and whispered, âGet out.â
âSorry,â said Jack. âI couldnât hear that.â
âI have an important call. Get out!â
Jack and Laura obediently returned to their own office.
Back in their own office, Laura looked at Jack and said, âI was afraid to even look at you in there in case I couldnât keep a straight face. Deputy Commissioner Simonson?â
Jack smiled and said, âQuaile would never have the nerve to call him, let alone question what he wants.â
âGood one. Who are you using?â
âRemember Bob from Edmonton?â
âThought he was retired now? Working for the Insurance Corporation of B.C.â
âHe is, but still has all the contacts. Including someone to provide him with a call forwarding number out of Ottawa.â
âIf this doesnât work, Quaile will have you transferred.â
âI have the feeling that Iâve nothing to lose.â
Quaile drummed his fingers on the desk for thirty seconds, but sat upright when a gruff voice asked, âStaff Sergeant Quaalude?â
âAh, itâs pronounced, Quaile, sir.â
âSorry to keep you waiting. Things are hectic here this morning. Whatâs the weather like out there in Vancouver?â
âWindy and raining right now, sir. Kind of miserable.â
âThatâs good. Listen, Iâm calling about the reports you submitted. The Commissioner is personally interested in this.â
âThe Commissioner! What reports sir?â
âOn those two Russians your section is working on. I donât have their names. You must know who I mean?â
âI do sir.â
âTheir names surfaced in an international investigation weâre involved with here. Itâs a high priority case involving very bad apples. Weâve discovered that there is corruption at the highest level. Indications are that it is even amongst our own ranks.â
âCorruption amongst our own ranks, sir?â
âYes, Quaalude, I just said that. Now, whatever you get on these guys, I donât want you to dilly-dally with the reports. Send them in pronto! I donât know how you got on to them, but I can tell you, the Commissioner is pleased. There are other countries involved and itâs about time we had something to make us look good.â
âYes, sir! My instincts told me these guys were bad from the get-go. Should I have my investigators contact someone?â
âNo. Donât talk about this to anyone or have anyone make any calls at this time. Werenât you listening when I said there is a serious indication of corruption?â
âYes, sir. Of course.â
âSimply proceed like normal. We will contact you if the need arises. Just keep those reports coming.â
âWould you like me to direct the reports to your personal attention?â
âJesus ... of course not, Quaalude! I have better things to do than distribute reports around the building. My God, what do you think I do here? Send them through ordinary channels as always. You got that?â
âYes, sir!â
Moments later, Jack and Laura were summoned back to Quaileâs office.
âListen, Iâve had overnight to rethink what you said yesterday and have reconsidered this whole Russian matter. Iâm going to allow you to continue working on them, but I expect resultsâdonât let me down!â
âStaff ... are you sure?â asked Jack, ignoring the roll of Lauraâs eyes. âWhat about Commercial Crime?â
âThat can wait for now. You told me these Russians are worth taking a look at. You better not fail. This is your one and only chance to prove it.â
âWill do,â said Jack as he and Laura turned to leave.
âNot so fast,â said Quaile.
âStaff?â asked Jack.
âI see our overtime budget is healthy at the moment, so donât hesitate to work a few extra hours if
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