Bob Moats - Jim Richards 01-03- 3 for Murder Box Set (24 page)

I could see microscopic vehicles moving like ticks on the surface. I loved to fly. I loved looking at the miniature setting below. Then we entered into the cotton candy. Our pilot took us above the clouds, and it was like there was no earth below, just white, fluffy clouds. My camera was busy recording everything. I felt like a tourist, but what the hell, I wanted proof.

After about three hours, the pilot announced we would be making our descent into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas in about a half hour. He hoped we enjoyed our flight and said he’d be back in a week for our return flight. I mumbled, if I return.

We landed without too much of a bump, and Deacon was just muttering, meow, under his breath. I felt threatened. Our jet taxied onto the tarmac by the hangers, and they lowered the steps for our departing the plane. Our baggage was loaded on a cart, and we were told it would meet us by the car rental station at D gate. They put us on an oversized golf cart and transported us to D gate.

We all walked through to the terminal, heading in the direction of the car rental stand we were directed to. Deacon and Buck were amazed by the concourse with all the slot machines. From there we went into the baggage pickup for the commercial flight passengers. Overhead the giant video screens blasted out ads featuring everything from Blue Man Group to Barry Manilow.

We approached the car rental booth and announced our arrival. We were given the VIP treatment, and our baggage was waiting in the lot along with the SUV that had been ordered for us. We piled in the luggage then piled ourselves into the beast. I took command of the driver’s seat, and we headed out. I maneuvered us over to Russell Road and then to Maryland Parkway, my favorite road.

I headed north, got to Flamingo Road and turned right. I pointed out all the landmarks, the “99 Cent Only” store that I practically lived in and the library. Over to the left was the shopping center where I once bought my groceries at Albertsons and paid my car insurance to the Allstate people. I drove down to Spencer Street and turned right at the Rite-Aid drug store where I bought my beer and then announced that we would be going by the apartment buildings where I had lived with my son.

I turned onto Rochelle Street, pulled into the parking lot and pointed out the building I lived in. Leaving there, I headed back out to Flamingo and got to the strip, Las Vegas Boulevard, then turned north. I pointed out the Flamingo Hotel/Casino where I worked for five months. Then we went up past Harrah’s, the Venetian, Mirage, Riviera, up to the Stratosphere and beyond. Buck yelled out the names of strip clubs as we passed.

I drove everyone up past Charleston Avenue then up to just off Fremont Street. I circled around, found a parking space by the Golden Nugget, and everyone piled out. I took Penny’s hand, and we went around to Fremont Street. We wandered the enclosed street as I gave the guided tour of old town Vegas. We saw the Golden Nugget where Sinatra performed. Deacon smiled as he was named for Sinatra. We stood and watched the street artists painting on spinning canvas then stopped at booths selling everything from license plates and t-shirts to “I love Las Vegas” buttons.

I didn’t want to wear out my little troops on the first day, so I got the address of Deacon’s sister’s house, found it on my Palm TX map program and headed there. She lived in North Las Vegas, not far from where we were. Deacon got out and headed up to the house, banged on the door and yelled, “Open up, it’s the police.” Not a funny thing to say in this neighborhood.

I asked Deacon if he had let her know we were coming. He said he called her last week. I suddenly realized Deacon never told us her name. I asked, and he was embarrassed that he hadn’t told us. He said her name was Maria. Finally the door opened, and a very tired looking female stared out. She screamed “Frankie!” flung open the door, and jumped on him. I swear she was a head taller than Deacon, but maybe not. Deacon introduced her to us, she apologized, saying she worked last night and was still in bed. It was 3 p.m., and I remembered my days working there when I wouldn’t get out of bed till almost the same time. Many people in Vegas were night people.

She pulled Deacon in and invited us to follow. It was a pleasant house and well lived in. Deacon introduced Buck to Maria, and he went speechless. He looked like a deer in headlights, I said to Penny. She agreed. Maria kept calling Deacon by the name Frankie. I figured since Deacon’s real name was Francis Albert DeAngelo, she would call him Frankie. I had just assumed everyone called him Deacon.

Maria stood about as tall as Buck and was almost as muscular. She looked like she worked out besides doing her nightly shows. She was quite attractive and had her shoulder length, jet-black hair pulled back so tight it made her face look as if she had undergone a face-lift. She probably would kill Buck in the sack. Like Deacon, Maria had a face of Italian descent, but her nose looked like it might have had a bit of touch up along with the eyes. She seemed like a bouncy, happy person, quite the opposite of Deacon with the controlled storm that made up his character.

“My God, Frankie, you look so pale and skinny!” She laughed.

“I had an accident on the job. I didn’t tell you when I called last week. I was in the hospital for about a month, and I had major surgery on my hip.”

She looked shocked and said, “You OK now?”

“Yeah, sis, I’ll be all right with a little more therapy,” he replied. “It’s so good to see you again, baby girl!”

She pulled his head down and nuggied it. Then she said to Buck, “You gonna stay here with us?”

Buck looked terrified, as if hoping she wouldn’t nuggie his head, but said sure. She grabbed hold of him and almost lifted him off the ground with a bear hug.

She backed off and apologized. “I forget my own strength sometimes. You have to be athletic to be a showgirl, so many nights, so many kicks and numbers. We get pretty strong after a while. I promise I won’t kill you.”

Now he looked more than terrified. It was cute, I thought.

I told Deacon, Buck and Maria that Penny and I should go check into our room at the MGM Grand. I said if they need us to call my cell phone and we’d come running. But not until tomorrow. I grinned.

We said our good-byes. Buck looked like he was being sentenced to a week at hell house, and we took off.

