The Jack For Mayor

By Pringle McCloy

In this sixth novel of The Jack series, PI Charlie Hampton has his hands full when his client, crooked Jack, decides to run for mayor of West Vancouver. The problem? Jack’s political opponents start dropping like flies and fingers point to Jack. First, Victor Blackstone, a powerful and popular candidate, bites it. Why? Well, the polls show that Victor will win the election by a landslide if he lives. Theories abound. Might Jack have ordered the professional hit on Victor? Or might there be a mayoral candidate hit list with Jack next in line? Possibly. It doesn’t look good for Jack either way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pringle McCloy
• Release date: Jan 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463621769

Pringle McCloy

English major. Teacher. Tutor. My interest in mysteries began early in life after discovering a pile of Mickey Spillane novels in my dad’s library. I was taken with tough-guy detective, Mike Hammer, who then led me to Raymond Chandler’s PI, Philip Marlow, and so on. Chandler’s Marlowe and my Charlie Hampton have a lot in common but you’ll have to read THE JACK IN A BOX to see the similarity. Both are tough guys who take their whiskey straight and women tall. THE JACK IN A BOX was written while I was living and working in coastal Vancouver and is the setting for the novel. In the sequel, RETURN OF THE JACK, Jack is the same old shady, underworld figure, off to Beijing for more trouble with the Triad. Third in the series, POSSIBLY JACK AGAIN, is set in Santa Ana, California, where Jack follows Charlie to hopefully help find his own grandson who may have met with foul play. Fourth in the series, JACK THE KEEPER is posted now. Enjoy! J. Pringle contributes too with WOMAN COMING SOON and A MONTH IN THE COLONIES, the sequel. THE TAMING OF SAMANTHA ROE is now posted. All three chick lit novels are a lot of fun.

Book preview

Prologue

WILLY’S WEDDING DAY STARTED QUIETLY, so quietly I had too much time to think. ‘Where had the time gone? Where were those two little boys who threw rocks at neighbor’s windows and promptly received a spanking for the crime? That would be Willy and me. And yes, we peed on Judge Clark’s azaleas and shot his yellow canary with a bibi gun twice, once before it died and once after. I shot the canary, yes. Then Willy shot the dead canary so he could share the blame. It was how blood brothers operated when they were kids, although I have to say that until I met Willy Chan I hadn’t shot a single canary or a bird of any kind. Nor had I thrown rocks through windows.

It was all Willy’s fault. Willy came from a crime family and was a seasoned crook before I came along at age ten. And speaking of crime families, my new surrogate dad, Jack, was also a criminal so I didn’t stand a chance. Soon I was pouring his whisky and falling asleep in a library chair listening to Jack and Tony Chan, Willy’s uncle, talk about shell companies and where they would next send their freshly laundered money. I didn’t know why they washed their money but thought it might have something to do with the Queen’s cranky face. There was talk about bank accounts in Switzerland, the Caymans, and the British Virgin Islands so I knew we weren’t broke - just a long way away from our stash.’

So, there I was, standing on the church steps dragging on a cigarette while watching the parade of collector cars arrive. Jack’s gang was cruising in led by Sharp-dressed Tony, Sammy, and the lot. Behind them, Shorty Poo was parking Richard’s Hummer but because he could barely see over the steering wheel he smacked the curb. Billy the Bookie arrived with his trio of buxom blonds, not bad for a guy pushing eighty. His secret? Herbs. His stamina came from herbs, he told people, if the coca plant was actually a herb.

Tommy came up the steps alongside lovely, dark-haired Christa, his pregnant wife. God, he looked like Richard, with his chiseled Asian features and the sharp eyes of a falcon. His charcoal hair was seriously slicked back.

Best man, huh, Charlie. Willy couldn’t find anyone else? I hear he looked hard.

I punched him on the shoulder. Not hard enough. I hate these things. But Jillian is matron of honor so I’m pretty much stuck.

Tommy turned to his wife. Can you believe that Charlie has stayed straight? A PI in a family of major crooks?

I smiled. Someone has to make bail.

As they moved along with the crowd a second Tommy sauntered up the steps. He was taller and slightly better looking, given the maturity of age. Almost forty, Tommy’s dad was greying at the temples.

Charlie. Awfully good to see you, old boy.

I always found it hard not to giggle when the biggest drug lord on The Pacific Rim spoke in the accent he’d acquired at Oxford. Given our previous history I didn’t like Richard Chang and, to say the least, Richard didn’t like me. But since Jack was following closely behind I shook his son’s hand. Have you no cousins to kill, Richard? So you can fake your own death again? Weddings must seem very tame to you.

