The Gypsy Queen: A Matt Preston Novel (Matt Preston Series Book 3)

by Paul Shadinger

  “Shit, I didn’t even know he knew any pussy. I thought he was just a sissy boy. So what’s this girly’s name?”

  “I don’t want to be secretive, but it’s something I need to discuss with Mr. Sangiovanni alone.”

  The room grew very still and suddenly the silly grin was gone from Peppers’ face. “Well, bucko, either you tell me who the chick is or this conversation is over right now.”

  I waited for a bit and asked, “If I tell you her name, then you will tell me where to find Lou Sangiovanni?”

  Peppers waited a moment and nodded his head. “Yeah, that and you give me a hundred bucks. Fair?”

  “It’s a deal. Her name is Melissa Herman. Where is Sangiovanni?”

  “He’s dead! Now give me my hundred bucks.”

  “Show me proof he’s dead and I’ll give you two hundred bucks.”

  “For real?”

  “For real,” I assured him.

  “I know who kilt him.”

  “And who was that?” I was starting to think I was not going to like the answer.

  “Me. He robbed a bank and hid the money. He had two partners who wanted their share and he went to prison rather than share with them. He was originally gonna’ give me some of the money for protecting him. When we got to the money it was gone. I guess I kinda’ lost it and I shot him.” This was news I didn’t want to hear. I wondered if this meant I would have to find Ilox again to get more information.

  “I want to see the body or some proof he is dead.”

  “Give me the two hundred bucks and I’ll take you to the Herman woman.”

  “You know where she is?”

  “Sure.”

  I could tell by the way he said it he was lying. “I’m afraid I don’t believe you.” I noticed Rodger was slowly moving his hand across the top of the couch and then let it casually fall off the edge. I slipped my hand inside of my jacket and put my hand on my pistol. As Peppers’ hand started to move I pulled out my pistol and shot the arm that was lying on top of the couch. He screamed as he threw himself on the floor. I must have nicked something important because the blood was bright red and there was a lot of it pouring out of his arm.

  “You fucker, you shot me.” I stepped over his prone body and looked behind the couch. There was a pocket sewn on the back and there were two guns in the pocket. I removed both of them and put them in my waistband. “I’m bleeding here. You gotta’ help me, man.”

  “Why? You were going to shoot me.”

  “Naw, I just wanted to scare you. I wanted you give me some money.”

  “Do you know where Melissa’s hiding?” He just lay on the floor glaring up at me. I kicked him in the foot and asked him again. He shook his head. “Why did you say you did?”

  “I need some money. My check doesn’t come for a few days.”

  I pointed at the large stash of smoke siting on the table. “But you have enough to buy weed.”

  “That was owed to me. That’s from an old favor.” I didn’t believe him.

  “Did you really kill Sangiovanni?” He grunted. I started to stand and head to the door. He moaned a little. “And you have no idea where to find Melissa Herman?”

  “Maybe.” He moaned a bit more.

  “What do you mean maybe? Since I already shot you once, I have no problem shooting you again. Tell me what you know about the her.”

  “Man, I’m bleeding here. You gotta’ get me some medical help. I’m gonna’ bleed to death.”

  I glanced around the room and saw a wadded up towel lying on the kitchen table. I went over to it and picked it up and tossed it to Peppers. “Here, wrap that around your arm. When we finish I’ll call for a medic for you. Now, what do you know about her?”

  Peppers wrapped the towel as best as he could around his arm and held it tight to his body. He leaned back on the couch and moaned again. He looked over at me and snarled, “Why should I help you? You come in here and shoot me and then want me to tell you what I know.”

  I stood up and headed to the open door. He called to me and I kept going. Finally, he shouted out for me to stop and I turned back and looked at him. “Well, are you going to tell me what you know?”

