by Taylor Lee
“I can say one thing for you, Gardner. You sure as hell have an eye for pulchritude.”
Jake allowed a slight smile to cross his lips.
“I presume there are other reasons, Commissioner, that you are willing to pay our outrageous fees. But, don’t be misled. The evil men we are pursuing have every reason to fear Major Anderson as much as they do Alexis, Colonel Schaefer and myself. You might want to keep that in mind, Craig. And for the record: our fees have doubled given the situation we now face.”
The rail thin man with a slightly greenish tinge to his pale face glowered. Jake knew how much the Commissioner disliked hiring “consultants.” It annoyed Spellman that Jake didn’t have to follow the rules and didn’t answer to him or anyone else—as far as Spellman knew. The fact that Jake’s team was paid at rates ten times what a government employee would make—even one at Spellman’s level—rankled the pompous official. The man who ordered Spellman to hire Jake and Brady headed up the Department of Homeland Security that oversaw Spellman’s bailiwick. The senior Cabinet official also happened to have served on Jake’s Special Forces squad in Somalia.
When the word came down from Washington to hire Jake and his company, Spellman could do little more than complain about their fees. Like many public officials Spellman knew that the only way to make money in a government job was to cultivate powerful friends and then leave government service and become a consultant. Spellman made no secret that the arrangement galled him. Jake had never understood why his fees bothered the Commissioner as much as it did. Spellman was astonishingly wealthy. Most people assumed it was his wife’s wealth that kept him living in luxurious surroundings. Jake hadn’t weighed in on that issue, but he had forensic accountants reviewing the Commissioner’s financials.
Peter Kim rose from the table with the rest of the officials when Jake and the others entered. None of the men at the table knew Peter’s real identity or that the District 4 Councilman was a key part of Jake’s team. In public Peter and the team had a cordial relationship. In that the hideous murders had taken place in Councilman Kim’s District, it was assumed that he would be present at the strategic session.
Peter was a rising star in his own right. No one in the public arena wanted to be on the wrong side of the urbane Councilman. He’d been handpicked by the Mayor to take a seat on the City Council representing District 4, the hotbed of the illegal sex trade. The Mayor had appointed Peter to fill the seat of the only other Korean member of the Council when Chang Yi became ill. Although he’d never confirmed it, now that Jake knew Peter’s real identity, Chang Yi’s ‘illness’ seemed auspiciously timed. Jake chuckled to himself. Someday he would ask Peter if he had a hand in the sudden malady that forced former Councilman Yi to retire.
~~~
Commissioner Roberts opened the meeting by addressing Lexie.
“Alexis, the cruel murder of the three young women has horrified all of us. The city is shocked. I offer you my condolences. I know that you worked personally with the victims. I am sorry. I want you to know that none of us blame you for what happened. Although, I’m confident in retrospect you wish that we could turn back the clock and undo the damage caused by the event you engineered.”
Lexie managed to choke back her shock. She’d been wracked with guilt for the last three days. But long conversations with Master Wan and Jake along with hours in the dojo had helped her focus her grief. While she would never forget the terrible murders, she knew in her heart that the animals who tortured the young girls were responsible for their deaths and that feeling guilty wasn’t useful. Instead she was more determined than ever that they would take down the hideous enterprise that ordered the murders and were responsible for the exploitation of thousands of young women in their city. But Commissioner Roberts’s cutting, careless words tore at a scab that had barely begun to heal. Lexie sucked in a deep breath trying to respond professionally. Jake beat her to it.
Lexie looked up in time to see Jake eyeing the suave police commissioner. Even before Jake spoke his fierce expression wiped the smug look off the Commissioner’s face. Jake’s voice was cool, but no one could miss the dangerous edge underpinning his words.
“Would you like to explain what you meant by that remark, Commissioner?”
A dead silence met his words. Commissioner Roberts frowned, clearly not accustomed to being reprimanded or having to explain either his words or his actions. He visibly swallowed then glowered at Jake who returned the hard stare with one of his own.
