Death in Nostalgia City

by Mark S. Bacon

“Hmm?”

  “You ought to cut yourself some slack. Look at all the things that have happened in your life in the last year--in the last two weeks. You’d score really high on those stress quizzes you see in magazines.”

  “Enough for a rubber room?”

  “I’m serious, Lyle. Give yourself a break.”

  He started to make a remark. Instead, he put his arm around Kate’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “Thanks.”

  They meandered back to the center of Quincy Market and paused to watch jugglers perform in the sunny square. As he stood there, an idea jumped into his head, like the juggler’s ball flying through the air. The idea might not work, and it could be dangerous--it would be dangerous. But with luck, he and Kate could pull it off and be back in Arizona with the evidence to convict Bedrosian and Renke and put FedPat out of business.

  Chapter 50

  Kate woke up Sunday morning in her apartment, wishing Lyle was closer by. He had calmed down on Saturday and she had seen a Lyle who was more like the man she’d met when she first started at NC and less like the frantic person who threw around accusations. After a week pretending to be Jennifer Norris, she had unwound, too. A surprisingly enjoyable afternoon, Kate thought, considering their unfinished business.

  She called Bruce several times during the evening, the last time just before she went to sleep. It was early Las Vegas time, but her conversations were only with Bruce’s voicemail. If Bruce wanted to talk to her now--he had the number.

  Kate stretched and welcomed the sun that was streaming in through the window. She knew she’d have to fly back to Arizona, but the day before, an idea had come to her. She’d thought about it as she fell asleep. Everything she’d learned about FedPat would help her pull it off. It might not be possible, but if it were, their case against FedPat would be tight as a straitjacket.

  ***

  “Okay, Lyle. You go first,” she said later in the morning when her espionage partner came over to tell her he had an idea.

  They were sitting in the dining area of her extended-stay suite.

  “Let’s look at what we know--what we can prove,” Lyle said. “NC’s been sabotaged. An Arizona ex-con with a history of violence is working with Topaz. Topaz and its president, Joe Renke, also have a history of violence. Jason Bedrosian hired Renke. Bedrosian told Kevin Waterman that after one more accident, he’d take over the park. Then Bedrosian threatened Max and tried to buy him out. It sounds convincing to us, but it’s all circumstantial. If that idiot Bates had been able to find any evidence--fingerprints or whatever--then we could have connected Renke to the park.”

  Kate nodded. She’d had the same thoughts, but this time she was more convinced than Lyle that the evidence was compelling.

  “So, to really wrap up the case,” Lyle continued, “and stop the sabotage, we need to get someone to confess. Fat chance of that, right? What’s the next best thing?”

  “We trick someone into telling us the whole story?”

  “Hold on. Listen to my idea.”

  “Okay,” Kate said. “Go ahead.”

  “We trick someone into telling us the whole story.”

  Kate laughed. “Joe Renke, right?”

  “He’s the only one in town--we hope he’s in town.”

  “So I think you should tape him while I try to pull the secrets out of him,” she said.

  “And how are you going to do that?”

  “With finesse and subtlety.”

  “I don’t think Renke does subtlety.”

  “Well then, maybe I’ll try...getting to know him.”

  “Too dangerous. Besides, you’re the FedPat employee. You have to introduce him to me.”

  “But I don’t know him.”

  “You will. We both will, if we’re lucky.”

  Lyle opened up the box he brought with him and pulled out a small desk calculator. “I don’t know if Travis showed you any of this, but this little gem here works perfectly.” He added two plus two. The display read: Four. “Who says I can’t do math? This device is also a microphone and transmitter. We set this on the desk, like so, and you can be in the next room recording everything. We could just use a miniature recorder instead, but this way you can listen and be a backup witness as it happens.”

  “How are you going to get Renke to--as they say--spill it?”

  “I’m smarter than he is,” Lyle said.

  “I suspect that’s not a difficult statement to make.”

