Ms. Jagoe gave me a blank look for a moment. “Oh… that’s great. Fill out the packet and come back in to see me. In the meantime, I’ll examine his other information. It was very nice meeting you both.”
We adjourned to the parking lot after expressing happy goodbyes. At least she hadn’t outlawed us from the school.
“She wanted you!” Jim suddenly decided to be an observant, annoying snot.
I faced him with my hands at my sides, rather than in the threatening manner that first came to mind. “Let that crap go, Jim. We need to focus on the present. We have to get back to the office. Lo will already be having a conniption fit waiting for the two of us to arrive. Your Aunt Lo is an info whore. Everything of note has to be within her public eye.”
“Or what… her head explodes.” Jim loved his own little witticism.
“No… she makes everyone’s life miserable until her needs are appeased. Listen. You’re doing great, but don’t assume facts not in evidence. I’ve coached you on the rather strange relationship I have with your Aunt Lo. When she cut me out of the plan this morning, it meant she was worried about me. I should have been thinking more clearly. Let’s get moving. I have to give our ideas to Bone. He and I will figure out if anything we surmised on the way over here could be happening.”
In the GMC, Jim decided to grill me more on our Principal Jagoe interview. I figured down deep, he thought I might throw his grandma under the bus at any instant I received a more attractive offer. He probably heard Lo call me a backslider one too many times.
“Ms. Jagoe is pretty. Didn’t you think she was flirting with you?”
“I’m not leaving your grandma. I’ve found out women have a thing for dangerous old assholes. Don’t ask me why. The funny thing is your grandma triggered nearly all the happenings in the recent past when she popped into my life again. Your Aunt Lo and I decided to embrace some of our more violent leanings from our past, because we felt like we were letting our age turn us into useless old cranks, phoning in our lives. We’ll have to find a way to keep you safe while we play out this streak we’re going through.”
“You mean because of those men who came to see you at the beach house?”
“Yes. Some bad stuff happened. Lois and I had to rejoin an organization you may have seen only in movie plots. To steer clear of the law, we agreed to deal with some events no one else can get near, on a case by case basis.”
“Are we still going to work out at Ms. Wentworth’s gym?”
Jim has his own priorities it seems. “We’ll try. First, we take care of business.
* * *
Bone and I went to work with Jim watching. We accessed home invasions in the area first. Then we found out the names on our little miss travel agent, Jean Reeser’s client list. Bingo. Six invasions, during three of Jean’s vacation packages, all upscale wealthy people, beginning at the same time Gannon’s skip came in on the wire. Last, but not least, we checked Facebook for Reeser’s ‘friends’ list. They were all there.
Reeser’s accounts revealed significant deposits to go along with the time frame for the invasions. “This is another reason we play ball with the Company and Feds, Jim. This account cross reference is to sell Bill Staley on joining our sting operation.”
“Are you going to get Reeser first?”
Bone smiled. “He sure has the instincts, Rick. Yeah… we can get Gannon’s whole crew if Reeser gives him up. She has an Alaskan Cruise party of twelve leaving today. She’s friended them all on Facebook.”
I wrote the outline with detailed referencing for Bill. We added stills from the pictures on Facebook linking Gannon and Reeser, along with the video clips. Trish and Steve arrived from a security check at Godfather’s Cell. Bone put the package through to Lo’s computer. When we adjourned to her office together with Trish giving me the evil eye, Lois mouth featured a tight lipped slash. She pushed away from her desk.
“I might have known you’d make me look like a newbie ditz for throwing you out this morning, and damn if you didn’t use your clone as a sounding board. I need to fire Henpeck, and hire Jim full time.”
“What the hell did I do?” Steve was again outraged.
“Nothing,” Lo replied. “I pay you and the movie star to make useful contributions. You both suck at it. Even a thirteen year old boy ate your lunches.”
“I can understand why you’re letting Jim in while you do this, Crone,” Trish said. “You’re thinking we won’t tell you where to put your contributions.”
Lo grinned. “Take Jim with you to see Staley. I’ll brief these two with Bone’s help. I hope Bill sees the need to broker a deal fast with Reeser.”
