And who was the Exiles’ big competitor for drugs and gambling these days? The government. So who were the real hypocrites?
Budd is retired but handles problems for the club leader, Terry Rhodes.
They are killed in their home.
Dave Wakeland’s boozy retirement in Montreal from the PI business ends after 18 months when Shuzhen Chen - his partner Jeff's niece - calls. She opens by saying “I need help” and closes with “You owe me, Dave.”
On arrival back in Vancouver Dave goes to the courthouse. Nimisha Nair is lead counsel and Shuzhen is assisting her in the defence of Maggie Zito on murdering Budd and Jan They are dealing with pre-trial motions. Maggie, about 40, is” [A]verage height, fat”. She denies the double murder.
Observing Maggie, Dave concludes she “was no stranger to violence”. As an example of her temper, Maggie upended a table when she grew frustrated with a police interrogation that is off-and-on for 24 hours. It was bolted to the floor. She is a throwback to Vancouver’s “sawdust era”.
Dave is certain if she stays in custody she will never live to stand trial. Her only hope is him finding evidence that will prove she is innocent of the murders.
Much of Granville Island has upscaled though the Ocean Concrete plant is still in operation. The Stacks lived in Sea Village, a small group of exclusive “float homes”. The view across the water to downtown Vancouver and the mountains is spectacular.
Dave is world weary. He thinks the “days of an honest living were over” in Vancouver.
His former business Wakeland & Chen has fallen on hard times. It is deep in debt and Jeff is rarely at the office.
Wiebe is talented at catching a moment. Three Exiles motorcycles, unmuffled, roar past Zito’s home:
….. The rumble faded to a distant purr.
Even in the silence, the noise seemed to linger for a long while.
He is just as adept at striking phrases. A young Exile associate addresses Dave:
“Don’t try to be my friend,” said Felix. “Got enough dead friends.”
That made two of us.
Terry Rhodes remains the unquestioned leader of the Exiles. He oscillates between violent biker and accomplished businessman with a disconcerting, frightening ease. He is uncomfortable with a dilemna. He needs to act on the deaths of Budd and Jan. However, if he moves against Maggie and she is not the killer he suffers a loss of face. Dave sets out to help solve the dilemna. Rhodes gives him a week.
Dave has not thought about the longer consequences of helping out the Exiles.
As Dave gradually figures out what happened to the Stacks he is dealing with multiple violent unstable people. He prepares for war.
Through the series Dave’s love life has faltered. There is a touch of wistfulness in Dave as he considers Jeff’s wife, Marie, and their children. Dave’s sojourn to Quebec left him more reflective of personal relationships.
Dave has shied from commitment personally though as a PI, commitment is at the heart of his work. His sister, Kay, described him to Maggie:
“According to your sister, there’s no one better to have on my side. Says you're trustworthy, that you don’t take shit. When you believe in something, you go at it with vicious intensity. But that belief takes alot out of you.”
Dave is a professional “pesterer”.
Tangled personal and professional relationships are a part of real life. I felt drawn deeper into all of Dave’s tangles. As I have in past books I hoped there would be a good relationship for him.
While unstated by Dave’s paramours it would be hard for a woman to commit to a relationship with a man whose personal code will see him face death before compromise.
The conclusion was a quality Hollywood ending.
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