High Stakes Gamble (8 page)

“I gave you milk!” he roared in anger. Christ! After the beating he gave her, she still had the guts disrespect him?

“One bottle is not sufficient. There was only one baby then to care for. Now there are three. You must bring more or they will die.” As if her head weighed more then she could bear, it swayed forward. Her straggling, sweat-soaked hair curtained her face.

“Son of a bitch! Women and babies! Just my fucking luck.” Mani slammed his hand against the wall, still too lazy to bend down or get another female to hit. “Fine, I’ll bring milk. But be warned. Any more trouble with you whores and I’ll kill you all and be dammed. They don’t pay me enough for this shit.”

He slammed out of the trailer, banged the back doors closed, and heard a satisfactory clang as he forced the bolt home.

Since the day he’d shot his first victim, Mani could never remember a time he feared for his safety. As long as he carried his gun and a bad attitude no one messed with him. But today things had changed.

Spitting with anger, his boss had given him an ultimatum. “Get the merchandise to L.A. in time for the ship leaving in two days or shoot the hostages and then you might as well shoot yourself.”

What had been left unsaid was if he didn’t, and they got their hands on him, they’d torture him, make him suffer in ways that didn’t even bear thinking about. He shuddered at the thought. He’d seen their handiwork on the bodies of other men who hadn’t done their jobs. In fact, he’d been forced to bury the pieces in the desert.

Quickly, he veered off into the direction of the cab and spun out of the yard heading to the nearest supermarket. A short time later he came out loaded with milk, water, diapers, a large bottle of whiskey and cans of black spray paint.

Chapter Fifteen

Once the two detectives had returned to the office and explained what had gone down at the jail, Aurora realised that Cory must have always known that old Chinese woman could be a font of information.

A legend in the community, Mother Ling had a pipeline into every law-breaking activity going on in Vegas. Her numerous loyal subjects fed her information and did her bidding even while she remained incarcerated. Not surprising, her knowledge alarmed many of the gangs whose secrets she either kept or used to earn blackmail money depending on her mood. That she’d managed to stay alive this long surprised them both.

“What did you come up with about the attempt on the old biddy’s life?” Cory turned his sharp grey gaze first on Aurora and then Lisa.

Lisa stepped in immediately. “As far as we could make out, one of the chief female guards has received huge bonuses by feeding info to the Chang-Lee brothers. Guess she kept them informed about everything pertaining to certain individuals, Mother Ling being one of the prisoners on her list. Of course, this is all guesswork since the woman shot herself as soon as we stopped the assassination attempt.”

“She was there?”

Aurora cut in. “Not exactly. She must have let Min Chang, our callous little pickpocket, loose. Then made sure she got safe passage to our interview room, supplied her with the weapon and left the scene. Not that Min’s talking. The sly bitch is as uncommunicative as always.”

Lisa added. “Guess the plant knew we’d be searching for answers, and her bank account with all the hefty cash deposits and huge withdrawals would tell its own story. Turns out the woman liked to gamble.”

“A compulsive in Vegas? Big surprise. Well ladies, it’s been a busy day for you two. Good work!”

Cory had been ecstatic to learn the location of the Chang-Lee’s Vegas warehouse once Lisa had passed on the information she’d learned from Mother Ling. It was that intelligence Mother had whispered in Lisa’s ear before she’d left the room eagerly reaching to Sally for her cigarillos.

On the other hand, Aurora knew Cory had no choice but to pass that vital fact on to the Feds. Sharing with them always made him growly as only he could be when things didn’t go the way he wanted.

He scowled in Aurora’s direction. “Take Lisa to the airport. And then get your butt back here. By that time, the big-boys might have their act together enough to move in and we can play back-up on their arrest.”

She knew better than to take his attitude personally. Feeling his angst and totally agreeing with his frustration, Aurora nodded. “I’ve got to take Lily back to the doctor a bit later. The clinic called to reschedule all the appointments that were canceled the day when the Fulton baby got snatched. Afterward, I’ll drop Lily with Deb and be back in two hours, max.”

“Fine. I want you on the scene. Far as I’m concerned, this is your collar. You two did all the legwork for them to even have this lead. Pisses me off we have to bow out at the final take-down.”

