“Not much in the beginning. I thought they made cookies. Now I can differentiate between the bull and the bear market.”
My mother returned. “It was an old friend congratulating me,” she sat back down.
Beadsworth spoke, “May I use your washroom?”
“Yes, of course, it’s on the second floor to the right.”
When we were alone, I said, “Mom I won’t be staying long…” I let the words trail off. Every birthday, my mom and I, went out for dinner. But I didn’t think Aldrich would be too happy with us being in Guelph.
“Why not?” she said softly.
“We have to go…to…this meeting, you know, to meet new clients. That’s how we make money, by getting new investors.”
“I understand,” she said. She paused. “I was hoping you wouldn’t come alone this time.”
“See, I didn’t,” I said. “I brought a friend.”
“No, it’s not that. I mean a lady friend.”
“Come on, Mom. Let’s not start with that.”
“Jonny, when am I going to see grandchildren? I’m getting old and I don’t know…”
“Mom, please.”
She leaned over and motherly rubbed my hand. “Find a nice girl and settle down. You already have a good job.”
I scratched my head.
“Jonny, you’re everything I’ve got.”
“I know.”
We heard Beadsworth footsteps coming down.
I got up.
“Happy birthday, Mom,” I whispered and hugged her.
“We’ll be leaving,” I said to Beadsworth.
“Thank you for the tea, Mrs. Rupret,” Beadsworth said and headed for the door.
In the hallway I stopped and said, “Mom, right now I’ve got a lot of things going on…I’m in a new position.” This
“I understand, Jonny,” she said.
“I’m sorry that I can’t stay.”
“Sorry for what?” she said cheering up. “This means I’m free to go see Tom Jones.”
“What?” I piped. “You got tickets to Tom Jones?”
“Yeah, Patty has two tickets.”
“Patty McNicoll? She still teaching grade six?” Mrs. McNicoll was my teacher when I was in grade six.
“No, she’s retired and at home. That’s why she got the two tickets, so we ladies can get out.”
“You know what?” I said. “I’m not going back to Toronto. I don’t need the money.”
“Is that right?” my mom said, putting her hands on her hips.
“As the man of the house I demand I get Tom Jones tickets, too.”
My mother laughed. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.
She hugged and kissed me.
When we were out of Guelph, Beadsworth spoke. I knew what he was going to say and I was ready.
“Your mother doesn’t know you’re a police officer?” he asked.
“Not exactly,” I answered. He waited for more. “My mother doesn’t feel law enforcement is a safe profession.”
“She is correct.”
“I just can’t get the courage to tell her.”
“My apologies, it’s none of my business.”
“I’m going to tell her. I’m definitely going to tell her. One day. Soon.” I was talking more to myself.
NINETEEN
The Lincoln jetted down the Gardiner at speeds well over one hundred kilometres an hour. Hause was behind the wheel.
“Slow down,” Ms. Zee ordered from behind. This was no time to be pulled over.
Ms. Zee had asked Martin to accompany them. He had been acting different these days. She didn’t need her business advisor getting any ideas. She was going to pay close attention to him. That was why she had sent Kong to pay him a visit at the BUBBLE T SHOP. The close encounter with the black officer had made Martin even more… difficult. He was constantly asking about Nex, suggesting, not in exact words, that they pull out of the operation.
They drove to an address near Bathurst and Dupont Streets and parked in front of a semi-detached house.
“Your friend lives here?” Martin asked.
Burrows didn’t answer. He was too busy trying to get out of the car.
“Hause, stay here,” Ms. Zee ordered. “Keep your eyes open.”
Burrows led the way from the side of the house to the back. They passed through a gate and went to the basement.
Burrows knocked. “Frank, open up. It’s Ed,” Burrows demanded.
The door opened and a short man wearing a Limp Bizkit t-shirt stood facing them. “Come in,” he said.
The basement didn’t smell too welcoming. Martin took out a handkerchief and covered his mouth. Pigs lived better than this man, Martin thought.
“Did you bring the money?” Frank said to Ed.
“First show us what we want,” Ms. Zee said.
Frank looked in the direction of Ms. Zee but didn’t make eye contact. He went to a room and came back holding a plastic bottle. There was a small table with Styrofoam boxes scattered on it. With the back of his hand he cleared it; the boxes fell to the floor.
He dropped a couple of white tablets on top of the table and stood back. “That’s what you want,” he said, still refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
They didn’t understand.
“What is it?” Ms. Zee said.
“Rapidly disintegrating tablets,” he responded, looking at the ground. “They will dissolve in the mouth within two to three seconds.”
“Three seconds?” Ms. Zee said. “Is that possible?”
“Yeah. Two to three seconds.”
Burrows brow furrowed and he made no comment.
“Try it,” Frank said.
Ms. Zee looked at Burrows, who shook his head. She didn’t even bother turning to Martin, who was still holding the handkerchief over his mouth.
“All right,” Frank said. “I’ll try it.” He picked one tablet and placed it on the back of his tongue and closed his mouth. Hardly a second later, he opened and his tongue was empty of the tablet. “It’s safe. It’s just a placebo.”
Seeing this, Burrows had to satisfy his scientific curiosity. He gingerly picked one tablet and placed it in his mouth. The tablet disappeared on his tongue. He smiled at Ms. Zee. “Yes, it’s possible.”
