The Smuggler's Gambit (Moonglow Guardians Book 1)

by DK Cassidy

  The next morning, the three of us discuss what we know about Jennifer and her part in the creation of maxxolonium. Lucien still believes she was involved in smuggling the drug in addition to giving the formula to an unknown party to make it. Grant and I aren’t so sure. We both think she could be a pawn in a bigger plan and want to explore further. For now, the police department will be left out of the investigation.

  As for the murders, Grant can’t see the connection between maxxolonium and the death of the women. With something bigger at play, we have to hope we can figure it out in the near future.

  For now, we agree to keep on investigating, trying to find out the truth. As we leave Lucien’s building, heading back to New New York, I stop dead in my tracks, unable to comprehend what I’m seeing.

  Right on the sidewalk outside Lucien’s apartment is the exsanguinated corpse of the unnamed Jaxiolisan who was with Jennifer a couple of nights ago. Had he followed us all the way here from Jennifer’s apartment? Poor guy. I wonder if he knew how dangerous that was?

  “This is seriously creepy,” I say.

  “For some reason, I feel guilty about this,” says Lucien. “Maybe if I hadn’t waited to find Jennifer, this poor guy might still be alive.”

  I put my arm around Lucien to offer some measure of comfort.

  “Blaming yourself serves no purpose. We don’t know for sure who killed him.”

  We take it to be a sign from the drug smugglers to stay away from Jennifer. Or did Jennifer commit this heinous act? This case is getting more complicated by the day.

  Before we call the police, I take a photo of the dead Jaxiolisan in case we need to refer to it later on, as we don’t plan to hang around for the cops to question us. Thoughts of Jupzi cross my mind. I don’t care about him anymore, but I don’t want him dead. Especially like that. Having your blood drained must be a horrible way to die.

  Instead of jumping into the hoverlimo, I want to walk the city and think. I tell Lucien and Grant about my plan, and they both ask to join me. Lucien gives James the instruction to wait. We wander the streets, then stroll along the path by New Lake Michigan. It looks just like the one on Earth. Sometimes I feel like a child because the accuracy of the details in all of the New cities astounds me. At one point, Lucien holds my hand to help me down a steep drop. It feels nice to have a connection with someone after seeing the drained body of the Jaxiolisan.

  After an hour of wandering, my head feels clear. It’s time to go back to New New York. Lucien calls James to pick us up. One last look at the lake and then we leave for New O’Hare Airport. As we take off, I stare out the window, wondering if we are doing the right thing. Is there a reason to stay in New Chicago that I’m not thinking of?

  As soon as we land, I tell Grant and Lucien I’m headed to my office.

  “I need to go home to my wife and kids,” says Grant. “I don’t like to be away from them too long. Shall we meet up again tomorrow?”

  “Sounds like a plan. Goodnight,” I say.

  I watch Grant walk away with no small amount of envy. It must be nice to have someone waiting at home.

  I look at Lucien. “Want to come up and talk about the case, or do you have someone to see?”

  My not-so-subtle way of finding out if Lucien has a special woman hidden away.

  “I’m wide awake. Let’s do this.”

  Judy knew I was heading back to the office. I’d messaged her to tell her we were returning tonight. I smell the coffee before I even unlock the door to my office. Silently thanking her, I open the door and head straight to the pot.

  “Want a cup?”

  “Definitely. I find your coffee to be energizing, although the taste is somewhat lacking.”

  “Hey, no one’s forcing you to drink it, wise guy.”

  Lucien held up his hands in surrender and took the steaming cup of joe. I guzzle half of my mug after I impatiently let it cool for a couple of minutes, then I sit in my chair.

  “I don’t like being on the losing end of anything,” I say. “Jennifer beat us this time. We can’t let that happen again. Agreed?”

  Lucien looks at me curiously. “The more I learn about you, the more I’m glad we met, even under these circumstances. Not surprised you like to win, Lily. And yes, we are going to outsmart Jennifer.”

  The street outside my tiny office is deserted. Even the drug dealers are in bed. On the nights I can’t sleep, I roam the streets and feel the silence. Dangerous? Maybe, but so far I’ve never run into anyone else.

