Anna said. “I think we should just go about our business and see what happens. We don’t intend to travel down dark alleys. Nobody is going to accost us in the middle of a casino. I think we’re fine.”
Carolyn tried for humor. “Just a little unnerved.”
“Yeah, well, there is that. Do you have your breathing machine with you, Adeline?”
“I feel fine.”
Anna took a deep breath. “Who was talking about you? I could use a whiff right about now.” Humor breaking the tension, the girls took a deep breath, straightened their shoulders, and started toward the exit. “Wait just a minute. I left Amy’s book in the room. I don’t think we should leave it there unprotected, and I don’t think I trust that little safe either. I’m going to go back up to the room and get it.”
Carolyn sounded firm. “Until we figure out what’s going on, the three of us do not separate under any circumstance. Agreed?”
Anna sighed. “Agreed.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go up and get the book. Then we can see what the night holds for us.”
Adeline came back to the table and joined the girls. “I wouldn’t have dreamed that our style of dancing would be so popular.”
“It’s all those new dancing shows on television. Real dancing is back in style. And those handsome young men understand that women of a certain age — that would be us — are not imitating moves of the past. We actually created them.” Anna winked.
Carolyn laughed. “Did you see the young man Anna was dancing with? The kid with the argyle sweater?”
Anna feigned horror. “Don’t tell me he was following us too.”
All three girls burst out laughing.
Amazing how a couple of Yip Pips can change your evening.
Adeline had to teach the bartender how to make the drink properly, but the young woman was a fast learner, and soon half the bar was enjoying the long-forgotten favorite.
On the way back to their room, Anna asked the question they should have asked the head of security hours ago.
“Why was security for this hotel watching us?”
Carolyn focused on her. “What?”
“There have got to be thousands of people walking through this place every day. Maybe tens of thousands. And they just happen to notice that we got us a girl following us. Why? Were they watching us?”
Adeline thought about it for a moment. “Maybe they were watching the girl.”
Thinking back to the conversation they’d had about NORA, Carolyn said. “Maybe they have some kind of automated system, and they caught something that way.”
Anna shook her head. “Whatever the reason, it is just plain weird that they caught that. It’s not like they were watching us out on the street. They had from the time we came in the door, walked around that fountain thing, then up the stairs, through that one part of the casino, and to the elevators. That isn’t a lot of time to notice that the girl was following us, if they weren’t already looking for something.”
“That is a very good point. When I talk to Gaston tomorrow, well, actually, in just a couple of hours, I will put that question to him. He has obvious connections in this establishment, and I’m sure he can get to the bottom of it quite quickly.”
“Thank you,” Anna and Carolyn answered in unison.
They each went to their rooms and were fast asleep by the time the woman security caught earlier on surveillance wrote up her notes and sent them off via text instead of email. Her client was quite insistent that all information be exchanged via text. Just one more oddity the private detective found vexing.
The text was as short as she could make it, meaning that much of it was vague. Almost immediately the client came back with questions.
Case 201201332: Why the delay? You were to report to me the moment they were back in their room.
Me: I did.
Case 201201332: It’s three o’clock in the morning there!
Me: Yes it is.
Case 201201332: You expect me to believe she was up until three?
Me: I have video with timestamp if you require it.
Case 201201332: That is easily altered.
Me: I don’t know what you want me to say.
Case 201201332: I just want to make sure you aren’t padding my bill by saying you were following her around when she was asleep in her room. She’s usually in bed by eight thirty.
Me: Vegas is the city that never sleeps.
Case 201201332: I thought that was New York.
Me: Maybe. Anything else? I’ve got an associate that can watch the subject while I get some sleep, or I can just pick her up again tomorrow.
Case 201201332: Go get some sleep. She will be in bed until at least noon.
Me: Until tomorrow.
The private detective muttered all the way back to her car, contemplated just sleeping in the car — she always had a “go bag” in the trunk and could freshen up when the sun came up — but decided it would be better to go back to her room.
When she was on a case, she always booked a room at one of the casinos off the strip. For twenty-two dollars a night, plus resort fee, she could keep the ugliness away from her house and her kids, and she was closer to the action. She liked to keep that buffer between her work and her home. Besides, until the government screws with taxes even more, it was a write-off.
Carolyn was sitting at the table, drinking a cup of tea, when Anna and Adeline walked out of their rooms at the same time. “Good morning. I was hoping you would sleep in a little bit, Adeline.”
“I feel better than I’ve felt in thirty years. I may just buy a home here. The dry air seems to do lovely things for me. I haven’t slept this well in decades.”
“Maybe it was the dancing and the Yip Pips.”
They all laughed.
“That certainly was a fun evening. I haven’t danced like that in years. Or maybe ever. All stereotypes aside, my husband just couldn’t dance. He tried, bless him, but the man had no rhythm at all. At least not when it came to dancing.” Anna winked.
