Between the Sheets, page 19
“Not very original," Viv said dryly. "Naming a bank and a laundry with your own initials." She paused a moment to think. Remembering the list of members on the HOA letterhead, she made a connection. "Does that mean Dean Marcella owns both?"
"My uncle Deano," the girl said with a grin. "He got me this job." She folded another pillowcase. "Just step over and wait. I'll be there in a minute to get things going."
Viv walked away from the counter. So now a guy on our HOA board of directors, aka the crooner at Three Bunch, has taken over Carmine's business. And if that isn't bad enough, he's opened a bank across the street. A private bank. That has to be a sign for something really bad going on.
She stood in front of the washer, wondering what to do with what she learned. Maybe we're barking up the wrong tree. It's not Beverly or Pete or Joey. Maybe the real killer is the boozy Dean Marcella. His half-smashed persona aside, he owns his very own bank. And now a Fluff and Fold. Not bad for a guy who sells knockoff Nikes out of the back of his truck.
Maybe he bumped off Carmine to get the business. Maybe the others are covering for him, trying to pin it on Joey Baker for their own reasons.
“I’ll have to come back another time,” Viv said, making an excuse to the girl behind the counter. “I just remembered I have an appointment.”
Digging into the washing machine, she lifted her unwashed comforter. Then she turned to drop it inside the laundry basket. Instead of going across the street to the bank for more cash, she headed toward the car. Once there, she tossed the basket in the back seat of her Tesla, her mind still whirling. I have to tell Rex.
When she looked at her cell she found a text from him, sent five minutes earlier.
I need help
Where are you?
Pair-a-Dice. Blackjack table. Come quick.
On my way.
Viv quickly drove down Judy Garland Drive, past Barbara Streisand Way, directly into the casino parking lot. It was early, not yet four in the afternoon. She parked at the very back of the lot.
Once inside Pair-a-Dice, she hesitated, giving her eyes a chance to adjust to the semi darkness. There he is! She spotted his gray hair first. He stood at the blackjack table.
She walked toward him. A woman wearing a black sheath, cut very low on top and high up on her thigh, made Viv wary. Especially when she leaned into Rex, batting her eyelashes.
I thought this was an emergency! Her stomach tightened with irritation. Before she could spin around and leave the casino, a tinkling laugh wafting over the hubbub of other voices made her stop.
"Oh, Rex. You're such a devil. How about we go back to your place for a drink?" the woman said.
Viv knew her neighbor well enough by now to see that he was uncomfortable. Even she could see that he kept trying to inch away as the woman clung to his arm, tottering on her stiletto heels, bumping against his body suggestively.
Rex looked up and caught sight of Viv. The relief on his face made her smile. "Hey, honey. Thanks for picking me up. Come closer. I want you to meet Darcy." He shouted so that she could hear over the din of the casino.
Viv scowled. I don't want to meet his casino floozy. I get it. Women like him.
Rex nodded to the dealer. Then he put his arm around the woman's shoulder, guiding her toward Viv. Once they stood in front of her, Darcy barely glanced at Viv before returning her gaze to Rex's face. She ran her hand up his neck, her finger along the back of his collar. Then the finger snaked down his chest, where she poked at the pocket on the front of his shirt.
Rex's eyes were focused on Viv. "Honey, how about a drink before you go?" His voice pleaded and his neck had flushed red as Darcy's wandering hand traveled down his chest heading toward his belt.
Viv reconsidered. Maybe Rex really needed her help. She watched as he plucked the hand of the woman off of his belt, dropping it to her side. "Gotta go now, Darcy. The old ball and chain has come to take me away," he said.
Before Darcy could protest, he took Viv's arm, reestablishing his allegiance. Then he pulled Viv closer. "Thanks," he said in her ear as they walked away from Darcy toward the exit.
In the parking lot he continued to explain. "She was on me the minute I walked into the casino. I know most of the women who work the floor, but I didn't recognize her. I guess I looked like a ripe piece of fruit, a guy who would pay for her evening. I've been trying to say no for the past hour. That was a setup."
