Faxon stopped at the large gates to the enormous estate. Trees covered the blacktop road they made it look like a tunnel. He reached out and pressed the buzzer, there wasn’t any announcement and the gate began to move. It was a half mile of a winding tree covered drive up to the house. Faxon drove around the circle drive and stopped under the covered walkway to the front door. Harper and Faxon got out of the SUV and walked up the steps it opened before they got to it and they were greeted by a girl about eighteen years old.
“You must be the private detective father said was coming.” She spoke with a thick Romanian accent. “I’m Talia. You will follow me please, yes.”
Down a wide dark hall the only light was from two wall sconces as they followed her, and stopped at two closed double doors. She swung them both open and walked in. There was a fire place large enough to stand in.
“Make yourselves comfortable father will be right with you.” She walked out and in a few minutes a tall dark haired man wearing a smoking jacket came into the room.
“Mr. Bennett it’s nice to meet you, I’m Landau Comaneci.” He spoke to Faxon, but never took his eyes off Harper. His accent made him sound like Dracula in an old horror movie.
“This is my partner, Harper Lewis,” Faxon said.
Landau took Harper’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“Mr. Bennett I’m embarrassed to say I have fallen for a man’s lie, and I’m afraid some of my friends followed my advice and did the same. If you could find this man I would be in your debt.”
“How much money did you lose Sir?”
“I gave him two million, but I had three other friends give him a million dollars apiece, it was done by computer transfer out of our accounts we didn’t actually give him cash. My reputation is at stake here Mr. Bennett.”
“Two percent, if I can get your money back, within twenty four hours.”
“I’ll give you two percent if you can get my money back within twenty four hours, and two percent of the other three million. That’s one hundred thousand dollars cash. And another twenty if you bring the man to me alive, that’s one hundred twenty thousand dollars cash, no questions asked.”
“I’ll try to get your money Mr. Comaneci, that’s all I can promise.”
Landau kissed Harper’s hand again at the door before they left. They drove down the driveway and back through the gates.
“That was one creepy dude. Let’s go find a grocery store before we get to Lew’s house,” Harper said.
It took them an hour at the grocery store to get all the things on the list that Lew wanted. They loaded everything in the back of the SUV and then drove to his house. The door was cracked open Harper and Faxon carried arm loads of grocery bags into the house, Faxon had to make another trip. He sat down in one of the chairs at the table as Lew put things away, and Harper helped.
“Your con-man’s real name is Brent Tillman, he’s also used Clark Marks, and he’s running this con using the name you gave me Corbin Beazley. He’s run this con before, selling oil leases in the Gulf, and the guy’s got a good rap. He was arrested in New York for running this same scam he jumped bail and is still wanted, on a two hundred thousand dollar bond. So you could make a good payday just by bring him back to New York.”
“Thanks Lew for getting that information for me so fast, but I got a little cash flow problem right now, think I could pay you after I catch the guy?”
“Ask Harper, she’s already given me a thousand dollars, plus the groceries,” Lew said.
They left and drove away with the information. “You didn’t have to pay Lew. I would have given him the money after we find this guy. Now that we know he’s a bail jumper even if I can’t get the money back I’ll get a payday.”
“You’re so worried I’ll spend some money on you.” You can pay me back, no since making Lew wait for his money. Or you can still accept my offer to buy into the business, eight hundred thousand.”
“You keep raising the price, why should I take this offer?”
“Well if you get the money back for Count Dracula, that’s over one hundred thousand dollars. With paydays like that I could make my money back in no time.”
“That’s if I get the money back, now how the hell am I going to find the guy anyway?”
“I’ve got an idea about that. This guy’s looking for investors and the big money does business at the country club, that’s where someone goes for stock tips and investment advice. We check the country clubs tomorrow and we’ll find him. Just like you knew where those ex-Marines would be, I know this guy will be at the country clubs.”
When they got back to the apartment Faxon went to the bar and ordered a couple of Shepard’s pie and brought them back to their room. They watched the news and ate, Harper cleaned up the kitchen while Faxon pretended to watch the television. When Harper was done she put her knees on either side of him and sat on his lap facing him then put her arms around his neck.
“Don’t panic, I just wanted to tell you something and I wanted to make sure I had your attention. I told myself after I found out my parents were murdered that I’d avenge their deaths, first. But I want you to know you better not do anything with anyone, like that bitch Barbie, or anyone else. I know about that stupid rule of yours and I’m not a client. So just know when the time comes that excuse isn’t going to stop me.”
Harper kissed Faxon hard and long her hands on the back of his head, like they kissed in the elevator. She had made her intentions toward him known now. Harper whispered in his ear goodnight, she kissed him again, then got up and went to bed.
The next morning was much like most of their mornings, Harper up before Faxon. They both had breakfast and Harper used Faxon’s laptop to get the names and locations of all the country clubs around Boston. Faxon checked his bag before they left the apartment, today wouldn’t be a sit and observe. Today would be an abduction of a bail jumper.
Before noon they had been to three country clubs and showed the picture of their man around, club members, bar employees, golf course cadies and workers. They had struck out so far.
