Ratio: A Leopold Blake Thriller (A Private Investigator Series of Crime and Suspense Thrillers)

by Nick Stephenson

  “Never mind. Just curious.”

  They were getting closer to Seattle Center. The Space Needle loomed overhead, crowds of people swarming toward the park’s many entrances. It was still a little noisy, but less vehicle traffic than before, making it easier to talk. June had things she wanted to discuss. She started out easy with him.

  “How long has it been since you’ve just gone for a walk like this?” she asked.

  Jack thought for a moment. “Unescorted? Years. I don’t drive much anywhere, I don’t play sports, and you’ve seen the kind of dates I’m allowed to have lately.”

  “That was kinda weird last night.”

  He nodded. “Even though I’m only a candidate right now, I still have little time for myself. And forget about freedom to come and go. Every little detail of my day is planned out by a campaign manager and assistants, from meals to meetings to when and where I can take a crap. This whole weekend is like a vacation for me.”

  “Ha!”

  “And talking to people is a pain. Everybody is suspected of being a part of the media, or worse. Everything I say has to be carefully measured so I don’t hurt someone’s feelings. It’s impossible to be in favor of anything, because as soon as I am, it means to someone somewhere I’m against them.”

  June thought about it for a moment. Speeches were carefully worded. Since he had returned to media attention in the last few months, June had become a bit of a Jack Melendez junkie. She had caught all his speeches on television. Seen the image he wanted to project. There was an entirely different side to Jack that the public would never get to see.

  “Will it always be like that? So much chaperoning of your life?” she asked.

  “For the next few years at least,” he said. “Especially if I stay in the public life. If I get elected, I can kiss private life goodbye.”

  As quickly as that, she had got to where she wanted in the conversation. The next part would be tricky. “You were a state senator for a while,” June said. “Then ambassador, and now presidential candidate. It must be difficult to stay out of the spotlight once you’ve discovered it.”

  “I could get used to it again,” he said. He let go of her hand and put his arm around her back. She did the same, which slowed their pace into a window-shopping stroll. “But there are still a lot of things I can do, things I can help make better. And there will always be the expectation that I never really fall off the map entirely.”

  “Like Jimmy Carter.”

  “Exactly like him. He’s still expected to make public appearances.”

  “And builds houses in his spare time,” June said. This conversation had given her something to think about. “Do you think you’d run again if this campaign doesn’t work out?”

  “One day at a time.” Jack looked directly at her. “One speech at a time, one primary at a time, one election at a time. I can only view it that way, whatever it might turn out to be.”

  June regretted starting the conversation down this road. Amy was right when she said Jack Melendez was riding a cushion of support in the country. His focus had to be on the campaign. But right now, this was a path she had little interest in following. She needed to turn the conversation somewhere else before it got away from her.

  “Do I smell something?” she asked, sniffing the air. She caught the scents of meat cooking. Maybe there was a vegetarian option nearby. “I haven’t eaten much yet today.”

  His hand went up to her shoulder and caressed her neck. “You’re appetite was certainly healthy this morning.” He nudged her toward an open plaza area filled with people, just a few blocks from Seattle Center park. “Come on. If I remember correctly, that’s a mall of some sort.”

  The sound of car horns and the traffic parted. Through the gap, three police cars raced down the road in the direction of the park. From another direction came the wail of fire engines, one right after the other, followed by paramedics. They were all heading for the same place.

  “What the hell?” Jack said.

  Two more police cars joined the rush. June glanced around. She spotted Jerome running toward them. Leopold nowhere to be seen.

  “Do you suppose it has something to do with the helicopters we saw?” she said, turning to Jack.

  “They’re going in that general direction.”

  June took him by the hand and tried to lead him away. She was hungry and still wanted lunch. Jack stalled.

  “You know what?” he said, pulling back. “Maybe we should head back to the hotel now.”