  “One night when we were still in the pen, Lou started to talk about his life outside. He mentioned he’d worked with computers a lot. He started to tell me about this chick he knew who was supposed to be amazing when it came to that kind of stuff. He said that she was a genius at hacking into any system. They called her the Gypsy Queen. The really strange thing was this chick wasn’t exactly a LA ten for looks. But, she’d always treated him well and he liked her. He said that she lived around here. Actually, a bit north of here in a town called Punta Gorda. I think he gave her the money from the heist and he was trying to protect her. I guess I shouldn’t have shot him. Anyway, you promised me you’d call for a medic.”

  As I drove away from Paradise Estates, I called for medics and then I also put in a call to the local sheriff. I was sure having two bags of smoke on his coffee table would be a bit difficult for ex-con Roger Peppers to explain, and I didn’t want to run into him again while I was trying to find Melissa.

  Damn, now I had to contact Ilox again. Not a happy thought.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Because Mouse’s warning had been so strong, I decided I’d start with him to see what he might be able to get out of Ilox. It was obvious Mouse had caller ID as he answered, “Matt, how are you doing?”

  “I’m doing well, but I have a problem.”

  “Okay, you know you only have to ask and I’m ready to help.”

  “I need to see Ilox again.” I heard him take a sharp breath.

  “Matt, oh Matt. Is there no other way to get what you need?” Mouse asked.

  “It’s about Melissa Herman. Unless you know where she is, I have to see him. I think he actually knows where she is, but he sent me on a wild goose chase and the person he told me to talk to is dead. I don’t understand the game he’s playing with me, but I’m back to square one. The only source for the information I need is Ilox. Can you set up a meeting with him for me?”

  I heard a deep sigh. “Matt, give me a few minutes. Let me see what I can do. Will you trust me?”

  “Do I have another choice?” I laughed as I said it.

  “Actually, no! Now stay put!” And the phone went dead in my hand.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  I was pleasantly surprised when my cell started to ring less than fifteen minutes later. It was Mouse and he had good news. “You’re to call Ilox on the phone. Don’t go out to his place, just call him. He expects you to call him at eight. He apologized for the problems you had with his lead. He had no idea that Peppers had killed Lou. He just wants to stay out of the whole mess, but still help you. I think he’s a little afraid of MacDonald.”

  I paused a moment, then asked, “You know MacDonald is dead? Why didn’t you tell Ilox?”

  “Oh yes, I know all about MacDonald. You know, it was too bad about the way the helicopter exploded that way. Almost like somebody knew when it was going to land and when to detonate the bomb on board.”

  My mind flashed to the night I’d spent wandering my apartment after I’d watched CV’s bird explode. Among all the nightmares I’d had that night, I remembered one dream where I’d had a box in my hand waiting for MacDonald to arrive, and then I could push the button on the transmitter to blow it out of the skies. Was Mouse telling me he had something to do with MacDonald’s death? What did he mean about detonating the bomb on the plane?

  “Mouse, are you trying to tell me something here? Do you know something about that bird exploding as it was landing?”

  “Matt, I would have thought by now you know you should never ask me a direct question.” He paused, “However, I’d heard from mutual friends you might be having a problem shooting somebody in cold blood. You did me a good tur
n when you helped me get Jade back. I’ve also had issues with MacDonald. It’s not a good idea to try and have a United States senator assassinated. Doing things like that can have far reaching effects. Dealing with CV MacDonald seemed like a good solution for all of us in this fiasco if I… well, say I stirred that pot.” I heard him make a sound something between a chuckle and a laugh. “Anyway, let’s just say I nudged a few things to help move along MacDonald’s exit from this stage. Mind you, I’m admitting to nothing. As for telling Ilox that MacDonald is dead, never give anything away for free if you can help it. Especially in my business.” I heard Mouse laughing.

  “And when I came and got that rifle to shoot MacDonald, you never said a word to me. Why?”

  “I believe the admiral explained all of that to you.”

  “Ah ha… so I was plan B for you as well?”