Behind Richard, his stocky little bodyguard, Shorty Poo, was giving me the finger. You bad man Cha’lee. Very bad man.

I smiled. Thanks, Shorty. You’re still an ugly little prick. And getting uglier every day.

His turn to smile. You big phony, Cha’lee. You full of bad gas. You stink like skunk.

Richard smiled, a rarity. His English is improving every day. I’m quite proud of him, actually.

With that, Richard moved along, dragging Shorty and King Kong Chin the butcher behind.

Next came handsome Jack, my surrogate dad, dressed in the tux he’d worn to all Jillian’s weddings and with his sandy curls held in place by gel. He pawed his bushy mustache. Had a little talk with your brother, did you, Hamster? What’s Richard up to these days? Besides torture and murder.

That about covers it. But you’re his dad. You should know better than anyone.

His round green eyes crinkled at the corners. He doesn’t exactly come for Sunday dinners as you well know since you’re mostly there. When you’re not off murdering people yourself.

Guilty. Since my father-in-law is a serial kidnap victim I often have to rescue him. And maybe kill a few kidnappers in the process.

He grinned. How else would you make a living? Following adulterers? I’m a lot more fun.

A lot more trouble, you mean.

He slapped me on the shoulder. You wouldn’t have it any other way. You and Willy would be bored to death without me to keep you busy. So don’t come crying to me.

After Jack moved along my lifelong best bud came ambling up the steps, cigarette in hand. He shook his shiny dark hair. So, now I’m going to be as miserable as you, Hampton. Married. I never actually took myself for a fool.

I guessed not. Willy had the IQ of Nasa and in the past had mostly stuck to hookers whom he paid not to speak. Ever. About Willy. Willy is a crook - not the kind of crook that robs banks with guns, rather the type of crook that breaks through firewalls and into bank accounts. A more talented computer-hacker is hard to find. Willy wears his shiny dark hair shoulder length and his round eyes speckled brown. Whiter teeth come only on toothpaste commercials and they glisten when he smiles. A better-looking guy than Willy doesn’t exist, on this planet at least, and the navy Gucci tux didn’t hurt him either.

Are you ready, bud?

Again he shook his shiny dark hair. I’ll never be ready but it’s too late now.

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Chapter One

JACK’S HOUSE IN BRITISH PROPERTIES perched on the mountainside, four stories deep. Sprawling behind lush hedges the concrete fortress hosted thick black doors and a garage for his collection of antique cars, including a Talbot Lagos worth several million bucks. But I wasn’t thinking about cars on that rainy Sunday afternoon last October, I was thinking of doom. Jack had called us all together to make a big announcement, not that he needed an excuse to throw a party since he threw one every Sunday, but announcement parties were disconcerting, to my way of thinking.

Inside Jack’s house a sea of hardwood flowed down the stairways like a log run on the Frazer while crystal chandeliers lit the halls. Shoeshine Fatso met me at the door. Got any weapons, Charlie? he boomed. Shoeshine was a large handsome man, a Jackie Gleason type whose thick dark curls were greying now, his mustache too.

Just the usual. One in my holster and one in my sock.

Don’t be a smartass today, he warned. Jack needs your support.

About Jack’s lude statues. David in the foyer alcove didn’t like me and threatened to fall over and crush me whenever I showed up at 33 Terrace Place. It’s penis envy, I told Shoeshine. He’s swaying again.

Shoeshine grunted. Give it a rest. He’s not real, Charlie. He can’t hurt you. He pushed me into an expansive living room of white leather sofas, animal print chairs, leafy palm trees and Moroccan treasures placed here and there. Not to mention thugs. Wall-to-wall thugs. But my favorite part of the room was a glitzy bar of mirrors and decanters and silver shakers, also whisky. A lot of whisky.

Make mine big, said a familiar voice behind me. And don’t be so skimpy this time.

I made Jack’s whisky big.

Where’s your family? he barked.

I was going to ask you since you actually live here. I just arrived.

His eyes crinkled at the corners. It must be nice to come and go like a teenager.

I stared him down. It’s what my wife wants and you well know it. You want it too. It’s an arrangement agreed upon by the family. I didn’t even get a say.

He giggled. You must have had some say since you have a daughter and are about to be blessed with a son. I’d say you’ve had a lot of say.

Lovely Julia, Jack’s older sister by a year, came floating by in taupe. Her sleek dark hair went twisting into a knot. She planted a kiss on both my cheeks. Jillian’s resting. She’s not coming down but wants you to go up for a short visit. She’s due this week as you know.

