by Cherry Laska
She greeted Bridgette from behind her chair. She jumped when she heard her mother’s voice. Jessica understood the reaction seeing who Bridgette was talking to. It was none other than bad-boy Dan Taylor. The kid was a wrestler in the boys’ club, and he found trouble wherever he went.
“Hello, Dan.”
“Hi, Mrs. Whitley,” he said, trying to be charming. “Nice to see you.”
“I’m surprised you’re here by the pool. Isn’t there a practice going on?”
“Yeah, well, I don’t have to cut weight, and I got this.” He slid his hand over his six-packed abs and gave a sly look. When Jessica stared back at him blankly, his smugness faded. “You may have a point. I better get to the Convention Center. They, uh, probably need my help.” He turned to Bridgette and flashed his smile. “I’ll see you later.” It made Jessica’s skin crawl.
“Bye,” Bridgette said too sweetly.
Jessica was trying to keep control of her emotions. No way was this guy getting anywhere near her daughter. Jessica wouldn’t allow it nor would Trevor. He would kill Dan if he tried something. Her immediate inclination was to lay into Bridgette and ask her if she was crazy. Jessica wanted to share with her naive daughter all the stories that she’d heard about the trouble this boy had gotten into and what she’d overheard him say about some girls but knew she had to take a different approach. If Jessica told Bridgette not to do something, her daughter would only want to do it that much more. Jessica decided not to say anything until three songs had played.
After the third song, she attempted to ease into the conversation. “How long have you been friends with Dan?”
“I don’t know,” Bridgette answered guardedly.
Trying to sound casual, Jessica asked, “Is Dan a boy you want to get involved with?” She knew she wasn’t doing a very good job of being subtle. She was too concerned, and her daughter was too in-tuned with her mother’s feelings.
Bridgette held up her hand. She didn’t want to hear it. “I knew you’d disapprove, Mom.”
“Oh, it’s not just me,” Jessica said, remaining calm and casual. She rolled over and adjusted to get comfortable. “It’s the coaches, some of the other parents, and your own brothers. Sure, I’ve heard some stories. I think you’ve heard them too. Haven’t you?”
Bridgette huffed, “Can you believe this? What do you think, Allison?”
Allison looked away before reluctantly answering, “He’s cute, but he’s trouble.”
“Allison!” Bridgette looked betrayed.
“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.”
She sighed, “Yeah. He’s been really nice to me though. He’s just had some bad breaks. Plus, he’s amazingly cute.” Jessica and Allison both nodded their heads. There was no denying he was a good-looking young man. “I feel bad for him. His parents aren’t there for him at all, and the coach totally picks on him.”
“That’s true,” Allison agreed.
“Uh-huh,” Jessica said, carefully hiding her smile.
Bridgette was quiet for a few minutes. Jessica could tell her daughter was thinking about it all.
“Maybe he isn’t worth it. The people around him do seem to get in trouble. I definitely don’t want anything on my record.” Jessica did a silent thank you for her desire to go to Columbia University. “And he dated that skank Heather.”
“Ewwwe,” Allison said.
The girls went on to run through the list of Dan’s escapades and the dumb stuff he had done. By the end of the list, Bridgette had convinced herself that Dan’s looks and bad-boy charm weren’t for her. Jessica was extremely relieved. Mentally, she jumped for joy. With that crisis averted, they enjoyed themselves listening to music, flipping through magazines, and relaxing.
Jessica’s phone vibrated.
Practice is over. 1½ lbs. over. Going to watch kids quarterfinals. Will go for a run later and go to bed early.
She could tell from Trevor’s text he was intensely focused on what he needed to do. This tournament had attracted extremely tough competition. She couldn’t help but feel nervous for him and all the guys. She sent him a quick reply before she slipped on her cover-up and shoes.
“Well, girls, I’m off to my spa appointment. We have a seven o’clock reservation at Morels. You’ll love it. The food is incredible, and they have the absolute best cheese. What are you two going to do until then?”
“We’re going to just hang here for a while. We’ll get cleaned up and go shopping at the Bellagio shops later. They have all the best deals, and we want to catch the fountain show.”