“Maybe I should stick around until tomorrow, Boss,” Lisa chimed in. “Help out with the bust?” She chewed her lip and waited.

Cory’s expression softened. He shook his head. “No. Aurora says you need to find your sister and I agree. Plus you’re still spewing germs all over us and you need some time to get well. Go. Just let us know what you find out, you hear?”

Aurora grinned. “We all heard, even the guys back in the squad room.”

Cory waved them away. “Cheeky brat!”

***

An hour later, Aurora sat in the doctor’s office gazing down on her delighted daughter whose giggles and goos had the pretty young mother-to-be in the next chair enthralled.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?” The very pregnant, glowing-eyed girl had become Lily’s biggest fan. My husband wants a boy, but I’d love a little angel just like her. My goodness she’s got gorgeous blue eyes.”

“Just like her daddy. And like him, she knows how to use them too.” Aurora had thought the words would come out sounding sarcastic and pissy because it’s how she’d begun to feel whenever she thought about Kai. Except they didn’t. They sounded down-right agreeable, kind of bragging, even rather fond.

What the hell? No way would she ever open up to him again. She’d sign herself into a mental institution before giving that silver-tongued scoundrel another chance to rip her heart into shreds.

Her reaction to him the night before still shook her up. Breathing had become almost impossible. Everything inside her body, especially her heart and her femininity had woken up as if they’d been asleep since he’d left. Crazy thing is even today the world looked brighter and her senses vibrated with a tingling kind of tension knowing she’d be seeing him soon.

No way! I can’t let him in again!

Shaking herself loose from the worries that man provoked, she paid attention to the bundle of joy in her arms. Gently, she smoothed the wisps of dark hair away from Lily’s cheek and brushed a kiss on her forehead. Since she’d been away from her for most of the day, she needed to catch up on her smooch quota.

Lily grinned at her in her adorable toothless way. Her sparkling gaze seemed to speak to Aurora’s heart as if a direct line of communication existed. Love passed between mother and daughter and Aurora felt as if the glow inside her must scorch anyone nearby.

“Ms. Morelli? I’ll take Lucy now to be weighed, shall I? The doctor will be seeing you next.” Masked and dressed in a nursing uniform, the pleasant yet efficient female leaned down and reached out her arms.

“Oh, sure. Just so you know, her name is Lily.” Aurora zipped up the knitted pink hoody she’d made herself and lifted the precious bundle toward the waiting hands. Lily started to fuss. Aurora almost insisted she carry her but then the kind, soothing noises the nurse made worked their magic.

A low humming began in Aurora’s head—the kind that signaled trouble. She never claimed to be outright psychic… but anyone who knew her well, could attest to her powerful intuition when it came to all things evil. She wriggled her head and at the same time, she scanned the room to see what could have set her off. Nothing seemed to be out of place.

“This office is so friendly, isn’t it? My sister-in-law had all four of her children with Dr. Flood and gave him a glowing recommendation. Is he your doctor also?”

Aurora had to rethink the words spoken since she hadn’t paid attention. “I just have the one baby, Lily. And yes, I do believe the staff here are very competent. On other appointments I’ve actually had to ask them to weigh Lily.”

“Really? I guess it depends who’s on duty.”

Not one to enjoy interacting on a superficial level, nonetheless Aurora did appreciate visiting with her eager new friend. They talked baby stuff for quite some time before the interruption.

“Ms. Morelli, please. The doctor will see you now.” Aurora recognized the assistant who’d kept her cool during the prior incident in the clinic.

“It’s been nice visiting with you.” Her friendly neighbor added before Aurora had taken a step.

Aurora stopped and turned. When she returned the smile, she knew a true connection had been made and not just in the cordial way of strangers. “Good luck with the new baby.”

“Thank you. And you take care of that pretty little girl.”

Aurora nodded. “Will do.” Then she followed the waiting assistant to the hallway leading to the doctor’s offices. Once they reached the door, the younger girl smiled and said. “You didn’t bring Lily with you today?”

