Hannah put her hands on her hips. “I’m just trying to blend in enough to sneak past.”
“Well, if you had black frame glasses, you might be able to pull it off. As is, every guy will want you. You look too good just to blend in.” Hymn held up his cell. “Contact me every half hour.”
Hannah smiled. She placed her arms on the sides of the wheelchair, leaned over, and gave him a kiss. “I’ll call every chance I get. It won’t be long. I just need to get in and get out. You have the address, and I’ve set the phones up so you can track me.” She kissed him again before she stood up. She produced her most serious face and pointed. “Stay in that chair. No fudging. You’ve had enough time on the crutches.”
“Hmm, I’ll need more motivation than that.”
Leaning in close, Hannah put her cheek up next to his. Then she whispered, “If you’re good, I’ll bring you back a present.”
A mischievous grin mounted Hymn’s face. “You, gift wrapped would be nice. Fun to open.”
“Careful what you wish for, sir. You just might get it.” She gave him a wink and a devious smile as she picked up her phone and threw him a kiss.
Stepping into the hallway, Hannah made sure no one was out and about. She made it to the staff elevator and chose to take it down to the basement level. Guessing correctly, she was able to exit into the parking deck unseen. Hannah’s only encounter was passing a couple making their way to their car, but she noted neither paid her any attention. Climbing the stairs, she exited onto the street at the rear of the hotel. She hailed a taxi, gave the address, and was soon on her way.
The day was still beautiful, and the sleuth was glad of it. Though she was curious about Lukas’ intent, her mind remained on Hymn. Gift-wrapped, she thought, and wondered how long this relationship would last . Thoughts on the subject entertained her until the driver turned into a parking lot.
She paid the driver and headed into the area marked office. Once inside, a clerk greeted her. Rather than ask to see the unit number written in Elias’ hand on the back, Hannah inquired about the facility.
“We have various levels of secure units. Refrigerated and non,” the woman stated.
“I’d like to look around. My company is considering renting several units for the long term and I’m to get an estimate and check the level of security myself.”
“Would you like a tour?”
“I’d rather walk the grounds myself. When I come back, I’ll discuss with you what I found. If I am satisfied, I’ll recommend this facility. If not, we’ll discuss what I missed, if anything.”
The woman gave a look of uncertainty. Hannah moved to seal the deal.
“The estimate is for ten units. Largest capacity. Five-year contract. Bonded funds.”
The woman nodded. She produced a printed map of the grounds.
“It’s a large facility. You might want to take one of the carts. They’re to the left, outside.”
Hannah agreed. “I shan’t be long,” she added.
Hannah took a cart. From the map, she saw Elias’ unit was in the third long building in the center of the thousand-unit complex. To keep up the appearance, she rolled down each aisle between buildings. She noted there were security cameras catty-cornered on opposite buildings. They moved a certain degree for a certain time. Stopping and studying them, Hannah recalled seeing the monitors whilst in the office. While she talked to the clerk, she noticed each camera changed angles every twenty seconds. They switched corner to corner. The map indicated four, two story buildings. There were ten monitors she could see. This meant from start to finish, a cycle of three minutes and twenty seconds would pass. If there were more, she did not calculate them. Also, each camera’s movement began when it came into play. Poor timing, she thought, adding, too easy to bypass. It occurred to her Elias chose the location more for the name than the security features. She also did not ever recall seeing another storage facility in or around Gresham.
With the camera watching, she stopped moving, Hannah checked the time as she stepped into the building marked ‘C’. She found there was a camera angled at her. Its lack of movement suggested it synchronized with the exterior ones. She glanced over at the numbers on the units, then to the map. She determined Elias’ unit would be up the hall about half way on her present side. Before exiting, she also noticed each had a simple key lock system. Boom, she said grinning. She stepped back. Checking the time, she lifted the phone and pretended to make a call. She pointed to the buildings, paced and gestured. When the camera again stopped moving, she bolted inside and down the hall. Having anticipated her need to get in, and having no key to do so, she produced a makeshift lock pick set made from paper clips. Making it to Elias’ unit, she set her phone on the ground so she could monitor the time. She went to work on the lock, recalling the lessons learned from Gran. The elder Starvling’s words echoed through her memory.
