Identity

by K. J. Cazel

  The sun was starting to set and there was a wind that carried a light mist from the fountain. As he walked eastward, he saw another crowd standing shoulder-to-shoulder watching the street show at the Treasure Island Hotel. Tom did not hesitate to watch too. He was impressed as to the talent of these performers and their ability to capture the crowd’s enthusiasm.

  When the performance ended, Tom drifted along with the crowd to the Circus Circus Hotel. He entered the casino area and watched as the aerial act performed with precision. He had one more stop before he would start back.

  The Venetian Hotel and Casino was just across the way. This hotel was a beehive of activity. Various chauffeur driven cars pulled up to the front driveway. Tom entered the main floor and marveled at the artwork on the wall and ceiling. He continued to scope out the building, He arrived at the Grand Canal with the authentic Venetian gondolas. Tom kept shaking his head in disbelief. All these visitors thought they were going to walk away from Las Vegas with more cash than they came in with. With these spectacular hotels, there is no way the “house” doesn’t win. After stopping at a street café to get a light dinner, Tom left the hotel and headed back east.

  It was nearing midnight by the Tom arrived in front of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Two more hours before meeting with Nolan, he decided to give in to a tourist attraction and bought a ticket to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The one-minute glass walled elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower gave him a birds-eye view of Las Vegas at night. From the observation deck, he enjoyed a panoramic scene of the colorful lights and landmarks of Vegas. From the top of the tower, his eyes could see Bellagio’s dancing fountains.

  At 1:30 a.m. Tom entered the small coffee shop down the street from the Imperial Hotel. He took a booth that was facing the door so he could see Nolan when he entered. He was impatient and kept checking his watch. At 2:15 Nolan entered the coffee shop and joined Tom in the booth. When Nolan sat down, a waitress came to the table with a coffee cup and pot of coffee. She greeted her familiar customer. “Hi, what kind of pie would you like tonight?”

  Nolan looked at the waitress and replied, “Peach.”

  Tom waited for the waitress to leave. “I’m glad you came.”

  “Well, you’re in luck. I almost didn’t come. What do you want to know?”

  “To start with, how do you know Ginny?”

  “I didn’t know her, but I did know her manager. His name was Sergio Rizzo.”

  “How did you become acquainted with him?”

  “He came to the hotel a few years ago. I was going through a divorce and needed the money. We worked out a deal.”

  “And Ginny?”

  “She was one his girls. He had her under control with drugs. He had one particular client that needed a red head and he brought her to him. They had several encounters, but the last one was bad. The client really beat her up. Sergio attacked him when he saw what he did to her. I heard the commotion and had to stop it before someone called the police. I helped Sergio and the girl out and told them not to come back again.”

  “Do you know where I could find Sergio?”

  “Sorry I don’t. My poker buddies said they heard about the trouble at the hotel and that Sergio left town.”

  “Did you buds say where?”

  “They think he left for California, probably LA.”

  CHAPTER SIXTY

  Tom dragged himself out of bed to answer the phone. These short trips across the globe were taking a toll on his body clock.

  In a non-coherent voice, Tom greeted the caller, “Hello.”

  “I’m sorry Tom, did I wake you?”

  “What do you think?” When the words left his mouth, he knew he was being unfair to his sister, Jenny. All she wanted to know was how the trip went.

  “Did you find out anything about Ginny?”

  Tom took a few seconds to gather his thoughts and cleared his throat before answering, “It seems she left Las Vegas with Sergio for California, presumably Los Angeles.”

  “Now what?”

  “Another search. I worked with a private detective here in Chicago. I’ll see if he could recommend any one out there.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot. We’re having an Easter buffet on Easter Sunday. I’ve already invited Steve and Carole. Why don’t you invite Sarah?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Do you want to be alone for the rest of your life?”

  “Don’t nag. I’ll get around to it.”

  “That’s a good brother. I’ll send you a Tweet with the time.”

  “Damn, Jenny, can’t you just tell me now? Why do you keep dragging me into these technology things?”

  “Because I love you bro. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  ***

  Tom went to the refrigerator to see if he could muster up something to eat. He picked up the carton of milk and took a sniff. He gagged and immediately threw the contents in the sink flushing the spoiled milk down. He decided that instant black coffee wasn’t so bad of an idea this morning. Shuffling the contents of the cupboard around, he found an energy bar. He wasn’t pleased with his choices, but that would have to do until he had time to replenish his stores.

  After eating the energy bar, he set the cup of coffee on his desk and cleaned up for the day. Feeling more alert, he returned to his desk to organize his notes before calling the private investigator. Once that chore was completed, he opened his center drawer and sifted through the paperwork to find the investigator’s business card. At last, he found it.

  He punched in the numbers.

  “Peter Kowalski.”

  “Mr. Kowalski, this is Detective Tom Cassell. We met several years ago on the Donovan murder case.”

  It took Kowalski a few seconds to respond, “How can I help you detective?”

  “I’m trying to locate my sister. I have done my due diligence but now I am going to need some assistance.”

  “What exactly do you need?”

  “My information has led me to Los Angeles. An area that I am totally unfamiliar with.”

