Identity

by K. J. Cazel

  “I’m not interested in any story. I want to know your involvement with human trafficking and the disappearance of my sister, Ginny.”

  “As I said, l will tell you a story. You are a guest in my home and I am sure you will find it quite interesting.”

  As if on cue, a tall striking beautiful blond entered the room. She was well dressed in slacks and sweater. With her height she didn’t need to be wearing high heels.

  “Detective Cassell let me introduce you to my wife, Marina.”

  As Tom stood up and extended his hand to Marina, he noticed that on the underside of her right wrist was a familiar tattoo. Rizzo was quite aware that Tom noticed the tattoo.

  “Marina would you see if our daughter is awake.”

  Tom could see that his wife recognized her dismissal from her husband. Tom returned to his chair.

  “Yes, you are correct in your suspicions Detective Cassell. My wife was once an employee of mine. But, then that is another story.

  “Let me now tell you my story. I was the oldest of three boys brought up in the low-rent district of Rome. Our home was like many in the district. It was a small one-bedroom with too many people living in a small space. My father, I did not know well. He died of the drink several years after my youngest brother was born. My mother was a housekeeper for a downtown hotel. There were many hours when she was not home and it was my responsibility to watch over my brothers.

  “When my mother died of pneumonia, I had to find a way to support my brothers. It was easy to enter the drug trade. Although I did not take drugs myself, I knew it was a self-destructive habit. It would be necessary to find an alternate business to provided my brothers and me a reasonable living. I had a girlfriend who would do anything for me. I took advantage of her talents. I knew then what one could do when you could control your customers and, ultimately, their wallets. I believe that gives you a general background of business activities.

  “My younger brother, Michael, had his issues. Although he was only eighteen years old, it was quite obvious that he would not survive in a country that does not recognize his sexual preference. I arranged for him to go to the United States where he could get a good education. He was never involved in my business, but because of my business I met Rodney Williams, which ultimately resulted in Michael’s death.

  “Sergio is my youngest brother. He was twelve years my junior. I tried to get him interested in going to the university. He rebelled. He wanted to be part of my business. I was opening up new offices throughout the United States and my business in New York was growing steadily so I sent him there to work under my agent. After two years, he requested his own operation. Chicago was on my list of possible locations, so I decided to open an operation there. Sergio has a bad fault. He always believes he is better than anyone else…even me. He decided to strike out on his own. He knew my history and he decided to mimic it. I believe that may be where your sister may have entered his life.

  “Now, I am unaware of where Sergio is. I have many associates throughout Europe but my contacts in the United States are limited. I do know he left Chicago and went to Las Vegas. Since that time I have not had any contact with my brother. I have no knowledge where your sister may be.

  “Have I helped you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you have any other questions?”

  “Could you tell why some of your Chicago employees are turning up dead?”

  “Detective Cassell, it is purely a business issue. I don’t believe I have to give you any answers to your questions. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe my chauffeur is ready to bring you back to Rome.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  It was early Sunday morning when Tom arrived at the International Terminal at O’Hare. Even at this early hour, passengers were arriving from all over the globe and going through customs. Tom could tell that besides being tired, many were anxious that a purchase they hadn’t declared would be found in their baggage.

  Although Tom had slept on the plane, he still had a feeling of exhaustion. He went to the car park and drove the Kennedy Expressway back to the city

  ***

  When Tom arrived at the precinct, Steve was already there. Steve’s greeting was overpowering as he embraced him like a long lost friend.

  “Hey, I wasn’t gone that long.”

  “No, but this means I don’t have to partner with Sloan.”

  “Yea, I am sorry about that. Anything new from vice?”

  “I’ll tell me yours, if you tell me yours first.”

  “There isn’t much more to tell. Rizzo, I am sure knows where his brother, Sergio, is. I‘m pretty sure Ginny is with him. Rizzo wasn’t going to tell a Chicago detective that information. When Sergio left Chicago, Rizzo indicated that he went to Vegas. That will be my next designation.”

  “Don’t tell me your leaving again?”

  “No. This is going to take some time. I’ll contact the authorities there first to see if they have any arrest records for either Sergio or Ginny. If I’m lucky one of the detective there can also search the hospital records and see if Ginny was ever admitted. That beating she took from Williams was bad. If not, it is going to be feet on the ground.”

  “And, exactly when do you plan on doing that?”

  “I’ll work it in between shift changes. Believe me, the less time I spend in Vegas the better. Now what do you have to tell me?”

  “Vice is familiar with ‘Apollo.’ Although they know of its existence, they don’t have any definitive information about its organization. They’re sure their client list is well-connected; and we would be surprised who uses their services — both men and women.”

  “I have to speak to the Captain to tell him what I found out in Italy. Too bad we couldn’t get the extradition of Naldo Rizzo.”

  A short time later, Tom came back to the squad room after meeting with the Captain. Steve could see the frustrated look in Tom’s eyes.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really. The short of it is that we’re going to let the two dead women’s case go cold. Vice is right…someone is very well connected.”

  ***

  Both men continued working at their desk. Steve was going over the cases that he and Sloan worked on. Tom was making several calls to the Las Vegas police department to see if someone there could do some advance work before his visit.