The low humming ramped up until it felt as if her head would blow apart. Aurora grabbed the poor woman, her fingers digging into soft flesh. Her voice, harsh with fear and a knowing that came from pure instinct, forced out words like a Gatling gun. “What are you talking about? Of course I brought Lily.” Thankfully, training and common sense kicked in and prevented her from acting too irrational and shaking the living shit out of the silly fool who’d ask such stupid questions. “One of the nurses came to take Lily to be weighed.” She recognized a begging note she couldn’t have stopped.
Please, please, please God let it be true.

Though only a feeble whimper made it out of her mouth, a scream started building deep inside where only terror and pain exist. As her world spun off its axis, Aurora gripped the nurse ever more tightly.

Dismayed confusion appeared. “I don’t understand. No one would take Lily. I’m alone here right now. My assistant had to run an errand for one of the doctors at least half an hour ago.”

The scream intensified so much that Aurora had to clench her teeth together to stop it from exploding.

As if fearing for her safety, the assistant broke away from hands that hurt. “Let me get the doctor for you.” Scurrying to open the office door, the frightened girl spoke louder than normal. “Doctor you’d better come. I think there’s been another incident.”

In the meantime, her knees weak and useless, Aurora slid to the floor. She groped for her cell phone but it dropped from her shaking hand. That’s when the shrieks erupted. “Help me! We have to find her!”

Chapter Sixteen

Disgruntled, Kai drove his rental aimlessly. He’d just paid an official courtesy visit to the FBI guys to debrief them on the Angeli case and their connections in Nevada, more specifically in Las Vegas. Now he wanted to talk to some ‘real’ people.

Alan Haynes, the head of the unit where he’d been told to report, could give lessons on how to piss off a colleague. The man had about as much personality as a screwdriver. Having met men like him before, Kai figured that Haynes probably worked hard at being an asshole to compensate for his short, skinny body.

A blaring from a disgruntled taxi dispelled his distraction and he made up his mind. Hell with it! He’d go and see Cory, and if he should just happen to run into Aurora, she’d have to deal with it. Damned if he’d slink around with his tail tucked between his legs for the rest of his life. Not only was it frigging uncomfortable, it didn’t suit him at all. If he needed to take a licking from her friends, then so be it.

Wouldn’t be the only time he’d had to take a beating. Visions of the violence he’d recently lived through rose but he squashed them. Must have been the talk about the investigation with Haynes that made his mind wander back to the recent hell he’d barely escaped.

***

Thick with tension, the dead silence in the squad room as he headed toward Cory’s office could be chewed. Kai stopped when he approached Ham’s desk. God he hoped Ham didn’t beat him too badly. His recovery had kicked in and he’d begun to feel like a new man. Another round with a pair of fists would set him back, could even put him in the hospital again.

The big Irishman rose and wiggled his shoulders as if to relax.

Good, thought Kai. Hell, if it would help, he’d offer him a full body massage.

Ham loomed a few inches over Kai, who didn’t move. Took all his perseverance to allow someone else this impudence, but he suspected he deserved whatever Aurora’s Irish guardian angel wanted to dish out.

“It’s been a while.” The edge of Ham’s voice could saw a steel rod in two.

Kai nodded, put his hands over his suit pockets reaching for his hips and then changed his mind. Instead he braced himself, feet apart and waited. “Yeah! I missed you.”

Whether Ham read the sincerity in Kai’s unflinching stare or he’d heard the truth from Cory, he nodded back. “Figured my girl would shoot your sorry ass if you ever had the nerve to show that ugly mug here again.”

“Guess I caught her in a good mood. She only used her gun to threaten my ahh… Seriously scared the bejesus outta me.”

A slight grin broke through Ham’s concrete façade. “You’re lucky. I figured you for a dead man.”

“You gonna do her dirty work for her?” Kai didn’t break eye contact. Neither did Ham.

“Nah! You ain’t worth doing time for.”

“Nasty! She said the same thing.”

“That’s my girl. You want something?”

“Okay if I go check with the boss.”

“Sure. No skin off my balls you wanna die.”

“Actually, we’ve discussed that already and he’s giving me a reprieve.”

“More’n you deserve.”

“My sentiments exactly.” Kai went around the desk and then moved slowly toward Cory’s office. After a few steps, the office noise resumed but the muttering increased. Guess his chances of winning a popularity contest were pretty well nil. It pissed him off because he’d always enjoyed the camaraderie in the place.