Bullets and Beads

by Jana DeLeon

  “Big money,” Gertie said.

  “Huge,” Mannie agreed. “Natalia only worked there three years before she quit and took a job at a small art museum. Larry met her in Russia eight years ago and he married her there and brought her to the US. They lived in DC initially. Katia Grekov took a promotion about a year later and relocated to New York. Annika never left Russia except for the one trip she made to New Orleans to visit her sister, where she ultimately met her demise.”

  “That all sounds fairly innocuous,” Ida Belle said. “The background part, I mean.”

  “And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to look,” Mannie said. “But my sources tell me that the corporation is under investigation by the FBI.”

  “For what?” Gertie asked. “Money laundering?”

  “Among other things,” Mannie said. “But the most interesting reason is that it’s suspected to harbor spies.”

  “Wow,” I said and slumped back on the couch. “Well, that explains why Larry was mad when Katia showed up at his house unannounced.”

  “And it makes Katia the most likely target, especially if she was a spy,” Ida Belle said.

  I nodded. “Remember what Larry said—that Katia was close to Annika, but not really to Natalia. That’s why she’d never met Lina before.”

  Gertie’s eyes widened. “You think Annika was a spy as well?”

  “As crazy as it sounds, all of this would make more sense if she was,” I said.

  “Or at least if both of them were up to their neck in illegal activity for the corporation,” Mannie said.

  “If Natalia didn’t want any part of it,” Ida Belle said, “that would explain why she quit working there and then married the first steady older American she could find.”

  “Who just happens to be US government intel,” I said. “Does that sound suspicious to anyone else?”

  “It did to me,” Mannie said. “But as far as I could find, Natalia never left the country after moving here with Larry and there was nothing to indicate that she wasn’t exactly what she appears to be—a housewife and mother with the same hermit tendencies as her husband.”

  “I wonder if the FBI questioned Larry about his wife’s involvement with Katia,” I said.

  “If they didn’t before she was killed, they will now,” Mannie said.

  “Either way, Larry’s temper will be in volcano territory,” Ida Belle said. “If Katia was really working for the Russian government, then her connection with Natalia could cost him plenty.”

  “Or even land him in jail if anyone thought he had knowledge of it,” I said. “So given all this new information, the big question is, why did Annika visit Natalia three years ago, and why did Katia visit Natalia now?”

  “I think if you figure that out, you’ll know who killed them both,” Mannie said, and stood. “This murder just kicked up in danger factor by about a hundred notches. If the Russian government ordered the hit on Katia, then anyone taking an interest will be viewed as a threat. If you’re going to continue pursuing this, you’ll have to be very careful.”

  “What about Carter?” Gertie asked.

  “He’s an exception,” Mannie said. “They will expect him to do his job and come up with nothing. Then the issue can slowly fade away. But Fortune is not Carter.”

  “If a former CIA operative is caught asking questions about a murdered Russian spy, that changes the game,” I said. “I get it.”

  “Jeez Louise,” Gertie said. “We’re going to have to walk around with rearview mirrors with all the back-watching we need to do.”

  Mannie smiled. “A little obvious but not the worst idea you’ve had. I’m going to head back to my apartment. I don’t want to get in the way of your plans, but I’d appreciate a heads-up when you plan on hitting the streets tomorrow and your intended destination. That way, if I can’t make contact with you, I know where to start looking.”

  “You’re not going to follow us too?” Gertie asked.

  “No,” Mannie said. “Redding will have already seen me entering this apartment and will be looking out for me. I’d say your best bet to ditch him in the city is to pull a switch on him.”

  “What kind of switch?” Gertie asked.

  “Misdirection,” I said. “I’ll figure something out.”

  When we were somewhere else. Somewhere that would be harder to overhear.

  Mannie said good-night and headed out. I got us locked and secured once again and suggested we all head to bed. They both nodded and we trailed silently down the hall. I knew they wanted to talk more, but I was tapped out and it was better to have any discussion that entailed our movement happen someplace where no one could listen.

