A Taste For Danger Read online

  “Wow. I get it. So that way everything is spontaneous. Except the place they meet for the drop. They would know that and we don’t.”

  “That is correct.”

  “Eddie, you know what you did is considered wrong, don’t you? And against the law?”

  “Yes, but as with my reconsideration of the company versus my books I weighed the degrees of wrongness. Cheryl’s degree of wrongness is far greater than mine.”

  He couldn’t argue with the kid’s logic. He just had to figure out what to do.

  “Do you know when she’s going to Atlantic City?”

  “This weekend.”

  “Shit.”

  “I’ve been told that it is not appropriate to use cuss words in a corporate environment.”

  “You are correct, Eddie. I am breaking some rules of etiquette right now.”

  “I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Yes, well we are both going to keep this entire conversation between ourselves, okay? At least until I figure out what to do.”

  “I have already planned the next logical step. You only have to do it.”

  “You—”

  “A rental car reserved in my name is waiting for us.”

  “Us? Eddie, this has been very helpful but you can’t—”

  “I am the one that found out the information. It’s only fair that I get to go too. Besides, I’m also the only one that understands Chinese.”

  Eddie had him there.

  “I guess that would have been my plan. To tail her and find out where the drop is and catch her red-handed.” Jack still mulled everything over. This was a lot to take in all at once.

  “I made reservations for three rooms at the hotel next door, which is Caesars, so there will be limited chance that Ms. Wong will see us, yet we will be just a walkway away.”

  “I have to admit that’s smart—wait—three rooms?”

  “Cindy will come with us.”

  “Cindy? Why would you involve her? She might not even want to know about this.”

  “Cindy is head of H.R. She has also been with the company many years. You are an outsider. I am not respected enough to listen to. Cindy must act as a witness. She will also know all the rules Cheryl is breaking.”

  Jack gave up. His watch said 5:00. He had to decide fast. Go or no go. After a pause and a Hail Mary, Jack spoke. “Follow me to Cindy’s office.” He raised his finger up towards Eddie. “And don’t speak until I say so. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  The halls looked deserted. At 5:00 on a Friday the company appeared desolate. True to her work ethic, Cindy still sat at her computer, typing away. Jack knocked on the wall inside her door.

  “Jack! To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Got any plans this weekend?”

  “Jack, I don’t think it’s a good idea for—”

  Jack interrupted her. “Because if you don’t, there’s a secret mission we’d like to take you on.” Hidden behind the wall, Eddie giggled.

  “Secret—wait, we?”

  Jack stepped aside and Eddie came into full view.

  “Eddie!” Cindy smiled. “What are you doing here?”

  “Helping Mr. Heart solve a case.”

  “Oh, Eddie...” started Cindy.

  Jack interrupted again. “No, it’s true. Are you game for a little adventure? Like going to Atlantic City on the spur of the moment to’—he stepped inside the office and motioned for Eddie to do the same, then he closed the door—’to catch a crook?”

  As she sat baffled, Jack explained everything while Eddie interrupted every so often when Jack recited a detail incorrectly. At the end Jack said, “So there you have it.” Jack waved his hand at Eddie and himself. “Two charming fellows desire your company.”

  Cindy thought for a minute. “Eddie, are you sure you’re comfortable traveling to another city and staying around strangers?”

  “It’s an adventure!”

  “That it is,” Cindy acknowledged.

  “Plus you two will be there,” continued Eddie.

  “Well, then I guess I have no choice. I’m in.” Cindy looked simultaneously amused and worried. Jack suspected his own face carried the same expression

  Jack said, “I was thinking we could take the clothes we already have stored in our go packs. You do both have the emergency pack they want us to keep in our desk in case of disaster, don’t you?”

  Cindy and Eddie nodded. Eddie nudged Cindy: “That’s a dumb question to ask the Head of H.R.” Cindy laughed. Her laugh had a pleasant ring.

  “We both have clothes on the back of the door too,” Cindy reminded them.

  “Right,” Jack remembered. “Okay, then. Fifteen minutes maybe and we meet down at the garage? Leave separately?

