Trading Places

by Fern Michaels

  She could, if she wanted to, get in the Jeep and drive around. The only problem was, she didn’t want to. She didn’t want to do anything.

  They walked around the perimeter of the small airport until Alice nudged her leg, an indication that she’d had enough walking. Lizzie led her back to the small building. The sun had moved a little to the west, away from the bench she’d been sitting on. That was okay. It was still warm and a little breezy. She curled into the corner of the bench and dozed off.

  Lizzie woke when Alice tugged at the leash grasped in her hand. She sat up, disoriented. She looked to her right when she heard the sharp bark of a dog. Gus! A heartbeat later she was on her feet, running to her sister. “Aggie!”

  “Lizzie!”

  They jiggled and wiggled, the dogs wrapping them in their leashes as the sisters hugged one another, crying, and laughing at the same time.

  “I got us some wheels. No baggage, just our backpacks. I can’t wait to take off this damn wig. It itches. We’re dyeing our hair tomorrow. I’ll go nuts if I have to keep wearing it. You okay with dyeing your hair, Aggie?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay with it, Lizzie. Where are we staying?”

  “I bought a little house off the Internet. I even have the key. It’s a cottage, but it has indoor plumbing. We’re going to stay in it for as long as we stay in the islands. I also bought a house in Lisbon. It’s a little more palatial. It has two bathrooms. You aren’t gonna love it, but you will like it. Trust me, this place will grow on you. Climb in and let’s go. I think your dog likes my dog.”

  “I see that,” Aggie said, settling herself in the passenger seat of the Jeep. “We need to talk, Lizzie. Really talk.”

  “I know, Aggie. We have the rest of our lives to talk.”

  Nathan slept deeply and soundly, around the clock. He might have slept longer, but the phone rang on the table next to the sofa where he was sleeping. Groggily, he reached for it and brought it to his ear. He bolted upright at what he was hearing. “Nathan, this is Alex Rossiter. I’m down in the lobby. Can I come up?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, sure, come right up.”

  Nathan sat up, knowing he’d slept the clock around. He should feel rested, full of spit and vinegar. Instead, he felt like hell. He staggered to the bathroom, where he brushed his teeth, groaning at his reflection in the mirror. From the bathroom, he shuffled his way to the kitchen, where he made a pot of coffee. He was pouring two cups when the doorbell rang.”

  Alex Rossiter held out his hand. Both men pumped vigorously. “Took me forever to get an elevator. Busy place you live in.”

  Nathan stared at the man standing across from him. He looked beaten and worn, stubble on his cheeks and chin, his eyes wary and sad, not to mention tired. “Everyone’s getting ready to leave for work.” He held out a cup of coffee.

  Rossiter took the lead when Nathan led him back to the living room. “I know as much as you know, Hawk. So, let’s not go there. Aggie’s gone. I have to assume Lizzie is gone, too. Do you have any idea where they could be?”

  “If I did, do you think I’d be sitting here? The short answer is no. Aggie’s house is closed up tight. I guess they had a plan from the beginning if things ever got to this point. I’ll tell you what I know, and you tell me what you know. Maybe one of them dropped a clue we didn’t pick up on.”

  They talked steadily and earnestly for close to an hour. The only thing they agreed on at the end of the hour was both women had to have had serious help in getting away.

  Nathan looked down at his wrinkled clothing. He felt like a homeless person for some reason. “Ask yourself, Alex, who do either one of them know who could help them to that extent?”

  Rossiter shrugged as he rubbed at the stubble on his cheeks. “Nobody that I know of. Lizzie had a wider circle of friends. Some of them are pretty influential, according to Aggie. I don’t know names, though.”

  Nathan’s face set in hard, grim lines. His voice was bitter when he said, “I know one name.”

  “What are we waiting for? Let’s go talk to him.”

  Nathan sighed, his face full of pain. “Easier said than done. He’s in Las Vegas. I know he isn’t going to give up anything. If I’m right about him helping Lizzie, he isn’t going to admit it, much less help us out. What did Aggie say when she left?”

  Alex snorted, a sound of pure disgust. “I heard the phone ring. Aggie got out of bed and went downstairs. I just thought it was Lizzie calling early. Hell, I don’t know what I thought. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. I could kick myself now. I must have had some kind of premonition because after about ten minutes, when she didn’t come back upstairs, I got my sorry ass out of bed, but it was too late. She was gone. Her backpack was gone, too. She never told me this, but I kind of figured it out for myself. If she had to leave in a hurry, all she had to do was grab the backpack, Gus, and she was good to go. She took my car, but somebody brought it back. Some guy drove it up the road, parked it, got out, and climbed into another car. Oh, there was one other thing. I didn’t notice it right away. Aggie had all these nice neat rows of organic carrots. They were about three inches high. One was missing. I guess she took it as a memento.

  “I turned everything off, packed, locked up, and here I am. We aren’t going to find them, are we? Hell, I even toyed with the idea of going to the police and telling them what I know, which isn’t much.”