Jessica looked around. Some guys were checking out Bridgette and Allison. “Have fun and stick together. Please be careful, keep out of trouble, and don’t talk to any of these strange older men.”
“Gross,” they answered emphatically in stereo.
“And stay in touch.”
With their annoyed promises, Jessica headed off. She took the long way around the pool in order to pass by the girls’ admirers.
“Hi, guys.” They looked up, surprised. “I thought you’d like to know that those lovely young ladies you’ve been looking at are fourteen. They’re high school freshmen, gentlemen. Move on.” She didn’t feel bad about telling a white lie to make the girls seem a little younger. It was for everyone’s own good.
“Sorry.” They looked embarrassed.
Jessica nodded and made her next stop the bar. She gave the bartender and the waitress huge tips and asked if they’d keep an eye on the girls.
75
JOE APPROACHED THE DESK AT the Wynn spa and waited for the woman working to finish up with a guest. When several minutes had passed, he said, “Excuse me.” He paused, trying to look charming. “I have a bit of a problem. I need to get word right away to someone who’s in the spa.”
“Please wait just a minute, sir,” the receptionist said nicely and returned to assisting the customer who couldn’t decide between the seaweed wrap and the sea salt scrub.
Joe was trying to be patient. He had already sent a dozen texts and left several messages for Jessica in the last hour, and he’d been standing at this desk way too long. He couldn’t take it any longer. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I really need to speak to one of your clients right away.” He added, “Now,” in his command voice.
The Wynn Spa employee was not getting the point. Just as nicely as before, she said, “You’ll have to wait your turn, sir,” and turned back to the woman who was now trying to decide between the four hands massage and the hot stone massage.
This was not working for him. He backed away from the desk and casually entered the ladies’ locker room. He found himself in an area that was designed for all the senses to be pampered and relaxed. There was a fresh citrus scent in the air, the sound of trickling water, gentle, low-volume spa music, and a display of fruit infused water as well as raw almonds, yogurt covered fruit, and a bowl of apples in the restful sitting area. Joe moved purposely through to the locker out-cove.
“Jessica?” His voice was much louder than voices in a spa should be, destroying the tranquility. “This place is a ridiculous maze,” he muttered to himself while making his way through the lockers and hallways. He continued looking and calling for her. “Jessica?” He was getting frustrated. He jerked open the door to the steam room.
Jessica was relaxing in the Jacuzzi when she heard a woman scream. Jessica opened her eyes and went on alert. She saw a lady running out of the steam room, covering herself with a towel.Then Jessica saw Joe. He was scanning the pool area but didn’t see her.
“Joe!”
The noise of the Jacuzzi and fountains drowned out her voice and prevented him from hearing her. Ladies sank lower in the water. The eyes of reclining women in green facial masks bulged in shock at the sight of a man in their sacred area. A group of young women who’d come in earlier wearing bachelorette gear continued talking and laughing. They glanced at the out-of-place man but didn’t seem to care. They didn’t break their conversation and kept sipping on their
oversized cocktails. The scene was all unfolding so quickly. A heavyset, elderly, naked woman saw Joe at exactly the same instant he saw her. She was incapable of moving quickly to cover up. Her physique was that of a woman who didn’t believe in diet, exercise, or grooming. She was all liver spots, fat dimples, and gray bushy hair. Joe turned his head away from her and luckily toward Jessica. He finally saw her and walked toward the water.
“What are you doing in here?” she called to him. “You’re going to get picked up by security.”
“We have to go. Come on. I’ll explain on the way.”
She hesitated. “Uh … no. I can’t.”
“What? Why not?”
“I decided to soak after my massage. I’m not wearing a bathing suit.”
He gave her a sideways look and shrugged. “And this is a problem, why? It’s okay. Really, I don’t mind.” A huge grin took over his face. “Come on. Get out.”
Jessica had flirted with Joe, and they had kissed a few times. He’d even seen her in her sexy lingerie, but that was quite different from him seeing her naked.
“Quit that. Put away your dimples and turn around.”
