Never trust part 3

Des was regaling Mal and Rose with his story of the morning with the referees. "You see, goal judging is actually a very scientific job, plus it's more athletic than you think. Just like an Olympic athlete in his...or her... prime, you have to have perfect eye-hand coordination to see the puck cross the line and hit the light in time to stop the play. Frankly, I think you have to be easily as skillful as the players, easily," he repeated for emphasis.

"Sure, b'y," said Jake as he walked in, "and its just as likely you'll get a head injury. Oh sorry, you already have one.

"Where's the Tylenol?," he asked Rose.

"In the cupboard in the bathroom, dear, but I think you used it all up after you got beaten up last week."

"Damn," said Jake, "I meant to get more. Des, go get me some Tylenol."

"Do you really want Tylenol, or if its for general muscle strain, maybe ibuprofen would be better and easier on your digestive system?"

"Shut up, Des, and just go to the drugstore."

"I'm just sayin'" replied Des, hurrying towards the door as Jake threatened him with a fist.

Rose walked over to the case board and put up a couple of photos of referees. "Des took these this morning at the referees meeting. This is Randy Cuffler, ex-player, two ex-wives and some expensive habits. He's the head referee in this league. The other handsome one is Greg Doyle, no relation that we know of. He was transferred here from Gander. This is a promotion for him and he seems to be ambitious for a future in the NHL."

Jake studied the pictures and said "I'd think Cuffler is the better lead for corruption, wouldn't you, Dad?"

Mal replied, "you might think so, but Doyle is living a bit better than he ought to on his salary and he has an expensive girlfriend."

"Hmmm, so not so easy after all," Jake commented.

Mal turned to Jake, "what'd you come up with?"

"Besides some seriously sore muscles and a possible heart attack? Not much yet, theres a big lad, Ziegler who is very nervous about new guys. He's pretty close to retirement, maybe he has some big expenses? Rose, do a background check on him. He seemed skeptical about my hockey career."

"Smart man," teased Mal, "you're not exactly Dan Cleary, now are ya."

Jake gave Mal his patented sour look. "Yeah and you're not exactly ... well..."

Jake's phone rang. It was Leslie Bennett.

"Sergeant" smiled Jake, "what are you wearing?"

"Cut it out Jake," Leslie snapped, "do you ever turn it off?"

"No"

"Well, then I'd better get used to a lifetime of your come ons."

"Why are you calling me then," Jake said, testily.

"I got a funny call about you today and wondered if you might explain it to me."

"Are ya worried about me?" Jake teased.

"Worried I might have to arrest you," Leslie replied, crossly.

"Tell me about the call," Jake said, more seriously.

"I'll come over to your office"

"How about the Duke, I could use a bit of liquid painkiller."

"I don't want to know," groaned Leslie.

"No, you probably don't," Jake replied.

Jake watched Leslie walk into the bar and smiled at how beautiful she looked.

"You look… wonderful… as usual."

"Thanks, Jake" she said giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Just a diet coke," she said to Christian at the bar, "I'm still on duty."

"So what about the phone call," Jake asked her.

"Well, it was a bit strange. It came into the criminal records check division asking about whether you had a record of some kind. Of course, the clerk asked if the caller had any legal authority to ask and he said he was your new boss. The clerk has see you around the station before, so he transferred the call up to Hood, who passed it to me."

"Did you get anything about who it was?" Jake inquired.

"No, but it was a male and he said he needed to know if you were into gambling or had a record for fraud. I told him I wasn't at liberty to tell him and then he said if I wanted you to stay healthy and prevent a possible crime, I would tell him what I knew."

"Strange," said Jake, "did he sound like Newfoundlander by chance?"

"Mostly, could be maritime but transplanted here. Jake he sounded a bit menancing."

"I'm working on a case involving game fixing in minor hockey. There's some funny game results and my client thinks that some referees and players are throwing games for money. Mal and I are looking into it."

"That must be what it's about," concluded Leslie. "Somebody on that team thinks you're investigating and wants to stop ya, or figure out if they can get you involved."

She looked at him quizzically, "I know ya play the horses and things, Jake, but you wouldn't think of doin' this?"

"Hockey is like religion, Leslie. It would be like betting that the next hymn is 'Faith of our Fathers', I wouldn't dream of it."

She laughed, "I shoulda known."

She looked at her watch and said, "I need to get back."

"You don't have half an hour for a bit of fun?" Jake asked.

"Looking at you, I'm wondering if you would be any fun at all." She paused, "you're undercover on the team, aren't you?"

Jake nodded, painfully.

She laughed again, "I'll get my best massage skills ready for ya."