by Mia Dymond
“There are only three people with code access to the safe,” Jack explained. “Veronica, Tess, and me. We each have a separate code.”
“Who is Veronica?”
“Veronica Hicks, my ex-wife. She received one-half ownership in the divorce.”
“Nasty?”
“No. We’re not exactly friends, but cordial.”
“How do you assign the codes?”
“I used the last four digits of our social security numbers for both the safe and the alarm. Helluva lot easier to remember that way.”
“Is the safe smart enough to determine which one of you opens it?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
Hawke smirked. “We have something that will tell us. I’ll bring the scanner back after we’re done.”
Sterling folded his arms across his chest and continued his interrogation. “What about your alarm? Can you determine who entered the building?”
“That I can do. The alarm company can get me a report in a matter of hours.”
“Who owns the building?”
“Veronica and I are co-owners.”
“Does she have access to the building?”
“Yes.”
“How big of a role does she play in the business?”
“She reviews the quarterly reports with Tess and hires all new employees except dancers.”
When Sterling paused, Ranger took the opportunity to ask a few questions of his own. “Who hires the dancers?”
“My wife,” Steele mumbled.
He fought the urge to chuckle and turned back to Jack. “You said her last name is Hicks. Did she re-marry?”
“Yes. Her husband, Warren Hicks, is my insurance agent.”
“Did you file a claim?”
“No. There wasn’t any damage and the only thing missing is the money. Not worth the trouble in my book.”
“We need to talk to them.”
“I’ll call her and tell her you’re coming. When I called to tell her about the robbery, she said she’d be more than willing to help anyway she could.”
Sterling nodded. “If you want us to investigate, we need to leave Diablo PD out of it. Things work a whole lot more smoothly if we work alone. If we need them, we’ll notify them.”
“Okay by me.”
“In the meantime, we’ll plant Ranger inside. You have room for another bouncer?”
“Sure.”
Sterling stood. “If you’ll give Ranger and Steele the address, they can question Veronica and Warren. Meanwhile, Hawke and Shadow will bring a scanner back to read the safe. As soon as you have the alarm reports, email them to me.”
“Will do.” Jack stood and extended a hand. “Thanks again.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of it.” Sterling gave Jack’s hand a shake. “It’s what we do.”
***
Awakened by an obnoxious ringing, Tess groaned as she rolled over and pressed the pillow against her ears with both hands. Didn’t anyone respect the sanctity of sleep anymore?
She squeezed shut both eyes and willed the noise to stop, even though in the sleepy cobwebs of her brain she knew it wouldn’t happen. She released a hard breath, flung out one arm toward the night stand, and then palmed the ringing nuisance.
“Hello?”
“Tess dear, are you still in bed?”
“Hi, Mom.” She rolled her head to one side and opened one eye. Ten o’clock a.m. Suddenly, she felt a little guilty. “I didn’t realize the time. I had a long night at work.”
“I’m sorry, honey. Anything I can do to help?”
For half a second, she contemplated filling in her mother on the whole sordid event. Jacquelyn Michaels had a unique knack for turning a total disaster into a celebration. The woman had ingenious organizational skills and gave orders even better than the most seasoned drill sergeant. Besides, there was just something about crying mommy when your world was upside down. Yet, as badly as she wished her mother could help, it wasn’t possible.
“No, thanks.”
“Would you like me to call back later?”
“No, I should be up anyway.” She sat up and threw off the covers. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I’ve just about finalized preparations for the Wounded Heroes charity dinner and wanted to make sure I’ve included everything you expected.”
Her heart swelled. Thank God her mother had taken over the arrangements. All of them had worked too long and hard to make the charity successful; she wouldn’t let her troubles at The Cathouse cast a gray cloud over it. Even better that she keep her mother in the dark about the theft.
“I’m sure it’s perfect. You’re a pro, Mom.”
Her mother released a soft giggle. “Just experienced. Judging by the RSVPs I’ve received, the event proves to be successful.”
“Thanks so much for your help.”
“Have you given any thought to whom you might invite as your date?”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she swung her feet in circles much like she had done as a child when she wasn’t being quite honest. One of the disadvantages of being an only child was that her parents had a little too much time to devote to her. If her mother could see her, the gig would be up. Thankfully, they spoke across the telephone line.
“Not yet.”
“Tess?”
“Hmmm?”
“You’re swinging your feet, aren’t you?”
Damn. She giggled. “Yes, I am. You’re just too good.”
“Nah. I’m just a mother. So, you have thought about it?”
“I’m still thinking.”
“Well, don’t think too long. I’ll just label the seat beside yours as guest.”
“Deal.” She braced the phone against her neck with her shoulder while she yawned and stretched her arms above her head. “Have you been to yoga class yet today?”
“No. Would you like to go?”
“Sure. Give me thirty minutes and I’ll swing by and pick you up.”
“Okay, sweetheart. See you then.”