He complied. She got out of the water and tread carefully on the wet tile to where her towel and robe were. She saw Joe was smiling and thought, Wait, how can I see him smiling? She realized the wall was lined with mirrors, but she didn’t have time to deal with it. She saw the men in security uniforms enter the pool area. “Move. The guards are coming.”
She tied her robe on the go. The older lady was flustered and accidentally blocked the guards between her and one of the Roman goddess statues that surrounded the pool. The guards tried to move around the elderly woman, but she panicked, and one of the men got knocked into the water. Joe and Jessica ran around the other side of the pool and down the hall. They slipped into an alcove. Jessica quickly opened her locker, grabbed her bag, and followed Joe out the door. With luck of perfect timing, they jumped in an awaiting empty elevator.
“What’s happening? What are you doing here?”
He pushed a button on his phone and the security camera in the elevator went out. He hooked a finger into the tie of Jessica’s robe and pulled her close. “We have business. I’ll tell you the details when we’re in the privacy of your room. But for now …”
His mouth found hers. His full lips were warm and soft. The kiss quickly deepened with hunger and passion. He slipped his hand under her robe and slowly ran his hand up her leg. Jessica was on fire. “You’re absolutely gorgeous,” he whispered between kisses.
The elevator dinged, and they stepped into the hallway, quickly moving to her room. She slid the card to unlock the door. She thought, Why can’t we keep our hands off each other? She had to gain control of herself. But do I?
Once they were inside she said, “I’m glad to see you.” Her voice shook a little with the overwhelming emotions she was feeling. “I’d better get dressed.”
“That’s not necessary,” Joe said with a sly grin. She flashed him the smile that always drew him in. He closed the distance between them with two swift strides. Just as he reached her, her cell rang. She retrieved it from her robe. Seeing it was Chase, Jessica was able to regain her composure.
“I have to get this.” She cleared her throat and answered, “Hello.”
“Mom. You better talk with Bridgette,” he warned. “Taylor’s talking crap, and Trevor’s about to lose it. Coach sent Trevor for a run and has Taylor in the gym, putting it to him for missing practice and stirring up trouble.”
“Don’t worry. I already handled it. Your sister is smarter than you think. She knows Taylor is a player and a troublemaker. Tell Trevor and everyone for that matter, Bridgette has no interest in Taylor.”
“Good to hear. Got to go.”
When she was off the phone, Joe said, “I can’t control myself when I’m alone with you,” he said. “But I won’t apologize.” He had taken a seat on the couch.
“It’s part of your charm.” Jessica slowly did a goofy dance, moving her hips, shoulders, and head in all directions. “You’ve always done your I’m-going-to-do-what-I-want-to-do dance.”
He laughed and said, “You think you’re cute, huh?”
“A little cute,” she said and batted her eyelashes, “and I think you’re pretty cute too. But that’s not why you just pulled me out of the spa. So what did you find out? What’s the lead?”
“Unfortunately, you’re right, and I’ll tell you, but just know I’m storing that confession away, and we will deal with that as soon as we can.” He cleared his throat and patted the spot on the couch next to him. “Come have a seat.”
She crossed the room and sat next to him. “You’re making me nervous. What is it?”
He sighed, not looking forward to how this news would make her feel. “I was on a flight to California when we found out Zircone’s rental car was found in the Las Vegas airport parking garage.”
“Zircone’s here?” She jumped up. “Of all places, he came here? Where my kids and friends are?” Her mind was running through all the places that might be targets. When she thought of the Convention Center, she couldn’t breathe. “My kids. Joe, my kids.”
“I’m sorry, Jessica. I know this seems bad, but hold on. We can’t jump to conclusions. Agents are watching the car, but it seems abandoned. Vegas is a target-rich environment, and we don’t even know if Zircone stayed here. He might have jumped on a plane.”
“Unlikely. It doesn’t make sense he’d drive all the way here to jump on a plane.”
Joe stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows. He looked out at the Strip. He asked, “Do you think you could get your kids to go home without sounding the alarm?”
She tried to think of some reason that would be credible. “I doubt it. I’d have to lie about something big, and then they’d find out everything.”
“Let’s think about this logically.” Joe looked at his watch. “The team will be here in an hour. Our best bet is to do what we do. We find him, and we stop the son of a bitch. But these are your kids, and I’ll support whatever you decide. If you want to fly them out of here right now, I’ll help you.”