*

 
Chapter Three

Penny and I arrived at the MGM Grand, and I let the valets unload the SUV. They gave me the ticket for the vehicle, drove it off and pushed the luggage into the lobby. We went to the check in, gave our names and signed in. Penny’s station was going whole hog with the accommodations, and we were whisked up to the next to top floor. Our bellman opened the door to our suite and moved the luggage into the room. He stood with a smile on his face. I knew he was hoping for a tip. I slipped him a five. He thanked me and headed out.

Penny stood at the window, amazed by the view. I came up behind her and just about lost my breath. I didn’t like heights unless they were protected by rail or windows. Even then it still made me nervous. I wrapped my arms around Penny and kissed her ear. She said she loved this, the city, being there with me. I was also amazed at the sight we had from our window, as long as I didn’t look down. We could see past the Stratosphere, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, to the beautiful mountain range that circled Las Vegas. I loved the mountains and the sight of Las Vegas Boulevard snaking its way north past all the casinos that have stood for years, some new, some old, some waiting to be imploded to make way for shiny new buildings. The dreams of many people wanting a taste of the pie. I was content with the woman in front of me, my treasure.

We had most of our clothing unpacked. I was feeling quite hungry and said so. Penny agreed, and we dressed casually to go eat. We made our way to the lobby and out onto Vegas Boulevard. I pointed to the New York, New York Hotel building across the street and told Penny about working there for the magic shop. We wandered up the street and stopped into a Subway shop to get subs to eat. I took Penny around the side of the building where I used to sit to eat my subs what seemed like years ago.

We finished and walked farther up the street, taking in the sights. We got to the Flamingo Hotel and went in, through the casino, up to the show room entrance where I used to stand at the end of each show, selling souvenirs. Back out, we managed to get up to the Mirage, and since it was getting a bit dark, the volcano out front was starting to erupt. We went to the other side of the boulevard and walked back down towards our hotel. We got to the Bellagio Hotel, leaned against the stone railing and watched the fountains and blasts of water going up to the sky, doing its ballet. The air was warm and dry, breathing was easy and the spray of the water felt good to our skins.

We got back to the hotel, and I took Penny out to valet parking and got our vehicle. We drove back up the strip and again parked by the Golden Nugget. It was dark, and I wanted Penny to see the video overhead on Fremont Street. It hadn’t started yet. Music was playing down the entire length of the street, piping out from huge overhead speakers, making the sound surround us. Suddenly the entire place went dark. All the casinos had shut off their thousands of lights. The crowd gave a happy cheer, and then it began.

The whole sky overhead lit up with sound and video, jet planes roared from one end down almost two blocks to the other, eagles screamed and flew, music swelled and the whole thing turned colors and shapes. Penny grabbed on to me every time the scenes changed. She looked like a little girl at her first fireworks. The show ended, and she hugged me, whispering she could see why I loved the place.

We rode back to the MGM Grand with Penny humming music from the show. She looked beautiful in the lights from the strip, but I had to keep my eyes on the road. We drove into valet parking, they went off with the car, and we headed into the lobby. The elevator took a slow ride to our floor. I kidded with Penny about having sex in the elevator, but admitted that they have cameras in them to watch us. I pointed up to the little eye in the corner of the ceiling. She laughed, pushed me against the wall and started smooching me, then threw a kiss to the camera. This girl is dangerous, I thought.

Back in our room, I turned on the whirlpool spa and stripped down before Penny knew what I was doing. She giggled and joined me. The whirlpool was right in front of the window so we could look out at the city lights, all shining bright. Before we could wrinkle too badly, we got out and dried off. I would have carried her to the bed, but my back would have gone out and ruined a great vacation. I told her to pretend I was carrying her and pulled her to the oversized bed. We made love for the next hour or so, and then we both felt the exhaustion of the day tugging at us. We cuddled and slept.

The next morning around 8 a.m. my phone rang. It was Buck saying, howdy. I asked if he survived the night, and he said they had a fantastic time. Maria took both of them to her show and got them front row seats. Deacon warned him not to look when the women were bare breasted, but Buck said he peeked. He whispered in the phone, Maria’s got a great rack. I could almost see his smile through the phone. He asked if Penny and I were coming to get them. I told him I had to go to Metro police to say hi to a few names on Trapper’s list, then Penny and I would be going to the convention center to get Penny registered. I said he was more than welcome to come, but he said he wanted to spend the day with Deacon and Maria. I said, no problem, and promised to call them later on.

Penny and I dressed and went down to find where the breakfast buffet was, located it and had a nice meal. We went out to the valet parking. Penny commented that it was a bit chilly out. I said April in Vegas had been known to be cold in the mornings. I said, you should have packed some warm clothes. She smacked my arm. The valet brought our vehicle around, and we drove out onto Tropicana Avenue and went to the address Trapper gave me for the Metro H.Q. he had worked out of.

We pulled into the lot, parked, and went to the front desk. A rather large officer was manning it and politely asked the nature of our business. I gave him the first name on the list, a Captain Weber, and the officer asked what it was in regard to. I felt like telling him that was none of his business, but I cooperated. I said we were mutual friends of Will Trapper. The officer stared at me for so long I felt uncomfortable. Then he smiled and asked what the dumb shit was up to these days. Thankfully, he knew Trapper and was a friend. I told him Trapper had just made homicide Lieutenant and helped me get my P.I. license.

I had my Glock in a box and showed it to him, saying I was doing bodyguard work and Trapper told me to check in before I carried it. He picked up the phone and called Weber directly. He smiled and said he had two friends of a scumbag that claimed to have worked there a few years back. He paused and then said, Trapper. I could hear a howl through the phone, then a door to our right flew open and a balding, overweight man came storming out.