Tess stood as she disconnected the call and then tossed the phone to the bed. Memories of yesterday’s chaos flooded her brain as she worked overtime to attempt to figure out who would’ve breached the safe. More importantly, how?
Facts began to circulate in her brain. She knew without a doubt the door had been secured because she used her key to open it. And, the alarm was set and active because the warning signal beeped the moment she entered. Her code quieted the system. Even more strange, the security disc had been removed from the recorder. She was certainly not a detective, but common sense told her the culprit was most likely an insider. But who? And when?
On another note, it didn’t really surprise her that the Diablo Police Department had not immediately arrived to investigate. Jack took his business and his customers very seriously – she knew from past experiences that it was his preference to keep trouble quiet until it was resolved. He would do everything in his power to first solve the problem himself.
She released a long sigh. Hopefully Jack had a plan. If not, even her talent with numbers couldn’t change the outcome.
***
In the bright, hot Arizona sun, Ranger stood with Steele on the massive wrap-a-round porch of an intimidating two-story, traditional house and raised an eyebrow. “Insurance sales must be good.”
“Maybe.” Steele chuckled. “However, considering the amount of money taken from Jack’s safe, I’m thinking insurance doesn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Wonder what the mister thinks about his wife’s income.”
“We’re about to find out.”
Steele raised a hand and punched the doorbell with his index finger. Soon, the door opened.
“Hello, Mrs. Hicks?” Steele extended a hand to the tall, model-thin, blonde woman who stood inside the open doorway.
“Yes, I’m Veronica Hicks.”
“I’m Brett Steele and this is my partner, Ranger. We’re investigating a robbery at The Cathouse.�
��
She took Steele’s hand and then released it to take his. She gripped his hand in a tight hold that convinced him she shook hands frequently, but her grip was not what drew his attention. No, the diamond the size of a small boulder on her left ring finger damn near blinded him in the sunlight.
“Oh yes, please come in. Jack called to say you were coming.” She closed the door behind them as they stepped inside and then led them down a hallway into what appeared to be a living room.
He glanced around the room, his attention once again drawn to the ornate interior. Two large sofas occupied most of the floor, resting next to each other, with two wingback chairs at each end. All of the furniture appeared to be leather and he wasn’t an artist, but he knew enough about paintings to know the ones that decorated the walls were not color-by-number.
As soon as they entered, a man stood from a nearby chair and extended a hand. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Warren Hicks.”
He and Steele returned the gesture and then Mrs. Hicks pointed to the nearest sofa.
“Please, have a seat. May I offer you something to drink?”
“No thank you, ma’am. We won’t take much of your time. We’d just like to ask you a few questions.”
“Sure.”
She took a seat on the sofa next to her husband’s chair. He and Steele took the sofa.
“Jack has given us a few details but we’d like to hear more detail.” He rested his hands on his knees. “Mrs. Hicks, you are an owner of the establishment, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“How involved in the business are you?”
“I’m a financial partner. I don’t participate in any of the day-to-day operations, but I do discuss the financial reports with the bookkeeper each quarter and I hire new employees except dancers. I receive a check every quarter and if any major decisions need to be made, Jack and I make them together.”
“How often do you frequent the business?”
“Only quarterly or if I schedule an interview. My disbursement is directly deposited to my bank account.”
“Are you acquainted with Tess Michaels?”
“Professionally, yes. Personally, I only know what I read in the society pages. Jack hired her after the divorce.”
Her response clarified one question in his mind. She and Tess had not actually worked together. “Do you have access to the building after hours?”
“Yes.”
“How do you enter?”
“I access the alarm system by using my assigned code.”
Steele jumped in. “Do you know how the codes are programmed?”
“Jack does it himself. My code is the last four digits of my social security number.”
“Are you aware of anyone else’s code?”
She shook her head. “No. In fact, we’ve agreed that if we are aware of an employee using a code other than his own, he will be terminated.”
“How easy would it be for a code to be leaked?”
“I wouldn’t think all that easily. The codes are not recorded in written form; only Jack and the security company would even know them.”
“Where were you when the robbery occurred?”
“Here at home, with Warren.”
“Are you aware of the amount of money that’s missing?”
“Yes, Jack informed me.”
“Does that concern you?”
“Well, of course the theft concerns me because I’d hate to think one of the employees is responsible. The amount is quite substantial, but Jack has always been honest and fair about our profit sharing.”
Ranger turned to Mr. Hicks, while he silently processed Mrs. Hicks’s response. For an ex-spouse, she certainly appeared agreeable. Maybe a little too agreeable.
“Mr. Hicks, do you know Mr. Campbell?”
“Quite well, actually. I’m an insurance agent and I handle Jack’s insurance policies.”
“Building policies?”
“All of it. Coverage on the building, liability coverage, and his health and life insurance.”
“Are you acquainted with Miss Michaels?”
“Only professionally. I only see or talk to her if there are issues with the business policies.”
“Do you have access to the building?”
“No. I only visit during business hours and not frequently.”
