shampooing it looked almost brand new. Almost.
The floor was hardwood, so no carpet was needed, and no vacuuming either. My landlady donated the dining table after she saw me eating on my sofa. She had bought a new one and was going to give it away anyway. My mother paid for the bedroom set, which was my moving away gift.
The television was probably the one thing that was new and the most expensive in the apartment. It was a Sony fifty-two-inch flat screen high definition with built-in stereo surround sound. It was my pride and joy. It made me want to come home every night.
“Nice television,” said Joey.
“Thanks,” I beamed like a proud father. “It’s a Sony.”
He relaxed.
“You want a drink?” I asked.
“Yeah, sure.”
I brought him a can of Fruitopia.
After taking a sip he passed his hand through his thick hair. He leaned back and stared at the ceiling. I looked up at the ceiling too, but I couldn’t find anything particularly interesting up there. I concluded he was tired.
Hause returned, shaking his head. Joey was not at his parents’ house. Ms. Zee was worried. Where could he have gone?
Kong appeared behind the door. He didn’t look her in the eye. She knew he was angry for not being allowed to kill Joey earlier. Maybe, she should have let him. It would not have caused this problem now.
The phone rang and she picked it up. She listened to the voice on the other end and hung up with a smile.
“We know where he is,” she said.
“Do you have a computer?” Joey suddenly said.
“It’s old,” I answered.
“Does it have internet?”
“Yes.”
“Can I use it?”
“Yeah, sure, it’s in the bedroom.”
He jumped up and then disappeared.
A long while later he emerged looking distressed.
“You find what you were looking for?” I asked.
“Kind of,” he said. “One of my friends from college lives outside Toronto. I called him before I came to you but his number had changed. I did have his e-mail address so I just sent him a message. Hopefully he’ll e-mail back.”
“Your parents still alive?” I asked.
“Yeah, sure. Why?”
“I mean, why don’t you go to them?”
“You crazy, these people know where my parents live. I bet you they checked to see if I was there. I can’t go to them.”
I nodded. He didn’t want his parents involved. Smart kid.
I ordered Chinese food.
We sat on the dining table sucking down noodles and munching chicken wings.
It was getting dark when a Sundance parked at the corner of Gerrard and Greenwood. Two figures occupied the red vehicle. Suraj was behind the wheel with Hause in the passenger seat.
They had their orders and it was simple. Go in and finish the job. Hause pulled a sawed-off shotgun from under the seat and got out. Suraj cocked his pistol and concealed it in his pocket. They were halfway across the street when they stopped.
A blue Volvo turned onto Greenwood and parked in front of the house. Two men got out and headed for the door.
Hause and Suraj looked at each other and then doubled back.
I had a piece of chicken stuck between my teeth when there was a knock at the door.
Joey dropped his chicken and looked at me.
“Don’t worry,” I said, trying desperately to remove the intruder from my teeth with my tongue. “It’s probably Beadsworth.”
I went to the door and peeked through the eyehole. “I think we have trouble.”
I unlocked and found Aldrich standing with his hands folded at his back. Behind him was his guard dog, Garnett.
“May we come in, Officer Rupret,” Aldrich said drily.
“Of course, sir,” I said politely.
They both moved by me, with Garnett taking loud steps. They went into the living room.
“Where is he?” Aldrich asked.
I looked around and the living room was empty. So was the kitchen. “I’ll get him.”
I found Joey hiding in my bedroom closest.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Who’s outside?” he asked.
“The guys I work for.”
“I thought it might be the guys
We came out and Aldrich immediately sized Joey up. The kid held his ground. He looked Aldrich directly in the eyes.
“I want protection,” Joey said.
“Your name?”
“Joseph Lenard.”
“First, Mr. Lenard, tell us what we need and then we give you your protection.”
“Okay, okay,” Joey said. “I don’t know any RACE you keep mentioning. I do know that they are close to making a new drug.”
“Nex,” Aldrich said.
Joey shook his head. “Yes, Nex or whatever. That’s what I heard them call it, too. In a couple of days they will have it and it will be all over the city.”
Aldrich said, “You mentioned there was a mole in our organization. Do you know who it is?”
“No.”
Aldrich listened. He then nodded as if he knew and understood everything. “You will accompany us and be placed in my custody.”
“That won’t be necessary,” said a voice from behind. We all turned to see Beadsworth at the door.
“Excuse me?” Aldrich demanded.
“Sir,” Beadsworth said walking up. “It would be better if he stays under Officer Rupret’s protection.”
“Detective Beadsworth, do explain,” Aldrich said.
“A mole is working inside the department. Until we find out who it is we must not expose the witness.”
Joey said, “I’m not a witness yet. First my protection.”
They ignored him.
“It would be better,” Beadsworth continued, “For the witness to be allowed to stay with Officer Rupret, who is outside the department and is on medical leave and would therefore be able to watch the witness at all
