Matanzas Read online

  OTHER DETECTIVE LANE MYSTERIES

  Queen’s Park

  The Lucky Elephant Restaurant

  A Hummingbird Dance

  Smoked

  Malabarista

  Foxed

  Glycerine

  Indiana Pulcinella

  OTHER NEWEST MYSTERIES

  Business As Usual, by Michael Boughn

  The Cardinal Divide, by Stephen Legault

  The Darkening Archipelago, by Stephen Legault

  A Deadly Little List, by K. Stewart & C. Bullock

  The Extra Cadaver Murder, by Roy Innes

  A Magpie’s Smile, by Eugene Meese

  Murder in the Chilcotin, by Roy Innes

  Murder in the Monashees, by Roy Innes

  West End Murders, by Roy Innes

  FOR MORE ON THESE AND OTHER TITLES,

  VISIT NEWESTPRESS.COM

  COPYRIGHT © GARRY RYAN 2017

  All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication — reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system — without the prior consent of the publisher is an infringement of copyright law. In the case of photocopying or other reprographic copying of the material, a licence must be obtained from Access Copyright before proceeding.

  LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

  Ryan, Garry, 1953–, author

  Matanzas / Garry Ryan.

  (Detective Lane mystery ; 9)

  Issued in print and electronic formats.

  IISBN 978-1-988732-09-1 (softcover). — ISBN 978-1-988732-10-7 (EPUB). — ISBN 978-1-988732-11-4 (Kindle)

  I. Title. II. Series: Ryan, Garry, 1953– . Detective Lane mystery ; 9

  PS8635.Y354M38 2017 C813’.6 C2017-901287-8 C2017-901288-6

  Editor for the Board: Leslie Vermeer

  Cover and interior design: Natalie Olsen, Kisscut Design

  Cover photos: (front) soel/photocase.com, (back) birdys/photocase.com, (page i) Magida El-Kassis/stocksy.com

  Author photo: Luke Towers

  NeWest Press acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Edmonton Arts Council for support of our publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities.

  #201, 8540–109 Street

  Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1E6

  780.432.9427

  www.newestpress.com

  No bison were harmed in the making of this book.

  Printed and bound in Canada

  For my family

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Lane’s Family

  Alexandra – Christine’s half sister

  Alison – Christine’s mother and Paul Lane’s sister who lived in the polygamist community of Paradise

  Arthur Merali – an accountant and Lane’s spouse

  Christine Lane – Paul’s niece and mother to Indiana

  Daniel Lane – Christine’s husband and professional camera operator

  Linda Law – Daniel’s sister

  Lola and John Law – Daniel’s parents

  Matthew Merali – Arthur’s nephew

  Paul Lane – veteran homicide detective with Calgary Police Service

  Sam – family dog

  Lane’s Colleagues

  Anna – computer/cyber expert in a relationship with Nigel

  Cameron Harper – Calgary Deputy Chief and Lane’s former police partner

  Dr. Colin Weaver (aka Fibre) – head of Forensic Crime Scene Unit

  Jean – executive secretary to the Calgary Chief Constable

  Jim Simpson – Calgary Chief Constable

  Keely Saliba – former partner of Paul Lane who now works in Ottawa with the RCMP

  Lori – secretary and quilter who runs the CPS homicide office

  Nebal – CPS technology specialist

  Nigel Li – homicide detective with the CPS who often works with Lane

  Stephen Brown – Crown Prosecutor

  Tommy Pham – Paul Lane’s lawyer

  Cuba Connections

  Angella – Havana tour guide

  Brett Mara (aka Livingston) – health care professional at Bow Valley Seniors’ Residence

  Camille Mara (nee Desjardin) – Brett’s spouse

  Christy Mackenzie – cousin to Camille Mara

  Colin Anderson – Jamey’s father

  Deylis Sanchez – detective with the Cuban police and singer

  Hector – Deylis’ driver

  Jamey Anderson – boy from Toronto on the Havana tour

  Omar – moto volqueta driver

  Robert North – Camille’s friend

  Sonja – Brett’s Cuban wife

  Sylvie – French tourist

  Vlad – Cuban cab driver

  Calgary Connections

  Anita, Aunt Rose and Neville Po – Ayah’s relatives

  Ayah – resident at Floral Gardens Seniors Residence

  Ben Bertoulli – Calgary lawyer

  Bill Rogerson – MLA, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security