“Now, dear, I’m only teaching you this so you know how burglars do it.”
Papa Jay gave his usual ‘humph’ before protesting she was, “Going to work for the FBI, not the CIA. Sides, they probably issue her those things.”
“Never hurts to know, you old Grumpus. Anyway, dear, to start, take a paper clip and bend it…”
The words played out aloud in the present. “Into a tension wire. It goes in first. Turn like a key. Apply pressure. Lift pins with pick.”
Hannah bit her lip through a grin. Though she mastered the skill years earlier, it still gave her a thrill. Every time she felt the click of a pin falling into place, it gave her a rush and a grand sense of accomplishment. The lock clicked open, and she cracked the door. A rush of cool air escaped, causing her to gasp. Checking the time, she pulled the door so that it almost closed, but not quite. She picked up the phone and again pretended to be checking the facility for the camera. This time, she did so from inside. She stepped to another unit, tapped at a lock, tried a door, and shook her head in satisfaction. She made a broad smile as the camera started on its swiveled path and then back into place.
The sleuth returned to the Elias’ unit. Opening the door, she found a light switch. There inside, as expected, was the case. She opened it and saw an airtight container. Feeling around the bag, she found a hidden folder with a zipper. She felt inside and pulled out what looked like a crystalline stone.
Rolling it between her fingers, something did not feel right to Hannah. Too light, she considered, but I’m no expert. She glanced at the time before again eyeing the rock. Thinking it over, she realized she was handling it as if it was fragile and precious. It’s a diamond, not glass. She pulled it up close to look at it. Then she sniffed it, popped it into her mouth, and rolled it around. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head in disbelief. “I’ll be shenagled,” she said, half aloud and imitating Papa Jay.
Glancing down at the time, she closed the case and grabbed it up. It was heavy as Ducky described. She shut the door and made her way back to the exit. Stepping out, she stopped dead in her tracks. Samori stood before her, waiting.
For what seemed an eternity to Hannah, neither said a word. Her eyes locked with his as she tried to assess the situation. She glanced toward both ends of the building aisles. She measured the weight of the case. It was considerable and there was no way she could outrun the large man who stood before her. Running’s out if I keep the case. The cameras came to mind, but they offered little. The clerk might not be watching. What could she do? He could act and be gone before police got here. She let her head bend so that she eyed Samori under her brow. No way am I talking my way out of this. To her mind, there was only one option. With all the force she could muster, she hurled the case at Samori.
Time slowed down in Hannah’s mind as the case sailed toward the man. The sudden action caught him off guard and he staggered back. It was the reaction Hannah counted on. She moved forward as the case struck his midsection, further throwing him off balance. He scrambled to get hold of it as she got within striking distance. She dropped to the ground and swept her
leg around, catching him in the calves. The maneuver sent him falling back against the cart and to the ground. Hannah rose and grabbed the case from the ground. When Samori pushed himself up on his arms, she brought it around and slammed him across the jaw knocking him to one side. She turned, and with case in hand, ran as hard as she could toward the front area of the buildings.
Hannah was in full escape mode. Her heart pumped and her feet pounded the ground. Halfway to the corner, she heard two things. The first was Samori yelling something that sound like no. The second was a pop. The ground in front of her kicked up dirt, and she stopped. She followed her instincts, hit the ground, and rolled onto her rear. Pushing herself up against the wall of the building, she held the case in front of her body. Her attention turned toward Samori. She saw him wrestling with a large man, who pushed him back. The man swung his hand around and struck Samori with the butt of a gun. Samori fell on his hands and knees. The large man kicked him in the ribs, sending him over to his side. The man pointed the gun at Samori’s head. From her vantage point, Hannah winced, expecting horror to unfold before her. Then she caught sight of three more individuals and heard a familiar voice.