  “Let’s not underestimate him. This is not going to be easy.” He pulled out a small receiver and digital recorder and started to show Kate how they worked.

  “I think I can figure it out,” she said defensively. “I had to disconnect our recorder on Kevin’s phone line.”

  “You did? Why?”

  “Max ordered Bates to do a sweep of the building looking for bugs. Don’t worry. They didn’t find it. And when they were done, I hooked it back up. We’re still recording.”

  ***

  They spent the rest of the afternoon hashing out their plan, playing devil’s advocate until they thought they’d covered every dire possibility.

  “Once we get the evidence, we’ll have to move fast,” Lyle said after they’d killed their second pot of coffee.

  “We head for home?”

  “Yes. But if we get Renke to cop to everything, we could talk to Boston PD first.”

  “Max’ll want us back there.”

  “Speaking of Max...”

  “I know. It’s time to give him an update. Here.” She handed him her cell phone. “Why don’t you call him? You were supposed to be keeping in touch with him, anyway.”

  “Guess he didn’t fire me.”

  “Ask him and see.”

  Lyle took the cell phone and pretended to fiddle with a knob. “Open channel D,” he said with a smirk.

  “That’s not Star Trek, is it?”

  “Heck no. It’s from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

  “The what?”

  “A spy program on TV.”

  “Lyle, you know way too much trivia.”

  “No kidding. I can’t get it out of my head. I can’t remember the license plate on my cab, but I can remember who played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies.”

  “Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

  Chapter 51

  Kate was at her FedPat cubicle early Monday morning. She’d rehearsed the call as she drove to work. She used the phone on her desk.

  If Renke had caller ID, he’d see she was calling from FedPat.

  “Is Mr. Renke in?” She took a breath and hoped.

  “Who shall I say is calling?”

  Kate was relieved but excited. She reminded herself that the feeling was excitement--nothing more--and she waited for Renke to come on the line.

  “Mr. Renke? This is Jennifer Norris with FedPat. I’m calling for Mr. Rich Kovak. He’d like to see you this morning. As soon as possible.”

  “This morning?”

  “I know it’s short notice, but he said it was urgent.”

  “I’ve heard of Mr. Kovak, but I don’t know him.”

  That was just what Kate was waiting to hear. Renke didn’t know Kovak. “He’s executive vice president for Peabody operations.” She tried to put a touch of arrogance into her voice as if she wouldn’t even be making a call for someone lower than executive VP.

  “Can you tell me what it’s about?” Renke sounded annoyed.

  “He didn’t say. He just said to tell you Mr. Bedrosian told him to set up the meeting.”

  “Bedrosian, huh? All right. I can be there about 10 o’clock. That okay?”

  “That’ll be fine. Mr. Kovak’s office can be difficult to find. Just come to the Special Investigations reception desk and someone will direct you.”

  When he hung up, Kate called Lyle. “It worked,” she said. “He’ll be here at ten.”

  “That’s great. On such short notice he won’t have time to think about it or try to check out Kovak.”


  “And if he tries to call Bedrosian, he won’t get him.”

  “So far, so good. Meet you there at 9:45. That’s cutting it close, but I don’t want to loiter in the office too long.”

  ***

  When Kate stepped out a side door to the office complex, Lyle was just getting out of his car. She smiled to herself as she watched him approach. He wore a gray suit and looked the part of a corporate executive but, for a split second, she imagined him with his cabbie hat perched on the back of his head.

  “Good timing,” she said. “We’re all set. I put the calculator on the table in Kovak’s office and I have the receiver set up in a conference room across the hall.”

  It was only about a thirty-five-yard walk, down a hallway and past a small cubicle maze, to get to Kovak’s office. As they passed a surveillance camera, Kate saw Lyle turn his head away. He looked uncomfortable.

  “There’s something I haven’t told you,” he said as they approached Kovak’s office.

  “Something I have to know, now?”

  “Renke saw me once.”

  “Where?”

  “FedPat elevator. Downtown.”