  Of course, Big might have the whole place wired, for all I knew.

  I rolled over and closed my eyes.

  If the CIA had taught me anything, it was that someone was always listening.

  The next morning, we were all dragging a bit as we trudged into the kitchen. I knew none of us had slept well. I could hear Ida Belle tossing and turning most of the night and since I couldn’t hear Gertie snoring, I knew she wasn’t out for the count, either. We’d had a whole lot to process in one day. Especially me.

  I had barely finished putting coffee on to brew when I got a text from Carter.

  Just doing a morning check-in.

  I texted back.

  We’re all up but not alert. About to have coffee.

  He sent me a heart back and then another text that said he’d check in later that morning. I sat on a barstool silently willing the coffeepot to brew faster. Ida Belle was even more impatient. She stood next to it, clutching a cup as if she could will it into being. Gertie was the last to arrive and eased onto the stool next to me. She put her arms on the countertop, then grimaced and dropped them down again.

  “My armpits are killing me,” she declared. “They haven’t been this sore since I accidentally ate two pot brownies at a party and thought I could fly. Spent half the night standing on the couch and flapping.”

  “Why did you eat two?” I asked.

  “No one told me they had extra ingredients,” Gertie said. “It was brownies. How many would you have eaten?”

  “Good point.” I would probably still be on the couch flapping.

  “I’ve avoided other people’s brownies ever since,” Gertie said.

  “Where were you that you ran across pot brownies anyway?” I asked.

  “A birthday party,” Gertie said.

  “Really?” I said. “I’m surprised anyone has gotten away with it given that you can’t even sell alcohol in Sinful. Seems like pot brownies would be a first-class ticket to a jail cell.”

  “It was Sheriff Lee’s party,” Gertie said.

  I shook my head. I hadn’t had enough sleep and hadn’t had any coffee. It was far too early to contemplate that situation. The coffee finally finished brewing and Ida Belle actually gave a half-hearted cheer, then poured everyone a cup. We all sat and drank in silence for a couple minutes.

  “So what is the plan for today?” Gertie finally asked.

  “I was thinking we’d go to the casino,” I said.

  They both looked at me as if I’d lost my mind and I pointed to my ear. Their expressions shifted from confusion to understanding.

  “That sounds fun,” Gertie said. “Maybe I’ll hit one of those big jackpots. I think they’re giving away a Harley-Davidson.”

  “The world does not need you on a motorcycle,” Ida Belle said. “We have enough to worry about.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t keep it,” Gertie said. “I’d give it to you.”

  “Then I totally approve of this winning-a-motorcycle plan,” Ida Belle said. “What time do we leave?”

  “Maybe an hour,” I suggested. “That gives us long enough to shower and dress or whatever.”

  “Whatever meaning finishing another pot of coffee, I hope,” Gertie said. “I’m exhausted. All last night I dreamed of parades. And in almost every one of them, I ended up running as a float
with a giant Mickey Mouse trying to eat me.”

  “Sounds scary,” I said.

  “And weird,” Ida Belle said.

  “Oh, you don’t even want to know about the one with Winnie-the-Pooh,” Gertie said.

  “You’re right,” Ida Belle said. “We don’t.”

  Gertie managed to lift her middle finger on the coffee mug. I laughed and got up to serve up the rest of the pot and brew another.

  “Anyone want breakfast?” I asked.

  “Not me,” Ida Belle said. “I need to wake up more first. What about you?”

  “I’m not really that hungry,” I said.

  “Well, heck,” Gertie said. “I guess I’ll have a granola bar until the two of you find your appetites again. Here we are in a city full of fantastic restaurants and you guys aren’t hungry. It’s like I’m still asleep. Another nightmare.”

  I smiled. “I’m sure we’ll be ready soon and then we’ll find something excellent.”