  Chapter 36

  JONNY YAMADA SAT in the hotel bar nursing a whiskey. Some eight-year-old label, he couldn’t remember the brand. It hadn’t seemed important. Beer gave him a light head, but whiskey helped him relax. His jaw still ached, a dark bruise spreading across the skin. He took another drink, hands shaking slightly. The ice clinked against the side of the glass. He set the drink down, looked around.

  Glancing past the restaurant floor, he saw the hotel lobby packed with people, even busier than the day before. Some of them spilled out into the street trying to push their way inside. Travelers, journalists, speakers, academics. Most dressed in casual clothes, a few in suits. No police that he could see. He figured Mariel should have no problems moving through the building unnoticed, swapping out the pillows, and getting the hell out. Kanezaki, the asshole, couldn’t fault the plan. By the end of the day, Kato would be dead and Jonny would start a new life. Maybe even spend one last night with Mariel, for old times’ sake.

  He shook the thought off. Took another drink. Considered his options. After the detcord went off, Jonny would slip out during the ensuing panic. Get lost in the crowds. Go straight home, grab his things, get to the airport. He had the tickets already, a nonstop flight to Narita International, Tokyo. Then a few hours on the train. His uncle had arranged everything.

  The only potential barrier was Kanezaki. There was clearly something he was keeping quiet, something Jonny wasn’t supposed to know. That could cause problems, especially if Kanezaki decided to stick his nose in. Still, no matter. In a few days’ time, Jonny would be a recognized member of the Oguchi family, and nobody would be able to push him around.

  Across the bar, a television set bolted to the wall. The sound was muted, running the news. A man with slick hair was talking about local events. A live feed jumped onto the screen and one of the patrons shouted for the barman to turn the volume up.

  Jonny looked up. Stared at the television. Holy shit.

  The camera panned left and right, carnage unfolding all around. The screen showed an expanse of park, some trees and grass off in the distance. Long stretches of asphalt, crammed with panicked-looking pedestrians, some holding placards. Jonny couldn’t make out what they said. To the center of the frame, three police cruisers were parked up with lights flashing. Fire trucks just behind, an ambulance holding the perimeter. The camera zoomed, focusing on a man dressed in padded body armor, stomping somewhere off to the side. Jonny spotted the Space Needle in the background and realized what he was looking at.

  He checked his watch. Got up fast, almost knocking the remnants of his drink onto the floor. The other patrons glanced over at him before turning their attention back to the television. One of them muttered something. Jonny clenched his fists and looked toward the lobby. There was some kind of commotion going on as one of the crowd held up a cell phone.

  Jonny took a moment, weighing up his options. The newscaster was talking about a bomb scare. Said police were searching the area near the park.

  Shit, shit, shit. Even if they didn’t search the hotel, this definitely threw a giant wrench in the works. Melendez was Kato’s only reason for being here, and bomb threats don’t tend to go down well with Presidential candidates. No way he’d spend another night. They’d both be on the first flight out of Seattle, no doubt with an armed escort.

  Jonny swore again, out loud this time. A few people looked over at him. His cell phone vibrated. Blocked number. He answered it.

  “Moshi
moshi.”

  “I’m here.” Kanezaki’s voice, speaking Japanese.

  “Yeah, yeah. Cool. I’m just in the bar.”

  “You seen the news.” It wasn’t a question.

  “What’s going on?”

  Kanezaki ignored him. “Melendez will be confined to his suite. If he’s out of the hotel, he’ll be heading back now. Where he goes, Kato goes. Your timetable just got moved up.”

  Jonny felt his stomach clench. “I can’t do anything unless they’re on the beds. It’s all been planned for when they’re asleep.”

  “I don’t care. You had time to plan this. Find another way.”

  “Like how?”

  “Like I don’t give a shit, that’s how,” Kanezaki said. “You had one simple job. You don’t pull this off, you know what my simple job is. Text me when you’ve confirmed Kato is in the building.” He hung up.

