Queen's Park

CHAPTER ONE

“I’m uneasy when 140 kilos up and disappears,” Lane said and glanced at the line in the downtown coffee shop. It stretched to the door. He took a grateful sip from his cappuccino.

Lisa said, “Just started digging on this one. Where are you, anyway?”

“Having a coffee,” Lane said and knew she’d be sitting at her desk. Her RCMP uniform would be ironed just right. Her blonde hair would be cut short with every hair in place. She would be sitting at attention. Ever since he’d known Lisa, she’d carried herself like a soldier. “The Swatsky case makes me feel like we’re always playing catch up. Something could be happening right now. If we’re lucky, we’ll find out about it in a month.”

“That’s one reason why we keep in touch. Gives us a chance to catch up. What’s your next step?” Lisa said.

“Think I’ll see the grandmother. She was in the house when it happened,” Lane said.

“What about the boy?” Lisa said.

“Hard to say. Only he knows how much he can remember.

After what happened, the kid has to be in shock or denial.”

“What’s his name again?”

“Ernie,” Lane said.

“That’s right. I’ll keep you posted. We still on for Tuesday?” Lisa said.

“Yep. Loraine coming?”

“She wouldn’t miss it. Loraine always likes an opportunity to analyze. She’s says you’re enigmatic.”

“Arthur can help her with her analysis while you and I talk shop,” Lane said.

“See you then,” Lisa said and hung up.

“Calgary 62 kilometers,” Marvin said.

“Oh shit, do you have to read every god damned sign along the highway?” Lester said.

“How’d you get the gun?” Marvin said while reaching down the front of his pants.

“Would you quit playin’ with yourself?” Lester said.

“Gettin’ hot in here.” Marvin eased his balls up and away from thick thighs.

“Ahh,” Marvin pulled one hand out and aimed the vent between his legs. “How’d you get the gun?”

“Freddy.” A semi passed them on the left. It pushed a wave of air into their lane. Lester gripped the wheel tighter.

“Freddy who?” Marvin said.

“Freddy whose wife left him. She wanted alimony. I took the rifle out one night. Put a bullet through her kitchen window. The old lady got the message. Saved Freddy some money and he brought a Smith and Wesson 9 mm Sigma back from the States.” He patted the holster under his left arm.

“Let me see,” Marvin said.

“No way.”

“How come?” Marvin lifted his knees and rested them against the dash.

“You’re so stupid, you’ll shoot a hole in something.”

“Not stupid enough to trust Bob,” Marvin said.

“I had to sign those papers!”

“For half, right?” Marvin said.

“That’s right. Half a million.”

“Your name’s on all the documents. The newspapers say Bob stole over three million. Half of three million is not $500,000.”

Lester lifted his sports jackets to reveal the butt of the pistol. “Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson will help us find Bob.”

“If the cops can’t find him, what makes you think we can?”

“Think,” Lester tapped his temple. “Mom always said you were a few bricks short of a load. The last place he was seen was the old lady’s. Papers make it sound like Bob disappeared after screwin’ golden boy.”

“Golden boy?”

“The old lady’s favourite grandchild. Judy was always pissed because golden boy got the best of everything,” Lester said.

“So, what do we need the old lady for?”

“Think! Judy’s gone. Bob’s disappeared. The old lady’s still there. We go talk to her and the kid. See what we can find out.”

“She’s not gonna talk to us,” Marvin said.

“She won’t have a choice when I shove a gun into golden boy’s mouth!”

“What’s his name?”

“Whose name, you stupid son of a bitch?”

“Golden boy’s,” Marvin said.

“Ernie.”