“He’s going to look real good in this, so he’ll move on it. I’ll give you updates from the precinct.” Jim and I made it to the door before Lo surprised me.
“Hey, Rick,” Lo called out. “That was a nice piece of work you and the boy wonder concocted. What do you want for an apology?”
“A player to be named later.”
* * *
In Bill’s office, he scanned everything in the computer file I gave him with an intensity I hadn’t seen even with the kiddie porn ring. “I have to hand it to you, Rick. If we can’t get Reeser to cooperate with all this, we’re incompetent. I really like this idea with you and Lo coercing her into helping us get Gannon. With her on board Gannon might be an easy takedown with your movie star gambit. By the time you get that done, I should know what kind of a deal the DA will make. After that kiddy porn bust with the Feds, I’m being looked at as a potential Chief of Police.”
No wonder Bill’s so enthusiastic. “Congrats. We’ll do this smooth and easy. Call in the deal the moment you get word, so we’ll have a carrot to go along with our stick. What about the bust. Would you like us to take point on this with your officers as backup like we did on the killer Doctor bust? It gives you deniability, and I can claim we were acting on the skip trace but walked in on a home invasion gang.”
“Let me think that over. You’re talking about widening the movie star sting, using a cooperative Reeser as a contact to get close. Do you think Gannon’s that stupid?”
“So far he hasn’t impressed me any with his brain power except with the way he assembled this invasion crew. He would need a driver, locksmith, thug, and a first class alarm specialist. We already considered an inside guy with the same security firm handling all the hits, but the victims had different companies and systems.”
I had Bill’s attention so I went on. “If we can pull off this con with our real life movie star and Reeser, we’ll put Gannon down, and wait for his crew. When they arrive, we’ll front them, and your people close the door on them.”
“I like it. They’ll be ready for action, and we don’t have to endanger anyone’s property, or get into a gun battle. I’ll let you know if I can get some leeway on using your crew.”
“Don’t wait too long, Bill. You know how Lo is.”
Staley sighed. “Tell her the precinct pimp is working on it. Nice to see you again, Jim.”
Jim shook his hand. “This was great, Sir.”
* * *
I laid out my plan for the gang, including our frightening Reeser into helping us. “I didn’t realize she was in on it until after I left this morning. While I was pinging it off Jim, the pieces fell into place. I think you and I should go over to the travel agency, Lo.”
“Why not take me with you?”
“Because, he wants you to go home and dress like a movie star instead of a streetwalker, Skipper.”
“One of these days, Crone,” Trish hissed out.
“Lo’s right partially,” I said. “I would like you to change into something dazzling, but not like you’re hitting the Red Carpet. The moment Reeser tells us Gannon’s beach house address, I want Bone and Steve to stake out his place. We don’t want his home invasion crew there when Lo, Trish, and Reeser arrive to make music with Gannon. This could put Staley on the path to Chief of Police. We could use that kind of upgrade. Can y
ou take Jim with you Trish, while Lo and I handle Reeser.”
“Sure, but if I see one more smirk on that innocent boyish face due to the Harpy’s zingers, there will be blood, young man.”
Jim snapped to attention. “Yes, Ms. Rocha!”
Trish gripped Jim’s shoulder. “You know I have little Temple’s ear. We could form our own alliance in this motley crew.”
Jim remained at attention, eyes straight ahead. “No Ma’am. That would put me on your pad, but thank you anyway.”
Trish pushed him away playfully. “Damn it, Hooterville! How in hell did a perverted strand of DNA mutate so perfectly over two generations?”
Lo motioned me out. “C’mon, Rick. Let’s get this business done while the movie star deals with her mommy issues.”
“Fu… I mean… bite me, you used up Company whore!”
I had to ride down with the satisfied cackle to the street.
* * *
When we walked into Paradise Travel Agency, the first face to glance our way was Jean Reeser. Lo waved off the agency front people, proceeding directly to Reeser. By the startled fearful look sweeping across her features, I knew Lo cast the Gorgon stare upon her. I pulled aside the young woman spluttering out interception jargon, showing her my newly acquired FBI/Homeland Security ID.
