A Family Matter by Chris Laing

Author:Chris Laing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Laing / Michèle LaRose
Published: 2019-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Dave had the engine running and the heater on high as I slid in beside him. He was staring straight ahead and I thought he might be upset about my delay.

“Sorry I was so long, Dave, but the woman was chatty. You were right about the next-door neighbour. He’s keeping dogs in that low building behind his house. And she called the cops about a commotion over there a while ago – cars coming and going late at night, a lot of noise. But by the time they arrived, everyone but the owner had gone.”

Dave’s eyes were jittery when he finally looked up at me. And when he started to speak his voice croaked so he began again. “Something just happened.”

“C’mon, Dave. Spit it out – was is it?”

“Well … while I was waiting, I started to get antsy and got out to look around. I knew you might be a little while so I snuck over to that place next door. I approached from the back so the guy wouldn’t see me if he was home. We didn’t notice his car from the road because his garage is out back there, on the other side of the dog kennels. He’s got a truck, too. So when I came around the corner of the house this big arm reached out and caught me by the throat. Took me completely by surprise, Max. And he damn near strangled me.”

“Dammit, Dave. I told you that bird might be connected to the Mob. How’d you get away?”

“I had to talk fast, that’s for damn sure. Told him I was visiting a friend next door and thought I heard dogs barking, sounding they like might need help and it didn’t look like anyone was home. So I was just being a good Samaritan, going to help the dogs.”

“Oh, jeez. Don’t tell me he fell for that line.”

“Well, yeah, he did. Damn good thing for me that he’s not too bright. I finally convinced him to let me go and I got back to my cab in double quick time. No harm done, except that I feel like such a dope.”

I delivered a light punch to his right arm. “I’m glad you didn’t get hurt, Bud. You’ll believe me next time, right?”

“Roger that.”

He had the look of a guy who’d just been yanked out of Lake Ontario in sub-zero weather. “I don’t suppose you heard me when I told you about the woman next door calling the cops, etcetera?”

Dave shook his head. So I repeated her story.

“Shit. Sounds like he might’ve gotten a warning that the cops were on the way.”

“Sure does, doesn’t it? Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

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