  “What needed to happen was too important not to have some sort of a backup plan. Both Orchard and I wanted boots on the ground. We wanted somebody there we could totally trust. We knew the parties who were responsible for the hit, but we wanted somebody there who would take care of any unforeseen details should they arise. Yes, you were used in a way. But the outcome benefitted you as well as the rest of us. All of us needed for this to happen. Right?”

  “Yes, Mouse. And thanks for your help with Ilox. I owe you for this.”

  “No, you don’t. The only payment I expect is for you to stay away from Ilox. We go way back and I can’t begin to tell you how little I trust him. I hate this saying, but, it is what it is.” Mouse gave another bark-like laugh and hung up.

  I don’t know how long I just sat there reflecting on the phone call that just took place. Had I really just been told that between Mouse and John Orchard, a four star general had been blown out of the skies in a helicopter? I wondered how much Albert Bradson A really knew about the whole affair. Who had told Mouse I was having difficulties with the idea of a cold-blooded murder of MacDonald? I also realized these were questions I probably would never have an answer to. I’d always thought as we aged the answers to life’s questions would be revealed. I never thought the questions would just keep piling up. I wondered who the hell set things up that way. Like the youth of today are so fond of saying, Whatever!

  I looked at my watch and noted how long I had to wait before I could call Ilox. I sure wished time would speed up a little. My little brain hurt from all this deep thought and I wanted to move on.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  At precisely at 8 PM, I was dialing Ilox. Because his phone only rang once, my guess was he had his phone in his hand ready to answer. “Preston?”

  “Yes sir.” I just couldn’t help it. Mama Preston raised her kids to be polite, even if the person is of questionable character.

  “Listen to me. There’s a restaurant in Cape Coral, that’s the next town west of North Fort Myers where you found me. The restaurant is called Chop Stick Taco.” I almost blurted out, “You gotta’ be shitting me?” But I didn’t. It wasn’t easy, but I didn’t!

  “Be there tomorrow morning at eleven. I don’t know the address, you’ll have to get it. You are to be sitting at the…” Ilox went on to explain what table I was to be sitting at and at what position at the table I was to be. He went on to say if Melissa felt comfortable, she would approach me. No matter what, I was not to make the first move.

  “What if there’s somebody else sitting at that table?” I asked.

  In a rather surly tone Ilox replied, “Well you’d better make damn sure there’s nobody but you at the table! Right?”

  “Yes sir!” There it was again, I just couldn’t help myself. I explained how Johnny A would contact him, and they could set up how Ilox was going to secure the papers he needed to become legal in the States.

  Just as I was about to hang up I heard him call out, “Wait a moment, are you still there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did Mouse tell you when he called me, the two of us had a long talk?” he asked.

  I did not confirm, or deny what I knew about Mouse and him. “Oh, and what did you two talk about?” This was interesting.

  “I still wanted to make sure about you.”

  Another piece of interesting news. “And how do you feel about me now?”

  “A lot like Mouse does. I just wanted you to know if you’re ever down here again and need help, I want you to consider me a resource. I will not explain how or why about Mouse, but I trust him just about as much as I do Bill Richardson and I understand you are aware Bill saved me from a firing squad. Mouse seems to believe you’re beyond anybody he has known for a long time. He wouldn’t tell me exactly what you did for him, but said he was very grateful and entirely impressed with you. Keep me in mind if you have a problem in the future. Goodbye.”

  The phone went dead in my hand. I have no idea what my face looked like, but I felt surprised and totally dumfounded with Ilox’s comment.

  Ilox had told me where to be tomorrow. I just hoped he wasn’t setting me up again. I had to believe Mouse might know a lot more about Ilox than I thought.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  When I first got to the restaurant, I was the only customer there. I went directly to the restroom, looked around and then came out and checked out the rest of the place. I wanted to know every way in and out. Since I didn’t want to look out of place as I waited, I ordered a soft taco. Their menu was half Asian and half Tex-Mex. I thought it seemed strange, but still looked like an interesting combination of foods.