  We polished off another pot of coffee and Gertie had two granola bars. Then we headed down the hallway to get ready. But as we approached our bedrooms, I motioned them to the master bedroom suite and waved them into Big’s shower.

  Gertie looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. “I love you like a daughter,” she said. “But I don’t want to shower with you.”

  Ida Belle sighed. “She brought us in here because nothing can hear through the walls and the shower tile. This thing is solid stone.”

  “Oh!” Gertie said. “That’s a great idea. We should have gotten in here last night when Mannie came.”

  “I didn’t think about it then,” I said. “Anyway, this is my plan. We take a cab to the casino and have them drop us off out front. We go straight through the casino and out the back, then walk a couple blocks and pick up another cab and head to the hospital where Natalia was treated.”

  “That’s a solid plan,” Gertie said. “You’re very good at this sneaky stuff.”

  “She was CIA,” Ida Belle said. “What’s she supposed to be good at? Knitting?”

  Gertie frowned. “I knit and I’m sneaky and dangerous.”

  “You got part of it right,” Ida Belle said. “Although the definition of dangerous is up for interpretation.”

  I had to smile. It was hard not to around those two. “That’s it as far as the sneaky planning goes,” I said.

  “Then let’s get this show on the road,” Gertie said. “Or in the cab.”

  We all changed into our “for public viewing” clothes and headed out. I was strapped with a nine at my waist, another nine in my ankle holster, and a switchblade in my pocket. I had no doubt that Ida Belle was well armed and there was no way I was asking Gertie what she had in her purse. It was one of her largest ones—basically the size of a beach bag. I figured if worst came to worst and we had to kill someone, at least we had a way to transport the body.

  We left the apartment and stood at the corner until we flagged a cab. Once there, we went straight inside the main entrance and made our way to the other side of the casino. When we got to the exit, I headed for the door, then stopped. I had that feeling again. I whirled around, almost knocking Ida Belle and Gertie over, and shoved them back behind a potted plant.

  “What’s wrong?” Ida Belle asked.

  “Maybe she has to pee,” Gertie said. “I do.”

  “You should have gone again before we left the apartment,” Ida Belle said.

  “He’s out there,” I said.

  “You saw him?” Gertie asked, her voice rising in volume and pitch.

  “No,” I said. “But I know he’s there. I can feel him.”

  “Then let’s go out another way,” Ida Belle said.

  “Wait here,” I said, and grabbed a cardboard sign advertising one of the restaurants and walked to the exit door with it in front of me. I peered around it, trying to see if I could spot him, but the feeling had passed. Cars drove by. People walked by. But no one was standing in place. Still. I knew he’d been there.

  I headed back in and Gertie gave me an anxious look.

  “Did you see him?” she asked.

  “No,” I said. “But he was there. I’m sure of it.”

  “If you’re sure, we’re sure,” Ida Belle said. “Maybe we can try another exit.”

  I shook my head. “If he’s circling the block in a car, we’ll never get out of here and far enough away that he doesn’t see us.”

  “Even in the crowd?” Gertie asked.

  “He could pick us out in a second from a block away,” I said. “We have to be able to do that. Sometimes a crowded street is the only opportunity we get.”

  “Then what do we do?” Ida Belle asked. “Go back to the apartment? Go home?”

  “Why don’t we just go stand out on the sidewalk and see what the heck he wants?” Gertie asked.

  “So all the people looking for him could get a two-for-one?” Ida Belle asked.

  “Yeah, I guess that’s a bad idea,” Gertie said. “But we don’t know that the bad guys are out there too.”

  “We don’t know that they’re not,” Ida Belle said.

  “We also don’t know that my father isn’t one of the bad guys,” I said.

  “Well, I’m choosing to believe he isn’t until proven otherwise,” Gertie said. “At least when it comes to national security. As a father, no discussion is necessary.”

  “So?” Ida Belle said. “What now?”