  At 3:45 Steve’s phone rang. Tom looked up to see if he should be concerned as their shift was almost over. He picked up the responses Steve made to the caller and identified that Carole was relaying some message regarding Sarah. As soon as Steve hung up, Tom questioned Steve.

  “So what’s up?”

  “Another body.”

  “It seems that the people who bought Sarah’s property decided to clear the small forest at the property line. They thought it would be a good place for a tennis court. When the contractors started removing the trees they discovered a body. What’s left of the remains have been transported to the Lake County Coroner’s office. Sarah has been contacted. She thinks it could be her missing housekeeper.”

  “Damn.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

  After receiving Sarah’s call, Carole grabbed a cab and met Sarah at her office. When she arrived, it was past 5:00 and the building was empty except for the security guard and a few hanger-ons.

  A short elevator ride to the tenth floor brought Carole to Sarah’s office door. She stood for a few seconds and watched, as it appeared that Sarah was going over some paperwork. From Sarah’s action, Carole could tell that it was more of a shuffling of paperwork than something Sarah was actively involved with.

  “Hi girlfriend.”

  “Oh, Carole, I am so glad you could come. I just can’t seem to get my head wrapped around the news.”

  “Let’s grab a cab. You’re staying at my place tonight. I am sure the press are going to be outside Trump Tower as soon as they get a whiff of your relationship to the victim.”

  “I don’t
know. Maybe I should go home.”

  “It’s best that you be with friends. Steve and Tom will meet us there. Steve is bringing Chinese. We can all sit down like old time.”

  “I should stop at my apartment and get some things.”

  “Let’s hurry. We have to get in and out before the press get there.”

  ***

  As Sarah and Carole were leaving Trump Tower, they could see the various news vans maneuvering through the rush hour traffic down Wabash Avenue. It would be just a few minutes before the pulled in front of Trump Tower.

  ***

  Steve and Tom arrived shortly after 6:00 p.m. When then entered, Steve gave Carole as kiss on the cheek. Both men then automatically took off their jackets and hung them on the peg coat rack by the door. Tom entered the living room first. He could see Sarah curled up in the big armchair. It reminded him of the first time he saw Sarah outside the hospital environment.

  Carole called everyone to the dining room. “Come on in and let’s eat, I’m starved.”

  Steve, being familiar with Carole’s house, went to the kitchen to get some wine from the refrigerator. Carole had already set the table for dinner.

  Everyone took their seats and without comment started opening the different containers containing the Chinese meal. At last, the conversation started.

  “Sarah, what did the Lake County Sheriff’s Department say when they contacted you?” Tom asked.

  “They wanted to know if I had any idea who the victim was. The only person I could think of was Helena. I hadn’t heard from her and that didn’t seem right. I gave them Dr. Lombardi’s name since he was Helena’s dentist too.”

  “Did they say when they would get back to you?” Tom asked.

  “Not really. But I hope it’s soon. If it is Helena, I’ll take care of the funeral arrangements.”

  Carole interrupted Sarah, “Have the new owners of the property contacted you?”

  “No, but I am sure they will. If not them, their lawyer.”

  “Why would their lawyer contact you?”

  “I might be guessing, but they may feel I perpetrated fraud of some type.”

  Carole questioned back, “If that happens, what then?”

  “I gave it some thought after the initial call from the police. I believe if there is a problem, I’ll just offer to buy the property back and turn into some type of park.”

  The four returned to their meal, contemplating what Sarah had said. Carole wishing to keep the conversation going asked Tom, “Steve said you took a trip to Rome last week. Did you find what you were looking for?”

  With a questioning look, Sarah eyes turned to Tom.

  “Well, I thought I would question Naldo Rizzo while he still was in custody. To my surprise, he had been released.”

  “Released?” Sarah asked.

  “Apparently, the evidence they had about his human trafficking wasn’t substantial for an Italian court.”

  “But, what about the murders? I mean the woman he had impersonate me for Rodney?”

  “There are a lot of unanswered questions about Mr. Rizzo, but I’m afraid we aren’t going to get any answers in connection with him murdering Rodney. The extradition is costly. If he isn’t in custody in Italy, that would even make it harder.”

  “So he gets off free?” Sarah asked.

  “Unless he comes to the states and turns himself in.”

  Carole kept questioning Tom. “Did you find out anything about your sister, Ginny?”

  “I did meet Rizzo in a palatial home. He told me that she probably left Chicago to go to Vegas with his brother, Sergio. He said he didn’t know where they are now.”

  “Now what?” Carole asked.

  “I’ve contacted the Vegas police to see if they have something on Sergio or Ginny. Haven’t heard anything back yet. I plan to be out there next Friday afternoon to see what I can find.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

  Tom’s plane touched down at 7:07 p.m. at McCarren International Airport. Tom immediately took off his jacket as he departed the plane with his carry on. A warm humid breeze caused him to take a deep breath to acclimate to the change from the airplane’s cabin.

