JACK AND THE GIANT KILLER Page 28

  I Want Them Unbribed

  Vicki held the door open for Jack and Replacement as they walked into the mayor’s office. Vicki disappeared back through the door as Jack set his crutches against the table and settled into the high-back chair. Replacement reached over and squeezed his hand.

  The door opened again, and Mayor Lewis walked in and shook their hands. “You look like hell, Jack.”

  “Thanks. Where are Morrison and Castillo?”

  The mayor sat down and folded her hands. “Sheriff Collins returned this morning, and I think they’re trying to sedate him. I thought a separate meeting would be more productive.”

  Jack chuckled.

  Vicki slid an envelope across the table to Replacement.

  “I want to thank you, Ms. Campbell. Payment in full. I understand you incurred some additional expenses in apprehending the killer?”

  Jack and Replacement exchanged a quick look.

  “I was made aware during your investigation you had a brief pursuit of a suspect, and there was some minor damage to the Pine Creek Golf Club.”

  Did Morrison tell her?

  Jack exhaled. “I can explain…”

  The mayor’s lips pressed together in a tight smile. “That won’t be necessary. I’ve agreed to cover the cost of the golf course. Your vehicle is your responsibility. In the future, if we’re in need of your services again, I trust you’ll keep those incidents to a bare minimum.”

  “I will. Thank you.” Jack nodded his head and winced. “Can I ask another favor?”

  The mayor leaned back. “You haven’t asked for any favors so far. Trust me. I keep score.”

  “Undersheriff Morrison. He’s a good man, and he did a real good job on this case. So did Castillo. It would go a long way if Sheriff Collins knew that was how you felt as well.”

  The mayor nodded her head.

  Everyone shook hands, but the mayor pulled Replacement aside as they headed for the door. She leaned close and whispered something. Replacement’s face lit up and then she nodded.

  As they walked out to the car, Jack asked, “What did the mayor whisper back there?”

  Replacement grinned. “She said she looks forward to working with us again.”

  **********

  Replacement went to bed early, but Jack stayed up and pored over the reports. He had passed the point of frustration a long time ago. The stacks of paper and scribbled notes around him all seemed to lead nowhere. He fought back that thought and pushed on.

  Everyone makes mistakes. Spencer Griffin had to have screwed up somewhere. I just have to find it.

  His phone barked, and Lady raised her head and loudly barked too. He quickly answered while silently cursing his ringtone.

  “It’s Jack.”

  There was a moment of dead silence. “I’m sorry, Jack,” Joy said.

  Jack exhaled. He heard the resolve in her voice. There was a finality about how she said the words. He knew her news would be bad.

  “I found out Griffin was already on our radar and under investigation. We had a proxy company flip six months ago. They were facing gambling charges, but when we hit them with a boatload of other charges relating to child pornography, they rolled. We’re still processing the IPs and matching up the records, but he’s on them. He was investigated twice before, too. They couldn’t get enough to make anything stick, so it was never picked up. We had enough to go after a warrant for Griffin, but…someone put a hold on his passport too. It’s standard procedure, but not until you establish his exact whereabouts.”

  “Where is he?”

  Joy cleared her throat. “He went to Thailand again. He was out of the country when we pulled his passport, and it tipped him off. He’d be crazy to come back here on his own.”

  Jack forced himself to not crush the phone. “Are you sure he’s there?”

  There was another pause. “Between you and me? One hundred percent.”

  She broke some rules to find that out.

  “Where?”

  “Pattaya.”

  “Can we extradite?”

  “No. Not unless someone in the Thai government hands him over.” She sighed. “If someone had enough means, they can get officials over there to look the other way. Griffin has enough funds to retire over there. I tried to get his accounts frozen, but he had already cleared them all out.”

  “Damn it.”

  “I think that’s what he was planning, but he just moved up the schedule. He sold a couple properties last year. He was renting that house in Darrington. I’m so sorry.”

  “I appreciate what you did.” Jack struggled for the right words as he kept thinking about Replacement.