  Blair and Ronnie – East Coast cowboys

  Carlo Tuda – owner of Carlo’s Calzones food truck

  Colleen – manager at Bow Valley Seniors’ Residence

  Cora – resident at Bow Valley Seniors’ Residence

  Cori Pierce – serial killer spouse of Professor Pierce

  Donna – Paul Lane’s neighbour

  Ella – Gloria’s niece

  FKs or FOBKs – gang

  FOBs – gang

  Freddy McQuade – friend of Walter Riley

  Gloria – childhood neighbour of Paul Lane

  Laura Mancuzi – manager at Floral Gardens Seniors Residence

  Laura and Shauday – coworkers at Bow Valley Seniors’ Residence

  Linda – Walter’s daughter

  Lisa – parole officer in Calgary

  Marvin – Walter’s roommate

  MCSC – Mi Casa Su Casa – US based corporation specializing in facilities for seniors

  Nina and Fernando – high school friends of Paul Lane

  Penny – caregiver for Walter Riley at Bow Valley Seniors’ Residence

  Professor Pierce – serial killer shot and killed by Paul Lane

  Robbie VanLeenan – former son-in-law to Walter Riley

  Sean Pike – former CPS member and organized crime boss

  Terri – coffee kiosk owner on Stephen Avenue Mall

  Uncle Tran – recurring character and owner of the Lucky Elephant Restaurant

  Walter (Wally) Riley – resident at Bow Valley Seniors’ Residence

  CONTENTS

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  SATURDAY, JUNE 15

  CHAPTER 1

  SUNDAY, JUNE 16

  CHAPTER 2

  MONDAY, JUNE 17

  CHAPTER 3

  TUESDAY, JUNE 18

  CHAPTER 4

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

  CHAPTER 5

  THURSDAY, JUNE 20

  CHAPTER 6

  FRIDAY, JUNE 21

  CHAPTER 7

  MONDAY, JUNE 24

  CHAPTER 8

  TUESDAY, JUNE 25

  CHAPTER 9

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

  CHAPTER 10

  THURSDAY, JUNE 27

  CHAPTER 11

  FRIDAY, JUNE 28

  CHAPTER 12

  SATURDAY, JUNE 29

  CHAPTER 13

  SUNDAY, JUNE 30

  CHAPTER 14

  MONDAY, JULY 1

  CHAPTER 15

  TUESDAY, JULY 2

  CHAPTER 16

  WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

  CHAPTER 17

  THURSDAY, JULY 4

  C
HAPTER 18

  FRIDAY, JULY 5

  CHAPTER 19

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  SATURDAY, JUNE 15

  chapter 1

  Lane kept his elbows tucked against his rib cage. Arthur looked out the window on one side. An Acadian oil-rig worker sat on the other side of Lane. His biceps were thigh sized and he weighed at least three hundred pounds. Across the aisle from them, Christine sat with Indiana on her lap. Dan looked out the window where the world was white cloud below and blue sky above. Matt slept open mouthed and snored. The jet engines were a constantly reassuring hum.

  Lyle, the mountain, pushed back his Flames ball cap and asked, “Your buddy there said you were going to a wedding?”

  “Yes, our niece is getting married.” Lane looked to his right and up. At six feet, he was dwarfed by Lyle.

  “They love Canadians in Cuba. I got married down here. My wife works on one of the resorts.”

  “Which one?”

  “Barceló.”

  “I think we’re at Iberostar.”

  Lyle nodded, then shifted his weight. Lane’s seat bounced forward and back. Lyle said, “I hope my dog is okay.”

  “Dog?”

  “Riley. He’s a boxer. Purebred.” Lyle pointed at the floor. “He’s riding below. The vet gave me some pills so he’d relax. Just hope he slept. He’s kind of hyper.”

