Jingle of Coins

by C. D. Ledbetter

  “Cheater,” he called from behind. He passed her at the halfway mark and waited in the shallows for her to catch up. “I beat you fair and square this time,” he grinned. “You had a three stroke lead.”

  “Yes, you did,” she acknowledged. “I concede your victory. You’re faster than I am…for the moment.”

  He looped his fingers through hers and pulled her closer. “Love the new suit,” he whispered in her ear. “Very sexy.” His index finger traced the valley between her breasts. “Clings in all the right places.”

  Oh God. Shivers raced down her body, and she sucked in a quick breath.

  “Mind if I join you two?” an amused voice interrupted from the edge of the pool.

  Startled, they looked up. Kate stood on the top of the steps, one hand on the aluminum handrail. Emily’s exuberance faded when she took in the exquisite lines of Kate’s long, lithe body, clad in a miniscule gold bikini. As usual, the woman looked like she’d stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. Emily sighed softly and moved away. No normal woman could ever hope to compete with Kate, much less outshine her. She ignored the urge to scratch Kate’s eyes out and forced her lips into a welcoming smile. “Sure, come on in.”

  Kate eased her long legs down the steps and lounged against the handrail. “I thought I was the only one up at this ungodly hour.”

  “I swim almost every day,” Emily explained, more to keep the conversation going than from politeness. “What brings you out so early?”

  Kate’s smile faded and she shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned for an hour, and then decided it was time to get up.” She looked at the sun-streaked skyline and frowned. “What do people do at this hour of the morning?”

  “They get ready to go to work,” Glen said in a voice tinged with amusement. “You know, that thing us plebeians have to do to put food on the table.”

  “I work for a living, too,” Kate reminded him in a voice dripping with ice.

  “Yes, but there’s work and then there’s real work,” he jibed. “Some jobs are easier than others.”

  Emily realized the conversation had taken an ominous turn. “Hey, you two,” she quipped, “if you’re going to squabble, go over to the wading pool. This one’s for grownups.”

  Kate and Glen turned, and she splashed a handful of water their way. “Lighten up. We’re here for a swim, not a debate. Come on,” Emily coaxed in her best sing-songy voice. “I know you two know how to play nice together, so do it.”

  The silence grew overwhelming, and finally Glen shook his head. “Sorry, Kate,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to be sarcastic.”

  Kate inclined her head in his direction, like a queen acknowledging one of her subjects. “I probably should apologize, too. I’m not a morning person.” She smiled at Glen, all white teeth and pouty lips. “I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

  Emily’s stomach twisted into knots. “We noticed.” She rolled her shoulders to work the muscles. “I’ve always been a morning person. The moment my eyes pop open, I’m wide awake.”

  “Me, too,” Glen agreed. The scuba watch on his wrist beeped, and he reached for the side of the pool. “I’d like to stay, but I have to be at work in about thirty minutes.” He heaved himself out of the water and reached for his towel. “See you tonight, Emily,” he called out as he dried off and shoved his feet into sandals. “Bye, Kate.”

  The two women remained silent until he disappeared. “Sorry if I interrupted you and Glen again,” Kate said. “The reason I came out was to apologize for barging in last night. Damn. My radar’s usually better than this.”

  “It’s okay,” Emily lied. “We were just talking.”

  “Yeah, right.” Kate glanced toward Glen’s apartment. “So…did he take the bait?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Kate snickered. “I saw that suit on the shop mannequin, Emily. I know what it cost. Somehow I don’t think you bought it just so you could swim laps,” she teased. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but you’re not the type to buy a designer swimsuit unless you had a very specific reason. You’re too…thrifty.”

  “Well…”

  “Come on, admit it. You’re after him, aren’t you?”

  Emily took her time replying. “I guess you could say I’m…interested…yeah, definitely interested.”

  “Good for you,” Kate said, rising from the water. “From the way his eyes were glued to that suit, I’d say you made a good investment.” She waited for Emily to pick up her towel. “Would you mind loaning me one of the Chopin CDs I saw last night? I’m thinking about buying it, but it makes sense to listen to it first to make sure it isn’t a remake of something I already have.”