  “Got it,” said Cindy. “Eddie?”

  “Got it,” answered Eddie.

  Chapter Eleven

  By 6:00 p.m. Jack sat in the driver’s seat of a rental car and the crew spun away. After a quick fast-food dinner, both Cindy and Eddie tried to catnap. Everyone understood a long night lay ahead. The quiet gave Jack time to think.

  He perseverated on the embezzlement. Assuming tonight went well, he’d have one case solved. Assuming he could get a Fed, he’d also take care of the company fraud. But the embezzlement still puzzled him. He retraced his actions and steps back from the beginning. He’d come a long way since then, even lost a few pounds from eating better.

  What did Eddie say before? He tried to recall. Eddie stated the financial papers Jack gave him were correct in themselves, but not correct when compared to Eddie’s records, which Jack took on faith as perfect. That meant that Tom either knowingly or unknowingly sent him incorrect dummy financials, most likely the financials that Headquarters used. Then Jack remembered his appointment with the CFO. Tom stated the CFO was out of the country. However, Peggy, the CFO’s assistant said he traveled out of the country two weeks ago, not currently. Jack could play both of those things off as easy mistakes someone might make, but he didn’t believe in coincidences.

  He thought some more. Tom hired me. Tom initiated contact first. Tom sent me his incorrect financials. Tom gave me misinformation about the CFO...Tom hired me. Tom said I could consider myself part of the team for the duration. They had fired Jerry. Then Tom hired me...

  Oh shit! Jack hit the steering wheel so loud with his hand that Cindy woke up. Eddie still lay sleeping peacefully in the back seat.

  “What’s wrong?” Cindy looked concerned.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just had a...a very depressing realization. Or at least, I think I did.”

  “Tell me.”

  Jack paused. “Cindy, you’re head of H.R. What did Tom tell you when he hired me?”

  Cindy pursed her lips. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said vaguely, “nothing much.”

  “Cindy, the truth. Please. It has to do with the case. Or, ah, one of the cases. What did Tom say about hiring me?”

  Cindy turned to look at him. Her eyes said what she hadn’t wanted to. He could see the pity. He sighed. “I can take it,” he assured her. “Just tell me.”

  Cindy gave in. “He said that he was hiring someone that needed a job, kind of a good-will assignment, and not to expect much from you. I’m sorry, Jack.”

  Jack’s face remained taut. He sighed again. He had guessed correctly. Rah.

  “Jack, I’m so sorry. We all know that he’s wrong now. Everyone at the company knows.”

  “Do they? I wonder. Poisoning the well is powerful voodoo.”

  “Well, I know it at least and certainly Eddie does.”

  “Jack forced a smile then nodded his head. “The people that matter,” he said softly. He looked at Cindy. “What I’m about to say needs to stay between us for the moment, okay? I have plans that will fix everything, but for now, this conversation needs to stay private.”

  “Okay...”

  “Tom hired me to find an embezzler from Devonshire. They embezzled $250K last year, and an
other $250K this year.”

  “He— I don’t understand.”

  “Tom’s the embezzler, Cindy. It’s Tom. He hired me because he thought he was hiring a drunk do-nothing who would be happy to just sit around and collect money. Then Tom could continue to safely embezzle. Or at least his previous skimming would remain unsolved. Though I doubt someone like Tom would be able to stop himself once he set the situation up like he thought he did with me.”

  “Oh my God!”

  “Now I know. I just can’t figure how to prove it. Well, I guess I can. Once again I need a Fed. But first we need to finish up this case. Then I suppose we’ll need a Fed for this one too.”

  Cindy smiled. “That’s a lot of Feds. Do you have connections?”

  “No, but a friend of mine does. As soon as we’re done here, I’ll make a call.”

  Cindy reached over and squeezed his arm. “They were certainly wrong about you.” She looked at him with admiration. Jack smiled back. It had been a long time since a woman looked at him like that. He could get used to it.

  “Screw the past; on with the future,” Jack almost yelled and sped up. The lights of Atlantic City were in their sights.