  “How did you manage to be born in Acadia, work in Alberta and marry a Cuban?”

  Lyle smiled. “Came out west for a job. Ended up working on the rigs. Worked on the rigs down here. Met Antonia. Took a winter vacation down here, then came back for a few more visits.” Lyle held up five fingers. “Bought a house. Her family thinks they’ve won the lottery because Antonia and I got married. Cubans love Canadians. They don’t think much of the Russians and even less of Americans.” He poked Lane with a forefinger. “Make sure you tip the people who work at the resort. They work damned hard for very low wages, you know.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “Hey, by the way, what happened to your ear?” Lyle grabbed his own earlobe with a beefy right hand and pointed at Lane’s.

  Lane lifted his chin. “I went on a domestic disturbance call. The husband was drunk and he was a biter.”

  “You’re a cop?” Lyle looked sideways at Lane, then at Arthur.

  “That’s right.”

  Lyle nodded. “You’ll be safe in Cuba. The police here do a pretty good job of keeping the tourists safe and happy.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Cuba will teach you some new things. It’s not the place you’ve been told about in the media. It’s going to delight and disappoint you. It’s one of those places you have to see for yourself and make up your own mind about.” Lyle closed his mouth, reached into a bag, pulled out a magazine and began to read.

  An hour later the jet began its descent to Cuba’s Varadero airport. Lane swallowed to equalize the pressure in his ears. Indiana sucked on a bottle of milk with one hand overtop the glass and watched his mother. Out of the corner of his right eye Lane saw a woman studying him. She sat in the aisle seat behind Christine. The woman looked to be in her fifties with short-cut blonde hair. Her eyes were violet and vaguely familiar. Lane began to study her as she leaned forward in her seat. A smile played on her lips. She nodded at him, then turned when the young woman sitting next to her asked a question.

  SUNDAY, JUNE 16

  chapter 2

  The next time he saw her was at the resort. She wore a white one-piece bathing suit and was slick with sunscreen on pale Canadian skin. The wind was combing its fingers through the fronds of the palm trees near the pool. Arthur wore a white cotton shirt covering his round belly. A white straw panama hat, black shorts and sandals finished the look. Lane saw the woman reading a book. There was cursing. Arthur tripped and fell to his knees, then on his face. His hat rolled along the concrete walkway. Lane stopped. “Arthur?”

  Arthur rolled on his back and sat up. He put his hand to his lip. The tip of his finger came away bloody.

  Lane put his hand on Arthur’s shoulder.

  “Did I break my tooth?” Arthur lifted his top lip.

  Lane looked at the upper row of front teeth. He pointed at Arthur’s bottom lip. “Your teeth are okay. It’s just your lip.” He reached down, grabbed Arthur’s hand and pulled him to his feet.

  “He okay?”

  They looked left. The woman in the white bathing suit had wrapped a blue skirt around her hips and stood before them.

  Arthur said, “Cut my lip and scraped my hand. Damned clumsy.” He held out his palm to reveal a red patch.

  The woman took his hand, then looked at his lip. She turned and asked, “How have you been, Paul?”

  Lane focused on the woman’s violet eyes. “I’m usually very good at remembering faces.”

  She held out her hand. “Gloria. It’s been more than thirty years.”

  He turned his head to the right and studied her with his left eye.

  “I was your neighbour. Sometimes I would babysit. Until . . .” Her eyes dropped and she looked at the red nail polish on her toes.

  “You okay?” The voice was male and came from the other side of the pool.

  Lane looked over and saw a portly male striding toward them. He had far more hair on his chest, face and arms than remained on his head.

  “Do you have some antibiotic cream?” Gloria looked at Arthur, who nodded.

  “You’ll probably have a bruise. Clean the scrapes and put the cream on them. They’ll heal better.” Gloria turned and walked back to the pool.

  Arthur turned to Lane. “You know her?”

  “Apparently.” Gloria was gone.