His earnest expression convinced Viv. Honestly, I never thought of what it would be like for men to be sexually harassed.
"No problem, happy to help," she told him.
Rex opened her car door. Sitting behind the wheel, she pointed to his pocket. "I think Darcy put something in there."
He reached in and pulled out a business card. A low whistle came from his lips. He turned the card over. "Now this I didn't expect. It seems Darcy was the messenger." He handed the card to Viv for her inspection.
She read aloud, "You're invited to Frank Salucci's house."
"Read the business name," he said.
"F&S Real Estate Development." First D&M Bank and D&M Fluff and Fold, and now this? Does everyone have to have a business with their initials in the title?
She turned the card over. A handwritten scrawl read: Tonight. Bring cash. Call me if you're in.
Viv handed the card back to Rex. "What does it mean exactly?"
"That our HOA director just invited me to his high-stakes poker game. I've heard about these invitations. Always in person. Never online because they don't want to be traced." Rex smiled.
"But you don't like gambling," Viv said.
"But I do like detecting. And that's what I'll do. I bet the rest of the HOA will be there, just like when they played at Three Bunch."
Viv was perplexed. "So is this high-roller behavior. I mean, they send an overzealous female to pick you out of a crowd and drop a number in your pocket? That seems so extreme.”
“Maybe to you and me. But to Frank Salucci? Sending a potential hooker is his style. At least that's the rumor. He works deals under the table and behind the scenes."
"You sound convinced," Viv said.
"Salucci has his ways. Now I have an invite to the hottest poker game in town." He looked pleased with himself as he adjusted his shirt collar and slipped the card back in his pocket.
Viv didn't feel that pleased. All she felt was concern. She had confidence in Rex, but just watching him with that woman had shown her another side of his personality. Her neighbor was a bit shy when he wasn't in charge. The woman pushed him off balance. He called me for help for a reason.
And then that other incident, when Joey Baker had walked in because he forgot to lock the door. Rex didn't see it coming. All of this made her wonder. Can Rex handle a high-stakes poker game with a bunch of men who most likely suspect he was nosing into their business?
She leaned out her open window. "Why don't you come by after dinner. We can swim and talk this over. Plus I want to tell you what I found out today at the Fluff and Fold."
"I'll bring Kevin," he said and then turned away.
52
VIVIENNE ROSE
That evening as Viv swam laps in her pool, she had time to think. Even I have trouble holding my own with a man who has so much charisma. I feel like a yo-yo, up one minute, down the next.
After she'd gotten home and realized her feelings, she'd called Rex. "Just so you know, I am not your rescue squad," she told him firmly. "You don't have to let women cling to you like that. It's inappropriate and frankly beneath you."
Even her go-to, swimming laps, did not diminish her concern. And the realization that her annoyance with Rex wasn't nearly as intense as her annoyance with herself. It started with the girl at the laundry and her asking about him. And then when she'd seen that woman clinging to him at the casino, well she'd just had it. I don't want to be his babysitter. He has to stick up for himself.
Viv patted the pool water off of her face. Her eyes took in the cooler, which was filled with IPAs. Sutton and Rex were coming over later to talk about their investigation. She wanted to be prepared.
Sitting in her chair, she leaned back, stretching her legs in front of her body.
When Rex arrived, Viv offered him a beer with a smile. He sat down, took a swig, and then tucked the bottle under his chair. "So Sutton reminded me that Joey Baker gambles nearly every day of the week. The same time, late afternoon."
"That's what Beverly told me," Viv said.
His face looked grim. "I don't know if I believe Joey's on a cruise. So I did my own surveillance to see if he was hanging out at the blackjack table, and that's when Darcy found me."
"That explains it. You were looking for Joey?" Even Viv had to admit that sounded reasonable.
Rex nodded. "And then this evening before I came over, I called the number on the card from my pocket. The game is at ten o'clock tonight. I've got a couple more hours and then I'm heading over to Frank's house."
Viv felt her heart rise to her throat. "And where does Frank Salucci live exactly?"
