Queen's Park

Saturday, August 26
CHAPTER 30

“That was Harper on the phone,” Lane said. He stepped over Riley and onto the paving stones in their back yard. He wore shorts and a T-shirt. There won’t be many more evenings like this, he thought. It was a little after eight and the sky was darkening. Across the alley, a few of the leaves on a poplar tree were beginning to yellow. Classical music and conversation from Mrs. Smallway’s back yard created an oasis of noisy confidentiality for Lane and Arthur.

“What’s new?” Arthur said and, “Thanks,” when Lane set a sweating glass of beer on the table for each of them. Sweat also gathered on Arthur’s forehead.

“They traced the Swatsky money. It all ended up in a numbered account in the Cayman Islands.”

“So, Judy Swatsky pulled it off,” Arthur said. Riley sauntered over and flopped. Arthur used his toe to rub the dog behind the ear.

“I can’t help but think if I’d started talking with Ernie earlier on it would have helped the case and him,” Lane said.

A particularly loud male voice from the yard next door said, “It works! Good God, viagra works!”

Lane choked on his beer.

Arthur said, “They started when you were on the phone. It appears Mrs. Smallway is having a get together. They just turned on the music. I can’t believe it, they chose Bolero. The world is filled with injustice. Mrs. Smallway abuses perfectly good music, Ernie gets a shrink and Judy gets 15 million.”

“Actually, closer to 16. And, Canada has no extradition treaty with the Cayman Islands, so as long as Judy stays there, she’ll be able to escape prosecution.” Lane stretched his legs.

“Oh yes!” another voice said from Mrs. Smallway’s yard.

“Want to go inside?” Lane said.

“Let’s stay out here a little longer. It’s too hot inside. Who knows, Mrs. Smallway’s party might be worth a chuckle or two,” Arthur said.

“Some lawyer in Red Deer is looking for ways to tie up Judy’s money but it doesn’t look promising.”

“I talked with Beth Rapozo today. She and I both know what losing a family can be like. Beth was happy because Ernie gained four kilos. Come to think of it, Beth will probably be relieved that Judy can’t be extradited.”

“Why?” Lane said.

“Because neither Judy nor Lisa can come back to Canada. Beth and Ernie will be free of those two. Besides… ”

“Who’s next!” Mrs. Smallway said.

“Not me!” Arthur said. The voices next door went silent while Bolero played on.

Lane laughed.

Arthur said, “… that means Lisa can’t leave either. She and her mother are stuck with each other.”