Carolyn let out a sigh. “My husband didn’t dance much in public, but most nights he would take me in his arms and dance me around the living room to a song in his head. We had such a good life.”
Adeline chuckled. “My first husband was a prince among pigs. My second husband was a pig among princes. My third was a good man. Shall we leave it at that?”
Neither Anna nor Carolyn knew how to respond.
“I will say this. Having married my second husband, I learned some valuable lessons. Firstly, never rush. Secondly, as Maya Angelou says, when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
“I have a question, completely off topic.” Carolyn took a sip of tea to fortify herself. “That quote reminds me that I wanted to talk to you ladies about something.”
Adeline sat across from Carolyn and leaned in.
Anna walked to the sideboard and poured herself a cup of coffee. Offered Adeline some. Poured that cup and brought both to the table. “What is it?”
“Remember that I told you my granddaughter told me she is pregnant? That’s not exactly what happened. Her husband blurted out the news. Rather, I’m not sure what word to use, but the one that comes to mind is angrily, but that is wrong too. It wasn’t anger. It was control. It was frustration. It was getting one over on my granddaughter, taking away her moment of joy. I don’t know.”
Adeline was the first to respond. “And what do you think about that? You know this young man better than we do. Certainly, you have an opinion.”
“When it happened, I was just pretty much shocked. He has always been very polite. Now I would use the word controlled. Maybe too controlled. But I always just told myself that he is well aware of how close Suzi and I are and that has got to be difficult when a marriage is new.”
Anna took a sip and shook her head. “Maybe that is all this is. The whole baby thing is new. Were they planning on a baby now? Sometimes when a baby comes a
long without an invitation, men get a little batshit.”
“I’m not explaining this well. It wasn’t just his words. There was something under the surface. I’m concerned.”
Adeline responded immediately. “Do you need to go home? We can turn around and go back. It is not a problem. I can make appropriate arrangements if you need our travel expedited.”
“Thank you, but, no, I don’t think so. Suzi has her brother A.J. there. He would never let anything happen to her. I’m sure I am over reacting. I’m sure Barry was just having an off day. That’s what Suze said when I talked to her about it. She said with the new job, and the new living arrangements and all of that, he is just a little testy.”
Anna tried to lighten Carolyn’s mood. “Well, if he screwed up the pregnancy announcement to her grandma, you can bet he is doing some serious kissin’-up now. Suzi’s probably never had it so good.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
“Give her a call and check on her.”
“That’s the difficulty in having adult children, or in this case, grandchildren. It is not my place to check up on her. I must sit back and wait for her to come to me. In areas such as this, I have to trust that she is being open and honest with me and trust her judgment.”
Anna sighed. “They tell you that it is most difficult when they are up all night and barfing on your shoulder, but that is the easiest time. Once they are out your door, and you can’t keep an eye on them, that’s when parenting gets the hardest.”
“True.”
Adeline volunteered. “I can call Cara. She is working for me, and it would be simple enough to bring Suzi up in conversation.”
“No, thank you, but no. I don’t want to do that. If I’m not willing to call directly, then I should not put someone else in that line. I’m sure it is fine. Too much time to think. That’s my problem. With the whole thing of being followed, it has just made me more sensitive. I’m looking for problems where there are none.”
“Speaking of that, before coming out of my room this morning, I made a few calls. Gaston is checking on some things for us. He will be at the bottom of it in no time. He suggested that we simply stay in this room until he has some answers. Is that what you would prefer?”
“Oh, hell, no. If that girl wanted to do something, she had plenty of opportunity. Whatever it is, it isn’t going to ruin my vacation.”
Carolyn smiled. “I agree.”
Adeline gave her head a nod. “As do I. Gaston will be in contact the moment he has information to share. Until then, I suggest that we go about our business and ignore the whole situation.”
Anna asked. “So what’s the plan? What do you want to do today?”
Adeline started the list she’d formed in her mind earlier. “Firstly I think we owe it to Amy to return her notebook as soon as possible. I do not want to be responsible for the loss of something she holds so dear.”
Anna nodded. “I took pictures of all her entries before I came out of my room this morning. We can return it to her anytime.”
Carolyn put out her hand, palm forward. “Hold on a second. If we are being followed, and we don’t know who is following us or why, we can’t really meet up with Amy. We don’t want to put her in the middle of this, whatever this is.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. This probably is about Peter and Amy. I brought this to our door. You tried to warn me to keep to myself, and I just had to go and get all of us in the middle of something.”
“Don’t be silly. I can’t imagine that this has anything to do with the poor girl. For multiple reasons, most of them pointed out by the wise and practical Gaston. Amy is involved in, at most, a misdemeanor. Why would anyone go to the trouble and expense of having us followed because of Amy?”
Anna quipped, “Yeah, by three people no less.”
“To be honest, Gaston is only aware of the one woman.”
Carolyn asked, “Why is that?”