“The next one’s out in Woburn. Woburn Country Club,” Harper said, “5-Country Club Road. I’m going to be really pissed if this doesn’t work.”
When they got there Faxon showed the picture to the club manager.
“Yea I just saw that guy, he’s playing with a foursome on the front nine, is there a problem, that guy’s not a member, someone brought him in on a visitors pass?”
Faxon explained the situation to the club manager and he agreed to keep quiet, no reason to disturb the members and let them know he’d allowed a con-man into the club. Faxon and Harper got a golf cart and drove the course until she spotted him with the binoculars. They stayed far enough away not to spook him. They made a plan suspecting he’d have lunch in the club and talk up the scam before leaving, hopping to get a computer transfer from his intended targets today.
They got back to the club long before the con-man’s group was due back, and Harper went to the club shop and bought a tennis outfit and racket, a very sexy tennis outfit. Harper was ready she stood on the walkway that led from the golf cart lot to the club restaurant.
“Hi, I’m so embarrassed the valet parking attendant said it was your car I backed into, its right here in front would you please just take a look, I’d be so grateful.”
Harper put her arm through his and gave him a million dollar smile and a good view of her cleavage. He told the other three guys he’d be right back and winked. Faxon had just pulled up a little past the valet stand, the club manager was there to make sure none of the employees stepped in and tried to stop them. As soon as Harper got close the back door opened and Harper pushed him into the back of the SUV and dove in on top of him, the rear door closed. He started to scream and she punched him hard in the side just in the right spot to drive the wind from his lungs. As he struggled for breath she reached into the bag and took out large zip ties. One went around each wrist behind his back then one tyi
ng the two together, he finally took a deep breath.
“You ok,” Harper asked? “Can you breathe?” as soon as he said yes she stuffed a sock in his mouth.
Faxon parked at the far end of the parking lot. “Throw that blanket over him, I’ll be right back.” While Harper sat in the SUV Faxon went back to the club manager still standing at the valet station.
“Here’s his keys.” the manager said. “Cars in spot twenty three, he also used a locker, and if you’ll follow me I’ll open it for you.
Faxon found a briefcase in the locker with the con-man’s laptop in it and lots of fraudulent paperwork. He walked back to the parking lot and opened the car, there was nothing in the front so he walked around and opened the trunk. There were boxes of the same fraudulent paperwork but he believed everything he needed was on the laptop. The con-man was having all of his victims electronically transfer their funds to his account. He carried the box of paperwork from the car and the briefcase back to the SUV.
“I’ve got everything we need,” Faxon said as he got into the back seat with Harper. He set the briefcase on the seat between them and opened the laptop. When he turned it on it was password protected.
“You want me to do that for you,” Harper asked when she saw him stop.
“Get him up, and take that dirty sock out of his mouth, its password protected.”
Harper halfway climbed over the seat and sat the man up, his hands still behind his back she jerked the sock out of his mouth.
“You’ve got the wrong guy.”
“Oh really, let’s see should I call you Corbin Beazley, or Clark Marks, or Brent Tillman.” Harper held up the enlarged mug shot and the bail order from the state of New York.
“Damn bond agents, let me go and I’ll give you ten times the twenty percent of the bond that you’ll get for bringing me in.”
“I already have a lot better deal, with Landau Comaneci, recognize that name, he’s an old world Romanian and he’s gonna peel the skin off you an inch at a time. Shit it’ll take a week for you to die and that Count Dracula fucker will actually enjoy it.”
“I’ll give you half the money.”
“This is what you’re gonna do. You’re going to return all the money electronically from all the deals you’ve made. And if you don’t I’ll take you to the Count and you’ll give up the information to him I’m sure of that.”
“And if I return the money, you’ll let me go?”
“You can forget the idea you’re going free, you’ll be lucky to stay alive. Do what I ask and I’ll take you to New York and collect the bond. Either way I win. One way you get tortured to death, the other way you stand a chance of doing time and living. What’s it gonna be,” Faxon asked?
The money was transferred back into all the accounts, Landau’s and his three friends and six others. Faxon had their contact information but decided to go ahead and transfer the funds back and not try to call the people first. When the transfers were finished they drove to New York. Faxon made a call to Landau.
“Faxon Bennett here Mr. Comaneci, I just called to tell you all your invested funds and the invested funds of your three friends have been electronically transferred back.”
“I’ll check my account and advise my three friends to do the same. I’m totally amazed that you were able to do what you said you would do in the allowed amount of time Faxon,” Landau said in his thick accent.
“I have a very competent partner it was actually Harper that found him. (Pause) No sir, she’s not available.”
“Please don’t be offended Faxon, She’s very attractive, I had to ask. I’ll have your cash payment here at the house, are you bringing me your prize? I’m anxious to see this man again that thinks he can steal from me.”
“I’m sorry Landau, your offer was more than generous, but I had to make another deal for the man. I assure you he’s not going free, there’s a warrant for him in New York. He jumped his bail so he won’t get out again.”