  “Jack, it’s a region in flux. Things change over there. In time…I’ll do what I can and it’s possible that we can get him back.”

  “Possible, but not probable. Thank you, Joy.” Jack hung up the phone.

  He’ll go right on hurting kids. They don’t stop. Jack walked over to the window and looked out in the darkness. There are monsters out there. One we stopped. One’s still out there. Knowing where he is doesn’t mean a thing. How am I going to get him back? Who am I kidding? If he bribes someone over there, there’s no way.

  Jack walked over to his bedroom and opened his sock drawer. He took out the burner phone and dialed the one number saved in it. After several rings, he started to hang up when a tired woman’s voice answered.

  “Officer. I was just thinking about you.” Her voice was smooth.

  “How’ve you been, Kiku?”

  There was a pause. He didn’t know what answer to expect. Kiku was Japanese mafia, and it hadn’t been that long ago that the Yakuza had sent her to watch Jack and, if need be, kill him.

  “How have you healed, Officer?”

  “I’m good. You?”

  “I find speaking of myself to be quite uninteresting. I was dreaming of you. I frequently do, so your call to me was not unexpected.”

  “I need your help. Where are you?”

  “The world is a very small place, Officer. I am only moments from anywhere.”

  “Do you have any contacts in Thailand? You or…your organization.”

  “Let’s keep this between friends and leave it as a matter between you and me. What is it you are looking for?”

  “Thailand doesn’t have an extradition agreement with the States. I need someone brought back here.”

  “Why?”

  Jack’s jaw clenched. “They broke the law. They’re wanted. I’m told if you have enough money, you can bribe someone to stay in Thailand.”

  “That is true.”

  “I want them unbribed. Do you have any contacts?” Jack asked.

  “What was the crime?”

  Jack exhaled.

  Kiku laughed. It wasn’t derisive, and he pictured her canines flashing as she tossed back her head. “Trust, Officer. After all we have been through, I would think you would trust me. Especially since it is you requesting this favor.”

  “I do trust you.” Jack walked over to the window. “He hurt Alice.”

  Even over the phone, he heard her teeth grind. “Is she all right?”

  “Yes…well, no. It happened years ago, but she expected him to go to prison—he didn’t.”

  “The number of people I consider friends, I can count on one hand. You and Alice are a majority of that number. What specifics can you provide?”

  Jack gave her everything Replacement collected about Spencer Griffin. He went back to the living room and managed to reopen the files Replacement created. He sent Kiku everything: pictures, links, and any other information.

  “Kiku, don’t take this the wrong way.” Jack cracked his neck. “I want him to come back to the United States.”

  “I understand, Officer.”

  “Seriously, Kiku. Extradited. Let me know what all this will cost, and I’ll cover it.” How, I have no idea.

  “Always the white knight.” Her voice was smooth. “As I said, you are my dear friend, Officer. I would
never think of taking money to help you in any way. But I do promise I will return Spencer Griffin to the United States.”

  “Thank you.”

  Jack hung up the phone and stared back into the blackness.

  If anyone can take down a monster, it’s Kiku.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  If She’s Lady...

  The following evening, Jack limped into the living room and stopped in his tracks. The lights were all off except for the two candles that flickered on the little table Replacement had set in the middle of the living room. He watched Replacement in the kitchen. She looked so nervous he expected her to bolt. He hurried over to her and, despite her protests, wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her.

  After a minute, she stopped struggling, and he felt her relax. After another minute, she moaned softly and really started to kiss him back. He pulled away, and she exhaled.

  “Now,” he whispered, “we’re not going to even think about going further tonight. Agreed?”

  She sighed. “Are you sure?”

  “Completely.” He grinned.

  “Thank you.”

  “That’s why you love me.” He smiled and limped back over to the table.

  Replacement looked into the bedroom and frowned. “Is Lady still at Mrs. Stevens’s? Do you mind if I go get her?”

  “Um…” Jack smiled awkwardly. “She’s not there.”