Roberts hesitated then said, “Look, Jake, no one admires Alexis more than I do. You know that and so does she. Cynthia and I respect the hell out of her. Christ, she teaches our children. Samantha and Donald think she’s Wonder Woman. They have posters of her all over their rooms.”
Jake persisted. “You didn’t answer my question, Tom.”
Using the Commissioner’s first name in this professional setting was an intentional affront. The Commissioner had purposefully tried to assert his authority when he called Jake by his first name. Now Jake returned the favor.
Silence settled over the table as the two powerful men faced off. The Commissioner blinked first.
“All right, dammit. That was a thoughtless remark. I apologize, Alexis. I know you are broken up over what happened. We all are.”
Lexie shrugged and didn’t respond. While Lexie may have accepted the Commissioner’s forced apology, Jake made it clear that he did not. He swept his gaze around the table focusing on each of the attendees. When he spoke, the dangerous edge had sharpened.
“Let me be clear, Tom, with you—and everyone at this table. Three days ago, three innocent young women were tortured to death. This happened on your watch, Tom, and yours, Craig. In addition, the rest of us at this table are also responsible. Not for what we did, but for what we allowed to go unaddressed for far too long. The one person at the table who did not let the issue lie is Alexis Beloi. With the help of Dan Rourke, Mark Peterson, and Peter Kim, she refused to be put off by the powerful officials who were content to ignore the problem until the public spotlight shone on them.”
Craig Spellman pounded on the table.
“Dammit, Gardner, are you saying that none of us did anything about the brothels until Alexis and Councilman Kim staged that publicity stunt? And before you answer that, can you deny that it was that publicity that killed those girls?”
While Lexie and Peter were perfectly capable of responding to the querulous man, the formidable expression on Jake’s face stopped them both.
Jake sat quietly for a long moment then blew out a soft puff of air.
“That remark, Craig, is what my Uncle Bobbie Ray would call lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut. As for me, I’ll chock it up to your embarrassment at your department’s inability to make a dent in the illegal prostitution travesty that is running rampant under your nose. I might add, Craig, that the reason my team and I are here, earning extraordinary fees, is because Washington considers your efforts dismal at best.”
Jake held up his hand when Spellman flushed beet-red and sputtered in outrage. Jake included Roberts in his hard glare.
“Listen up, both of you. Lexie and Councilman Kim precipitated the first real movement in this despicable arena to date. Not only do we have the Mayor, the Governor and the national and international press focused on the plight of exploited women in San Francisco but we have a standard bearer for the cause. Alexis can’t walk out the front door of her Center without being accosted by eager news people begging for an interview. They want to know in her words what the ‘powers that be’ are doing about this crime. In the event that you don’t know it, you, gentlemen, are the ‘powers that be.’
“Far be it from me to threaten any of you, but in a couple of well-phrased responses to the press who are eager to find scapegoats, Lexie can have you wishing that you’d stayed under the porch instead of trying to run with the big dogs.”
Radiating power, Jake upped the ante further.
“Finally,
our team agreed to come to this meeting for one reason. I want to hear from each of you in detail what your organizations are doing to solve these murders.”
Commissioner Roberts broke the pregnant silence, conceding to Jake’s potent authority.
“As you know, Jake, Dan Rourke is the finest Vice Captain we’ve ever had and Mark Peterson is a close second. The SFPD is at your service specifically under the leadership of Captain Rourke. Whatever resources Dan needs are his for the asking. He wants it, he gets it yesterday.”
Craig Spellman also appeared to have decided that discretion was the better part of valor. Making a visible effort to control his infamous temper, he agreed with the police commissioner.
“Likewise, at ICE we are at your service. My understanding is that you want Paul Prentiss assigned to you. I’m amenable if Paul is.”
The young red-haired man flushed with pleasure.
“I’m honored, Colonel Gardner, that you asked me to join with you and your colleagues. I… I thank you.”