  ***

  After checking into their rooms they rendezvoused at the walkway between hotels. Eddie seemed to think that the drop wouldn’t occur until the wee hours of the night, based on something Cheryl said on the phone to her contact. Cover of darkness and the least amount of people around made sense, but Jack was nervous. This was no virgin spy, and two innocents stood on either side of him. Back at Caesars they found a bar-cum-restaurant out of the way. As Eddie dug into tacos, Cindy and Jack sipped on cokes and made do with nachos.

  Considering their goal, the crew exhibited great spirits. Eddie had probably never been out like this. Cindy, overloaded by work could finally relax, and Jack enjoyed being with the two of them. Especially Cindy. He caught himself. Hmm. As music filtered through overhead, some patrons danced in a small area to the side of the bar.

  “Would you like to dance, Cindy?” asked Jack.

  “I would love to,” she replied. “I am one million miles away from work right now and loving it.”

  Jack smiled. He liked seeing her happy. Such an efficient worker left little time for self. At least tonight he could help provide that. The tense line usually present on her forehead didn’t exist tonight. Feeling a little happiness for the first time in a long time himself, Jack did away with formality and scooped her in his arms. She didn’t seem to mind.

  They danced to a slow tune while Eddie watched them, grinning. Jack held Cindy at the small of her back and they moved in sync well. Cindy whispered in Jack’s ear. “Thank you, Jack. Whatever happens tonight, I’m really glad I came.”

  “Happy to oblige, ma’am.” said Jack. Grinning ear to ear, he gave thanks that Cindy couldn’t see his face. Cindy was wearing clothes from her “go kit.” He had never seen her in anything besides work outfits. She looked petite and well put together. As they danced, he could smell the light scent of her perfume. Her hands stayed around his neck. He closed his eyes for a minute and lost himself in the feel of her.

  When the song ended, they both lingered, then reluctantly let go. When they sat back down Jack looked at his watch: 11:00 p.m. “I think we should find our station,” he said. The group strolled again to the walkway and crossed over to Bally’s. They found a suitable place to scope on the mezzanine. From there they saw three roulette tables. Jack assigned one table to each of them to watch for Cheryl. They had no idea when she might show. It could be a very long night.

  While waiting and watching, the three made small talk. Even Eddie engaged well socially. Jack thought perhaps because he and Cindy seemed to understand Eddie a bit more than others, Eddie might feel more at ease. During this time Jack also planned out contingencies and details of the next move in his head. Once they spotted Cheryl, Jack planned to tail her and send the other two back to their rooms to wait for him. Cindy didn’t like that plan, but Jack reminded her that he was an experienced detective and anyone else along put the mission in danger. Although she wanted to be involved in the action, Cindy understood his logic. In case he did not return, if something went awry, they were to take the car back to the city and notify the FBI. This made Cindy uneasy, but Jack reassured her again of his expertise in this area.

  “You’re in my world now,” he said. “Just trust what I’m doing.” He fingered the miniature camera in his pocket. He also didn’t want to tip Cheryl off because if Eddie was right, there were more just like her at every level of the company, orchestrating bids and maneuvering contracts until eventually Cheryl received key defense information.

  At 12:05 a.m. Jack spotted her. She wore a hat but he recognized her walk, her hair, the way she moved. It was her all right. They waited. She walked to the second roulette table. Looking casual, a tall, thin man tipped his hat. Cheryl already had chips with her. She placed bets on the number three and the number thirty. Neither won. Then as fast as she had appeared, she started to leave the casino. The drop was scheduled for 3:30 a.m. Luckily, like Vegas, Atlantic City was open all night, so Jack figured he’d still be able to blend in somewhere.

  Cindy gave Jack a quick kiss on the cheek for good luck, and he was gone. His face was red from the kiss. It was just as well that Cindy didn’t see. He also didn’t want to lose Cheryl. Cindy and Eddie went back to their rooms to sleep. Or try to.

  At 4:30 a.m. Jack knocked softly on Cindy’s door. She opened it quickly, still dressed in her street clothes. Jack smiled. “Ready for a fast getaway are you?” Cindy threw her body against his, hugging him. He stumbled back a bit from the surprise. Worried, Cindy hadn’t slept at all.