  “Detective Cassell, I am not licensed to work in California, but I can refer you to a friend of mine that I have worked with.”

  “That is what I was hoping.”

  “Hold on a sec while I get his number.”

  Kowalski returned to the phone and gave Tom the number for Bill Weber in Lost Angeles. Tom thanked Kowalski for his assistance.

  ***

  Tom called the number for Weber. No one answered and it went directly to an answering machine. Tom left his name and number. All he could do now was wait.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

  Tom reported at the precinct for the third shift. Steve was already there waiting for him.

  “Okay, partner. What did you find out in Las Vegas?

  Tom updated Steve on what transpired on this trip. Steve listened, but couldn’t wait for him to finish so he could ask him the all-important question.

  “Do you think Ginny is alive?”

  “I have to believe she is. If she isn’t, Sergio Rizzo is going to pay.”

  Steve was taken back from Tom’s statement. Never before had Tom expressed the idea of taking the law into his own hands. This was a new side to his partner of five years.

  ***

  It was two days before Bill Weber got back to Tom. Tom explained that he was trying to locate his sister and her manager who left Las Vegas for Los Angeles. Weber explained that Los Angeles had its fair share of seedy neighborhoods where they could be conducting business. Tom expressed to Weber that he felt that Rizzo would probably be working around hotels as he did in Las Vegas.

  “My starting fee is $500.00 a day plus expenses. I’m going to have to pull in some IOUs to get the police records.”

  Weber then asked Tom what he wanted to do when he found Rizzo. Tom told him to contact him immediately. He would come to Los Angeles to bring Ginny home.

  ***

  Days passed as Tom and Steve continued to w
ork in unison as they investigated a new crime on the North side of Chicago. A bomb had destroyed a restaurant owned by a Jewish couple.

  This was unfamiliar territory for the team, but not for other law enforcement agencies in the United States. A special FBI team arrived in Chicago as the newspaper insinuated that it was a hate crime.

  Both Tom and Steve didn’t feel it was a hate crime, but it was something completely different. From their investigation, they found that a landlord recently evicted several stores in the hope of building a new mall in the area. The restaurant was a hold out. The Jewish couple had owned the restaurant for thirty-five years. It was their life.

  ***

  Two weeks had passed and Tom finally heard from Weber.

  “I’d given up hope. Did you find something?”

  “I found Rizzo, but your sister isn’t with him. I checked with Los Angeles Vice to see if they picked up a Ginny Cassell. They didn’t have anyone with that name, but they had a Ginger Nash. She fits the age, hair color and, of course the first name of your sister.”

  “Nash is my sister’s middle name.”

  “When she was picked up, her mug shot showed a very abused person. She was released. I’m trying to find out the name of the person who posted her bond.”

  “Do you know where she is now?”

  “No. I’m still working on it. You understand that this isn’t my only case and this could take more time.”

  “I’ll transfer an additional $5,000.00 into your account I can’t impress upon you that this is a very time sensitive matter. My sister’s life is in danger.”

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  Steve sat across from Tom who was working on his case files. He knew Tom had a lot on his plate, but he had to ask.

  “So, have you called Sarah for the Easter buffet at your sister’s?”

  “And, you’re asking why?”

  “I was with Carole last night and she told me you hadn’t called Sarah.”

  “As long as we’re asking questions, what’s up with you and Carole? Anything serious?”

  “I wasn’t going to say anything, but as long as you asked, I plan on proposing to her on her birthday.”

  “Big steps. I’m happy for you.”

  “You can’t get off that easy. When are you going to call Sarah?”

  “I really like her. I’m just not sure she’s ready for any relationships.”

  “My personal source says she wouldn’t mind a relationship with you.”

  “Okay. I get the picture. I’ll call her tonight.”

  ***

  The captain stopped by Tom’s desk and handed him the FBI report on the bombing at the restaurant. Tom quickly read through the report to the final disposition on the last page. It was determined that it was not a hate crime. They referred the case to the Chicago Police Department for further investigation.

  “Anything interesting?”

  “The Feds have dropped out of the bombing case. Now our hands aren’t tied by their investigation.”

  “I hope it isn’t too late to find out who did this. Let’s interview the Fed’s witnesses.”

  ***

  Later that evening Tom decided to call Sarah. As he was reaching for the phone, it began to ring.

  “Tom Cassell.”

  “Mr. Cassell, Weber here.”

  “You have news for me?”

  “Yes, your sister was released on bond by a woman’s advocacy group. They have a halfway house located on Colorado Boulevard. Unfortunately, I can’t get in there to see your sister.”

  “Give me that address. And, I want the current address for Sergio Rizzo too.”

  After Weber gave Tom the needed information, he asked, “Is there anything else you need?”

  “Not at the present time. Are we okay on payment?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you. If I need your services again, I’ll be in touch.

  ***

  Tom looked at his watch. It was too late call Sarah now. Besides he had to make plans. It was more important to find Ginny than to be worrying about his love life.