Jake smiled at the young man who was the most qualified person he’d met at the overworked government agency. Both Jake and Brady had admired the serious young man from the first time they met. It didn’t hurt that Prentiss was ex-military. In addition to being in awe of the formidable Jake Gardner, unlike his jaded supervisors, the young public servant actually believed they could make a difference in the seemingly unsolvable issues they faced.
~~~
After an hour of conversation, Jake wound up the discussion with an ultimatum.
“Gentlemen, we are after one person and one person only, Young-soo’s San Francisco impresario. When we take him down—and we will—we will cut off his balls and feed them to the pigeons flying over City Hall. After we’ve cut off his dick and shoved it in his mouth, that is. The loss of the mastermind will cripple this hideous enterprise that is a black mark on the soul of San Francisco. And it will be a clear signal to Young-soo and his minions that from this point forward we will be on them tighter than ticks on a hunting dog’s ass.”
Jake rose to his full height, and shot each of the assembled participants a hard gaze.
“Gentlemen, and ladies, I believe that concludes our meeting.”
Jake strode over to Lexie and pulled out her chair. He leaned down and murmured loud enough for everyone at the table to hear, “Shall we, Darlin’?”
Lexie smiled. “By all means. Something tells me we’ve overstayed our welcome.”
Commissioner Roberts stood and walked around the table. Pointedly sidestepping Jake, he reached out for Lexie’s hand.
“May I speak with you for a moment, Alexis?”
Lexie smiled. “Of course, Tom.”
Nodding to Jake, Commissioner Roberts tried for a bit of levity. “I promise you I will behave. I’m inordinately fond of the package between my legs and I’d like to keep it that way—attached that is. Wouldn’t want to put them at risk. Your knight in shining armor has made himself abundantly clear. “
Jake didn’t return his smile. He merely nodded.
“I believe I’ve made my point, Tom.”
The Commissioner quirked a brow. “That you have, Colonel.”
~~~
Lexie followed Commissioner Roberts to the side of the impressive conference room.
“Alexis, I apologize for what I said to you. It was unconscionable. I was way out of line. The only people who are responsible for what happened to those poor girls are the brutal men who killed them. Jake is correct. As a police force and a city, we’ve allowed egregious crimes to take place virtually in plain sight. Your courage has forced us to do what we should have been doing all along. Please forgive my callous remark.”
Lexie was relieved. She considered Cynthia Roberts a friend. Plus the Roberts’ had included her and Jake in a number of events with wealthy individuals who were potential donors to Lexie’s Center. In addition, Lexie was very fond of Sammie and Donny Roberts. She would have hated to lose them as students. Sammie in particular showed real promise.
“Thanks, Tom. I appreciate your apology.”
The Commissioner gave a rough laugh but the uncertainty in his eyes was obvious.
“So, I’m in the clear? You aren’t going to sic my bulldog of a wife on me? Or worse yet, that daughter of mine? I have to tell you Sammie is getting stronger by the day, thanks to you. It won’t be long before she is tossing me across the room.”
Lexie accepted the Commissioner’s apology with a quick handshake and laughed. “Well let’s hope Sammie is also learning how to pick her battles, and her opponents!”
~~~
Seeing the rest of the team waiting at the elevator, Lexie hurried to catch up.
Peter had followed the group to see them out. His eyes were dancing.
“If I hadn’t seen and heard that with my own eyes and ears, I would never have believed that, Jake. Tell me that good ole Southern boy routine is as frightening as it appears, or were you pulling their legs?”
Brady and Tiffany laughed. Tiffany answered for them both.
“Take it from me, Peter. When Jake lapses into his redneck shtick, anyone who knows him ‘hunkers’ down and gets as far out of range as possible.”
Brady chuckled. “Damn. Ever seen C4 explode in a controlled space? Trust me, that’s nothing compared to what happens when the Big Guy becomes the scourge of the North Carolina backwoods from whence he came. Add to that their insults to hotstuff, and hell, I wasn’t sure those two were going to make it out of there alive.”