  Replacement turned back to the pasta. “Where is she?”

  Jack exhaled. “I had Mrs. Stevens take her over to the shelter and—”

  A sob burst out of Replacement’s throat, and she covered her mouth. She turned around, and tears poured down her face.

  “No, no, kid.” Jack got back up.

  Replacement waved her hands. “I’m sorry. I understand. The apartment’s too small. I just—” She cried.

  “No. I didn’t—” A knock on the door cut him off. “Trust me. Please,” Jack pleaded as he hobbled over and opened the door.

  Lady burst through and ran straight to Replacement. She was freshly washed, brushed, and had a huge pink bow on her new collar.

  Replacement sobbed louder, and she wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck.

  “They said she’s fit as a fiddle,” Mrs. Stevens announced as she stepped into the apartment. “Oh, you’re getting ready for a romantic evening.” She blushed and grinned as she looked at the candles. “Would you like me to take Lady for the night? It’s no trouble.”

  “No, she can stay.” Replacement wiped her eyes and stood up.

  “Thank you for taking her.” Jack hugged Mrs. Stevens, and she turned even redder.

  “Well, you two kids have fun tonight.” She waved and then stepped out the door. “But not too much fun.” She smiled as she wagged a finger at Jack.

  As the door shut, Replacement ran over, grabbed Jack, and kissed him again. “Thank you. Thank you.”

  “I didn’t do anything.” Jack rolled his eyes.

  “You’re the best man. Now sit.”

  “Do you need a hand?” He headed for the table.

  “Nope. I made angel hair. It’s all ready.” She picked up two heaping plates of spaghetti and meatballs and walked over to the table. She set his down, and when she straightened up, the other plate fell face down on the floor.

  Lady got up and trotted over as Replacement stared at the pile on the floor. Her lip trembled.

  “Come on, Lady. Alice made you a special supper too, and you’re joining us.” Jack picked the plate off the pile of spaghetti and Lady eagerly chomped away.

  Replacement put her hands on the back of her own neck. Jack grabbed his chair, moved it beside the chair on the other side of the table and sat down. He reached out for Replacement and pulled her next to him. “This idea was very romantic.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder. “Side by side, eating spaghetti? The three of us.” He kissed her cheek. She blushed and then grinned.

  Replacement bowed her head, and Jack did too. After a minute, Jack opened one eye. Replacement sat there with tears rolling down her cheeks but a huge smile on her lips.

  “Amen,” she whispered.

  “What was that?” Jack laughed. “Silent grace?”

  “It was between God and me.” She kissed his cheek again.

  “You’re not going to tell me?”

  “Nope.” She grinned and then ate a big forkful of pasta.

  They ate in silence. Replacement kept one hand entwined with Jack’s. After a few minutes, Lady raised her head. Flecks of pasta and sauce clung to her muzzle.

  “That’s not very ladylike, Lady.” Replacement laughed before she wiped the dog’s mouth with a napkin.

  Lady whimpered and put her snout lower.

  Jack looked down at the last big meatball on their plate. Lady’s honey brown eyes rounded as she looked up at Jack.

  “Are you all set with meatballs?” Jack asked Replacement.

  “I’m fine.” Replacement wiggled in her seat.

  Jack lowered his fork and then pushed the meatball off the plate. It rolled across the table and stopped just under Lady’s nose.

  Lady raised her head and looked at Jack.

  “Go ahead.” Jack nodded.

  Lady gobbled the meatball while Replacement clapped. Jack smiled, leaned over, and kissed Replacement’s cheek.

  He sat back, and Lady licked the side of his face. “Gross.”

  Replacement laughed. “Hey,” she cried, “this is just like that movie. The one with the dogs. Wait a minute! If she’s Lady…”

  “Don’t say it, kid.” Jack’s eyes narrowed.

  “You’re Tramp!”

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  I Never Promised

  Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, Kiku Inuzuka took her time driving. The large, garish hotel loomed just ahead on the left. She was early. She wanted to park in front before he got there. Several other cabs slowly made their way through the traffic, but she wasn’t concerned he would take another. She’d arranged everything previously.