  “Sure. We can get it now.”

  “Thanks,” Kate replied. When Emily invited her in, Kate paused in front of the storage tower and picked out a CD. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it.”

  “You better.” Emily tapped the CD's jewel case with a fingernail. “That one’s my favorite.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The inside of Kate’s mouth turned into an arid desert as she approached the opulent copper and iron bulls that adorned the gate to Mike’s villa. She slowed her Mercedes to a crawl and turned onto his driveway. A smile tugged at the sides of her mouth when she realized that Mike was one of the few people who didn’t need an electrified gate to guard the entrance to his property. The armed guards everyone knew he kept inside were incentive enough to keep out even the most ambitious thieves.

  This was it, she thought. Time for the big finale. She felt the side of her purse one last time, took a deep breath, and pressed the intercom. Two surveillance cameras, mounted on iron spikes, turned her way. She gritted her teeth, said a silent prayer that she looked more composed than she felt, and waved an arm lazily out the window. Don’t panic. Everything’s fine. You’ve done this dozens of times before, she reminded herself. Keep smiling. No matter what, keep smiling.

  She breathed a sigh of relief when a familiar grinding noise filled the air and both halves of the gate swung open. The sections parted to reveal an armed guard positioned some twenty feet ahead, standing on the gravel path that paralleled the driveway. He trained his weapon on her car.

  Kate’s blood turned to ice, and she felt a sudden desire to be anywhere but Mike’s driveway. Something must have happened. Her first impulse was to turn around and head for the airport and the safety of the plane she reserved, but she discarded the idea when she realized that Mike’s goons would catch up with her before she reached the freeway on ramp. Running would only make the situation worse. She didn’t even want to think about what would happen if Mike caught her trying to skip town.

  She watched the guard shift his weight from one foot to the other and decided it was better to face the dragon than run from it. At least that way she’d have the chance to find Mike’s vulnerable spot. She was smart; she could figure out a way to get around the additional security.

  The guard motioned a second time for her to come inside. Kate ignored the lump in her throat and rolled the car forward as the man kept one hand firmly on the trigger of his weapon. Once she’d pulled inside, he motioned for her to stop, then waved the index finger of his free hand across the front of his throat.

  Kate cut the engine. This was just what she didn’t need—more security. Evidently, Mike was taking no chances with his guest’s safety. She briefly wondered exactly who his guest was, what the man did for a living, then decided she really didn’t want to know the answer to that question. Some information was best left unknown.

  Was nailing Mike for the murder of the missing agents more important than her life? It occurred to her, and not for the first time, that Dozer might have conned her into helping him, knowing that she probably wouldn’t come out of this alive. Her upper lip curled in distaste. Government men were worse than lawyers. Devious and two-faced, they’d sell their own mother to get what they wanted.

  She grabbed a pack of cigarettes out of her purs
e and sighed when her trembling fingers shook out too many. Cursing under her breath, she touched the lighter to the tip, then swept the errant cigarettes off the seat and shoved the half-empty pack into her purse. She sucked on the lit cigarette for a moment, reveling in the nicotine rush that flowed through her body, calming her frazzled nerves. Nothing had changed, other than the fact that Mike had a few additional guards. The plan could still work. It only needed a few tweaks to adapt to the changed environment.

  She cast a worried glance at the guard. He was speaking into a headset, but his gun remained trained on the Mercedes. Probably getting clearance for her to proceed to the house. Good. That meant she could accomplish the first stage of her plan, which was to get inside the villa. All she had to do was stay focused and act naturally. If she didn’t reveal how scared she was, nobody would suspect anything was amiss.

  Kate already knew there was no way she was going to outwit Mike’s security system. It was too sophisticated. Rumor had it that this particular piece of desert property was sewn up tighter than Fort Knox. She didn’t doubt that one bit. Even Dozer’s people, technical as they were, figured that they couldn’t get in and out undetected. That was why they needed someone working on the inside to hide the bug.

