“I see “Revenge of the Nerds” is back,” Janice teased.
“Be nice, Janice,” Dani scolded.
“He’s a creepy, little guy,” Abby remarked with little concern for being nice. “I’ve actually heard him holding a conversation with the computers. He thinks they’re his little patients.”
“Hey, I barely know he’s there,” Dani informed her friends. “As a receptionist, I find that refreshing.”
“I agree with Abby,” Janice remarked and folded her arms across her chest. “He’s creepy. Please tell me he’s not here to work on all the computers.”
“He is, so plan accordingly.”
“Yeah, I’m going to plan my break when he gets to mine, so I don’t have to deal with him,” Abby muttered. “Did you ever see him with that little keyboard vacuum gizmo? Then he leaves me sticky notes about keeping my keyboard clean. I’m a secretary, not the cleaning lady.”
Two of the programmers worked their way closer to the conversation at Abby’s cubicle, obviously unhappy with what they were hearing.
“Another update?” Brad muttered then groaned with irritation. “Come on! Those things take forever. How are we supposed to get any work done?”
Brad was the stereotypical computer geek complete with wide-framed glasses and moderately slicked back hair. He was a slender man in his late thirties and wore a t-shirt promoting one of their computer games.
“I don’t mind,” Peterson remarked. “Gives me a chance to sneak out for an extra cigarette break.” He eyed Abby and grinned. “What do you say, Abby? Want to go get coffee when he reaches our computers?”
Abby rolled her eyes. “In your dreams, Peterson,” she muttered.
Peterson was a self-proclaimed lady’s man. A tall, solid-built man with shoulder length hair and a tanning salon tan, he was moderately impressive to women everywhere but within Virtual Play. The women who worked for the corporation knew Peterson was a womanizer and his suave, caring attitude was a false front for his undesirable personality.
The front desk phone rang, alerting Dani. “There’s my phone. Pass the word, would you?”
“Yep, creepy computer guy has arrived,” Abby teased then flashed a smile, knowing it bothered Dani.
Dani hurried for her desk in the lobby, joined Rafael behind it despite the close quarters, and answered her phone.
“Virtual Play Programmers,” Dani announced into the phone. “How may I help you?” She paused and listened to the caller. “One moment please.”
Dani transferred the phone call to one of the offices then tensed slightly from her closeness to the pleasant smelling computer geek. She caught a glimpse of Rafael working on her computer, and it made her unusually tense. Despite shutting down her conversation with Boyd, she didn’t like anyone playing with her computer in fear they might stumble upon something she shouldn’t have been doing during work hours. She hid her anxiety and casually leaned against the inside of her desk.
“So corporate didn’t tell you what happened last night?” she asked, feeling the need to make small talk with the docile man.
She was actually surprised he hadn’t gotten the latest gossip. Even Boyd, who didn’t work anywhere near the office, heard the news.
Rafael didn’t bother looking at her while he worked. “I’m on a need to know basis,” he informed her. “They don’t feel I need to know.”
She subconsciously folded her arms across her chest and held back her shiver. “A man broke into Greg’s office and tried to hack into his computer,” she informed him. “Beat-up Greg and a security guard.”
He hesitated and looked at her with some surprise. His look then turned serious. “No one can hack these computers.”
“Really?”
“If they could, they’d be smarter than me,” he informed her with little emotion. He returned to his work. “Corporate wants to stop excessive internet usage, so I’ll be disconnecting your DSL and deactivating your accounts.”
Dani stared at Rafael’s profile and appeared horrified at what she’d just been told. “What?” she gasped with surprise while straightening then attempted to cover for her reaction. “I mean, is that necessary?”
Rafael glanced at Dani with a strange look as if awaiting a reason why he shouldn’t. She tensed and fidgeted, dropping her hands from her shoulders.
“I don’t have a computer at home,” she reluctantly informed him. “This is the only place I can check my email.”
Rafael casually looked back at the computer and continued to type on the keyboard. “You don’t need a computer for that. Just about every cell phone can do that,” he casually remarked. “I’m guessing you’re more concerned about the hours of daily IMs to Boyd in marketing.”
Her heart suddenly pounded as she stared at his profile. “How did you know--?”
“Your computer has no secrets from me,” he informed her with little emotion and didn’t bother looking at her as he worked. “I’m smart, remember? Your computer retains that information.”
Rafael casually leaned back in the chair and pressed a few buttons. Thousands of IMs between her and Boyd suddenly appeared on her screen. Dani appeared horrified and gasped as every message she’d ever sent flashed in front of her.
Rafael finally glanced at her while propping his chin on his knuckles. “Incidentally, which Muppet do you think I resemble? Gonzo or Beeker?”
Dani stared at him, embarrassed that he’d seen that.
He appeared quizzical while raising a clever brow and straightened. “No need to answer that. I’d rather not know,” he replied and returned to his work. “All you need to do is go into here and click ‘empty’.” Rafael clicked the button. Every IM disappeared. “Awe, look at that. Gone without a trace.”