  Kate and Lyle reached Mary Fish’s desk and Kate led him through to Kovak’s office. She turned on the light and Lyle looked around the room. Kate told him the door at the back of the office led to a hallway. A round table sat in one corner, ringed by four chairs. Kate pointed to the calculator sitting on the table next to a stack of papers.

  “We should test the equipment before you go,” he said.

  “Okay. Give me a minute, then sit down and start mumbling to yourself.”

  “I’m good at that.”

  Kate walked across the corridor and into a seldom-used meeting room. At one end of a conference table, away from the door, she had her briefcase, a pad of paper, and a couple of files. The files were just for show. In the briefcase were the receiver and recorder. She held an earphone up to one ear, flipped on the receiver, and listened.

  Lyle, indeed, was mumbling, but the sound was as loud as if he were sitting next to her. Kate switched off the receiver, stepped across the hall, and leaned into the office. She gave Lyle a “thumbs-up” sign, started to leave, then paused. “If Renke remembers you, it’ll help. It makes sense you would be downtown sometimes.”

  Lyle nodded and waved a hand.

  Kate looked at her watch. Five minutes to go. She had to be at the reception desk before Renke arrived. She ducked out of Mary Fish’s office, grateful not to see anyone she knew, and headed toward reception. When she got there, she chatted with Rachel.

  In less than two minutes, a brawny man she’d never seen before entered the reception area. Kate had helped publicize many prizefights in Vegas and she knew a boxer’s nose when she saw one. In spite of his business suit, Kate could see he was powerfully built. Only her heels gave her a height advantage. He made no pretext about looking her over. Then he looked past Kate and spoke to Rachel. “I’m Renke. I’ve got an appointment with Rich Kovak.”

  “I’m not sure,” Rachel said. “I don’t know if--”

  “I can take you back,” Kate said. She looked at Rachel. “He’s here. I saw him.” She asked Renke to follow her.

  When they had taken a few steps down the hallway, Renke spoke. “Kovak’s not supposed to be here today. He was at a conference in Maine.”

  “Yes, I know.” Kate was startled but tried to sound only marginally interested. “There’s a management retreat every year.”

  “I called before I came over,” Renke said. “They told me Kovak was expected back this morning sometime.”

  Kovak coming back? Now what? Kate had but a few seconds to think. How could she warn Lyle about Kovak without alerting Renke? She decided she couldn’t. “Here’s the office,” she said.

  Renke stood in the doorway while Kate took two steps toward Lyle. He sat behind the desk holding a pen and looking busy.

  “Mr. Kovak, Mr. Renke is here to see you.”

  “Show him in.”

  Kate backed away as Lyle got up from behind his desk to shake Renke’s hand.

  “Why don’t we sit over here?” Lyle said, motioning toward the table and chairs. “It’s more comfortable.”

  Kate left the office and moved swiftly to the conference room. She clicked on the receiver and recorder then slid the briefcase and her papers to the other end of the table so she could see the entrance to Mary’s office. If Kovak showed up, she’d jump up and catch his attention, maybe lure him into the conference room. She’d think of something.

  When she picked up the earphone, she could hear Lyle talking.

  “I was at a retreat. I came back so I could talk to you about this.”

  “What’s the hurry?”

  “Well, Jason--Mr. Bedrosian--is concerned about the next steps you’re going to take at Nostalgia City. Wanted me to talk to you right away.”

  Kate waited, listening to the silence. Would Renke acknowledge Nostalgia City?

  Finally, he spoke. “I been working directly for Bedrosian. This is not just another company matter.”

  “I know,” Lyle said. “Obviously the fewer people involved, the better.”

  “I’ve only dealt with him. Now you’re telling me I’m working for you, too?”

  “Of course, you’re still working for him. He couldn’t get away, and he was concerned that someone go over the details with you once more, before it’s too late.”

  Kate could hear a trace of exasperation in Lyle’s last statement. He was applying just the right pressure to get Renke to open up. Again, silence.

  “Okay, we can go over this, but let’s get some coffee.”