  Someone like her. She seethed inwardly, but kept a tight rein on her temper. That snake Dozer was in for a surprise. She had her own agenda, and it didn’t include handing over his precious CD until he complied with her demands. Once she made the recording, she’d swap it for Emily’s CD. Since they looked exactly alike, Dozer wouldn’t realize he’d been duped until after she left town. She smiled a tight smile. The fact that Dozer wanted to nail Mike for the murders so badly only sweetened the pot. She planned to ransom the recording for enough money to allow her to indulge in whatever lifestyle she chose for the rest of her life. All she had to do was stay alive long enough to collect. She swung her gaze back to the guard and rolled down her window.

  “I radioed the house,” he said. “They’re expecting you.” He touched the receiver in his ear. “Stu said to park in the visitor’s garage. You know which one it is?”

  “Yes.”

  He nodded, then checked the clip attached to the underside of the Uzi clamped against his rib cage. The barrel swung closer. Kate was tempted to push it away, but kept her hands inside the car.

  “Open the trunk.”

  An acrid taste, born of panic, filled her mouth, but she held tight to her facade of bored indifference. Now was not the time to unravel. She steadied her trembling hands, took a long puff on her cigarette, and exhaled a stream of smoke his way. Her heart thumped a slow, steady rhythm as she ignored the gun barrel inches from her face and took her time reaching for the trunk release.

  The crunch of gravel boomed in her ears as the guard moved to the rear of her car. A few minutes later she heard a series of thumps as he rummaged through the items in the trunk. He’s not going to find anything, she chanted over and over. All he’s going to see are the suitcases and the spare tire.

  The thumps continued. “Hey, watch it,” she called out, irritated by his careless disregard for her luggage. “In case you hadn’t noticed, those cases are real leather. If they get damaged, you’re going to replace them. And they cost more than you make in a year’s salary.”

  He ignored her jibe and a few moments later reappeared at the window, Uzi in hand. “Drive toward the house. Slowly. Don’t make any sudden turns. I’ll have my gun trained on you the whole way.”

  Kate flicked her cigarette out the window and hoped that that it landed on his foot. Smiling, she rolled up the driver’s window and flipped the hair off her shoulders in a defiant gesture. The barrel of the Uzi tapped against the glass window, but she refused to acknowledge it. Jutting her chin out rebelliously, she retrieved another cigarette from her bag, lit it with the in-dash lighter, then took a long drag. She cracked her window a few inches and blew one last stream of smoke toward the offensive guard, then pressed her foot on the accelerator.

  The Mercedes lurched forward. As she moved up the driveway, she sneaked a glance at the side mirror. The guard stood in the center of the drive, legs spread apart. His gun, held chest high, remained trained on her car.

  Her spirits sagged. Who was she kidding? Her defiant gesture hadn’t fazed him. She swung her gaze back to the road. Smoke from her cigarette tickled her nostrils, so she took one last drag and flung it out the window. It was time to insert the CD Dozer’s men gave her into the modified player. She grabbed the special CD from the storage rack inside the console and pressed the start button. Her heart raced as she strained to listen for a familiar tune.

  It worked! The player actually worked! She listened to the music for a moment, then stopped the player. Following Dozer’s instructions, she left the CD inside. If anyone checked the player, there was enough music left on the CD to play for several minutes. However, once she initiated the electronic listening device, the player would skip the pre-recorded section and begin recording. She slipped Emily’s CD out of her purse and stashed it in the console.

  Four men waited in front of the garage. Kate’s stomach clenched into multiple knots as she stretched her dry lips into a smile and waved. Stu motioned for her to pull into the opening on the left. She rolled into the appropriate spot, then took her time reapplying her lipstick. “Is Mike starting his own private army or what?”

  A flicker of a smile tugged at Stu’s lips for a moment, then his customary frown slipped back into place. “Don’t need one. Our guest requested the extra men. Once he’s safely inside the compound, they’re history.”

  “Whatever.” Kate grabbed her purse off the seat and started toward the house. Two steps later, one of the guards stepped in front of her, barring the path. She swung around. “What?”