“I am so sorry,” she gasped while keeping her hand near her mouth as she stared at his profile.
Rafael didn’t bother looking at her.
Her entire body stiffened as her heart raced. “Are you going to tell corporate?”
“What happens in the computer; stays in the computer,” he casually replied then hesitated and considered the comment. “Actually, that’s a falsity. Instant messages can be hacked quite easily.” He waved her off without care and returned to his work. “Well, you knew what I meant. Just remember to empty your trash frequently.”
“About the internet--?”
Rafael stared at the computer screen and stopped typing. He appeared to consider her question then glanced at her in his usual timid manner. Their eyes met only briefly before he looked away and returned to his work.
“How could I say no to someone who brings me coffee?” he replied.
Dani felt relief sweep through her and managed a smile. “How would you like that coffee?”
“Black is fine, thank you.”
Chapter Sixteen
The downtown police station had a historic appeal to it. It had been painstakingly remodeled to fit in with the rest of the historic buildings in the downtown area. Despite the moderately nice area, the small city wasn’t without its seedy sections of town. As with any city, they had two or more gangs fighting turf wars over what didn’t belong to them, but for the most part, the city maintained a low crime rate. Police officers milled around the station bullpen along with suspects, victims, and the occasional criminal in handcuffs. Although crime was low, that didn’t mean it didn’t happen. They had their share. Jade was seated at her desk among the dozen or more other desks and worked on her computer. She had plenty of paperwork to catch up on. Like so many of her colleagues, the paperwork was always pushed back until the last minute, and then there was a rush to get it in on time. Her cell phone vibrated on top of her desk with ‘Uncle Rafael’ appearing on the caller ID screen. Jade immediately answered the phone while casually leaning back in her chair.
“Jade’s Porn Palace,” she announced in a serious tone. “What’s your pleasure?”
There was a long pause. “You know, I really hate when you do that,” Rafael muttered from the othe
r end.
She laughed softly while grinning. Pushing her uncle’s buttons was a fun and fulfilling pastime. “What’s up, Rafael?”
“I’m going to be late tonight.”
She smirked knowingly. “Stuck at the office, dear?”
“Corporate wants added security after what happened last night,” he informed her. “They’re insisting it be done by the end of the day today. Unfortunately, it’s going to take me two days.”
“What a bunch of pricks you work for,” Jade remarked into the phone.
“Yeah, very funny,” he scoffed. His tone then turned serious. “I really wanted to talk to you about what happened at Virtual Play last night. Were you still planning on coming over for dinner?”
“I thought you might want to discuss that,” she replied simply. “Yes, I was still planning on coming over.”
“Good. Would you mind picking up something for dinner?” he asked. “I won’t have time to cook.”
Jade rocked in her chair while staring at the ceiling and contemplated the request. “I’ll make you a deal,” she announced while grinning slyly. She could almost hear him groan from the other end. “I’ll pick up dinner if you come to my place to eat it.”
There was a long, tense pause. “Did you clean?”
“It’s clean--ish,” she teased and couldn’t help but smile.
“I can only imagine,” he muttered under his breath. “I’ll see you about seven.”
“See you then.”
Jade disconnected the call, laughed softly, and shook her head. They had a weird relationship, but it worked on every level. Speaking of weird relationships-- Jade saw Miller approach her desk and watched as he tossed a file on top of it near her. She eyed the file then looked at Miller. He always looked so serious, even when he was attempting to be lighthearted and jovial. Fortunately, she knew he liked her, because he certainly had little intention of ever making it known.
“Must I read that or will you give me the short version?” she asked, indicating the file.
“That outstanding citizen is Vahn Lott,” Miller informed her with little enthusiasm. “He’s a low-life piece of shit transporter for Cody Riley, owner of that dance club on fifth. You know the one. Club Zen.”
“Cody Riley?” she asked with surprise. “As in lapdog for mob kingpin, Jared Carmichael?”
“One in the same,” Miller replied with little emotion. “It seems our boy, Lott, was seen in the parking garage last night around the time of the break-in at Virtual Play. We have him in room four cooling his heels. He tends to lawyer up at ‘hello’.” He offered a sly grin. “Want a shot at him?”
She suddenly raised her brows. “Will a 9mm do the trick?” Jade teased.
“Funny.”
Jade sprang up from her chair with enthusiasm and snatched the folder. “Sounds like fun.”
“Ten bucks says you don’t get more than five words out of him before he demands his lawyer.”
She grinned proudly. “You’re on.”
Chapter Seventeen
The small interrogation room was a bland and drab concrete room with little more than a table, four chairs, and a two-way mirror. A ruggedly handsome, neatly dressed man in his early thirties sat casually reclined in his chair behind the desk with his cuffed hands on the table, as he showed no emotion while staring at the two-way mirror. It was possible he was attempting to intimidate whoever was on the other side. Jade entered the room while skimming through his file then eyed Vahn Lott. He didn’t bother looking at her and barely acknowledged her presence. Jade made a quick assessment of Cody Riley’s newest goon. Vahn was undeniably a powerhouse, indicated by his broad shoulders and muscular chest. With his dark nearly black hair and equally dark eyes, he was undeniably a handsome sight to behold.