  Nathan reached across for Alex’s cup and carried it into the kitchen. He poured more coffee. “Save your breath. They hauled my ass in and grilled me. Lizzie wrote a letter taking all the blame for everything. Of course she signed Aggie’s name. But, to answer your question, no, we probably are not going to find them on our own. I took my vacation time this morning. I have six weeks. I have enough money to tide me over until I have to return to work. How much time do you have off? Maybe we could partner up.”

  “I don’t have to be back at school until the end of August. Maybe between the two of us we can come up with something.”

  “The chief warned me not to leave town. But I think the only place we’ll get our answers, if there are answers, is in Las Vegas.” Nathan dropped his head into his hands, his voice muffled when he said, “I asked Lizzie to marry me. I went by the house in the morning, and that’s how I found out she was gone. She had a real head start on me. Christ, they could be halfway around the world by now.”

  Alex’s voice sounded shaky when he said, “Aggie knows how to go to ground. She’s a cop. You need to know what we’re up against. If they don’t want to be found, we aren’t going to find them.”

  “You might be right, but I have to try. You with me or not?”

  “I’m with you, Nathan. Listen, I’m going to go home, shower, and get some clean clothes. How about meeting up, say an hour from now at Becker’s for some breakfast. It just occurred to me that I haven’t had anything to eat since day before yesterday.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll see you in an hour. Pack a bag, Alex.”

  Noreen Farrell opened the door, a look of stunned surprise on her face. “Nathan! How in the world did you find me?”

  Nathan worked his facial muscles into something that resembled a smile. “I’m a reporter, remember. You’re listed in the phone book under Noreen Farrell. This is Alex Rossiter, a friend of Aggie’s. Can we come in?”

  “Of course you can come in. I don’t know anything, Nathan. Lizzie didn’t tell me where she was going. She left me a note. She asked me to close up her sister’s house and return her rental car. She also asked me to drop off a box at the police station, which I did. That’s it.”

  “Can I see the note?”

  “I didn’t save it. Why would I?”

  “I asked her to marry me, Noreen.”

  Noreen fiddled with the belt on her robe. “I’m sorry, Nathan. Please, sit down. Can I get you a drink or something?”

  “No thanks.”

  Noreen perched on the arm of a La-Z-Boy. Nathan thought her eyes looked worried, or was it fear he was se
eing?

  “Lizzie needed help to get away on such short notice. Who do you know who has that kind of power?”

  “Nobody. Lizzie always had what she called Plan B. I don’t know what it was because she never told me, and I never asked. Whatever Plan B was, she was comfortable with it. I have to assume it was her getaway plan. That means she had it all planned out in advance if things went awry. That’s just my own personal opinion.”

  “How can I get hold of Anthony Papadopolus?”

  “Nathan, I don’t know. I don’t travel in those circles. He lives somewhere here in Vegas, but that’s all I know. Your best bet would be to put the word out you’re looking for him and let him find you. Again, that’s just my personal opinion.”

  “Who do we put the word out to?” Alex said, speaking for the first time.

  “The casinos. It’s late, Nathan, we just got back, and I haven’t eaten all day. I was going to have some cereal and go to bed.”

  “I thought you left yesterday,” Nathan said, pouncing on Noreen’s words.

  “We did. We drove. The girls wanted to see the country. We took turns driving and drove straight through.”

  Nathan jumped to his feet. “Now, why does that sound like a lie to me?”

  Noreen jumped to her feet and squared off with him. “I don’t know why it sounds like a lie, Nathan. Furthermore, I don’t care. Read my lips. I do not know where Lizzie is. I do not know how she got to wherever she was going. I’m sorry your heart is breaking, but I cannot help you. Please don’t come here again.”

  “Can you at least tell me where Lizzie lived. Maybe she left a clue or something. What about all those cars and the yacht she owns? What happens to them?”

  “I don’t know. As to her address, that was part of Plan B. Besides, it was a comp. It wasn’t hers. It’s ready for the next temporary tenant. That’s the way it works here. If you give me your number, I’ll call you if I hear anything.”

  Nathan and Alex pulled out business cards and handed them over. Both men knew they’d never hear from Noreen Farrell.

  Outside in their rental car, they looked at one another. “That was a bust. I didn’t expect her to give up anything, but I hoped there might be something. I don’t think she knows where Lizzie and Aggie went. Lizzie wouldn’t want to involve her friends for just that reason.”

  “Let’s hit the casinos. The night is still young,” Alex said glumly. “Maybe we should split up. That way, we’ll cover more territory in less time. Someone in this damn town must know where that guy lives.”

  “We can only hope.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nathan Hawk and Alex Rossiter were having lunch in the Mirage when Nathan felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and looked up at the tallest man he’d ever seen. His eyes were questioning.

  “Mr. Hawk, Mr. Papadopolus will see you now. Follow me, please.”

  “Well, hot damn. Ten days later, and he’s finally ready to see me. I’m glad it wasn’t a matter of life or death,” Nathan muttered as he slapped some bills on the table. The tall man offered up no response as the two men walked behind him out of the dining room.

  The casino was jam-packed with people even though it was just a little before the noon hour. Bus-loads of senior citizens were descending in droves, forcing the men to walk faster to avoid a collision. Waitresses in skimpy outfits, trays held above their heads, also stepped aside. Free drinks to those playing the clanking slots and poker tables.