  Lucien sits down behind me, disturbing my daydream. I watch him, head down as he swipes his tablet. There is so much more I want to know about him, but that will have to wait until later. We have to concentrate on the case.

  I settle in, reading my notes, doing my best to wrap my head around the facts we know. My biggest question is whether the deaths of the women have anything to do with the drug smuggling. It would be easy to think it was a coincidence, but I have a feeling they are connected.

  “Lucien, what are your thoughts on the Red Scarf Murders? Am I crazy to think they’re related to the maxxolonium business?”

  Lucien doesn’t look up from his tablet, seemingly engrossed by what he’s reading. He pauses before he answers. Maybe he’s trying to let me down gently, or is he considering my theory?

  When he answers me, he keeps swiping his tablet. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot,” he says. “I know Grant is skeptical, but I see connections I can’t ignore.”

  Not realizing I was holding my breath waiting for him to answer, I let out a loud blast of air. It’s nice to have someone on my side. Rising from my chair, I move closer to Lucien to look over his shoulder.

  “What are you reading?”

  He jumps, my silent move to his side startling him. “Geez, how long have you been standing there?”

  It’s funny to see him flustered. The master of cool is human after all.

  “About ten seconds. You were so engrossed by what you’re reading, you didn’t notice me.”

  “I always notice you, Lily.”

  Damn it, I’m blushing again.

  “As for what I’m reading, it’s Jennifer’s personnel file. I want to make sure we know everything about her. Her family, friends, former jobs. You never know, this information might be helpful.”

  “You’re right. I’m impressed you thought of that. That’s what I do when I’m chasing down someone for a client. So what have you found out?”

  Before he can answer, a sound outside catches my attention. I walk over to the window behind my desk and look out. Someone is standing in the darkness across the street. I can’t tell if they’re human or alien, male or female. They keep in the shadows. Without a doubt, they’re looking up at my window. A thin stream of smoke curls up from the area of their face. A stakeout.

  “We’ve got company, Lucien.”

  Lucien joins me at the window. “That isn’t one of Grant’s cops; they would show themselves. Can’t be Jennifer. That would make our lives too easy. So, I defer to my third theory: It’s one of the drug smugglers keeping an eye on us. Probably armed.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I think too. All right, you stay here while I go sneak up on someone. It’s one of my specialties.”

  “Oh, you know I’m coming,” he says, grinning.

  I look down. He’s wearing dress shoes. Noisy, hard-soled dress shoes. There’s no way he can go with me. If only I can convince him of that.

  “I’m a great sneaker,” he says. “When I was a child I crept through the woods behind our house. Watching the animals there gave me a sense of peace.”

  “Yeah, but I’m willing to bet you wore different shoes then.”

  He looked at his shoes, then up at me. “Damn it. I don’t suppose you have an extra pair of sneakers? Size 11?”

  I can’t help myself, and I giggle. Some people laugh at the most inappropriate times, myself included.

  “Nope.”

  Then I remember the lost and found in the janitor�
��s closet. Maybe we’d find something. “On second thought, follow me. You might get lucky.”

  The elevator in my building has been out of order since I started my business, so we walk down four flights of stairs to the basement.

  “Have you talked to anyone about getting the elevator fixed?” he asks.

  I roll my eyes. He has no clue how things work on this side of town. “Yes, but I don’t expect anything will be done. The owner of this building has better things to do.”

  I pick the lock on the janitor’s closet. Lucien’s raised eyebrows seem to show admiration rather than shock. Yes, I’m a woman of many talents. The closet lights up when we step inside. I’ve never been in here, and it smells like no one else has in years either. There’s a ratty old desk, even more decrepit than mine, in the corner. Some posters of naked women adorn the walls. In the other corner is a cot. I had no idea he sometimes sleeps here. Or maybe he spends his work day napping. That would explain why nothing gets fixed and the bathrooms are so filthy.

  We look at the shelves but don’t see a box marked Lost and Found. What was I thinking? This guy isn’t organized enough to mark boxes. Sighing, I drag a box off a shelf to check the contents. Lucien peers in cautiously, taking in everything in the small room.