“Has Mr. Campbell filed an insurance claim for the theft?”
“Not to my knowledge. Then again, it’s entirely his choice to do so.”
Steele nodded. “Mrs. Hicks, do you have any reason to believe Mr. Campbell and Miss Michaels may have more than a professional relationship?”
She released a laugh. “Heavens, no! Jack has a strict policy against romance in the workplace, especially for himself.”
Mr. Hicks frowned. “What does that have to do with the robbery?”
“Probably nothing,” Steele admitted. “We’re just trying to get all of the pieces together before we proceed.”
Ranger agreed. There were a lot of missing pieces. “Mrs. Hicks, can you think of anyone who would have reason to commit this crime?”
Mrs. Hicks shook her head. “No. In fact, I’m baffled. As far as I know, Jack does a thorough background check on each of his employees and the man is extremely particular about who he does his business with.”
“Thank you both for your time.” Ranger stood and again extended a hand to each of them. “We can see ourselves out. We may contact you again if we have further questions.”
Mrs. Hicks gave them a smile. “Of course, please do.”
As soon as he sat in Steele’s truck behind tinted windows, Ranger released a hard breath. “That was interesting.”
“I agree. It’s a little hard to believe she doesn’t hold something against Jack.”
“Maybe. Then again, sometimes a mutual split prevents unfortunate circumstances. What do you think about the mister?”
“He seemed uninterested in the whole thing.”
“Who do you think came first for Mr. Hicks, wife or Jack?”
Steele smirked. “Background will tell.”
“Hawke’s probably already run it.” He gazed out the window, spinning the wheels in his brain about the night’s assignment. “Have you spent much time at The Cathouse?”
“Yep.”
He turned back toward his teammate and grinned. “Oh yeah?”
“Not like you think. I filled in for one of Jack’s bouncers for a while. Turns out, I had to yank Holly off the stage.”
His eyes widened. “Holly?”
“Yeah. She had some crazy idea she was going to catch a stalker.”
“By dancing?”
Steele smirked. “She claims she was using her talent to scan the club for suspects.”
“Did she find him?”
“Eventually. And she hasn’t been back on stage since.” His friend grinned. “Not at The Cathouse anyway.”
Ranger shook his head. “I’ve got big shoes to fill. Adventure seems to be a requirement for the SEALs, Inc. team.”
“Sometimes by accident,” Steele mumbled as he pulled into the parking lot of the SEALs, Inc. headquarters. “Jack runs a legitimate club. Just relax and have fun.”
Several hours later, Ranger braced a hip against the wall next to the front door of The Cathouse and took in the scenery. In his opinion, Jack had done well for himself after retiring from the Navy. True to Steele’s word, activity at the club appeared respectable; so far, he hadn’t witnessed a fight, a drunk, or any other interruption in the crowd. And, despite the nature of the business, Diablo had welcomed the club into the community – by outward appearances anyway. He couldn’t help but entertain the notion that perhaps someone had orchestrated the robbery as a means to tarnish the club’s reputation.
He glanced down at the hardwood floor, smooth and shiny even in the dim light. He lifted one foot, impressed that his shoe did not stick to the floor in the process. In fact, it appeared the floor had been swept several times duri
ng the evening.
He lifted his head and moved his gaze to the far end of the room where a large, oval stage occupied the area, showcasing a thick, metal pole speared through the middle. A long, brightly-lit catwalk protruded from the front of the stage, offering seating on both sides for a close-up view of the entertainment. Song by song, loud music of every kind of genre blared from speakers hung over the stage and one by one, dancers took the spotlight to entertain crowds of men. Sequined G-strings stuffed full of dollar bills of every denomination flashed in the spotlight, spilling overflow to the stage. Four bouncers stood at the edge of the stage, two on each side, and four more guarded the length of the catwalk to enforce the non-negotiable no touching policy. Jack had told him that harassing the entertainment was grounds for removal – permanently.
He pushed himself off the wall and made several passes through the club, winding through crowds of customers, watching and listening to see if he could get any further insight into the robbery. Most of Jack’s clientele seemed to be normal, average people – mostly men – who simply wanted to relax, unwind and enjoy the show. The three private rooms in one corner, however, were normally reserved for those customers who didn’t want to attract attention to themselves. He chuckled under his breath when Hawke’s name came to mind. Not that his friend frequented the place presently – he was just pretty sure there was a time when he did. Never would he have guessed, though, that Holly Steele had danced here.
As he continued around the perimeter, he noted that each employee appeared to be in place and taking care of business as usual. The dancers kept the mood happy; waitresses kept the alcohol flowing; bouncers kept order. He glanced overhead, counting five security cameras scattered in the rafters. Jack had a pretty tight security system in place; he was now convinced the only way to get around it was through inside information.
He finally made his way back to the bar and took a stool on one end. Jack set a bottle in front of him.
“Enjoying the show?”
“You have top-notch entertainment.” He smirked and tapped the bottle with one finger. “I’m on duty.”