  Jonny felt his knees give way. Lightheaded, he leaned against a nearby table for support. He fumbled with his phone, called Mariel. No answer. Swore again. With a final glance around the room, Jonny strode off toward the elevators, key card clutched in his hand.

  Chapter 37

  LEOPOLD RAN BACK to the convention center. Out of breath, he flagged down Johnson and had her escort him up to Harper’s office. She looked a little taken aback, but obliged.

  “You don’t look so good,” she said, as they boarded the elevator.

  “I guess I’m a little out of shape.”

  “I’m guessing the news is putting a dampener on your plans for the weekend.”

  “Putting it mildly.” He looked at her. “Looks like you’ve got it under control.”

  Johnson smiled. Leopold caught the scent of her perfume. He hadn’t noticed it before. Sweet and floral, just an edge of spice. Her hair wasn’t tied up today.

  “We’re used to it,” she said. “If anything, now the President’s not coming, we’re a little overstaffed.” The elevator slowed to a halt and the doors opened. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.” She stepped out and led the way down the corridor, turning her head. “I forgot to say thanks for the drink last night.”

  Leopold nodded. “My pleasure.”

  They reached Harper’s office. The door was shut, blinds drawn.

  “Maybe if you’re around tonight…” Johnson said.

  “It’s looking less and less likely.”

  “Some other time, then.”

  “Sure,” he said, absent-mindedly. He knocked on the door. A voice called out for him to enter. He turned to Johnson. “I guess I’d better do this alone.”

  “Sure. Yeah, whatever.” She forced a smile and walked off, muttering something under her breath. Leopold opened the office door and stepped inside. Harper was pacing the room.

  “What now, Blake?” she said.

  “We need to talk.”

  “On the contrary,” she grabbed a paper file from the desk and held it out. “I need to talk, you need to listen.”

  Leopold took the file. “You got eyes on the park?”

  “Yes.” She stopped pacing and sat down behind her desk. Looked up at him. “I had my boss’ boss on the phone. Someone called in an anonymous tip about a potential bomb threat at Seattle Center. Said they saw two Asian men in a white VW van leave the scene, dressed in coveralls and high-visibility vests. We’re having Seattle PD set up a roadblock. They won’t get far.”

  “Any info on the tipster?”

  “No accent that we could place. Sounded American, male, that’s about it.” She arched her fingers. “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.” She glanced at the empty chair across the desk from her. “Sit.”

  Leopold obliged.

  “I trust you did your due diligence on the Kato woman,” she said.

  “We triple checked the files Melendez’s people sent over. We did a little digging of our own, too.”

  “Public records?”

  “Yes.”

  “Read the file.”

  Leopold opened the manila folder. Read the first page. “Where did you get this?”

  “We have access to databases private civilians don’t,” Harper said. “Including sealed court records, witness protection programs, personnel files. After our little chat yesterday, I called in a few favors. Did some digging.” She paused. “I wanted to know who we were dealing with.”

  “You don’t say.”

  “We turned up quite the backstory,” she said. “I think it’s safe to assume you don’t know Ms. Kato as well as you think.”

  Leopold felt his brain spin. He got up, still leafing through the file. “I think that would be the understatement of the year.”

  “Get your house in order, Blake.” Harper stood and walked to the door, held it open. “Before I have to do it for you.”

  Chapter 38

  WALKING UP PINE Street from downtown back to the hotel, June kept the pace slow and easy. Jerome hung back a little, still too close for comfort. He had insisted they return to their rooms, ruining any further opportunities for a little alone time. Still, it felt good to hold Jack’s hand. His thick fingers were strong, heavy in her hand; she had never held a hand so large before. She squeezed a little tighter, tugging him closer as they sauntered up the hill toward the hotel.

  “Sorry we didn’t get to spend much time together,” Jack said. “I don’t know what’s going on, but hopefully it’ll all blow over soon.”