“Hello Tootsie,” Lo said, putting her hands on Reeser’s desk while leaning into her face. “I bet you know why my partner and I are here. You need to come with us for a private chat. No… you won’t be coming back again real soon, so grab your purse and smartphone. Don’t make this difficult or I will bitch slap your ass into submission, and frog march you out of here. Are we clear, sweetie?”
A nod of open mouthed understanding preceded Lo getting her on her feet, and guiding her toward the door without any further interaction. We almost made it, but a big, long haired guy in a suit who thought he was Reeser’s Prince Charming stepped in front of Lo.
“Toast this prick. We’re on a schedule,” Lo said, glancing back at me.
I was not going to toast the schmuck for having a thing for Reeser, but he didn’t take kindly to Lo’s ordered handling. He reached for Lo, and I gave him a little electronic chill. Prince Charming crashed to the floor. I turned to the gawkers with my ID in hand.
“Please go on with your day. Ms. Reeser has to come with us for now. Who is the person in charge of this agency?”
A middle aged woman hesitantly indicated she was. I approached her while Lo escorted Reeser to our GMC. “I’m sorry for this disturbance, but felony home invasion has been perpetrated through Ms. Reeser, tipping off a home invasion crew to your clients. If you or your coworkers hope to avoid prosecution, do not breathe a word of our taking Ms. Reeser into custody. I hope you will cooperate in this matter. If you don’t, we will be back with arrest warrants for the rest of your staff. Do you understand the gravity of this situation?”
Boy… did she.
“Yes… of course. Please don’t arrest Lonnie. He didn’t understand what was going on.”
“He’s clear with me. Thank you for your cooperation.” I turned, and headed for the exit. I made a damn good Fed. I had all the nuances of language down pat and…”
“Could you move your Hooterville ass a bit quicker while the sun’s still shining?” Lo squashed my momentary self-congratulations in a split second’s worth of Harpy.
I took the driver’s wheel while Lo stuffed Reeser into the backseat with her. We were on our way in seconds toward the office. Then Lo got right to it.
“What’s Rico Gannon’s address?”
“Who?”
In the next instant Lo’s blade was tightly against Reeser’s throat. “Listen carefully, Tootsie, we’re not your run of the mill agents. Give me Rico’s address or you’ll make it very difficult for me to keep you alive after I make you beg to give it to me.”
Jean rattled off the address in a squeaky, gasping voice of pure terror. Bone acknowledged he and Steve were on their way to stake it out. Lo calmed Reeser with the promise of life after the GMC backseat. She then began to summarize how much we had on her, displaying the facts to illustrate the statements on Lo’s iPad.
“We’re working on a deal with the DA to make your jail term shorter if you cooperate. If you don’t, either you’ll get five to ten years, or you won’t make it to trial at all.”
“I…I can call my lawyer.”
“You mess with me, you thieving little skank, and you won’t need a lawyer. We’re trying to help you because you’re such a stupid ditz. You’ll do exactly what I say. The deal we get you will be more than you deserve. I’m going to have you call Gannon. Tell him a movie star saw his producer listing, and wishes to bring her agent to talk with him. Don’t worry. Rico won’t be thinking of getting into the movie business, but he will be wondering if he can figure a way to case our movie star’s house. The arrogant shithead will assuredly get delusions of grandeur about bedding her down. You’ll explain how the movie star came to the travel agency, and you showed her Rico’s fake producer page. The movie star wants a contact locally, and asked if she could meet him today. Understand the script, sweet-cheeks?”
I saw Reeser nod in the rearview mirror with that look of absolute obedience my partner generates in people, especially ones she doesn’t like. My iPhone rang. It was Bill. I passed it back to Lo. She had a curt conversation with a few clarifications.
“Fax it to the office, Bill. We’re a few minutes away. Talk to you when we set up.” Lo disconnected, and turned on her Gorgon smile of malice. “You are one lucky bitch. My friend with the DA can get you eighteen months at a minimum security prison… probably Chowchilla. He’s faxing the agreement for you to check, not that you’ll have a choice. You will also make restitution. They’re putting a lock on your accounts even as we speak.”