I knew. I’ll stay over tonight in my old room downstairs. I told her I’d stay over every night until the baby arrives.

Julia widened her hazel eyes. Good. That’s great, in fact. You are the calm one in the family.

Baby Jack! Jack said proudly. She’s naming the baby after me.

I nodded. We are. I had some say in it you know.

Funny but I never thought you liked me.

We all laughed. Sometimes I don’t. But mostly I do.

He slapped me on the back. You’re alright, Hamster. You’re more like me than my real son. You just don’t know it yet. Willy’s in the library on his computer stealing things. He’s coming for the announcement. But go up and see Jillian first. We don’t need her mad at us.

I took the stairs two at a time. In Jillian’s bedroom, Isabella was sitting at the dressing table working on a puzzle.

What? I said. An old-fashioned jigsaw puzzle? I didn’t know they made those anymore.

After pushing back her long dark hair she leapt into my arms. Mom’s making me, Dad. I don’t want to. I want to play computer games but she won’t let me.

I’ll tell your dad on her then.

You are my dad. Everyone says I look like you.

She did. Lucky girl.

We sat down beside Jillian who was sitting with the head raised on her bed. She was so damn beautiful with her round hazel eyes, straight determined nose, and wiry blond curls that went tumbling down her back. And always adamant. She’s on that computer twenty/four seven and she needs to rest her eyes. She’ll be blind before she reaches the age of six. I make her read to me too. She’s a good reader for five. I taught her myself, being housebound. She stuck out her foot. Electronic bracelet and all.

House arrest. Another story and not uncommon for an activist trying to save the planet.

Isabella eyed the pink gift bag in my hand. I love pink! And pretty pink ribbons. Does it have bugs?

I thought we got that straight. No bugs. Maya has your chocolate bugs in the fridge and when they get low she’ll tell me so I can buy more. Ok?

She untied the ribbon and opened the box inside. A bracelet! Did you steal it, Dad? Am I a criminal too?

I don’t think so. Unless you’ve been doing things I don’t know about. Have you?

She giggled. I’m practicing. She plucked her bracelet from the box. It has pink elephants and silver tigers and everything. I love it, Dad! I love silver and pink. She plastered a wet kiss on my cheek.

I fastened it on her wrist. It’s a charm bracelet. Cartier for my girl.

She squinted at Jillian. Is it expensive?

Jillian nodded. Very. And tell your dad I want Cartier too. A grown up one but Cartier nevertheless.

Hampton! hollered a voice from the bottom of the stairs. Get your skinny ass down here. Hurry up or you’ll miss the announcement.

Shall I take our girl?

Jillian nodded. Please. I’d like to get some rest.

Willy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Is he sending us off somewhere again?

You, maybe but I’m not leaving Jillian. We’re about to have a son.

Willy shook Isabella’s hand. Are you excited about your new brother being delivered?

She cocked her head. Is he coming by mail? Mom said he was coming by stork. That’s if the stork doesn’t drop him. Then he won’t be coming at all.

The living room was packed like a trunkful of cigars, standing room only. The guys had removed the legs on the big leather ottoman that Jack typically used as a podium. He rang the old school bell. Friends, Romans and countrymen. Drunks too. Lend me your ears.

Tony Chan was standing below Jack. You’re not getting my ears. Take the ears from the drunks. They won’t miss them tonight.

Laughter. Jack and Tony were a team.

People! Jack hollered. I have asked you here this afternoon to tell you of my decision. I have decided to run for mayor of West Vancouver.

Pandemonium. The lineup for the bar snaked right around the block. The Jack for mayor? Holy crap!

Jack took the accolades to heart. Family. Please approach. Julia and Peter. Hamster and Isabella. Willy too. You’re family, Willy.

Willy giggled. I had hoped not. But he hopped up on the ottoman beside me. You realize what’s next, don’t you, Hampton? Let’s just get him kidnapped tonight. Save us all from campaigning. I know I’m not going door to door.

We smiled for the reporters who were snapping and asking questions, like had Jack been cleared of all criminal charges on the Leo Cheng murder. He preferred to answer other questions.

I elbowed Willy in the ribs. Want to tell them that you murdered Leo?

Not at this time.

Isabella overheard our conversation. Did you murder Leo, Willy? she said in a loud voice. Dad murders people so you likely do too.

Jack addressed the press. "Do you see the humor in our family? Always joking. And West Van City Hall could use a little humor. Enough with the questions now.