  “I hope so too,” June said. “Looking forward to spending the night with me?”

  He looked her over for a moment. “Not in Gangsta Kitty lingerie, I hope.”

  “I’ll see what I can come up with. I have this really cute outfit I’ve been wanting to wear.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. Transparent, head to toe. Invisible, actually.”

  Jack smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

  Somehow they found a way to snuggle closer all the way back to their hotel. They hit the lobby. June looked around, surprised how packed it had become. There was noise and commotion all around, people chatting animatedly. There was a television blaring somewhere over in the bar, but it was too far away. She couldn’t quite make out what was playing.

  Jerome stepped out in front, helping them carve a path through the crowd. They reached the elevator. Nobody seemed to pay them a second glance. It would only be moments before they were back in the privacy of a bedroom. June felt flushed with excitement and knew her face and chest were pink. She reached up to touch her cheek, letting her fingertips float down to her chest. A finger found the pearl necklace hanging from her neck.

  “Never got to the shops,” June muttered quietly.

  Jack looked over. “What’s that?”

  “My sister. I still haven’t got her anything.”

  “Tomorrow,” Jack said as they stepped into the elevator. He slipped his key card into the slot and punched the button for their floor. They rode up and the doors slid open. Leopold was waiting for them. He looked a little out of breath.

  “Have a good time?” he asked.

  “Better than hanging out here,” June said back, going toward her room, dragging Jack behind her. She wanted it to be clear she didn’t like having a chaperone.

  “Before you run off, we need to talk,” Leopold told her.

  “About?”

  He led June and Jack down the hall to his suite. Jerome closed the door behind them.

  “More intel,” Leopold said. “Secret Service has received what they consider a direct threat.”

  “What, exactly?” Jack asked.

  “It’s credible. There was a bomb scare at Seattle Center. A little over a mile from here. Evidently, several suspicious parcels were found. Bomb dispersal technicians are working on them as we speak.”

  “How does this affect us?”

  “Harper has already cancelled the President’s speech. She figures it won’t hurt him politically, given the circumstances. He’s already been diverted.” Leopold looked Jack square in the eyes. “
And it might be time to seriously consider getting you out of town also.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” June said. “We don’t even know the details. This might not have anything to do with the conference or the President. Or Jack.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Now the President’s pulled out, if his running mate shows up it’ll look like he’s being careless, desperate for attention despite the risks.” He kept his eyes on Jack. “You know I’m right.”

  Jack nodded solemnly. “He’s got a point. This could end up looking bad for me.”

  “So you’re just going to pull out?” June said. “What about my speech? What am I supposed to do?”

  Jerome cut in. “The roads are blocked off right now. Nobody’s going anywhere for a while. The Secret Service or the police might want to talk to us anyway, so we’re going to have to stay put for the time being.” He glanced at June. “If this plays out okay, you might get to give your talk. Just so long as Jack stays in lockdown, we’ll be okay.”

  “Harper said they’ll get traffic moving again once the threat is contained,” Leopold said. “The explosives look home made. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Hopefully we’ll get you on an evening flight out of here.”

  “We’re not staying another night?” June said.

  “No. Whatever happens, we’re out of here as soon as the roads clear. But we still have more to talk about, Doctor,” Leopold said. “A few things about you, as a matter of fact.”

  “What kind of talk?”

  He folded his arms. “We’re still concerned over one or two details that just didn’t add up.”

  June frowned. “Such as?”

  Leopold produced a sheet of paper. “Courtesy of Special Agent Harper.” He read aloud, “The Oguchi clan, also known as the Sandoh family, organized crime family in Tokyo, relocated to LA two years ago to start an organized Asian prostitution ring.”

  “Oh, them.”

  Jack stood up. “What’s the problem?”

  “Try as we might, we can’t find any evidence the Sandoh family has any significant presence here in North America,” Leopold explained. “But it doesn’t mean they aren’t here.”