Chapter four
Time stood still and I was unable to move from where I was standing. Seeing him was like being hit with a sledgehammer between my eyes. I didn’t recognize the blond. I knew I didn’t say anything about this job to him or the others. It was an amazing coincidence. I didn’t believe in them.
“You look like you have seen a ghost…if you would pardon the pun.” Thankfully, Graham was in front of me and what I was seeing was over his shoulder. The very idea of him getting his hands on me was causing me some concern.
“I don’t want to alarm you, but there might be a party crasher.” I was lucky to be able to think fast on my feet. Others would be dropping the guise and saying what was on their mind.
“Just don’t tell me it’s your ex-boyfriend. You know he’s the jealous type and I’ve done my best to stay away from him for your sake. If he gets in the way of my happiness then the gloves will come off.” Somehow he had deduced what was going on from my body language.
“He can’t see me or we will never hear the end of it. He knows your name, but he has never seen you in person. It might be advisable to know the reason for his impromptu visit.” He was way ahead of me and already moving through the crowd. I sat back down, trying to control my breathing and on the edge of hyperventilating.
“I wouldn’t worry about it. I’ve been married five times and it always works out the way it should. An ex-boyfriend is an unnecessary obstacle, but your fiancé seems to understand what needs to be done.” The elder lady who was listening was giving me her advice. I didn’t ask for it, but she felt compelled to share her experience.
“I’ve never felt like this and having him here puts a damper on our big day. I don’t want to cancel it not when we have come all this way. The best thing to do is to avoid an unnecessary confrontation.” I could almost feel his hands wrapped around my neck squeezing the very life out of me. Forgiveness wasn’t in his vocabulary.
She had no idea what the stakes were. The poor old lady thought we were really talking about a wedding. I could almost feel the money slipping through my fingers. I prayed to god I was never going to smell like old cheese and hand lotion when I was her age.
“It’s a big place and I have found myself lost from time to time. You could leave and that would take away the possibility of running into each other. It’s not like you’re having your wedding at this venue. There are other hotels.” The job was underneath this roof, but staying in close proximity wasn’t necessary. It was easier. I could roll with this variable.
“I’ve always been one to listen to my Elders. I appreciate the kind comments and I will certainly give it some thought.” I sidestepped around her no longer interested in what she was going to say as a rebuttal.
I went into a darkened alcove where I could see Timothy fondling the blond. I wasn’t close enough to hear what he was saying, but he was using a tactic I had mastered. It appeared I wasn’t the only one getting married or at least pretending to.
I had to get a little closer with the possibility of getting caught in the act. I stood right beside Graham who was leafing through a pamphlet of amenities. I let him shield me from his scrutinizing eyes.
“You are all set, Mr. Anderson. I hope you enjoy your stay. If there’s anything you need call, Ramon. I cater to those with discerning tastes.” The man wasn’t very subtle and no doubt could get his hands on whatever illegal substance came to mind. Escorts were legal, but he most likely had some interesting names in his talent pool.
“We’re going to settle in and then hit the tables. I have some money to burn and I’m hoping to double it down on red.” He was playing the part and the white suit with a red shirt made him look like Miami had thrown up.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t give you a $50.00 token for staying with this establishment. I also have some tickets to some live shows including a magician seen on television along with a ventriloquist.” He was going to give them to them anyway but wanted to wait until the last minute to make it look like he was catering to just them.
The young blonde began to bounce up and down. Her amusement was fake, but her plastic credentials were certainly getting her the required attention.
“You have made my fiancé very happy.” He leaned forward and I couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. “I have another reservation under the name of James Brown.” The manager became quiet and scribbled something on a notepad before tearing off the page. He was no longer smiling.
Timothy folded the paper and put it into his breast pocket. He curled his hand around the waist of the blond with the bellboy following with their luggage. The manager turned his back and I snatched the notepad and used a pencil on the counter to confirm my suspicion.
“I told you I didn’t believe in coincidences. The manager wrote down a room number.” I showed the number and it was the exact one we were going to hit in less than 24-hours. He was going to be the wolf in the henhouse. Somehow he had acquired an invitation. I was slightly impressed.