  She was very familiar with the city of Pattaya. Thailand was a beautiful country, but this part of the city was a cancer. Pattaya was world-renowned for its sex trade. In the darkening shadows of nightfall, the street came to life with people who traveled around the globe, seeking to fulfill their perversions. Like bugs attracted to the flickering lights, they appeared out of the shadows and then disappeared inside the various hotels and brothels that lined both sides of the road.

  An older Thai man jogged up to the cab as she pulled up to the curb. His mouth fell open when Kiku opened the door and slid out. Her black hair was pulled back in a bun. The flowery dress she had selected to blend in now clung to her hips and accentuated her breasts due to the humidity. She wanted to downplay her body and assume the role of a simple taxicab driver, but the weather made that impossible. Another look at the man who stood before her nearly drooling confirmed that.

  She handed him the commensurate bribe plus a bonus. When he looked up questioningly, she answered in Thai, “The extra is for you to go. Now.”

  The snarl that started to form on his face vanished as soon as his eyes met hers. He turned and hurried back to his chair and an electric fan near the base of the stairs.

  Kiku leaned back against the cab and waited. The men moving down the sidewalk would start to move closer to her as they ogled her up and down. But when they drew near, they all changed trajectory and kept their distance. Kiku frowned and glanced back at her reflection in the cab windows.

  With her high cheekbones and creamy white skin, she could be a model. She wondered why the men all moved away, but she found the answer in her own eyes. Her reflection glared back at her with a coldness that even scared her.

  She could almost hear Jack make some sarcastic wisecrack about her terrifying everyone. The last thing she wanted to do was frighten the man she waited for—immediately. She forced a smile on her face. Her canines flashed long, white, and pointy. The dark reflection now added a cold indifference to he
r wolfish appearance and the result was truly terrifying.

  She pressed her lips together and put on the mask of the naïve, unintelligent Asian girl with wide eyes.

  “Bow and say thank you a lot. Act submissive and stupid, and this fool will go along,” Kiku instructed herself before glaring murderously at her reflection.

  Spencer Griffin appeared at the top of the stairs and started down. In his fifties, the thin man’s smugness made her fingers twitch. As she waited, she switched to the demure smile and let her eyes flit to the ground and then back to him.

  A smile spread across his face as he rushed over. She opened the back door. He barely gave her a glance as he hurried into the cab. She closed his door and then slid behind the wheel.

  “White Blossom,” Griffin said.

  Kiku nodded twice. “Very good. Very good.”

  She let her eyes flit once to the rearview mirror before she pulled back out in traffic. They weaved back and forth down the busy street. Griffin constantly shifted in his seat and looked around. Kiku fought back the bile that rose in her throat. He looked like someone eagerly awaiting a surprise present, fidgeting in the back, barely able to contain the anticipation. Kiku tried to drive the images of the terrified child Griffin hoped to prey on out of her mind.

  “Traffic bad,” Kiku said haltingly and pointed ahead. “Go round?” She pulled herself up in her seat and pretended to look over the cars in front of them.

  “Fine.” Griffin exhaled. “Just get me there.”

  “Very good. Very good.” Kiku nodded her head three times before she took the right.

  The cab weaved its way through side streets barely wide enough for two cars. Darkness hung over this section of the city, and Griffin’s expectant grin quickly faded. After a few more turns, he sat forward on his seat.

  “I don’t care about the traffic. Just get us back to the main road,” he groused, but she heard the fear in his voice.

  Kiku didn’t answer. She saw her destination ahead. The old man she had previously paid off waited beside the open garage door.

  “Did you hear me?” Griffin grabbed the headrest and pulled himself forward. “Go back to the main road, you stupid bi—”

  The ridge of Kiku’s hand slammed into Griffin’s windpipe. His eyes bugged out and his mouth shot open. He fell back in the seat, clutching his throat and gagging.