  “Uh, sure.” Lyle’s voice lost a little of its assurance. “I’ll call Jennifer.”

  “No. I want some espresso. The espresso bar in the cafeteria here’s pretty good. We can talk over there.”

  “I suppose we can find a corner somewhere. We have to be careful.”

  It took Kate only a moment to realize Lyle probably didn’t know how to get to the employee cafeteria.

  Chapter 52

  Lyle stood up, wondering where in hell he was going to go. As he walked out of the office, he forced himself not to glance back at the calculator. Lyle had recognized Renke as the guy he’d seen with Art Jones. He motioned for Renke to lead the way, hoping he could simply follow. As they stepped into the hallway, Renke held back.

  Suddenly, Kate was right in front of them. She caught Lyle’s eye then looked to the right. Lyle took the hint and directed Renke down the hall.

  “Are you going for coffee?” she asked. “I’m going on break. I could bring you something from the cafeteria.”

  Renke was just ahead of Lyle. He didn’t turn around or respond to Kate’s offer.

  Lyle gave Kate a long look then shrugged. “Thanks. We’ll get it on our own.”

  Kate made brief eye contact with Lyle again then, swinging her briefcase, took brisk steps past Lyle and Renke. Lyle saw that she would lead him to the cafeteria.

  He didn’t realize until Kate led them the length of the building, then through one of the enclosed walkways, that the cafeteria was in the adjoining building. When they entered the cafeteria, they were greeted by an aroma like boiled chicken. Lyle figured he could find the way on his own, but then he saw the sprawling facility--a sea of tables and chairs, a serpentine buffet counter, and several service islands. Where was the coffee bar? Just follow Kate.

  She ordered plain coffee, nodded to Lyle and Renke, and then disappeared.

  “Nice ass,” Renke said.

  He ordered something that looked like motor oil. Lyle got a latte.

  Two dozen employees were scattered around the room talking and sipping coffee. Lyle saw an isolated table for two in front of a window. As he led the way, he wondered if Renke had insisted on the cafeteria because he was worried about being recorded. No way to tell. If Renke was nervous in Kovak’s office, maybe he’d loosen up in the cafeteria.

  When they were seated ac
ross the table from each other, Renke sat in silence. So much for loosening up. In the light from the window, Lyle took in Renke’s face. He’d seen the expression before: eyes that held, not defiance, just latent antagonism toward what, everything? Dense stubble darkened his heavy jaw. He probably needed a shave twenty minutes after he’d put down a razor. His lips were more insolent than Mick Jagger’s.

  “What you’ve done up to now at Nostalgia City has been okay,” Lyle ventured. “But we’re coming to a crucial decision soon. In other words, things are coming to a head.” Lyle sounded as wishy-washy as a bureaucrat, and he meant to. He didn’t want to lead Renke too much. A holdover from hearing defense attorneys cry entrapment. “We want to be careful.”

  “So what’s this have to do with wrecking the steam train?”

  “Steam train?”

  “Bedrosian said the new railroad would start this week.”

  “That’s the information we have.”

  “Well, I’m supposed to be ready to disable the train if necessary.”

  Lyle just stared.

  “Well, do you want us to stop it or not? Bedrosian said to be ready. Said he’d call us in Arizona if he wanted us to do it.”

  Lyle responded with the first thing he thought of. “We think it might be too dangerous now.”

  “Too dangerous?” Renke put his cup down on the table with a crack. “What is this shit? He didn’t think it was too dangerous when we trashed that monorail or the gas station.”

  Renke was talking too loud. Obviously, he had lost his apprehensions about discussing his dirty work. Lyle needed to keep him from alerting everyone in the cafeteria.

  “Keep it down will you.” As Lyle spoke, he noticed Renke had attracted the attention of a few men sitting several tables away. When one of the employees turned around, Lyle saw the familiar face of Strother Martin--the claims clerk. Did he recognize Lyle? Maybe not, but if Renke kept raising his voice...