  Stu waved a hand-held scanner. “Got to check everybody coming in, Kate. Including you.” He snapped his fingers. One of the other guards standing behind him walked over to the driver’s door and leaned inside. Moments later, the trunk popped open. The man removed Kate’s suitcase and makeup bag and set them on the cement next to the scanning unit.

  Kate shook her head, exhaled loudly, and stepped closer to Stu, hoping he couldn’t hear the thumping of her heart. “Fine,” she drawled, extending her hands, palm side up, over her head. “Just get it over with.” She held her breath as Stu turned on the scanning unit and moved toward her.

  He stopped inches from her face. The sour smell of whiskey breath floated toward her every time he breathed. He bared his teeth in a grim, twisted smile, daring her to complain.

  Kate fixed her stare on a point behind his head, refusing to be drawn. The bastard was enjoying her discomfort! When her knees threatened to collapse, she locked them into place and said a silent prayer that she could continue to give the performance of her life.

  Stu lifted the scanner to her hands. The unit hummed as he moved it down her arms, across her shoulders, and under her breasts.

  Another second and she’d know if Dozer’s men had done their job. What would she do if they hadn’t? Her breathing quickened, and she exhaled softly, hoping Stu hadn’t noticed. “Are you done yet?” she asked in a bored voice, trying to cover her nervousness.

  Stu grunted. Kate wanted to scream when he moved behind her, but managed to hang on to her wits. She felt the wand move slowly down her back. “Well?” she taunted. “Hurry up. It’s hot. Mike would not want me to be sweaty when I meet his guest.” When there was no response, she lowered her arms. Her fears intensified when she heard Stu moving again. Had the scanner found the bug she’d hidden? She spun around, desperate to end the search before her secret was revealed.

  Stu stood behind her, wand in hand.

  “Are you done yet?”

  He nodded.

  “It’s about time.” She glanced at her luggage. “I’ll need my bags. That is, unless you expect me to wear what I have on to greet Mike’s visitor.”

  Stu inclined his head, and one of the men scooped up her luggage. “Don�
�t drag those bags on the cement,” she warned. “I don’t want the bottoms marred.” Ignoring the guard’s rude comment, she spun around and strode toward the house.

  The first thing she noticed when the door swung open was the enormous iris arrangement in the foyer. Her spirits lifted at the sight of the blossoming flowers. At least one thing had gone right: Emily’s arrangements were in the house. With any luck, the other one would be in Mike’s office. Maybe her plan could work after all.

  Mrs. Yammiche, an Asian woman in her fifties, motioned her aside. “I’ve put you in the green room,” she announced as she signaled for one of the maids to take Kate’s luggage. After the maid started up the stairs, the housekeeper lowered her voice. “Mike wants you to go to his office. Be careful. He’s in a foul mood.” She shook her head and rubbed a large red spot on her forearm.

  Kate patted the woman’s shoulder. “Thanks for the warning.”

  The door to Mike’s study was slightly ajar, so she knocked once, then pushed it open. Her glance flew toward the conference table, and she noted with satisfaction that a second iris arrangement sat in the center.

  The knots in her stomach tightened when she spotted Mike standing at the window, looking out. She took a deep breath. “Hello, Mike,” she began. Her self-assurance dissipated when he turned. The housekeeper’s warning echoed in her brain. He was in a bad mood. She stayed quiet, waiting for him to speak.

  His dark eyes glittered, and the scowl on his lips turned into a horizontal line. “What took you so long?”

  Kate stepped back as he advanced, remembering their last encounter. The spot on her scalp he cut had since scabbed over, but it was still sensitive. She fought back the urge to reach up and rub it. “I’m sorry,” she apologized in her meekest voice. “I spent a few extra minutes checking to make sure my wardrobe was perfect.” She smiled timidly, fighting down the bile that rose in her throat. She had to keep up the act; her life might very well depend on it. Given his current mood, there was no telling what he’d do to her if she pissed him off. Her voice, when she found it, came out a hoarse croak. “I know you guest is important, so I made sure I’d be dressed appropriately for the occasion.”