"Two doors down on the left." He reached under his chair to retrieve his beer. Then he tipped his bottle toward her with a grin.
Viv couldn't believe her ears. "Do you mean to tell me that the big-time real estate investor and HOA president lives on our street?"
"Yep. Apparently he's got model number three. Like yours. Only I figure there's no catio on the back. I bet ol’ Frank built himself a state-of-the-art poker room, no cameras or microphones. Clean swept and ready for action.
"And you know what else I figure?" He leaned toward her with a satisfied smirk on his face. "I figure Joey Baker may show up for the game. And then I can call the cops and get him arrested."
Viv sighed. "If the cops get Joey, I'll feel obligated to give the money back. That was the only stipulation, that the police would not be involved."
"That's true," Rex admitted. "I'd like you to keep the dough. But this poker game may be the only way to lure Baker out of hiding."
"Assuming he's not on a cruise," Viv added.
53
REX REDONDO
A burly six-foot giant patted Rex down, his hands moving under his armpits, then along his legs. Rex felt confident. This poker game is gonna matter—it’ll help solve the investigation.
He knew he'd come to the right place because the guy, a bouncer or a bodyguard, looked exactly like the guy he'd seen in his inner vision at Three Bunch. "Having fun?” Rex asked. "Try my shoes. Just in case I have a knife."
"Don't tell me my job," the man muttered. Then he stood to his full height.
"You're a big guy. Work out?" Rex kept his voice deliberately playful to offset how nervous he felt. He also knew that once he got to know everyone in the room, he'd be able to do some mind shaping. Then he could ask questions and find out why everyone had it out for Joey Baker. In his way of thinking, Beverly and Pete were the most likely suspects.
"This way," the man muttered. He stepped back, waiting for Rex to walk in front of him. Down the hallway, Rex pursed his lips to whistle a few notes. My bright and sunny demeanor will keep them off balance.
"Sit there." The burly guy pointed to a chair in the hallway.
Rex complied, taking a moment to think about an earlier conversation. He'd spent an hour briefing with Sutton before arriving at the poker game. Though he knew that Viv was worried, Sutton had no concerns. "It's just another op," she'd told him, straightening his bow tie. "You sure you don't want a camera? I could tuck it right under this knot."
"Come on, you know they'll find it right away. The thug who does the pat downs. It would make his day and give me away, and most of all make my job a lot harder. I'm going in clean and sober and camera-free. No wires either," Rex added. "Have to use my wit and intelligence for this one."
Sutton rolled her eyes. "Will you be reading every player or just Frank?” She stepped away, so he turned to admire himself in the full-length mirror.
Rex ignored her question, mesmerized with his appearance. "What does that guy on TV say? The one who's the writer who's in love with a cop…" He grinned at his reflection. "Castle. That's it. Let me quote him: 'I really am ruggedly handsome.'"
"And you're not Nathan Fillion," Sutton muttered. "I saw him once at Just Desserts. He's even better in person. A lot younger too."
Rex knew it was best not to let Sutton know how nervous he felt. I'm invited to a card game with a bunch of thugs. Not my usual gig. Ever since the invitation he'd felt unsettled. But he'd made light of it so as not to alarm Viv. And now Sutton was getting all overly protective. A camera? Please.
Half an hour later he was out his front door. On the way down the sidewalk, he glanced toward Viv's front window. I'd much rather be hanging out with her than playing poker with the desert mafia. He'd started calling the HOA that in his own mind.
Half a block later he nearly collided with the woman with her baby stroller. She wore earbuds and a grim expression. He smiled and stopped. "Mind if I see your baby?" he said in a friendly voice. To his surprise, she shoved the stroller off the curb into the street.
"He's asleep," she told him.
"Maybe another time," he’d called after her, walking briskly away.
"Hey, Redondo." A voice now interrupted his thoughts. A woman greeted him. "Right on time. Come this way."
Rex stood with an ingratiating smile. "Hey there. I'm here for the game."
"I know," she said sharply. "Stop talking. Then hand over your phone. Then take a step to the right and hold out your arms."
