Dead Ends by Don Easton Read Free Book Online Page A

his business card and asked her to help Gabriel and let him know if there was anything he could do.
    â€œI’ll be glad to,” replied Phyllis. “Gabriel is lucky to have you involved. So tell me, how are Holly and Charlie doing? Do you see them?”
    Jack was taken back. He did not know Phyllis, but during a previous investigation he had dealt with Holly and her young son, Charlie, who had become paraplegic as a result of a bullet. A bullet meant for Jack.
    â€œHolly opened up a small restaurant on the North Shore,” said Jack. “I still see her on occasion. She and Charlie, and her daughter, Jenny, seem to be doing okay.”
    â€œGood to hear,” Phyllis replied. “I saw her about a year ago when she brought Charlie in for a check-up.”
    â€œHave you and I met?” asked Jack.
    â€œNo, but I saw you coming to visit Charlie. Holly thinks the world of you, by the way.”
    â€œThanks,” said Jack. “Holly is a nice lady. So is Gabriel, so I would appreciate anything you can do for her. I would also like to be kept in the loop.”
    â€œI’ll do what I can for her, but as far as keeping you apprised of anything medical … well, I shouldn’t really do that without Gabriel’s permission.”
    â€œI’m not exactly in her good books. One of the men running a lab in her basement is someone I had arrested before. I never kept track of him after the arrest and he simply changed locations and set up a new lab in Gabriel’s basement. He’s still awaiting trial. Indirectly I am to blame for this.”
    â€œYou’re responsible? What about the man you arrested? Seems to me we should hold the criminals responsible for their actions.”
    Jack snorted and said, “Novel idea. You should suggest that to our judicial system.”
    â€œThe point is, it wasn’t you who would have released him.” She pointed her finger at Jack’s chest and said, “You’re not responsible. Indirectly or otherwise.”
    Jack smiled politely. “Thanks, I guess you’re right.” Except I know he was released to an unsuspecting public. Knowing all that and I still didn’t do anything …
    Phyllis agreed to keep in touch. Before Jack left the hospital, he once more met with Gabriel and handed her his business card.
    She took it reluctantly and said, “I called my sister. We’ll spend the weekend with her.”
    â€œMy cell number is on the card,” Jack said. “Call me when you need to go home.”
    â€œI don’t need your help,” she replied bitterly.
    Jack stared at Gabriel momentarily and said, “I promise you that I will get who did this.”
    â€œThat will not bring Father Brown back,” replied Gabriel, “nor will it help my children. God will decide what mercy these men should receive.”
    Jack thought about Gabriel’s comment on his way back to the parking lot. His self-incrimination became replaced by something else. Rage. Rage at a justice system he knew to be inept. By the time he arrived at his car, he lost his ability to hold his emotions in check. It resulted in a couple of bruised knuckles and a dent in his car door.
    The trouble is, lady, your religious placebo might work for you … but I don’t believe in gods … or showing mercy to people like Varrick.

Chapter Five
    Chapter Five
    It was late afternoon when Jack returned to the office.
    â€œHow did it go?” asked Laura.
    Jack shrugged and said, “Did what I could. Put Gabriel in touch with a grief counsellor. It’ll be a few days before the doctors know anything. How did you make out?”
    â€œThe only address on Varrick is the one he gave when he was arrested last time. It’s his parents’ house in Port Coquitlam. He has the same address on his driver’s licence, but doesn’t have any vehicles registered to him. He was released without any reporting