Race

“We want all our customers to be fully satisfied. If there is anything you don’t find to your liking you just let us know and we’ll do everything to have it corrected.”

“Thank you,” I said. It’s good that these days businesses aim to please their customers.

“What do you think of the wallpaper?” he pointed behind me.

I wasn’t sure what he wanted but I turned, “Very nice.”

“Do you think the colour is pleasing?”

It was brown.

“Um…I think so.”

“Have a closer look.”

He was very keen on my answer. “Yes…now that I have…um…a better look, I think it’s good. But it could be a little…darker.”

“Darker? Oh, dear.” He looked heartbroken.

“No-no, just a little. Overall it still gives the place a cozy…touchy…feely…” I was searching for more words. “Touchy, friendly feeling.”

“I’m glad,” he said, wiping at his forehead. “This is my first venture and I want it to be a success.”

“I understand,” I said, raising my hand in protest. “I’m more than happy to provide my insight.”

“Thank you,” he said, looking around, more relieved.

I’m always glad to help those in need.

“The next time you come back,” the man said. “Anything you like will be complimentary-on the house.”

“Hey, thanks. Sure, I’ll come back. Many times.”

At that moment my phone went off. It was Beadsworth.

I thanked the owner and left.

Martin’s shoulders sagged when the officer was out of the premises. He adjusted his tie. During the entire ordeal he had been sweating profusely. He felt wet and sticky.

He barged to the back and confronted Kong, who was standing with his huge arms folded.

“What are you doing here?” Martin snapped.

Kong did not answer.

“That was a police officer. We could have been shut down. For all we know there could be a surveillance van waiting outside recording our every move-recording you entering here.”

There was no reaction. Kong stared back.

Martin adjusted his tie once more and smoothed his coat. It was useless talking to him. If he wanted anything done he would have to talk to Ms. Zee.

Beadsworth was sitting alone when I got into the passenger seat.

“Done with your private conversation?” I said.

He didn’t answer.

“Come on,” I snapped. “I see what’s going on.”

He turned to me. “What is going on?” he said.

“Stuff…secret stuff. Stuff you don’t want me to know.”

“Officer Rupret, let me just say, things were happening before you arrived. These things may continue to happen even after you leave.”

“I have no idea what you just said.”

“Precisely, and I prefer it be kept that way.”

I was ready to say something when he said, “Constable Terries and Detective Nemdharry are in Niagara Falls.”

“Niagara Falls?”

“The U-Haul briefly stopped in Hamilton and moved onto Niagara Falls.”

Something occurred to me. “Could Nex be made there,” I pointed to the building across. “And then distributed in Niagara Falls?”

“Maybe.”

Something else occurred to me. “From Niagara Falls it might then be passed through the border and into the States.”

He thought about it and his face went grave.

I was going to say more when another car drove up and parked right beside us.

“We’re being relieved,” Beadsworth said.

I entered my house and headed straight for my apartment. I was halfway up when the ground-floor door opened and my landlady popped her head out.

“Jonny?” she said.

“Yes,” I said, then realized I was supposed to have dinner with her. “Am I too late?”

She had a gentle smile. She handed me a white container. “I left some mechado for you. I know you’re very busy.”

I thanked her and went upstairs.

I opened my door, walked down the hall, and placed the container in the microwave. I walked back and stopped, “Sorry, Mike. I missed you, too.” I’m proud to say that Michael Jordan never got angry with me.

I pulled out Elizabeth Taylor’s Black Pearls and wrapped it in a flowered wrapping paper.

I leaned back on the sofa with the container of mechado in my hand and began watching the fourth quarter of the basketball game.

EIGHTEEN

Early in the morning I showered, shaved and made breakfast. From the closet I pulled out a suit, pressed shirt, dry cleaned pants, a tie that had belonged to my father, and recently shined shoes. I dressed as if I was going to a high profile business meeting.

With the package under my arm I waited outside. When Beadsworth’s GM pulled up I got in the passenger side.

The car did not move. Beadsworth was staring at me.

“Something wrong?” I said.

He was wearing his three-piece brown suit, which was what I wanted for this occasion.

He did not speak. He just kept staring.

“What?” I said.

“I’m sorry, did someone die?” he asked.

“No, no. Is that what you think?”

He shrugged slowly. “You don’t normally…dress.”

“Today is my mom’s birthday,” I beamed. “You and I are going to meet her.”

“Where?”

“Guelph.”

“I don’t think we are authorized to go there,” he said.

“I know,” I said.

“Sergeant Aldrich would not be too pleased…”

“I don’t care. Listen, I am going to meet my mom. Either you come with me or I’m going there by myself,