Jake was leaning against the wall. The glimmer of a smile tugged at his lips but his eyes were dark, hooded. It was clear he was still angry.
Lexie came over to him.
“Thank you, Sir Lancelot, for riding out of the North Carolina mountains to save your damsel in distress.”
“I hope you understand, Lexie. I know you could have handled both Tom and Craig, but I needed to speak on behalf of our company. Not to mention as the man who will rip the heart out of anyone who insults you.”
Lexie snuggled against him. “I kinda liked the other parts you threatened. I swear Craig Spellman turned paler if possible. And just so you know, Jake, I have a feeling that Tom Roberts is more afraid of Cynthia’s wrath than yours.”
Lexie turned to Tiffany.
“Speaking of a tough woman who keeps her man on the straight and narrow, Cynthia Roberts invited me to address her foundation board to discuss the Strong Women Center. She suggested that I meet with her and Margaret Spellman to plan the session. They invited me to meet them after we finished here. You want to join me, Tiffany? Don’t know how you feel about scrounging for dollars from uppity society women. I’ve been shamelessly begging for support for my Center for years. Now with my sudden publicity, I’ve become a hot property.”
Lexie tossed her head and winked. “Believe me: I intend to milk it for every penny I can get.”
Jake leaned down and kissed her. “Go get ‘em, Tiger. But come home soon. We have critical issues to discuss. Peter is joining us for a working dinner. We’ll wait for you and Tiffany before we begin.”
~~~
“That is not possible. That red-headed bitch caused us enough trouble here in Seoul. She has joined Gardner’s company? Are you sure?”
“How many eyewitnesses do you need? From what I can tell, she came because of Schaefer. But she is definitely working with them. Our military sources say she’s resigned her commission.”
There was a long silence
“Kill them both.”
“Who? The women?”
“Yes, you idiot. The women. And in the process the men as well.”
“That won’t be easy.”
“Nothing worth doing is. And I want them to die as painfully as those slant-eyed sluts did.” After a slight pause, he added, “Make sure that the last thing Gardner and the Lt. Colonel see before they die is their women being tortured to death.”
“You know that’s going to cost five times what it cost to kill the sluts.�
��
There was another pause.
“As for the cost? Fail and you won’t be around to spend any amount of money. Be assured, however painfully Gardner’s gang dies, it will be mild compared to yours.”
Once again the buzzing sound indicated that the ruthless son of a bitch had hung up.
Chapter 11
“Talisker’s, please. Single malt, straight up.”
Lexie swallowed her grin, amazed at Tiffany’s unexpected order.
Not to be outdone by her stunning friend, Lexie said with a nonchalant shrug, “Make that two.”
The bartender flashed a surprised grin.
“You got it, ladies.”
He turned to the other two women at the table who were frowning at the redhead. “You two want to trade in that sissy white wine for a real drink like these two hot babes?”
Cynthia Roberts rolled her eyes and flicked her fingers in a shooing motion.
“Sorry, Patrick,” she said to the bartender, “I don’t move on to the hard stuff until at least four o’clock.”
Margaret Spellman, Craig Spellman’s wife, smiled at Tiffany but her eyes were cool. Sizing up the unexpected addition to their group, the artfully coiffed woman addressed Tiffany in a cloying voice.
“I understand, Major Anderson, that you are a friend of that adorable Colonel Schaefer. I’m sure you know that once Alexis scooped up Colonel Gardner, every eligible woman in San Francisco set out to snare Brady Schaefer.”
Margaret waved away the bartender who had delivered their drinks but was standing back gaping at Lexie and Tiffany. The dark-haired woman, who was clearly friends with a skilled plastic surgeon, scowled at the hapless server.
“Please, Patrick. Don’t you know it is impolite to stare? We’ll call you if we need you.”
Turning back to Tiffany as if she’d not been interrupted by the gawking server, Margaret continued twisting the knife.
“But then you must know what a charming scallywag Col. Schaefer is. And, my goodness, I can’t remember when I’ve met a bigger flirt. He obviously likes women, lots of them.”