She was scared to death. She went to stand by him and rested her head on his chest. He held her tight willing his support. She needed to look in his eyes and turned to face him. “You are right. We don’t know he’s here, and I can’t let my worry distract me, but Joe, I’m counting on you. You’re the only one I trust to stop this guy if he really is here. We have to keep my kids and everyone safe.” She took a deep breath. “I’m putting my faith in you and our team.”
“I won’t fail you,” he said, holding her gaze. “We’ll get him.” He sounded completely confident.
She nodded her head and hoped to hell he was right. He has to be, she thought.
76
REZA WAS DISGUSTED WALKING DOWN the sidewalk. As the sun set behind the mountains on the west side of the canyon, the people lining the streets grew more perverted.Men and women were making a disturbing clicking sound and shoving cards at everyone walking by. Reza looked down at the advertisement for escorts in his hand. The scantily clad woman posing seductively, a phone number listed beneath her, made his rage build. Whores. He reached where he was going and escaped the gauntlet of sin.
He bypassed the ticket booths and kiosks and ascended the stairs to the platform. He had previously purchased several tickets, so he could use a new one for each ride and prevent his movements from being linked or tracked. He boarded the monorail and rode it to his destination. He circled the building until he found the employee’s entrance. He lurked in the shadows, patiently waiting for the workers to leave.
He picked out a janitor approximately matching his size and followed the man. Reza moved silently as he’d been trained to do. He would have to make this a clean kill. There could be no blood spilled. The victim approached his car, and Reza made sure no one else was around. When the janitor reached into his pocket to retrieve his keys, Reza made his move. H
e pounced and in one vicious motion broke the man’s neck.
Reza retrieved the janitor’s keys from the ground, calmly moved to the rear of the car, and opened the trunk. He returned to the body. Grunting with the strain, he picked up the janitor and dumped the body in the trunk. Reza confirmed he was still alone. He quickly removed the clothes from the corpse, placed them in his bag and closed the trunk. He slid behind the wheel of the dead man’s vehicle and drove out of the employee lot. He turned right onto Paradise Road. Soon I’ll be in Paradise, he thought. Reza followed the printed directions that would lead him up into the mountains.
As he traveled along Nevada Route 157, he marveled at how traveling a short distance placed him in an entirely different world. He went from the city to the desert to the majestic mountains. The scarcity of inhabitants and the winding roads with steep embankments made it a quick and easy place for a body dump. He chose not to stop at one of the few overlooks in favor of a quick stop where there was a sharp drop.
Working quickly, he wrapped the janitor’s body in a camouflage tarp and secured it with black duct tape. Struggling to lift the dead weight, Reza picked up the body and tossed it as far as he could over the guardrail. The corpse quickly picked up momentum with the steep decline. He watched it roll for a good fifty yards until it settled at the base of a tree, partially covered by brush. People rarely stopped at this point on a curve in the road. He knew the janitor wouldn’t be discovered for some time. By the time he was, Reza’s mission would be long over.
77
LESS THAN TWO HOURS LATER, Reza parked and left the keys dangling in the ignition of his victim’s car. The research he’d done had shown that it wouldn’t take long for a car to be stolen in this area of town, decreasing the likelihood of the police finding it anytime soon.
He walked the short half-mile to get back on the Strip and hailed a cab to the Luxor. He casually strolled through the casino until he settled at a slot machine with a good view of the people gambling. He pulled the lever infrequently, playing at a slow pace and focusing on the people gambling. After an hour, he proceeded to the restaurant. He ate as slowly as he could, while he continued to watch the crowd. He studied their movements and habits, trying to memorize them. He knew it would help him blend in if he could mimic how the Americans behaved in this environment. After paying the check in cash, Reza left the Luxor and walked to his hotel. As much as he would have preferred to stay at a small place on the outskirts of the city, he continued to follow the plan Pasha and his contacts at MEK had spent many months developing. It made sense to stay close to the target. If anything unusual happened or if his plan was discovered, he’d have a better chance of getting to the target.