  Jack felt her warmth again and closed his eyes. She seemed in no hurry to let go. She pulled her head away a bit and looked up into his eyes. Jack put one hand on the back of her head then bent down and kissed her. She tasted like honey and he felt her breasts against his chest. With this petite dynamo against his shoulders, Jack felt reinvigorated. He kissed her deeply and her mouth responded. Her hand was in his hair and the bed was three feet away. They both came up for air, then stood motionless, unsure what to do.

  Finally, Cindy said smiling, and slightly out of breath, “It’s been a long time since someone kissed me that way.”

  Jack gazed at her and felt protective. He took both her hands in his. “I hope this won’t be the last time.”

  Cindy regarded his face again and blushed. She squeezed his hands. “I hope not too.” Then she added, ever responsible, “I know we need to get going on the case.”

  Jack bent down and kissed her again for a long time. Then she stayed to gather her things while he went to get Eddie.

  He hated to do it but they needed to get back as soon as possible. He caught himself smiling, glad that Cindy understood. He didn’t want to lose momentum. Especially since they now had proof. He didn’t want to take any chances of Cheryl skipping town. With Cindy still on his mind, Jack walked to Eddie’s room, but no one answered. He phoned the room and still no answer.

  Then he remembered Eddie saying something about wanting to play some of the games. “Damn.” Jack took the elevator to the Caesar’s mezzanine and scouted the floor. Sure enough, there was Eddie at one of the blackjack tables. He’d accumulated quite a little pile of chips. Jack came down and sat next to him.

  “I’ll play one hand,” he said.

  “Jack! It’s good to see you!” said Eddie. “I’m winning!”

  “I see that,” said Jack.

  They each played a hand. Jack watched Eddie’s betting, then said, “Eddie, we have to go.”

  “Oh, but I’m having so much fun,” whined Eddie.

  “Remember the mission, bud. We need to go back as soon as possible.”

  “Right,” said Eddie full of gloom.

  Jack stood up before the next hand, and he pulled at Eddie’s windbreaker. “Come on. We can cash in your chips.”

  Eddie followed Jack and cash
ed in his chips. Jack made sure to take the elevator up.

  In the elevator Jack asked,” Eddie, were you counting cards?

  “Yes. That’s the best way to win.”

  Jack sighed. Lucky he found Eddie when he did.

  “Eddie, you’re not allowed to do that. It’s a wonder they didn’t kick you out. We’re just lucky they didn’t notice yet.” Still, Eddie grinned. Jack couldn’t stay mad at him. Jack bet this night gave Eddie the most excitement he’d ever experienced.

  Jack paid the hotel bills and hustled everyone into the car. Soon they arrived back home. Jack got to see where each of them lived. Cindy lived in a cute apartment on the Westside. Eddie lived south. When Jack finally made it home, he wanted badly to collapse. The drive home had done him in. Instead he pumped himself up to make the call he dreaded. It was early Saturday morning. No one in their right mind would be up.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jack had no connections up top. His interactions with higher-ups tended to be hostile or at least wary on both sides. Doing his job he often ran afoul of red tape and procedures, something the higher-ups regarded as sacred. He knew the beat cops and the detectives, the on-the-street men that kept neighborhoods safe. Only one friend of his had contacts with the higher-ups. He didn’t want to, but he’d have to call Carolyn Woods.

  “Hello?” Her voice still sounded the same.

  “It’s Jack.”

  “Hi ! How are you?” She sounded genuinely interested to hear from him.

  “Well, I’m in a bit of a bind and needed to ask a favor.”

  “Uh oh,” said Carolyn. He could picture the corner of her mouth curling. “When you need a favor, that usually translates to ‘you’re in something big over your head.’”

  She knew him too well. “I need a Fed.”

  “A Fed? What kind of Fed? And for what? Have you been drinking again?”

  “No, I’m off the sauce and on a case.”

  “Well that’s good to hear.”

  “Anyway, I need a Fed. Maybe two.” He paused. “Actually, I need three. But the less you know, the safer you’ll be.” Wrong thing to say, but it was too late. Damn.