“Because if I told him that I was being followed, we were being followed, by three different individuals, his first reaction would probably be to make every effort to get us back to Florida. His second action might be to have mental health professionals involved. Think about it, ladies. What are the chances that the casino security would notice the girl but not notice a dashing silver-haired gentlemen and a slightly bombastic young man who brings attention to himself by being socially awkward. Does that make any sense at all?”
“Good point.”
“So, what are you thinking?”
Adeline offered, “I think that if we are being followed at all, it is by the woman. The other two just happened to be in the wrong place at a time when we were particularly suspicious and willing to cast aside logic and coincidence.”
Carolyn added, “Wise people have said there is no such thing as coincidence.”
Anna pointed out, “Wise people would tell you that three mature women traveling alone would do well to stay out of casino bars and not drink one too many Yip Pips and dance the night away with men several years their junior.”
Adeline seemed pleased with herself. “True, but we probably would have killed gentlemen our own age.”
Their laughter was interrupted by knock on the door.
“May I come in?”
Adeline bristled. “May I ask who you are and why you would like entry?”
“I’m sorry. My name is Michael Colluride.” He dug identification and credentials out of his pocket and flashed them at Anna who had joined Adeline at the door.
“Little quick. I’ll tell you what, Mr. Colluride. I’ll call down to the front desk and ask them if this is legitimate. Do you mind if I close the door?”
“Not at all. I did not mean to alarm you. I wanted to follow up on your discussions with my team last night. I assumed that they had explained to you that you could expect me this morning. Please, call the front desk. You can also ask them to have your regular concierge present if it would make you more comfortable.”
Anna opened the door wide. “No, we’re fine. Come on in.”
“Thank you.”
Carolyn stood as the three walked into the main seating area of the suite. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m sure you have heard from your attorney. I must say that Mr. Jousseleau has been very helpful since your arrival. We never would have noticed Lori Bellam, even though she is on a list of sorts.”
At the mention of her attorney, Adeline was on full alert. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry. I thought my staff did a better job of advising you. Lori Bellam is the name of the woman who was following you. She is a local private detective. Local being relative. She does most of her work on the strip, but she actually lives about thirty-five miles from here. She is known for following cheating spouses, mostly contacted by worried spouses via the Internet. I know what happens is Vegas stays in Vegas, but sometimes you need to be a little bit discrete.”
Carolyn seemed highly offended. “I’m sorry, Mr. Colluride. Are you insinuating that any of us are doing anything that we must be discrete about? I can assure you that is not the case.”
“Again, I’m sorry. I’m not doing this well at all. Today has been a very bad day for me, and I don’t seem able to get my brain to function at more than two percent. I’m sorry.”
When the girls didn’t say anything, he continued.
“I don’t want to use it as an excuse, but I was at the hospital all night again last night, and I can’t remember the last time I slept in anything but a hospital waiting room chair. There is something very wrong with my three-year old. They just can’t seem to figure it out. He has had every test they can think of to run on him, but he just isn’t getting any better. His doctor seems to be giving up.”
Carolyn’s concern was obvious. “No diagnosis at all?”
“They keep throwing out possibilities. First they thought it was some kind of cancer. Then they thought it was an infection. They thought that maybe he got into s
omething and poisoned himself. Now they are doing genetic testing. My wife looks like a skeleton. She’s lost so much weight. My mother-in-law is watching the twins, but that is too much for her, and I gotta find a long term solution. At least at night so she can get some sleep. This is just gonna kill us all. And my boy? My boy is so brave. He never complains. They poke him and stick him and do terrible things to him, and he cries a little, but then he cheers right back up. He is my hero. I gotta tell ya. That boy is more than me and my wife put together. I don’t know why God gave him to us, but I pray He doesn’t take him back.”
Anna’s compassion was evident. “Why are you even at work?”
“This would be the wrong time to lose my job. Now more than ever I need good health insurance. Things have been rough in this state ever since the president made that comment about not having your business conferences here. The economy is difficult everywhere, which cuts back on vacations and everything. This company has been good to us. The power guys here are stand-up guys. I can’t lose my job.”
Adeline folded her hands in her lap. “Surely if you were to explain the situation…”
“Ladies, my parents raised me old school. My problems are my problems. They aren’t for my boss or the state to work out. I’m sorry I bothered you with all of this to begin with. I just didn’t want you to think that I’m an idiot or that this facility wasn’t on top of everything from that first call from Mr. Jousseleau explaining your special security needs and requesting that security be made aware.”
“Well, I appreciate your efforts, Mr. Colluride. I will speak to Gaston presently. If we need any further assistance, I’m sure we can work with your staff. Please, allow yourself a few hours to rest and see to the needs of your son.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Colluride knew that he’d just been dismissed and through the fog of sleep deprivation and devastation over his son’s situation, he felt he’d made a mess of the whole situation with these three ladies, but couldn’t summon the energy to care.
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