Art and Murder Read Free Page B

—”
    â€œYou guys have worn me out,” Brandy said. “Two extra girls will give me a break and it will be better for everyone.” She shrugged. “If you don’t like the looks of them, you don’t have to let ’em in.”
    Klaus looked at Brandy suspiciously. “I’m not sure if —”
    â€œYeah, yeah,” Brandy continued. “It will cost a little more, but I’m sure cash or blow isn’t a problem for you guys.” She gave a nod toward Liam. “Let’s make his night really special.” It’s not like you plan on paying, anyway.
    â€œYeah, Klausie,” Liam slurred. “Like she says, it’s my night. Come on, it’ll be a blast!”
    Klaus thought for a moment, then bent over so he was nose to nose with Brandy. “Okay, give them a call … but if things don’t turn out good, I’ll break your fucking neck and haul you out in a suitcase. You got that?”
    I believe you. I’ve seen Pulp Fiction like ten times. I know people do stuff —
    â€œI said you got that?” Klaus demanded again.
    Brandy nodded, then went and picked up her purse. When she found the slip of paper, Klaus grabbed it from her and looked at the number, then used her phone and dialled it himself.
    Brandy swallowed nervously. “Ask for Jackie.”
    She was relieved when Klaus handed her the phone and said, “It’s ringing. You talk to her.”
    She did her best to give Klaus a reassuring smile as she sat in a chair and held the phone tight to her ear.
    * * *
    It was one-thirty in the morning when Corporal Jack Taggart grabbed the phone on the bedside table before it started the second ring. It was a common occurrence and he reacted quickly, hoping not to disturb his wife. It did, but Natasha was used to the calls and started to doze off again.
    Jack was an undercover police operative who worked on an intelligence unit with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Vancouver. Along with his partner, Constable Laura Secord, they were like a constant open sore on the side of established organized crime families. For crime families that were not as well established, the sore was often fatal.
    Undercover operations were only one of the tools they used in their battle against organized crime. Wiretaps were also used, but their most important tool was informants. To protect their own identities and those of their informants, undercover operators on the intelligence unit seldom went to court. It was up to their discretion if what they learned would be turned over to other units to further the investigation for court purposes.
    Jack had an exceptional ability to gain the trust of informants. It was a trust that was well deserved. He protected his informants like a mother bear with her cubs.
    â€œJackie, it … it’s me … Brandy.”
    Jackie? Jack heard the strain in her voice and knew she was in trouble. “I told you not to call me direct when you want to speak to Jackie,” Jack said, while turning on the bedside light and prodding Natasha with his foot. “Besides, I hate phones. You never know who could be listening.” He got ready to hand the phone to Natasha if need be.
    Natasha sat up in bed. She was still groggy, but from the concern on Jack’s face, she knew something was amiss. “I’m Jackie?” she whispered.
    Jack put his finger to his lips for her to be quiet. “You hear what I’m sayin’ about the listenin’ bit?”
    â€œYou’re okay,” replied Brandy, “which is why I called to let you in on a good thing. I’m in a room at the Emerald Hotel. Top floor, corner … uh …” She hesitated. “Room 1201. Got three guys looking to party.” She then lowered her voice as if speaking in confidence and said, “These guys are loaded. Think you and Laura would like in on it?”
    â€œThree guys…. Do they have guns?” Jack