In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

“I’m well aware of that, but I need the help of my niece to locate the storage facility where her aunt’s furniture is collecting dust. We know it’s in a storage warehouse and she’s made no attempt to investigate the contents. That came out in one of the court hearings a long time ago. She’s older and more mature now. Maybe she just needs a reason to look into the whole thing. It could be, she doesn’t even remember having a storage unit.”

Chapter 21

Harvey Marino took his eyes off the camera monitors and returned his attention to three people sitting across the table. “It’s a rare slow night in the club bar, but that has nothing to do with why I brought you here.” He placed his soggy cigar in the ashtray and spit a remnant of tobacco off his tongue. “My contact at the sheriff’s department tells me DEA agents are all over the sheriff’s jurisdiction. They’re seen everywhere and not sharing information with the sheriff like they have in the past. The sheriff’s getting absolutely nothing from any of the state drug people. Something’s in the works and we have to find out what the hell it is. We lost three people from the distribution network in Alabama last week and one in South Carolina. We can’t stand having that many people picked up and questioned by Drug Enforcement. The exposure is too great. So far, I don’t believe they can connect us up with the small fry being arrested, but we need to tighten security at every level.”

He pointed at Hans. “You got careless! Now they have you on their shit list. You were seen in a red truck, and again, here at the club, including the night you made that hit on the DEA snooper. This is coming from our contacts. You’d better avoid drinking at the bar for a while. Don’t let yourself be seen here or near any of the clubs until we know what’s going on.”

Hans said, “Shit, someone must have recognized me in the stolen truck we used on that snoop. Who the hell would recognize me in the dark of night, like that?”

“You’ve always managed to stay below the radar, Hans. Perhaps your getting old and careless. We can’t afford to have you picked up while pressure from Drug Enforcement is heading our way. We’ve lots more work to do. If my hunch is right, we have a fly in the soup here or one of the other clubs, that may be tying us to the street people.”

“Hell, boss, nobody here knows anything about anything but what they themselves do, and what they do ain’t good for them to be talking about.”

Marino said, “People talk among themselves, speculating on everything they don’t have facts on. Sometimes they get a little information here and there then, after it’s all added together, they have more than you might think.”

“The girls all talk like magpies gathered in a cherry tree,” the nurse said. “They know much more than any of you believe. What they don’t know, they create from whole cloth, and spread it around like any other good rumor.”

“Mack! You’re the bouncer, been here a long time. You know a lot about what’s going on. Perhaps some of the customers ordering up girls for off-site booty are the problem. Any ideas?”

Mack cupped his chin in his hand, obviously thinking. “Not really, but something doesn’t seem right about that new guy who’s buying off-site time with Maria. Money’s not a problem for him. He doesn’t come in and drink at the bar any more. He drank like a fish for some time until he found out he could get her away from the club. I think he’s fallen for her. It’s not the first time we’ve had that happen.”

“That could be. We’ll put a tail on him and see if he’s anything more than a lover boy. Sometimes those guys just make better customers. A good observation, Mack. Keep your eyes open for stuff like that.”

The nurse spoke up. “Talk to the girls upstairs. They’re not stupid. You may be surprised at what you pick up. Also, you might want to talk with the girl in question, while she’s here on bartending duties.”

“Good thinking,” Marino said, turning back to Mack. “Maria’s still here and it’s slow at the bar. Take her aside and ask her a few questions about her new boyfriend. Be friendly and find out where the guy works, things like that. Don’t take too long. I want to conclude our meeting here so our visitors can slip away while things are slow.”

Marino stared at the bar monitor. “Damn, she’s good. The only men drinking tonight are all sitting in front of her and she has their full attention. It would be a shame to lose her over some lover boy.”

Mack walked back into the room. “Maria said that guy, Grant, has a job at King Neptune’s Bar and Seafood restaurant. He’s the host there. He works afternoon and evenings six days a week, with staggered hours. I don’t think he’s much of a threat. Maria seems kind of sweet on him. He works late on weekend nights, maybe until eleven. That’s all I could get out of her, boss.”

Chapter 22

Samantha left the cool air of the medical clinic by the rear door, headed for the waterfront. The late afternoon sun blinded her momentarily. She stood in the shade of the overhead canopy long enough to scan her surroundings. She looked down the street. Heat rising off the pavement, reminded her of the morning weather report, Santa Ana time. A week-long high-pressure system plagued the west coast. The warm wind from the desert was even affecting the island communities. She called Dick. He should be there to escort her home. She