“This does make things a little more difficult. I’m assuming from your reaction the parting of the ways wasn’t amicable.” The elevator closed leaving me to sigh with relief from how close we were to each other.
Timothy was a leader. Bringing him and his brothers aboard was a big mistake. They were never going to listen to me with him whispering in their ears.
“I actually don’t mind the challenge.” I was looking forward to seeing his face unconscious with the rest of them after breathing in the invisible gas in the air. “I’m guessing you have somebody you can contact for the party favors.” He ushered me out the door and he flagged down the first taxi at the curb.
“I don’t want to say his name to jinx it. We’ve always had a good working relationship. I don’t know how he’s going to take strangers.” We drove away from the glitz and glamour with his hand on my knee.
I felt my stomach turning and it took every effort to keep down my breakfast. His touch wasn’t repulsive. I grabbed for the same pill I had popped earlier. I had acquired them from an alternative healer in medicine. Graham was looking at me funny
“Don’t worry; it’s only an upset stomach. It must’ve been something I ate.” He didn’t need to know the truth. I was still trying to grasp the concept.
“If there was anything seriously wrong with you, I would need to know before going forward.” He was showing his concern even though we barely knew each other.
“It’s nothing.” I looked out the window and suddenly flashed on the night where I lost control.
Dancing provocatively and sliding my hands down all over his body on the dance floor was putting on an obscene spectacle for the bartender. I still couldn’t remember him, but he had left me with a permanent first impression.
We arrived in an up and coming neighborhood. Those in the know were getting in on the ground floor. It was in transition, but the remnants of criminal activity was still there lingering in the shadows.
Graham gave the taxi driver an extra 20 and then we walked up to this brick building. It had seen better days. It didn’t look like much, but I was about to learn a valuable lesson about judging a book by its cover.
“I don’t like strangers.” The voice was startling and came from seemingly nowhere.
“She’s the ghost.” There was a moment of awkward silence and the smell of putrid fish assaulted my old factory senses. It was hanging in the air.
“Against my better judgment, I’m going to allow you to enter. Call it a curiosity and nothing more.” The steel black door popped open with a hiss from being hermetically sealed.
One step beyond the threshold gave me a new understanding. The place was immaculate with a wide open concept. The windows were blackened leaving those outside unaware of the opulence inside.
“I’m sure you know who I am. I certainly know you by reputation alone. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nicholas Hammond AKA the hamster.” I was in the presence of a world-class hacker and someone who could get practically anything given enough time.
“The ghost is most appreciative to get an audience with you. I’m sure my colleague has mentioned what we are in search of.” I wasn’t going to use his name as a courtesy.
“Graham and I are friends. I won’t go into details, but our past is checkered. I do have what you want, but it comes at a price. I don’t want money down. I haven’t gotten wealthy by being cautious. Whatever job you are pulling, I want 10% and not one percent less.” He was going to get four million dollars, possibly more for doing practically nothing and I couldn’t argue against it.
His hair was wild in dreadlocks. He was wearing no socks or shoes with a ratty old white bathrobe covering his red silk boxers. I only knew because the robe wasn’t cinched closed. He had nothing I wanted other than the canister we had come for.
“I would say you have us over a barrel. Your terms are reasonable with one caveat. Your payment will be secured in an undisclosed bank account. We will let this blow over for five days before contacting you with the bank account information. Take it or leave it.” He was listening closely and he smiled before vanishing down the hall.
“Nicholas is just one of many contacts I have in many different states and countries abroad. My vast network will be missed.” I had my own contacts, but nothing to the extent of having one in every port.
“Take this and leave out the back where there’s a car waiting for you.” We were going to have to pump the gas from the canister into the room using the ventilation system.
I’d already gotten the plans and knew exactly where to place it for the best shot of being successful. He was waiting impatiently for us to leave, looking at his watch and pointing to the door leading to the alley in the back. I was worried he had found a better offer with Timothy. I could only hope his connection to Graham was strong enough for him to resist the allure of more money.
“I want to thank you in advance. You’ve always come through and this is just another one of those markers you can call in. I owe you big time.” I thought the money would suffice, but they also had an understanding.