When I’m driedoff and dressed, I retrieve my phone from the front room. I look atthe missed call. It’s not Katie at all, it’s an internationalnumber which can only be one person—Jason. I’m still pissed off atseeing Fournier’s henchmen on the video clip, but I’ve got to callJason back. I owe him that much, after all, I am living in hisapartment.
I push redialand take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves and try to soundnormal.
“Hey, it’s myfavorite lesbian,” he says, ribbing me.
I never thoughthearing a voice could help me calm down right now, but the sound ofJason on the other end of the phone makes me feel a littlenostalgic and grounded. I miss our calls and our time together.I’ve just been too preoccupied with the crazy shit that’s beengoing on to think about him.
“How are ya?” Isay, choking back tears.
“Oh oh. What’swrong?”
“What do youmean? I’m fine.”
“You’re full ofshit. Tell me what’s going on.”
“What makes youthink something’s wrong? Does my voice sound off?” I say, clearingmy throat and trying again to sound normal.
“I actuallydon’t hear anything wrong in your voice. The only reason I saidtell me what’s wrong is because my dad told me that your father wasbeat up very badly.”
“Yeah,unfortunately that’s true.”
“So, tell me,what’s going on?”
I take a deepbreath and give him the point form version of how I took on thecase of finding Allen, the missing teen, and how when I was tailinghim, I found Fournier, only at the time I didn’t know there was acorrelation between Fournier and my mother’s murder. Then, I tellhim that after I called Allen’s mom and told her where her kid was,she came with the police and took him out of Fournier’s bar.
“Wait. Juststop for a sec. You went into Fournier’s bar and brought the heatwith you?”
“Yeah, I guessit ended up that way.”
“Are you crazy?That bar is a known drug and crime place. Nobody with half a brainwould go in there, and to bring cops in there? You’re lucky you’restill alive.”
“Jason, I hadno way of knowing who the fuck the guy was at the time.”
“That’s why youhave to do your research, Jules. I can’t believe you’re stillwalking and talking…seriously.”
“Jason, did youhear what I said? I found out that there’s a link between him andwhat happened to my mother.”
“Jules, do youknow that for sure? I mean…who told you that he was involved?”
“Myfather.”
For a fewseconds, there’s silence on the other end of the phone. Then, Jasonsays, “Jules. I am so sorry about what happened to your mother. Younever really told me the whole story, and I never asked questionsabout it because I figured it would be too painful for you. Buthoney, messing around with Fournier will only get you killed,” hesighs. “Unfortunately, I know you well enough to know that if youget your mind stuck on something, you won’t let it go.”
“Jason, he hadmy father almost killed recently. Those men that came here, theyhurt him so badly, he was in a coma until just recently.”
“Are you sureit was Fournier that was behind it?”
“I’m sure.”
“I wish I wasthere, Jules. I feel terrible that you’re going through this wholeclusterfuck by yourself.”
“It’s ok, Jay.I’m fine. I promise I won’t do anything crazy, ok?”
“Deal.”
“Hey, while Ihave you on the phone, do you think you could do me a hugefavor?”
“You want mybody because you’re switching sides?” he jokes.
“Yes, that’sit. I’ve decided that I don’t quite have enough stress in my lifenow, I thought I’d add changing my sexuality into the mix,” Ilaugh.
“What’s thefavor, smart ass?”
“I need a fewmore days off from work. I want to focus on Dad and figure stuffout. So, could you please call Ed and kind of smooth it over?”
“No need. He’sbeen taking care of what little business has come his way lately.It’s a slower time of year right now. He’ll be fine with you notcoming in for a bit, but I’ll tell him.”
“Thanks,bud.”
For the nextten minutes, we talk about how life is for him in England. He tellsme that he’s getting quite serious with his British babe and thathe’s seriously been thinking about taking things to the next levelwith her.
“What? There’sno way. This can’t be my chauvinistic man-whore best friendtalking. You’re an imposter!”
“Ha ha. Veryfunny. Maybe a leopard can change its spots,” he says, matter of afactly.
“Ok. Well, ifyou say so, then I’m behind you all the way.”
“And what aboutyou? Met any babes that swept you off your feet lately?”
“Maybe, butthat’s a conversation we can save for when we both have moretime.”
“I look forwardto it.”
Jason tells methat he has to go. He makes me promise to stay away from Fournierno matter what, then tells me he loves me and hangs up.
I don’t reallyfeel bad about making a promise to him that I know full well I haveno intention of keeping. If Jason had endured the things, I havelately, he’d be just as dedicated to seeking vengeance.
I feel betterafter speaking with him. He sounded so happy and content with hisnew girl and his new life. I can’t wait to tell him about Katie andhow wonderful she is. He’d like her. I know he would. Then Iremember, I have to have a serious talk with her, sooner thanlater. I have to make her understand how dangerous andunpredictable Fournier is and how her involvement with me, couldput her in danger. Hopefully, she sees my point and will be inagreement to steer clear until I deal with Fournier. Then, when anypossibility of danger is gone, she and I can be together again. Istand up and walk to the window to look out over the lights ofGranville Island. I start to think about Fournier and how rightnow, he’s out there pushing his dope, terrorizing people while hehides behind the red door in the back of his shitty little bar.
Somehow, I willknock him off his throne and when he falls, I’ll be there lookinginto his eyes, and he’ll know that I was the one who took himdown.
My cell buzzesas a text comes in from Katie. I feel heavy hearted as I read it.She wants