Jade was always amazed by how neatly dressed and immaculate hired goons for the mob could be with their appearance. They often smelled as good as they looked. She casually approached the table and tossed the file on top, catching his attention for the first time. He obviously had no intention to cooperate and was playing some sort of intimidation game with her before a word was even spoken. As Vahn eyed her, his expression immediately changed. Anything he had rehearsed seemed to go out the window. He stared at her a moment with a puzzled look and sat straight in his chair.
“Is this a joke?” he demanded, clearly caught off guard by the young, attractive detective sent to interrogate him.
Jade removed a pair of handcuff keys from her pocket and indicated his wrists without a word. Vahn raised his cuffed wrists to her. She casually removed the handcuffs, set them on the table, and took a seat across from him. She didn’t take her eyes off him and offered no emotion.
“Is what a joke?”
“Sending in jailbait to interrogate me,” he scoffed and again leaned back in his chair, appearing a little too comfortable, while rubbing his wrists. “It’s offensive.”
“Jailbait?” she remarked while raising a brow then smirked. “I haven’t heard that one yet. I’m Detective Wesson, but you can call me Detective Wesson.”
He remained silently offended, although not so silent. “Not that this hasn’t been fun, but go get your superiors--or daddy. Whoever,” Vahn launched. “Tell them they have nothing on me, and they need to release me immediately.”
She didn’t react to the mild tirade, although she did find it funny that he was bothered by not warranting a seasoned, gritty detective. It must have been quite the ego blow. Ironically, he didn’t seem to take offense to the fact that they’d sent a woman to interrogate him. She actually found that moderately refreshing.
“Vahn Lott,” she announced while leaning back in her chair. “Transporter for Cody Riley.”
“Transporter?” he questioned then chuckled with a humored smile. “No, I’m a chauffeur and glorified messenger boy for Cody Riley. He’s a nightclub owner, not a mobster. You people seem to have a difficult time distinguishing between the two.”
“Uh, huh,” she replied then leaned forward, casually clasping her hands together on the table. “And messenger boys frequently carry 9mm automags?”
He leaned on the table, mirroring her actions and stared into her eyes. “It’s a violent world, my dear.”
Jade opened the folder, skimmed through some papers, and then made a face while shaking her head. Vahn appeared curious then tilted his head and eyed the folder.
“It says here you’ve been a bad boy.”
Vahn smirked and suddenly turned playful. “If I confess to that, will you spank me?” he teased. “Because I could get into that.”
“What was that?” she asked while raising a curious brow. “Sexual harassment of law enforcement?” She shook her head and tossed the folder aside as if moderately bored. “Come on, Lott; don’t make this too easy for me.”
“Oh, you’d prefer I play hard to get?” he asked then sat back in his chair, his face turning serious. “Okay. I want a lawyer.”
“And I want to meet a man who doesn’t spout lies with every breath,” she replied then cocked her head. “So I guess we’re both shit out of luck.”
He stared at her with an odd expression, desperately trying to figure her out.
“Security cameras place you in your boss’s Bentley at the Virtual Play parking garage last night around the time two employees were assaulted,” she informed him.
“I needed a little time to myself, and it seemed like a quiet place to reflect upon life,” he casually replied. “If you saw me on security cameras, you must also know I never left the car. I certainly didn’t assault anyone.”
“Oh, I know you didn’t.”
Jade tossed Trent’s mugshot across the table to him. He barely glanced at the photo and showed no reaction.
“But this man did,” she countered while watching him closely. “Do you recognize him?”
“No, I’ve never seen him before,” he replied with no emotion. “Who is he?”
“He’s the man chilling in the morgue with a 9mm slug i
n the back of his skull,” she replied without taking her eyes off him, watching for any change in his expression. “Looks like a professional hit.”
Vahn’s eyes strayed to the picture only a split second, but it was enough for Jade to see a slight reaction. Her callus remark to the man’s death caused him to tense, no matter how slight, telling her he knew the man. She also gathered that he either disapproved of the man’s murder or didn’t know he’d been killed. His lack of emotion returned, and it was back to business as usual.
“I’m not a hitman,” he informed her. “You can check my resume.”
“Yeah, I have it right here,” she announced and again opened the folder. “Several assaults, numerous batteries, a couple of breaking and entering, reckless endangerment with a vehicle, speeding--”
Although she didn’t mention it, she found it slightly odd that his police record only went back six months ago. Prior to that, he’d been silently flying below the radar. Twelve years in the military with an honorable discharge and then a few years driving a cab in New York City. Suddenly, he pulls up stakes and moves to their little dark corner of the world where he becomes a transporter for the mob. Something didn’t add up.
“But not murder,” he informed her of his rap sheet. “I don’t kill people.”
“Did you drive this man to Virtual Play last night?” she finally asked while indicating Trent’s picture.
“No, I’ve never seen him before.”
“I think you did.”
Once Upon a Disaster Page 6
