14
While Jack waited in the Jeep he got the Mikulski brothers' phone number from information. Brad, the older one, answered.
"It's me: Jack."
"Hey. What've you got for us?"
Jack never made social calls to the Mikulskis. This was no exception. But he wanted to be careful since he was on a cell phone.
"Got a New York license plate for you. Write this down." Jack recited it from memory. "You might want to do business with the guy."
"What's he into?"
"Chickens. Export and import, I believe.*"
"That so?"
"And I also believe he's ripe for a takeover bid."
"How ripe?"
"ASAP."
"All right. We'll get on it tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up, man."
"My pleasure."
Jack ended the call, then leaned back in the passenger seat. Calling the Mikulskis in made him feel a little better. Weird pair, those two. Had a real jones for pedophiles. Didn't know what was in their past to make them that way, and didn't want to. But he did know they'd track that van, and if they witnessed what Jack was sure they would, a certain chicken runner would be out of business. Permanently.
Jack wanted him gone before the shit hit Brady's fan.
He shifted in the seat and felt something jab him in the thigh. He reached down and came up with a crucifix on a broken chain. Just like the one he'd seen hanging around Sister Maggie's neck.
Jack closed his eyes and tried to stay calm. The only thing that worked was repeating… it won't be long now … won't be long now … over and over.
Cordova showed up a few minutes later. He placed his cameras in the rear, then rolled onto the driver's seat. He laughed as he started the car.
"What's so funny?" Jack said.
"We got him! We got him six ways from Sunday! He's as good as dead! Even if those pictures don't land him in the slammer, he'll never be able to show his face again! He's gonna have to hide away in his little love nest and never come out!"
He laughed again and bounced in his seat like a kid who'd just been told that Christmas had been extended to 365 days a year.
Jack said, "I'd almost think that you had as much against him as I."
Cordova immediately sobered. "Oh, well, no, I mean I'm just always happy when an investigation comes through for the client. And you gotta admit, this puppy came through in spades. I can't wait to see those photos."
"Neither can I. Where do you get them developed?"
"I got a little lab in my house."
Jack knew that. He'd seen it. Just a converted closet, but a small-time operator like Cordova didn't need more.
"Wonderful. Let's go. And don't tell me I'm not coming along, because I am. I paid for those photos and I want to see what I've got. If they're what I
need to bring Brad) down, you'll get the extra thousand T promised right then and there."
"What? Come to my place? I never…" He paused for a few heartbeats, then, "Well, I guess it would be okay. I mean, seeing as you're laying out all this money and all. Yeah. Sure. Why not."
Cordova had agreed just a little too easily. Jack had known he'd go along eventually, but had expected him to play a little harder to get.