  “Um, I could use some help here,” I say.

  “Oh, sorry. I’ll grab another box.”

  We find the lost and found items in the fifth box we open. It stinks. There are moldy clothes, some books, and yes, some shoes. Lucien grabs a pair with soft soles and holds them up to his feet. They’re slightly tight, but they’ll have to do.

  “Okay, Lily, we’re set. Let’s find our mysterious stalker.”

  We exit the building from a rear entrance in the hope that the person or alien watching us won’t notice. Staying close to the building, we inch our way to the front. I peer around the corner to get a fix on our target. Right there, standing behind the garbage dumpster, is Jupzi. Paralyzed by surprise, I point to him and ask Lucien a silent question by raising both my hands in the universal “what the hell?” symbol. He shakes his head, clearly unsure of what Jupzi’s doing here. There’s only one way to find out what’s going on: We have to confront him. In the time we were dating, he was never violent. I hope the same still holds true.

  “Hey!” I yell at him.

  Jupzi looks in the direction of my voice but doesn’t answer. Instead, he steps farther into the shadows. This time Lucien yells.

  “Jupzi! What are you doing here?”

  We walk toward him, hands out to show we aren’t armed. He begins to run away. We try to follow, both of us running, calling out to him. I’m sure we can catch up, but I stop dead in my tracks when I hear gunfire. That bastard is shooting at us! This is not the Jupzi I know. Or rather, knew. Not that I think I ever really knew him.

  “What the hell? I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He’s supposed to be working with me,” says Lucien.

  We hide behind the dumpster until the shots stop. In the distance, Jupzi’s footfalls fade.

  “Let’s go back to my office. This is going to be another long night.”

  “No, I think we should start up again tomorrow. This new twist changes how we should approach things.”

  “You’re right,” I say. “Let’s meet here in the morning. Will you call Grant before you come over and fill him in?”

  “No problem. Yes, I’ll call him. Before I leave, I’d like to ask you something.”

  Now what? I’m way too tired for more bullshit.

  “This has been a good partnership,” says Lucien. “Would you consider taking on a permanent partner?”

  “Are you serious?” I say, my jaw hanging open.

  “Absolutely! I’d also like to offer you a buy-in. I would pay you for half of the business. That way we can move to a better office, and you can be more selective about the cases we choose.”

  I shake my head. “No buy-in. If we become partners, and I emphasize the word if, you have to work out of my current office. I started this business, and I plan on building it up the old-fashioned way, one case at a time.”

  “Done.” He grins at me. “Should we seal the deal with a kiss?”

  Really? “Not a chance. This is a business partnership, nothing else.” I give him a punch in the arm. “There’s your seal.”

  “Ow.”

  Despite my misgivings, I turn away and smile. I have a partner! Our first official case together is already more exciting than anything I’ve worked on. Finding Jennifer Spion and stopping the smuggling of maxxolonium isn’t going to be easy, but I hope she’s ready for me when we catch up with her.

  I’ve got a bone to pick with that woman.

  Chapter Eleven

  As I unlock the door to my office the next morning, my hands tremble. I don’t know if it’s from excitement, hunger, or leftover energy from my run. Or tiredness. I tossed and turned last night, finally sleeping for a couple of hours. Maybe it’s just nerves. Whatever it is, it’s a new sensation for me. I’m not a nervous person.

  I take in a deep breath, willing my hands to still as I push open the door. Today is day one of working with Lucien. I need to be at my best. Looking around my shabby office, I feel a twinge of regret. Maybe I should have taken Lucien up on his offer to finance our partnership. But then my pride kicks in again. Doing this without his money is important to me. He’ll learn to live with the dismal conditions. I sure as heck have.

  “Judy?” I call out when I don’t see her at her desk. “Are you in yet?”

  No answer. Strange. I’m early, but Judy is usually here before me. I laugh when I realize how silly I am for calling for her. Our office is so small, where would she be? Being tired isn’t helping me think straight.

