there is one other thing.”

“That being?” asked Rose.

“The four of us are close friends. He would never be able to look Natasha in the eye if he were to let something happen to me. I’d trust him to make the right call more than anyone else.” Jack stared at Rose for a moment. “Enough said?”

“Enough said,” she replied. “What about the two operators you want to work for him?”

“Normally my first choice would be Laura, but she is looking after my neck in another matter.”

Laura nodded silently in response and subconsciously glanced at her laptop.

“So instead, given a choice, one of my top picks would be Willy Mineault from Victoria Drug Section. He and I have worked together in the past.”

“What makes him special?” asked Rose.

“The guy is a lousy poker player, so he’s always good for a few extra dollars in my pocket on a road trip,” replied Jack.

“Anything other than that?” smiled Rose, upon seeing a brief flash of shock cross Dyck’s face.

Jack became serious and said, “He has proven himself trustworthy to me. On one occasion, our cover was blown. It was a low-level operation, but the bad guys had their own telephone tap going, which we hadn’t anticipated at their level.”

“The bad guys were bugging phones?” exclaimed Dyck.

“More common that you might think,” replied Jack. “Anyway, they heard enough to clue in. We didn’t know we had been burned and met them at a bar. It was a set-up. A bad guy came up behind me and tried to smash a pool cue through the side of my temple. Willy saw it at the last second and yelled. He probably saved my life. Then the action really started. As I recall, Willy had a sleeve torn off a new leather jacket he was wearing, but took it all in stride. He never lost his cool and we traded jokes about the lousy service as we fought our way to the door. That investigation also included Randy Hundt, so we are familiar with each other’s personalities and get along well together, which can be critical under tense times.”

“Good enough,” said Rose.

“The next operator I would like would be Tina Chan from Vancouver Drug Section.”

“The Asian Heat,” Laura said with a smile.

“That’s her. We haven’t really worked on any UCs together, but I know she has a good sense of humour, which is critical to keeping the stress level down. More importantly, her Chineese heritage will allow her to fit in better over there.”

“Sounds like a good choice,” replied Rose. “Tech support?”

“As far as the bug planter goes, the best I know in the business is a guy by the name of Jim Purney.”

“How well do you know him?” asked Rose. “Have you actually seen him work in the field? The countries you’re going to be working in will be a lot more stressful and likely more technically challenging than hooking up a simple wiretap around here.”

How well do I know him? Jack smiled. Jim and his wife, Cathy, are also a couple of our closest friends … but he really is the best at what he does.

“I’m waiting,” prodded Rose. “Do you actually know how good this guy is or not?”

Jack decided not to mention the friendship. “I’ve watched him work before and the guy is amazing. I think he could plant a bug up your nose when you’re sleeping without even waking you up. He’s quiet by nature and has an analytical mind, yet he is also a big guy and one you could count on if things got rough.”

“Sounds like another good choice then,” said Rose. “If these people are available, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you,” replied Jack.

“What about China and Myanmar?” asked Rose. “Will the police in those countries co-operate?”

“Actually, come to think of it, Jim Purney once told me he did some work in China before. He said it was good.”

“And Myanmar?” asked Rose. “I’m sure corruption there is a big issue. They’re a poor country.”

“I’ll contact the Australian or British Embassies to see what help or advice they can give. In the Golden Triangle region, I suspect we will rely on the Thai police. I’m sure they will have contacts in Myanmar. I’m told you could hit a golf ball across the river between the two countries at that point.”

“This whole scenario really gives me the creeps,” said Rose. “Just because we don’t have a wiretap, it doesn’t prohibit you from wearing a wire. I want one on you at all times.”

Jack tried to mollify Rose’s worry and said, “I won’t risk entering a situation if I don’t feel it is safe.”

“Like hell you wouldn’t,” said Rose, “so don’t try and pacify me with that bullshit. I’ve spent too many sleepless nights worrying about you during other investigations to know that isn’t true.” She turned to Laura and added, “And you, too, for that matter.”

“Sorry, Mom,” replied Jack.

Rose glared at Jack. “Did you hear me about wearing a wire? I mean it! If I am going to support this operation, you bloody well better be wearing one!”

Jack was going to protest and say half the time the wires broke down when they were most needed, or tell her about the number of times he had been searched or patted down, but decided against it.

“Are you listening to me?” demanded Rose.

“I’m listening,” said Jack quietly. “I will take every safety precaution I can.”

“I’ve heard that before,” said Rose sarcastically.

“I mean it,” said Jack earnestly. “Things have changed for me a lot on the home front. There is no way I want my wife to be a widow or my sons to be without a father.”

Rose grimaced at the thought.

“But as far as doing the UC, do we really have a choice?”

Rose felt the stress bring tears to her eyes and she clenched her jaw to control her emotions … then nodded in agreement.