He handed her his cell, submitting to the second pat down. She ran her hands over his chest and then under his armpits. Then she spread out her hands to run down his back, lingering at his belt. Kneeling to run her hands down both sides of his legs without a smile or a nod.
Finally the woman pulled a clear metal detector from her back pocket. She spent a very long time using it to circle his crotch. "Clear," she announced. Then she pointed to a chair. "Sit there for now." Once he was seated, she left him, finding her place behind the bar.
Across the expansive room, four familiar men sat around a large round table. Even without the HOA name signs, Rex knew he'd come to the right place. HOA guys. Just like I thought. Frank, Sammy, Peter, and Dean. But it was the three empty seats that drew his attention. One for me and one for Joey; who gets the other one? His heart quickened.
The men acted as if he wasn’t in the room. They continued to talk among themselves.
"Good evening," he called toward the table. At first no one acknowledged him. But then Frank Salucci looked up.
"Come grab a seat at the table," Frank finally told him. "Glad you could come.” His hand reached over his head as he snapped his fingers. "Bring him an IPA," he said. The woman who'd recently run the wand over his crotch pulled up a bottle and opened it. Rex stood to take the bottle from her hand.
"You know my brand." He stared at the familiar label with a black Labrador.
"It's my job to know everyone in this neighborhood," she said.
Salucci called from across the room, "Do you think I don't do my homework before I invite a guy to my table? Do you think I'm stupid?" Rex heard the defensiveness in his voice. He also knew he was being tested.
Rex took a small sip. He'd nurse that bottle all night. He didn't know how Salucci knew what he drank, but he wasn't exactly surprised. Not that hard to ask around, especially at the casino.
Rex loosened his shoulders to take on a nonchalant pose. He sauntered closer to the table.
Salucci glared. "I expect people to answer my questions when I ask them. Do you assume I'm stupid? That I wouldn't know you lived in this neighborhood? I recognized you right away when you and the dame came to the HOA meeting."
Rex realized that he was tap dancing around Salucci's trigger, at least one of them. Everyone was expected to respond to Frank with answers he wanted to hear, even if they had to lie.
Yet Rex also knew that Salucci would respect him more if he refused to be intimidated. So he shrugged and took another sip of beer.
Salucci jumped to his feet. Face red, eyes narrow, he growled under his breath. "What are you lookin’ at?"
Rex glanced over his shoulder, expecting to feel a gun in the back of his head. He spoke calmly. "Actually I'm expecting that tall woman to show me her gun. And then point it right here." Rex grinned as he tapped the back of his head. "Not a bad way to go, if you know what I mean. She's very attractive."
Salucci's face turned redder.
"Come on, Frank," Rex coaxed, "that was pretty funny. You gotta admit. Lighten up or I'll think you're a real gangster.”
With the woman behind him and the burly guy next to him, Rex smiled. He looked as if he didn't have a care in the world. Salucci tightened his lips into a thin angry line. Then he muttered, "Funny guy." The oversized bouncer took that as a cue. He came closer to hold out Salucci's chair.
Once Frank was settled, he addressed Rex. "Okay, smart guy. I'm done with the small talk. Take another sip and then let’s you and me have a private conversation outside."
"I could use some fresh air." Rex stood.
Outside, Rex admired the backyard. The sound of water splashing into the spa caught his attention. The spa was big enough for a dozen people.
"You like it?" Salucci's voice sounded harsh, ominous and intense. "Maybe someday you could come over and have a dip with me and a few friends." He leaned closer to Rex. "When you aren't playing footsie with your next-door neighbor."
"Not impossible." Rex used his most charming voice. He hoped the alarm would not show on his face. So he knows we're friends. Instead of stepping back, he leaned in. With a quick exhale of his breath, he shifted his fear into energy. That's the stuff, he said to himself.
A slow smile crept over Salucci's lips. "Like I said earlier, you're a funny guy. And that's why I'm gonna break one of my rules. Just for you. Give you a second chance, since you’re mental and all."