“Well, I may still have a way Faxon, but I understand why you’re doing what you think you must. You’re a man of principal, that’s very admirable.”
“I won’t be able to be at your estate until later this evening.”
“I’m having guest for dinner consider you and your partner invited.” Then he hung up.
“What was that about,” Harper asked?
“I think the Count wanted to court you, I guess it’s the old world way of asking my permission for you to be his fourth wife. We’ll need to stop at the apartment on the way he just invited us to dinner.”
They got into New York in time to have Brent Tillman booked and for the bail bondsman to pay them the twenty thousand dollar fee for bringing him in. They went back to the apartment. Harper wore her more conservative black dress at Faxon’s request. He wore slacks his nice shoes and a dress shirt, no tie or jacket, despite Harper’s protest, then they were off to Landau’s estate. When they got there expensive cars lined the driveway. Faxon parked behind the last one and they walked to the door and it opened as they walked up the steps.
“Good evening, you must be the private detective, Faxon Bennett, and of course you’re as pretty as father said you were, Harper Lewis, it’s nice to meet you.” The young girl spoke with a thick accent like her father. She was dressed in an expensive gown.
“We just met yesterday, I’m sure you must remember,” Harper said.
“No, I’m sorry, you met my sister, Talia, she spoke of you, I’m Tatyana, please follow.”
Faxon and Harper looked at each other. The girls were obviously identical twins. They smiled and followed the young girl to a dining room where couples talked all holding a glass of champagne. Tatyana handed them both a crystal flute and Shira Brennon walked over.
“You certainly are a stunning couple,” she said.
Faxon was looking the room over, he noticed another girl dressed just like Tatyana and assumed that was Talia, he blinked his eyes when he saw the third girl wearing the same gown.
“Shira am I seeing things, or are there three girls that look alike,” Faxon asked? Harper turned to look.
“Their identical triplets, Talia, Tatyana, and Tasha,” Shira explained. Landau has been married three times and he has three sets of identical triplets. You’re likely to meet three more, Seka, Sonja, and Selecta. They’re here at the estate also but haven’t come down as of yet.”
Landau walked over with a group of people and he began to make introductions, the three men thanked Harper and Faxon for helping with the recovery of their money. All three men and their wives were eastern European with thick accents, and two of the women were considerably younger and spoke no English. The second set of Triplets joined the group. Everyone in the room seemed to know them Landau motioned for them to come over and he introduced them to Harper and Faxon. It was explained Seka, Sonja, and Selecta were Landau’s children from his first wife they were all twenty one.
Landau explained their mother was still in Rumania, as was Talia, Tatyana, and Tasha’s mother, his second wife. His third sets of triplets were fifteen and they and their mother, Landau’s third wife were also in Rumania. After the introduction Landau called for everyone to be seated at the large table. It was the first time that evening that Faxon and Harper had seen servants. Four women in black uniforms came in with large dishes and began serving soup, and a man servant stood near the doors and watched observing the servers. It was clearly a course meal, a salad was next, then the main course, Quale with a cream sauce, small redskin potatoes, and grilled artichoke hearts, the meal finished with a serving of sorbet.
After dinner drinks and conversation and the evening was coming to an end Landau walked with Harper and Faxon to the front door. When they got to a small accent table there was a wooden wine box and Landau picked it up and handed it to Faxon.
“I very much hope this is not the last time we share a meal. The man you felt compelled to turn into the authorities won’t live twenty four hours in confinement. There are always men i
n jail that will kill for the right incentive. But I respect the reason you did what you did, you are a principled man please accept this.”
In the wooden box was two very expensive bottles of Rothschild wine, under the bottles in the wooden box was one hundred thousand dollars in cash.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next morning Faxon didn’t wake until 10:00 am, Harper was already up as usual but not by much. There was no smell of bacon cooking and he found her drinking a cup of coffee sitting out on the fire escape, she had stepped through the open kitchen window.
“Good morning, how about I make an omelet and we split it?”
“I just didn’t feel like cooking.”
“Well come back in and talk to me while I make it for us.” Harper stepped back through the window and sat at the small table. “That was some evening last night, I could have sworn that any minute we we’re going to be the main course, I guess I watch too many old movies, I swear Landau talks just like Bela Lugosi. While I cook will you look up the information of the other investors on the laptop from Corbin Beazley, I thought we could call and let them know their investments have been returned. It’s likely they don’t even know it was a scam.”
“Are you expecting a recovery fee?”
“It’d be nice if they offered one, but since they didn’t know they were being taken I doubt they’ll offer. Consider it a part of the job.”
Faxon diced some onion, red pepper, and opened a can of sliced mushrooms. There was some sliced ham for sandwiches and he cut it up into small pieces then added it to the pan.
Harper worked on the laptop. “Well you have some money now. We could go to Nashville, check out Cartwright Arms, and Ensign Ronald Beale.”
Faxon continued to work. “I thought you’d want to wait around until John executed the search warrant on Smith’s Machine Shop?”
“There’s no guarantee he’ll be able to get the warrant. Ok, I’ve got the list of the other dupes that invested money in factious oil leases, you want me to call?”
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