Читать книгу 1 Law 4 All - Vegas - Billy Angel - Страница 8

Mac hung up the phone. His infatuation with Kitiona had grown into a friendly, somewhat deep relationship. He realized that she was no wilting rose.

Kitiona returned home to American Samoa after the Foundation members solved the mystery of who killed her family last year. She took over her father's position as head of the union at the Motorhead factory. Kitiona guided the union leaders into a peaceful relationship with management. She massaged the continuing negotiations while keeping the factory profitable. Mac respected her casual life-style and knew of her hair-trigger temper. He wanted to foster one and stay away from the other.

His Kitiona moment passed. "Martha, get Ben Green on the phone, please."

"Mr. Green on line two," Martha summoned thirty seconds later.

"Hey Ben, how are you doing?"

"Pretty good, youngster." Ben, in his late 60's, had a complete physical the week before. "The doc's given me a clean bill of health."

"That's good. Missed you at the last Foundation, Skype meeting. What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to congratulate you on opening your new office."

"Well, thanks, Ben. I owe Kitiona and the Foundation -- big time!" After a thoughtful moment, Mac continued, "We may have a situation that calls for the Foundation's involvement."

"Tell me about it," Ben said with interest in his voice.

Ben's age only showed in his body. His mind seemed to actually quicken with age. His thought processes trucked along, always hunting out new challenges or learning situations.

Mac preceded to relay Kitiona's story. "The hook is the text message about the senator."

Both Ben and Mac reflected for several seconds.

Ben's curiosity peaked. "Jimmy is in Las Vegas. We should have him locate Mark's sister Janelle. If he can't, we may have to step in and go to work!"

"I'll call Jimmy today," Mac said.

There was a long, thoughtful pause. "The answer is yes," Mac said. "Franklin is gay."

"I was kind of wondering after meeting him at your announcement party." Ben continued. "You know I don't care where people put their private parts. Just keep them out of my private parts!"

Mac laughed. "Don't worry, I doubt if you're Jed's type!"

"I feel safer now. You call Jimmy and we'll discuss Janelle's situation at the next Foundation meeting."

"Roger that." Mac hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. He brought the chair forward and pushed the intercom button for his secretary. "Martha, get Jimmy Kohl on the phone for me please."

Thirty seconds later, "Mr. Kohl on line one," Martha joyfully said. She was digging her new job.

Wow, she's good Mac thought and pressed line one. "Hey, Jimmy boy, how's the party town doing you?"

"Intense with some glitter thrown in for variety. How's the city and your new partner treating you?"

Mac was tempted but didn't say it. "All is well here, but maybe not so down by you."

"Before we get started, is Franklin gay?" Jimmy mused out loud!

Mac chuckled to himself. He should have opened with that fact. "Yes. You're only the third person to ask me that within the last hour."

"That's nuts. Well, you can count me out of the 'Gay Day' parade."

Mac assured him, "I'll be leaving town that weekend. Maybe visiting you."

"Drop by anytime. I'll get you a great suite on the strip and hook you up with some sweetheart. Speaking of sweethearts, how Kitiona?"

Mac smiled to himself. "She's her usual vivacious self!"

Jimmy grinned. "Don't want to be on the wrong side of her temper, especially with a gun nearby!"

"You remember, too!"

"How could anyone forget her blowing out Bob's kitchen window. You know, thinking back, that might have been the highlight of the Giardina case."

"Speaking of cases, we may have another…in your neighborhood."

When Jimmy didn't say anything, Mac continued with the story Kitiona told him an hour ago.

Jimmy asked, "Do you have Janelle's last name?"

Mac opened his gmail account and found Kitiona's message. He began to read from it.

"Her full name is Janelle Park. She's from North Dakota. She's tall with long, red hair. She works as a dancer at the Galaxy's Starlight Room."

"That describes about one out of every five girls in this town. I've done a few pro bono favors for a local detective. I'm having dinner with him tonight. I'll ask him about locating her."

"How convenient. I'll talk to you in a day or two."

"You got it buddy."

Jimmy hung up his office phone and speed-dialed his cop friend, Rick Rizzo, on his cell. Rizzo was a senior detective on the Las Vegas police force. He stood six foot, four inches, an inch taller than Jimmy. Whereas Jimmy had a wiry build, Rizzo was chiseled with muscles like a power forward on a professional basketball team.

Jimmy met Rick Rizzo playing pick-up basketball games at the local YMCA. While games played on all day, working professionals met on center court at six am and/or six pm. The morning crew played for about ninety minutes, showered and would go off to work. Jimmy and Rick were morning regulars.

They cultivated a friendship based on their love of sports and women. And they were single and both fascinated with the inner workings of the mob.

"Detective Rick Rizzo."

"Riz, its Jimmy"

Rizzo went directly into trash talking mode. "Your backdoor defense sucked this morning. We could have held court for at least two more games."

Jimmy returned fire. "Well, that college boy ate you up that last game. Lucky for you he's not there every morning. Dinner tonight?"

"Sure, Anthony's?"

Paula Anthony held a table for Jimmy and Rizzo every night until around eight. If they didn't show, she'd give the table away.

"See you there about seven. Oh, Riz would you check out a local named Janelle Park. A friend of a friend thinks she's gone missing."

"Any more details?"

"Apparently, she's a dancer at the Galaxy's Starlight Room.

"Ok. Will have something for you tonight."

They both hung up. Jimmy stared out the window. Since meeting Rizzo, he's been up to his ears in clients. When Rizzo meets people in trouble, he hands out Jimmy's card. Jimmy has hired three associates just to keep up with the business. He wasn't complaining. He would cherry-pick the best cases for himself. And he still had time for morning basketball.