  God, I need a cup of joe. Amazing how much caffeine rules my life. Is this how a junkie feels? What am I saying? Caffeine is a drug. Pretty much my only vice. Except sugar, yeah, I’m pretty addicted to that stuff too.

  I try to wrangle the machine to produce some liquid energy but can’t even figure out how to turn it on. Sighing, I lean back against the counter and stare at the door. I have to wait for Judy. This gives me time to change into my work clothes and do my makeup. I don’t want to get caught in my running clothes again. It feels unprofessional to greet clients while disheveled and sweaty. Lucien met me that way, but it made me feel uncomfortable. Okay, vanity, another vice, but being professional is part of the job too.

  After getting dressed for the busy day ahead, I try to get some work done. I swipe through the clues on my tablet about Jennifer Spion, trying to concentrate on what I read. There are numerous clues, and not a lot of them are making sense to me. Maybe Lucien will have some ideas when he gets here later. A rattling doorknob interrupts my thoughts.

  “Why are you here at seven a.m., you silly girl?” Judy says as soon as she opens the door and sees me. She breezes through the door, the picture of efficiency. “Did you get any sleep?”

  I groan, annoyed by her henpecking. “As a matter of fact, yes.”

  She walks in, putting her stuff down on her desk, then turns to look at me. “You look great, but makeup can hide a lot. Believe me, without it, I scare everyone. I don’t suppose you’ve had any coffee yet, so ignore me until I get it started.”

  “Thanks, Judy, but for the record, I think you’re beautiful with or without makeup.”

  Judy blows me a kiss and gets to work. She sets up the machine, readying my magic nectar. Then she stirs in my usual four packets of sugar and offers me the mug. Yup, my two favorites, together in one place. I welcome the steaming cup of coffee and settle in to talk about the case with her. Her insights normally help me to see something I’ve missed. It also helps me organize my thoughts by speaking them out loud. When Judy isn’t around, I go for a walk and talk to myself. Many passersby give me strange looks, but it doesn’t bother me. At the very least, it keeps anyone from approaching me.

  Judy sits on the edge of my desk ready to hear the latest. “So, tell me,
how did last night go? I’ve been worried about you.”

  Before I tell her about losing Jennifer, I need to inform her about Lucien. I know she’ll be upset, but this is my business, and I get to make changes. Before I lose my nerve, I begin.

  “You might want to sit down on an actual chair before I go on, Judy.”

  She arches her left eyebrow, pauses, then sits in the chair opposite my desk.

  “I’ve taken on a new partner. You already know him.”

  “I do?” Her faces scrunches up in confusion. “I can’t imagine who you’d want to work with. Oh, wait… Don’t tell me. It’s not—”

  “Yes, it’s Lucien. We realized we work well together and decided to form a partnership. He’ll be here later this morning.”

  Judy stands up and begins to march the length of my tiny office, spots of pink showing up on her rounded cheeks, a clear sign she is agitated. Oh boy, she is really going to let me have it. Any second now, she’s going to explode.

  “What the hell are you thinking, Lily?” she fumes. “He’s a cad, a narcissistic playboy who will break your heart! Don’t do this. You’ll regret it almost immediately. Of all the people living on the Moon, you choose him. Incredible.”

  Judy isn’t finished yet. I wait for her to catch her breath so she can continue her tirade. She can complain all she wants, but my mind is made up. Lucien and I are partners now, and there is nothing Judy can say to change my decision. Still, this is going to be an uncomfortable few minutes.

  “What happened to being an independent woman? All of a sudden you need a man to validate you? Are you afraid of being on your own? And don’t tell me you’re not attracted to him. That’s it, isn’t it? Your attraction is playing a huge part in this ludicrous plan. I’m disappointed in you, Lily. Very disappointed. I thought you were smarter than this. Hasn’t every man in your life broken your heart?”

  Judy finally sits down, her anger spent. She shakes her head, mumbling to herself. It breaks my heart to see her so mad, so I give her a few moments to calm down. I need her to be on my side. She’s my best friend, and I don’t want to lose her. I move to stand behind her, rubbing her shoulders to get her to relax.