  “We’d better get back to the room and get ready for supper. Lola arrived this afternoon. We have dinner reservations. Christine is nervous and wants us to be there.” Arthur touched his mouth. “And I need to put some ice on this or my lip will be the size of a beach ball.”

  Three sides of the restaurant were surrounded by water. They could see the fountain at the centre of the pool outside the restaurant window. Lola sat at the head of one end of the table. She wore a cream-coloured pantsuit with an open collar framing generous cleavage and a diamond necklace on a white-gold chain. Lane and Arthur wore shorts, white shirts and sandals. They sat across from the window next to Matt. Christine arrived wearing a white blouse and yellow linen slacks. Dan followed with Indiana on his hip. They wore matching black T-shirts and pants.

  Lola frowned and looked at her husband, who had on a grey jacket and tie despite the heat. She pointed at her son. “I hope that you’re not wearing that to the wedding. You were raised to be classier than that.” Lola looked at Christine and rolled her eyes.

  The tone of the comment was a slap stopping Christine within arm’s reach of the chair at the other end of the table. She turned, took Indiana from Dan and walked out of the restaurant. Dan shook his head, took a long slow breath, glared at his mother, then followed Christine.

  Matt stood up and looked at his uncles. “Wanna go to the buffet? They have great desserts!” He followed Dan.

  “What did I say?” Lola’s tone had changed from aggressor to victim. She looked expectantly at her husband.

  “It’s the way you said it. Christine doesn’t like anyone talking down to her family.” Arthur stood, tucking his chair in.

  Lola looked up at Arthur, her eyes hard with anger. Arthur crossed his arms and stood waiting as if to say Bring it.

  Lola said, “That girl is too sensitive.”

  Lane felt his anger boil. He moved forward. Arthur put his arm out, startling Lane as he shook his head side to side. “I can handle this.”

  Dan’s father said, “When a new person, an outsider, becomes part of a family, it can break apart.”

  Lola nodded.

  Lane opened his mouth. Arthur held up his hand, then said, “Daniel has joined our family. He is an insider. Now Indiana is part of the family as well. You may wish to continue to blame Chr
istine for your problems and perhaps see Indiana infrequently. Or you could look at your faces in the mirror and fix this.” He turned and used the flat of his hand against Lane’s chest. “Let’s go.”

  Outside of the restaurant where a cooling breeze blew, Matt said, “Come on, you two, we’re going to the buffet. You know what Christine is like. We need to show her we are behind her and Dan and Indiana. Her mom has also been laying a guilt trip on her for getting married in Cuba and not at the temple, so she needs us.”

  “What kind of guilt trip?” Lane asked as he rushed to catch up to Matt, who was making good time despite his herky-jerky, skip-hop walk.

  “She told me not to say anything.” Matt threw the comment over his shoulder as they travelled the palm tree-lined concrete pathway to the buffet restaurant. He waited and held the door for them to enter the wide-open room where tables surrounded the round raised counters loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and sausage and cheese, hot plates and fresh shrimp, and a wide variety of desserts, including a chocolate fountain. They found Christine sitting near a window, staring off into the deepening tropical night. Indiana sat on her lap and stuffed his fingers into his mouth. Matt tapped Christine on the shoulder. “Okay if we join you?”

  She turned, saw the three of them and shrugged. Matt moved some chairs and, aided by Lane and Arthur, pulled over a second table.

  Daniel arrived with two plates of food and set one in front of Indiana and the other in front of the empty chair. He reached for Indiana and said to Christine, “You need to get something.” She shook her head. Arthur put his hand on her shoulder, and she said, “Go get something to eat. I’ll eat in a few minutes. I’m too upset right now.” Matt and his uncle left for the buffet.

  The waitress arrived. “Wine? Agua?”

  Lane held up his water glass. “Please.” As she poured the water, he watched his niece. “Have some water.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do. I’m sick of people telling me what to do. What my son should wear. Where I should get married. How I should live my life. All the mistakes I’ve made.” She turned her eyes on Lane. It was like being flashed by over-bright headlights on a lonely stretch of prairie highway at midnight. “How come some people think it’s okay to treat me like that?”