  The truth was, I had no idea. I had really been hoping we could lose him with the casino move but I should have known better. Dwight Redding had been at the game twice as long as I had. There was probably no way I was going to ditch him. But I couldn’t afford to go about life normally, either. I gazed across the casino and blew out and breath. And that’s when I saw him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “This way,” I said, and headed for one of the big signs that indicated restrooms. I managed to walk normally so I wouldn’t give anything away, and Ida Belle and Gertie—God bless them—trusted me enough to follow without question. When I made a hard turn into the women’s restroom, curiosity won out.

  “I knew someone else besides me would have to pee,” Gertie said.

  “I don’t need to use the restroom,” I said. “I saw someone in the casino.”

  “Your father?” Ida Belle asked.

  “No. A guy I saw on the street yesterday at the parade. He was walking the same direction as us but on the other side of the street. Then I saw him later when we were on the balcony. I didn’t think anything of it then because it looked like he was with a group of guys near a bar.”

  “Which would be easy enough to do,” Ida Belle said. “Just stand with them and chat, cheer, offer up beer, and it will look like you came together.”

  I nodded. “And when he was walking down the sidewalk, I figured he was on his way to meet them once I spotted him with that group. But he’s in the casino now and there’s no sign of his buddies. Three times is way too many to run into the same person in a city this crowded.”

  “Agreed,” Ida Belle said. “So how do we lose him?”

  I stared at the wall for a moment, considering.

  “We don’t,” I said finally.

  “We don’t?” Gertie asked.

  “No,” I said. “We go back out and gamble.”

  “Oh,” Gertie said. “Then he might think we’re really here vacationing.”

  “Even if he does, it won’t change his directive,” I cautioned. “Especially since I’m sure he saw me jump off a balcony yesterday and run across the street. The irony is, the man he was looking for was probably forty feet from him and he never even noticed.”

  “Your father is really good,” Gertie said.

  “Yeah, I know,” I said. “That’s part of the problem.”

  “What does this guy look like?” Ida Belle asked.

  “Midthirties,” I said. “Six foot one. One hundred ninety-five pounds. Slight limp on the left side stemming from old knee injury. Short, spiky brown hair w
ith cowlick on the right side. Nose has been broken before. Tan that didn’t come from vacationing. Weapon at his waist. Wearing blue jeans and navy polo shirt. Tennis shoes are white Nikes with blue stripe. Not one of our guys. Moves differently.”

  “Good Lord, that’s impressive,” Gertie said. “You saw all of that in a matter of seconds and from a distance?”

  I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”

  “Still impressed,” Gertie said.

  “Me too,” Ida Belle agreed.

  “Okay, so we go out and play,” I said. “If anyone catches sight of this guy then let me know. If we’re too far apart to speak, then text. Does everyone understand the directive?”

  “Heck yeah,” Gertie said. “I get to play some slots. Hey, is this considered a business expense?”

  “Since we’re not on a case, then no,” I said.

  “What if you’re the client and the detective?” Gertie asked. “You know, solving the mystery of your father for the sake of your ongoing business. And potential health.”

  “Then I’d have to pay myself and it would all be a wash,” I said. “Is that it?”

  “One more question,” Gertie said. “Can I pee now?”

  Ten minutes later, we’d exchanged cash for casino cards and found some available seats. It wasn’t going to be easy to stay in view of one another because the casino was packed. But no way was I risking letting either of them out of my sight. Too many people had already seen us together and were already calculating if and how they could be used as leverage. A little old lady was an easy target—at least, that’s what they’d be thinking. I knew different, but I also knew that even the best could be gotten to.

  I sat at a stool at the end of a row and Gertie snagged the one next to me when a woman who looked like she’d been there for a day or two got up and declared the machine a “good waste of a month’s salary.” I cringed but Gertie seemed thrilled with the opening. Ida Belle located a stool on a row across from us and facing the other direction. She gave me a nod as she sat.

  Excellent.