  Nathan looked around. Where was this guy taking them? He stopped short when the tall man stepped aside at one of the lounge areas. “Mr. Papadopolus is at the far end. He can give you ten minutes. Talk fast, Mr. Hawk.”

  Up close, Anthony Papadopolus looked like a benevolent Buddha. He was sitting in a comfortable swivel chair, his hands laced across his barrel chest. “Gentlemen, please sit down. I’m Anthony Papadopolus, and you are Nathan Hawk and Alex Rossiter. I was told you want to talk to me.”

  “Where are they? Don’t pretend you don’t know who I’m talking about either. Lizzie couldn’t have gotten away so clean without some expert help. That goes for Aggie, too. I know Lizzie worked for you. She told me all about it.”

  “I’m sorry, gentlemen, I can’t help you. Yes, Lizzie did work for me. But she canceled her contract. Normally, I don’t allow such things, but she managed to convince me it was in both our best interests. I thought she was still in Atlanta.”

  “Lizzie is not back in Atlanta. If she were, I wouldn’t be here, and neither would Alex,” Nathan said, pointing to Alex Rossiter. “The house is closed up tight, and she’s gone. G-O-N-E! If you’re worried we might be with the police or the newspapers, we aren’t. We’re both here on vacation time. I asked Lizzie to marry me. She was supposed to give me her answer the day she disappeared. Alex here wanted to marry Aggie. We aren’t wearing wires. If you want, we’ll gladly strip down for you right here.”

  Papadopolus managed to look dismayed at Nathan’s suggestion. “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure, Mr. Hawk, Lizzie will be in touch with you at some point. She’s a very compassionate, caring person. I’m sure her sister, because she is a twin, is the same sort of person. What you should be concerned with right now is the young women’s safety, not your own personal desires. In other words, this is not about you, it’s about them. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

  “Can’t? You mean you won’t. Okay, how about this? Get in touch with them and ask them if we can go to wherever they are. Will you do that?”

  “No.”

  “Why the hell not?” Rossiter shouted.

  “Because I don’t know where they are.”

  “Don’t give me any of that crap. I’d bet my pension that Gulfstream of yours took her to wherever she wanted to go. Somewhere along the way, Lizzie picked up Aggie. I know you were going to have a game at Aggie’s house. I know it as sure as I’m standing here. I warned Lizzie they were going to pick you up. If not the locals, then the feds. She told you. That’s why you’re back here in Vegas. One hand washing the other, that kind of thing.”

  Papadopolus steepled his fingers. “I can see why you’re a reporter; you have an active imagination. I wish I could help you, but I can’t. If by some chance I hear from either one of the ladies, I’ll call you if you leave me your business cards. I’m sorry, but I have to leave now. Good luck in your search, gentlemen.”

  Nathan’s hands flapped in distress. Alex was shuffling from one foot to the other. “Doesn’t it matter to you that we love them, want to marry, and raise families? How can you be so coldhearted?” Nathan demanded.

  Papadopolus was on his feet. Standing, he didn’t appear so round. He wasn’t soft either. His eyes glittered now. “It’s because I do care about both those women that I’m not helping you. If you love them as you say you do, that love will never vanish. They’ll find you when and if the time is right. Be very careful, gentlemen, that you don’t do something in your love quest that will jeopardize their safety. It was nice meeting both of you.”

  “Son of a bitch!” Alex sputtered. He flopped down on the chair Papadopolus had been sitting on. It smelled like his cologne. “Now what? Do we go home with our tails between our legs or what?”

  “I don’t know, Alex. We can try Noreen again. She was Aggie’s best friend. She might crack if we put some pressure on her. Obviously, we need to fall back and regroup. Nothing’s going on in Atlanta, and it’s been ten days. I don’t understand that either.”

  Alex flagged a waitress and ordered two bottles of Corona.

  “Who the hell is that guy anyway. I know what you told me, but who the hell is he really?” Alex asked.

  “I can only tell you what I’ve read and what Lizzie told me. If he isn’t the richest man in Vegas, he’s the next richest. He calls himself a broker. That means he puts people together to play poker. He gets a fee from each person playing. He has a stable of card-players like Lizzie, who are pros. They sit in on the game and play in his place. He pays them a percent
age of whatever is taken in for the night. Here in Vegas, it’s legal.”

  “He’s got to be pretty damn rich to own his own Gulfstream. Those babies don’t come cheap.”

  “Lizzie told me he pays very well and has no turnover as far as employees go. That’s another way of saying they are all loyal and wouldn’t rat on him if he does something on the shady side. Assuming he would even think about breaking the law.

  “He’s got all kinds of legitimate businesses, according to Lizzie. Now, you know as much as I know. I’m itching for some kind of confrontation. Let’s take another shot at Noreen. If that doesn’t work, we might as well go home. It’s a given Papadopolus isn’t going to part with anything. We’ll just be spinning our wheels if we stay here.”

  “Okay, let’s go,” Rossiter said, getting up off the chair.