  Once outside the terminal, Tom directed the taxi to take him to the Best Western Hotel. When he met with local law enforcement, he wanted them to see that he was one of them, not just a high roller, but also a man on a mission. After checking in, he took another taxi to the Metro Police Department on Stewart Avenue. Upon entering the station, he asked for the Missing Person Division. The officer on duty directed Tom down the corridor on the left; he would see the sign on the door. Tom followed the directions and entered the office where several women officers were working at their computers. A middle-aged uniformed brunette got up from her station and greeted Tom.

  “How can I help you?”

  “I’m Detective Tom Cassell from the Chicago Police Department. I called last week to see if you had any information regarding Ginny Cassell or Sergio Rizzo.”

  The officer returned to her desk and checked through the various files. She returned to Tom at the counter. “I’m sorry we have no record on either party. No arrests; or information from the hospitals either. I’m sorry.”

  “Damn. I’m going to be in town tonight and Saturday, flying out on Sunday. Do you mind if I check around?”

  “Not at all. Just don’t cause any trouble.” She gave a light laugh.

  It was still early in the evening so Tom walked over to the Main Street hotels and casinos to start his inquiries. Three hours later, he knew that Sergio and Ginny had not conducted business on this side of town. He grabbed a taxi to take him back to his hotel. Tomorrow was another day.

  Saturday morning Tom slept in until 9:00 a.m. For him that was late since he knew he had a lot of hotels to check out. After having breakfast, he started on the West side of the street with the Luxor Hotel. As he entered the hotel he marveled how the designers brought the Egyptian theme to life. At the front desk he introduced himself and took a picture of Ginny out of his polo shirt pocket. As more of a courtesy, the clerk took the photo out of Tom’s hand and studied it. “I’m sorry I don’t recognize her.” He then showed it to the other clerks. From their negative responses, Tom knew this was the first of many strikeouts. Tom took the picture back from the clerk, thanked him and left the hotel.

  Tom crossed the street and entered the MGM Grand. This lobby was another spectacular scene. Tom repeated the scenario from the Luxor and yielded the same results. He moved on and entered the New York New York Hotel and Casino. The scent of the various New York style restaurants overwhelmed him. He knew that when he was finished checking with the reservation desk, his appetite would be sated by one of New York vendors.

  As Tom ate his Broadway Burger he watched the various patrons as they entered the hotel. Each one seemed to have a different agenda, some went directly for the food while others entered the casino.

  After his meal, Tom continued walking up Las Vegas Boulevard. The sun reflected off the buildings causing the temperature to rise. Tom could feel little beads of sweat on his forehead. He made a right onto Second Street and entered the Imperial Hotel and Casino. Two men were standing at attention ready to welcome guests. Tom introduced himself, similarly as he had done at the other hotels. He then produced his picture of Ginny. When the clerk took the picture and studied it, Tom could see from his facial expression that he recognized her. The clerk showed the picture to the man standing next to him who wore a security badge on his blue shirt. The man took the picture from the clerk. “I think you should talk to Chief Security Officer, Nolan. His shift begins at five.” The security officer returned the picture to Tom. Tom thanked the two men and said he would be back at five to speak to Nolan.

  Tom crossed the street and went back to his hotel to grab a few hours of sleep. He entered his room and could see that housekeeping had been there and had opened the curtains. The room was cool compared to the outside temperature. Tom knew his internal clock was con
fused with all these recent time changes, but he had to try to catch some Zs. He closed the curtain, set the alarm for 4:00 p.m. and lay down on the bed. He was fast asleep in minutes. At four the alarm went off and startled Tom. He couldn’t believe that he was in such a deep sleep. He didn’t wish to miss his opportunity to speak to Nolan. He changed his shirt and left the room.

  Although Tom had been a detective for the past eight years, he still felt some anticipation about his meeting with Nolan. This may be the closest he’s been to Ginny in the past three years. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll be lucky and find her on this trip. He entered the Imperial Hotel and took a seat in the lobby to wait for an opportunity to meet with Nolan. At five, Tom watched the lobby. Nolan was late. At 5:10 p.m. a six-foot brawny man in a tight blue security shirt entered the lobby from the back area of the hotel. Tom got up and approached Nolan. “Mr. Nolan, I’m Tom Cassell from the Chicago Police Department. I’d like a minute of your time if that’s okay.”

  Not being pre-warned, Nolan innocently replied, “Sure. How can I help you?”

  Tom took the picture of Ginny from his pocket and presented it to Nolan. He could see from Nolan’s expression that he recognized Ginny. “Is she in some sort of trouble?”

  “No. This is my sister and she became involved with a seedy character and I’m trying to find her.”

  “I think you and I should have a talk, but not here. Meet me at the coffee shop at 2:00 a.m. after my shift.”

  “Gladly.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

  Tom was not a gambler so Las Vegas was a city that didn’t excite him. He had eight hours to past the time before meeting with Nolan. He left the Imperial Hotel and walked back to Las Vegas Boulevard.

  While walking down the street, he was surprised how many foreign languages he heard. He continued his walk until he stopped in front of the Bellagio Hotel. As the music played, he along with dozens of others, watched as the water fountains danced. Tom watched in fascination for almost a half hour.