Read Online Dead Ends by Don Easton - Free Book Online Page B

Jack stopped chewing to answer his BlackBerry. It was the grief counsellor from the hospital calling to give him the news he dreaded to hear.
    â€œDo you know anything about neuroblastoma?” asked Phyllis.
    â€œNo, but it doesn’t sound good,” replied Jack. He repeated the word in his mind. Neuroblastoma … He felt like he had been whacked on the side of his head with a plank. He listened, guts churning, as Phyllis continued to talk. Why didn’t I keep track of the bastards? Faith has cancer. If only I —
    â€œYou still there?” asked Phyllis.
    â€œYes. Sorry. What do you know about it?”
    â€œIt is a cancer of the nerve cells and can occur anywhere in the body. In Faith’s case, it is in her nerve tissue alongside her spinal cord in her neck. There are no clear indications of what causes it.”
    â€œThere are in this case,” said Jack, harshly, then lowered his window for air. “What’s her prognosis?”
    â€œDon’t know yet. A lot more tests will need to be done. Likely chemo.”
    â€œThe rest … what about Noah and Gabriel. The other kids …”
    â€œThings look good for them so far. They’ll have to be retested every six months for the next few years. Jack, I’m sorry. Wish it was better news.”
    â€œI better go see Gabriel,” said Jack.
    â€œUh, now is not the time.”
    Probably hates my guts … and so she should …
    â€œShe’s still in denial … doing a lot of praying. For you to see her … well, from what you told me, it could evoke a lot of unwarranted anger. It wouldn’t help either of you. Leave her to me. Don’t worry, I’ll be in touch.”
    â€œJack!” interjected Laura. “It’s Varrick. Heading to a black pickup truck,” she said, without taking her eyes from the binoculars.

Chapter Six
    Chapter Six
    Connie Crane skipped her lunch break to go to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and meet with Bob, the prosecutor who had reviewed her application under Part VI of the Criminal Code for a wiretap intercept on Herman Varrick.
    Connie made herself comfortable in a chair across from Bob’s desk, and after the usual niceties were exchanged, Connie gestured to her application on Bob’s desk and said, “Well?”
    Bob grimanced and replied, “It’s pretty weak, I—”
    â€œCome on, Bob,” interrupted Connie. “He was running a meth lab in the basement where the vic was found. Then he cleaned it out and took off.”
    â€œI know,” replied Bob. “I did read it. Carefully, I might add.”
    â€œSorry,” sighed Connie. “I know it’s not you. What are the issues you’re worried about?”
    â€œTo start with, your affidavit says it wasn’t Varrick who rented it. That it was someone else using a fake identity. You also say that Varrick was frequently in the company of yet a third unidentified person.”
    â€œThese other two are who we want to identify,” persisted Connie.
    â€œAnd you say the only hair you found doesn’t appear to match Varrick. There is nothing specific to indicate he had any involvement in the murder.”
    â€œHe was running a meth lab for Pete’s sake.”
    â€œYour Part VI is for a homicide, not drugs.”
    â€œYou think I should rewrite it as a drug investigation?”
    â€œNo. There is no evidence to indicate he is still involved in the manufacture of drugs.”
    â€œSo what are you saying? I don’t have enough to get a wire?”
    Bob paused for a moment and flipped through a couple of pages in the affidavit. He looked up and said, “Isn’t there anything else you could give me?”
    Connie shook her head and replied, “Nothing yet. We’re doing surveillance, but so far it has been fruitless. We’re hoping to get more evidence once we identify the other two guys. Which I am hoping a wire