“That’s enough,” Madeline said as she stepped up from behind. Flanking her was a smaller man in his twenties and a bearded, older man in his late 60s. Hannah made the immediate connection of the three men to those who made the attempt of Elias at the hospital.
Madeline looked at Samori. “Get him up.” The large man and the smaller, younger one followed orders and jerked Samori to his feet. They pushed him up next to Hannah. The older man stood to the rear, brandishing a weapon in one hand.
Madeline’s eyes glowed with what Hannah assumed was delight. She put her hands on her hips and in a smug voice said, “Well, we come together yet again.” She gestured to Hannah. “Put it on the ground.”
Hannah complied with caution, keeping her eyes on the woman. Madeline moved over and pulled the case back a bit. She opened it. Studying it, she removed the large, sealed container first. She felt around the inside. A frown rolled across her face. Opening the container, she dumps many mushrooms on the ground and began picking through them. She tossed each piece to the side with little care.
The action stunned Hannah. Even though she figured Madeline was looking for the diamonds, the waste of such a precious food shocked her. A small gasp escaped her lips. Madeline looked up and chuckled.
“Relax, they’re Chinese knockoffs, thirty dollars a pound at best. You think I’d waste good truffles?” She shook her head and continued to pick at the pile. Pulling up a small, flat container, she held it up for all to see. Looking to Hannah, she explained, “But this? It’s worth everything.” She took the container and pulled off the cap at one end to reveal a flash drive. “Kind of old school, if you ask me. Most people just keep everything in the cloud now, but that’s Elias.”
Hannah bristled. “All the evidence.”
Madeline affirmed. “And more. The name of his operation head. I tried to partner up with him. He’d supply me with truffles and I’d move him in as a partner. Rosanna’s would have a lock on a restaurant chain, offering one of the most elusive of foods. It’d make money hand over fist, but he’s stubborn. All that spiritual mumbo jumbo about truffles being sacred; brilliant man, but he is just about two tacos short of a combo platter.” She waved the case at them. “This gives me a chance to make a deal outside him. I didn’t want to get my hands so up close and dirty. I prefer to keep a distance, but I’ve got everything locked into my chain. However, if I have to roll a little closer to the mud pile, so be it. In addition, without this, I doubt you have any proof of the supplier. Your word against mine. Besides, given how close the two of you appear, I doubt you’ll want to go to the police and see him locked up. He’s about to be a family man, after all.” A devious, enjoyable smirk lit up her face. “I’m afraid, Hannah, that, while your reputation holds true, this one time, you will fall short.” She pulled out her cell and dialed. “Just think of it as the case you couldn’t prove. Every great detective has one in their files.”
Samori glanced over at Hannah then to Madeline. To Hannah, he seemed confused. “I don’t understand this. You only want truffles?” he asked.
Madeline stood. “Well, yeah, same as you. But in large quantities that won’t make it restrictive.” Responding to the call, she said, “Put him on.”
Hannah half chortled. “Wow, you have no idea, do you?”
Madeline’s confused look told a story in itself to Hannah. Someone’s playing her.
“So, you have no interest in the diamonds?”
“That’s what I’m talking about. The one’s he keeps in the kitchen, right? I need truffles. He smuggles them. That’s how he got to the top of his game so fast. But he can’t roll on me or I’ll roll on him, so his loss. No big deal.” Again, she returned to the call. “Well, tell him anyway.” She put the phone to her chest. “You’d think he could get better help.”
Hannah crossed her arms in defiance. She wondered exactly what role Madeline played in everything. It was clear she knew nothing about the real diamonds. Her interest was in the black market and in saving her restaurant.
“You don’t want to get your hands dirty, so what? You have him tossed out the window because he wouldn’t give you the name?”
“That… wasn’t supposed to happen.” She looked over to the deliveryman and frowned. “Someone got a little zealous.” She sighed. “All he had to do was give us the name.”
She keeps mentioning us, Hannah noted. Could it be?
“Us? Who is us?”
Madeline returned to the call. “Yeah, I got it right here. You can get someone to crack it when I get back.” She paused as an audible, yet indecipherable voice yelled.