“Do you actually have a movie star he’ll… you know… recognize?”
Lois relaxed in her seat. “Hard to believe… I know.”
* * *
“I can’t believe I’m doing this with Trish Medina! I’ve watched ‘A New Beginning’ ten times, Ms. Medina. You’re a real private detective too. How did…”
“Concentrate on the job, Scooby,” Lo broke in on the movie star love fest going on in the backseat of my GMC. It had been in full bloom since Trish returned to the office, dressed to kill. Even Lo complimented her.
Gannon had swallowed hook, line, and sinker after Reeser put Trish on the phone with him to confirm the meeting. Trish cemented the con by urging Gannon to attend a dinner party at the end of the week at her house. The meeting with Lois as the agent at Gannon’s beach house only took a moment more to agree on an hour’s time from then. Jim stayed with Shelly. I could tell he was in awe of the transformation Trish pulled off. Reeser’s celebrity worship wore thin for Lo moments after Reeser started gushing. It of course tickled the hell out of Trish because it annoyed Lo.
“Call me Trish. I did time at Victorville,” Trish shared to Reeser’s shock.
“You…you did?”
“Yeah… you’ll do better at Chowchilla. Do good today, testify or anything the DA wants, and I’ll help you get a fresh start after you do your time.”
“I will! Thanks, Trish!”
I grinned as Reeser prepared to start gushing again, only to have Lo’s index finger jut at her between the seats. “Start that shit again, and you won’t make it to Chowchilla!”
Reeser shut up instantly. Trish patted her hand comfortingly. “You’re certain Gannon’s crew will arrive in a few more hours?”
“Yes. He always meets with them before they hit a place. Rico’s thorough. They go over the plans for the house, and the type of security system that’s installed. I brief them on anything I’ve noted from the targets’ Facebook pages involving security or neighbors watching out for their place. Rico has it down to a science. Our driver drops off our security guy right after dark. It’s his job to get inside, and make certain they don’t have those cams the people can access from their smar
tphones and tablets. If they do, he has a jammer. He also pinpoints everything worth taking. Rico brings in the rest of the crew at one in the morning.”
“After Gannon sees you’re with us, let Trish enter first,” I directed her. “Don’t get between Gannon and Trish.”
“Okay… but why not point your guns at him?”
“We don’t point guns unless we’re ready to kill,” Lo answered. “If your boyfriend did something stupid, I would shoot him in the head. We need him alive. Besides, this is a joint effort with the cops. We have our guys outside with eyes on everything, so we don’t get surprised by any unwelcome visitors. They’re already in place. You do your intros at the door, and when Gannon invites us in, Trish will order our driver to stay outside. She and I will walk by you. Stay with Rick until we have him pacified.”
“He…he’s not my boyfriend.”
Lois leaned around to peer at Reeser between the seats. “You two looked pretty chummy in the Facebook clips.”
“I was a prop. Rico really wanted to create a front as if he were a producer. I met him at a friend’s party we had at a bar downtown. When he found out I was a travel agent, he turned on the charm.” Reeser’s features twisted into a grimace. “Easy money, he said.”
My phone went off again. Lois answered it. “Rick! Gannon’s crew arrived,” Bone said. “There’s four guys, and I can tell they’re wearing vests.”
“Hold position, Bone. We’ll have to rethink this for a moment. Good work. Is Henpeck okay, or does he have to go home to check in?”
“Fuck you, Lo! I’ll never rat out Rick again… ever… you old crone!” Steve’s voice, full of outrage and passion thundered over the phone as Bone snorted amusement at his partner’s expense.”
“You’ll do what I tell you to do, Porky. Hold position.”
“Damn… that idea sure went South in a hurry,” I said, steering to the side of the road. “What do you think, Lo? Maybe Gannon had a second snitch inside the agency. I’m betting on Lonnie. He’s the guy I jolted on the way out. So much for finesse.”
Rick Cantelli, PI: Into the Darkness (Rick Cantelli, P.I. Detectives Book 3) Page 23