  I’d finished my taco and I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t half bad. About ten minutes after our appointed time, I watched a young woman come into the restaurant and look around. Her eyes settled on me and she walked up to my table. Standing across from me, she asked, “Are you Matt Preston?”

  I stood. “Yes. Please sit down, Melissa.” She looked around the room again and then we both sat down.

  I had no idea what to expect. When Ralph first asked me to find Melissa, the way he waxed so eloquent about her, in my mind’s eye I was envisioning some super sexy woman who was top heavy and oozed sexual, sensual energy. I know part of my fantasy resulted because of Ralph and his love life. All of this played a large part in my mental image of Melissa.

  Looking at the young woman sitting across the table in front of me, I must admit, I was a bit underwhelmed. And I know that’s not fair either. It wasn’t that Melissa wasn’t attractive, because actually, she was. And from what I could tell, she was trim and shapely, and even though her blouse didn’t reveal much from a casual observation, I knew she was not the type, or size, or anything like what Ralph normally went for.

  Her eyes were an interesting shade of blue/green with gold flecks and her face was appealing in a wholesome way. Her glasses were thick enough I could tell she probably had to wear them all the time. Her hair was what I believe is called dishwater blond and she wore it cut short and in an attractive style. If you saw her in a crowd, she wouldn’t have really stood out. I reminded myself I was looking at the Gypsy Queen, a person with an international reputation. I didn’t think she looked like a hacker, but then I had no idea what a hacker was supposed to look like. And looking at the young lady, I had no idea why Ralph was so over the top about her. I’d seen him with far more attractive and sensual women, but then I hadn’t spent three days with her in a hotel room in Orlando either and I was judging her on looks only. I was sure she was amazingly talented on a computer and as for Ralph’s interest, I could only imagine.

  I could see she was frightened. I tried to reassure her she was safe with me and I really had only her best interests in mind. I ended with, “Thank you for trusting me enough to come and see me.”

  “I talked to Ilox. He said he trusted you. I came because he said you can help me. How… what can you do?”

  “Without going into detail, I’ve done things in my past and I have the trust of several important people.
One of them is John Orchard.” Her eyes grew wide and as she pulled back, I could tell my relationship with John seemed to frighten her. “I see you’re afraid of Orchard. Why?”

  “I’ve been told he’s a bad person. He was the one who was behind what I was doing back at the awful place. It was his doing we were involved in that project. I’ve also been told he’s trying to have me killed.”

  “And you were told this by a General MacDonald?” She agreed. “MacDonald lied, he was behind all of this. By the way, he’s been taken care of.”

  Melissa drew back and her eyes opened wider. “Killed?”

  “Not by me! I don’t know if you know this, but Jack Roberts was in the same helicopter as MacDonald. Both of them are dead, and I believe the program was also onboard when the bird exploded.” She seemed to relax a little. “I’m telling you MacDonald was Jack Roberts’ boss, not Orchard. MacDonald also gave orders to have me killed along with Orchard and several others. Not to frighten you, but you also were supposed to have been terminated. There are a lot of bodies directly attributed to him. I knew of him back in Nam and even then, he was a scary person.”

  Now Melissa leaned back and I thought it was a sign showing me she was getting more comfortable.

  “Okay, let’s say I believe you. What are you going to do next?”

  “Before we get into that,” I asked, “why did you flee to Florida?”

  “It’s where I’m originally from. I know this area well and also most of the islands. Plus, Ilox has several places for me to hide.” She sat for a moment staring at me. “I assumed you were so intent on finding me because of Admiral Orchard. Now I feel that might not be the case. You found me, what are you going to do now?” Her tone was a little combative.

  I wondered what my next move was going to be. I looked up and watched two men come in and from their apparel they appeared to be some type of construction workers. I watched them step up to the counter and order and then turned back to Melissa.