“Fine, I’ll bring the case, not that it’s important. Just settle down… What about Samori and Hannah? They were after the case… I’m sure he was after the truffles. She’s just looking for clues.” Another grin. “She’s in for disappointment.” After a moment, she held the phone out for the one Hannah called the deliveryman. “He wants to talk to you.”
Taking it, the deliveryman answered, “Yes, sir?”
Hannah blew out a breath. “So, now you’re just going to kill us I suppose.”
Samori shot a look to Hannah that was a mixture of shock and fear. Madeline roared with laughter.
“You have got to stop playing detective and write about them instead. All the stereotypes. I’m not a killer. Elias’ accident was just that, an accident. I don’t kill people. Now, I’m not clean. Or least that’s the plan given that I’m about to introduce the world to truffles via a cheaper than market source. But that’s a far cry from murder. Jeeze, you really do think the worst of people, you know that?”
“Well, given what I’ve got to work with…”
Madeline pulled her face in and glared. “Whatever. The ‘us’ you asked about is none of your business. That’s another problem you have. You’re too far up into everyone’s Kool-Aid. My plans for you are simple. I’m going to let you go.” She held her hands up, wiggled her fingers, and made a wide-eyed face. “Oooooo, scary, isn’t it? I got what I want. Enjoy the rest of the festival. I’ll be taking an unexpected leave of absence. Got a restaurant to revamp. You should stop at one soon. The menu is going to change.” She paused and pointed at Hannah. “I don’t suppose I could hire you as a consultant, could I? Your name on my menu would be… well, unbelievable. Approved by the Culinary Sleuth. The irony being, you know all about the changes.”
“Yes, unbelievable,” Hannah said in an icy tone.
“Well, can’t say I didn’t try.”
Madeline turned and faced the deliveryman. He clicked off the phone, lifted his gun and fired once. Hannah bumped back against the wall as she watched Madeline’s head snap back. The woman took one-step back and fell dead, blood trickling from a hole in the center of her head. Hannah stood dumbfounded as the young man laughed. The older man yawned. The deliveryman moved his gun
toward Hannah.
With his arm already in motion, the weapon he carried would reach firing position before she could even move. Therefore, Hannah did the one thing available at that moment. She accepted the inevitable. As she closed her eyes, she recalled all the things that gave her joy in life. Her past in Twilight. Her parents. Papa Jay and Gran. Her best friends, Cate and Buster Jordan. And Hymn. Sweet Hymn. In their short time together, he made her happy, happier than she remembered ever being. In this, her last living seconds, she regretted one thing. One last kiss with that man.
A pop sounded, followed by the sound of the bullet whizzing past. A hand fell across her shoulder and pushed her toward the ground. Though stunned, Hannah fell with Samori. He pulled her tight as two more pops sounded, then several more. There was a vocal commotion. When she opened her eyes, she saw the deliveryman lying a short distance away. Blood trickled from a single hole in the dead center of his forehead. The older man scrambled away, firing at an unknown target. The younger man fled before him with the case. Another pop sounded and the older man fell. Again, from Hannah’s viewpoint, it appeared as if a bullet struck him in the forehead.
In a few seconds, Samori pushed himself up and off Hannah, his eyes wide and face showing concern. Hannah glanced up at him and then past as a figure stepped into sight.
“Ducky?”
Before he answered, an odd notion raced through Hannah’s mind. He looks like James Bond at the beginning of the movie. A chubby James Bond.
“You all right, Ms. Starvling?” Ducky asked.
“Umm, yeah, I’m good. Yourself?”
Ducky gave a boyish grin. “I’ve seen better days. I’d imagine you’ve seen better as well.”
“You might say that.”
Ducky offered a hand and helped her up as Samori rose.
“What about you, Sam? You okay?”
“Fine, thank you, and I’ve told you, it’s Samori.”
“Aren’t you the cranky one?”
“You’re late. You put Ms. Starvling in danger.”
The Billionaire Chef Page 20