  He began shuffling through his desk drawers. “Damn, where is that phone book,” he mumbled to himself. When he found it, he went to ‘Airplane’ and followed the column down until he found what he was looking for, ‘Jet charter flights.’ He wrote down the number on the back of his detective business card. His second task was to look at his schedule. The calendar showed that he wasn’t going to have a break for several weeks and that wasn’t good. He had to get to Los Angeles before his leads were lost.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

  Tom arrived at the precinct an hour before the beginning of the shift. He knew the captain would not like to hear Tom’s request for a week vacation now. There was an ongoing investigation on the bombing of the restaurant, but Tom knew Steve could handle it. Worse case scenario he could work with Sloan again.

  Tom knocked on the captain’s door. Through the glass panel in the door, the captain could see that Tom was outside.

  “Come in Tom and have a seat.”

  “Good morning captain.”

  “All right Tom, I know this isn’t a social call. What’s on your mind?”

  “I have to ask for a week of vacation effective immediately.”

  “Are you having some kind of health problem?”

  “No. I have some personal business that has to be addressed immediately.”

  “Tom, can’t this wait? You know we have several big investigations going on.”

  “I’m afraid not. Hopefully, this will be the end of my special requests.”

  “Have you told Steve?”

  “No, haven’t had the time.”

  “I don’t think he’s going to like working with Sloan again.”

  “He’ll get over it.”

  “Okay Tom. Let’s hope you get these personal matters resolved. We can’t afford you leaving on short notice again.”

  After he left the captain’s office, Tom sat down at his desk to leave Steve a note. As he started writing, Steve came into the office.

  “Hey, you’re early. What’s up?”

  “I was just leaving you a note. I’ll be gone for the next week.”

  “What is it this time?”

  “Taking a week to go to Los Angeles. I have the address where Ginny might be.”

  “The captain approved you taking off?”

  “Not only that, he is going to arrange for you to work with Sloan.”

  Steve shook his head. “Please, please find your sister. I can’t work with that man.”

  “I’ll do my damndest.”

  ***

  Two hours later, Tom was packed and taking the Kennedy out to Wheeling Executive Airport. The rush hour traffic had already cleared. A private jet was waiting to take him to Los Angeles. It was times like that this that Tom was glad he had the funds to make all this possible.

  Upon his arrival at the Wheeling Executive Airport, he went directly through the terminal to the waiting jet. The pilot, upon seeing Tom’s identification, ushered him into the plane. Tom went back into the cabin and took one of the grey leather seats. He was the only passenger on the plane. He readjusted himself in the seat and removed his holster and gun and placed it on the seat next to him. If it wasn’t for the fact that he may have some use for his gun, he could have taken a commercial flight to Los Angeles. Once buckled in, he closed his eyes. As the plane took off, Tom had already fallen asleep.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

  “Ciao.

  “Signore Rizzo, Angelo here.”

  “What have you got for me?”

  “My informant in Chicago says that Detective Cassell is in route to Los Angeles as we are speaking.”

  “Figlio di Troia. Make sure that man doesn’t harm Sergio!”

  “Si, Si. I will make sure he doesn’t.”

  “You better!”

  ***

  Tom’s charter jet landed at Van Nuys airport at 2:07 p.m. Once the airstairs folded down,
the steward, exited the plane first carrying Tom’s suitcase. Tom followed and headed directly for the terminal to pick up his rental car. Before checking out the rental, Tom stopped at a concession stand and bought a map of Los Angeles and surrounding counties along with a copy of the LA TIMES. He knew that the new cars were equipped with GPS, but he also knew that this piece of technology had its flaws.

  The rental agency had a silver Chevy Malibu gassed and ready according to Tom’s request. He took the keys and headed for the lot to pick up the car. It was a bright sunny day, making Tom stop and search his jacket pockets for his sunglass case. Once he found the car he was ready to go. As he pulled out of the lot, a black SUV waited for a few seconds and followed him.

  Tom’s first stop was the Holiday Inn Express in Van Nuys. He engaged the GPS and keyed in the address. It was just a short three-mile drive. His room reservation was ready and Tom went to his room to freshen up before searching for Ginny. He took a soda, sat down and spread the map out on the table. He determined the fastest way to get to Glendale was the 405 to the 134. If he left now, he could avoid the LA rush hour.

  The valet informed Tom that his car would arrive shortly from the parking garage. Tom checked his watch. It was already 3:30 p.m. Ten minutes later the Malibu pulled up in front of the hotel. Tom thanked the driver. He knew he should probably tip him, but right now he wasn’t in the mood to reward someone who kept him waiting. He, again, engaged the GPS and gave the address on Colorado Boulevard. When the directions came up, the estimated driving time was twenty-three minutes. Tom chuckled as he drove out. He knew about the traffic in LA, the estimated time was a GPS dream.

  As he drove westward on the 405 he didn’t notice the black SUV that was two cars behind following him.

  Shortly after 5:00 p.m. Tom pulled the Malibu across the street from the address Weber had given him. After he exited 134 he drove up Colorado Boulevard. He parked the car on the right side of the street. The address was the home on the top of the hill with a private drive up to it. This wasn’t good. He wasn’t going to be able to watch the home for activity.