‘So?’
‘Henry Hill and WPP company suggest a certain criminal drollery to me. In other words, they’re taking the Mickey Bliss out of you, ie, the piss. Henry Hill went into the witness protection programme. Hence the WPP bit. Only a guess of mine. The convoluted way my mind works.’
She let it all sink in and smiled, slowly nodding her head. She noticed me seeing her new non-executive allure, so she came back to us, albeit a little less exasperated.
‘I see what you mean. So you think the Mob’s involved?’
‘Possibly. We’ll try to find out. What have the Feds told you?’
‘They didn’t say much. Only what we needed to know.’
‘You have any personal details or description of whoever opened the account?’
She shrugged. ‘From what people can remember he was forty-fifty-ish, dark. Smart looking, well dressed, that’s all. The subsequent shipping documents were delivered to us by courier and we wired the funds as requested, so we had no personal contact. Just the odd telephone call. The details are there. Any other business has been done over the phone.’
‘OK. We’ll check them out. When do you have to pay under this LC?’
‘We’ve a few more days before the documents become stale. But we won’t pay when they’re due, as we know the shipment’s fraudulent. In the meantime we’ll stall ‘em somehow. Blame staff shortages or whatever.’
‘What was the discrepancy?’
‘The serial numbers of the containers on the bills of lading were consecutive.’
‘So?’
In container shipping, even new containers go in different directions around the world. These obviously weren’t new, so the odds of a batch of consecutively numbered containers ending up in Miami for this particular shipment are in the billions to one.’
‘They make the same mistake on other shipments?’
‘They didn’t have to. Each shipment was a single container. Plus they were legit shipments.’
‘So what you want us to do?’
‘As you know we’ve already notified the necessary authorities. But we want you to discreetly find out about the people behind WPP Corporation. We’ll then examine your report and hand it to the authorities. We want to be seen to be doing as much post facto due diligence as we possibly could, if this matter ever reaches the newspapers, or our shareholders. So we would like your findings as soon as possible.’
‘OK. We’ll see what we can do. Post hasto.’
Lori stood up to signify that the meeting was over, and she saw us to the elevator in case we stole any paper clips on our way out.
‘Nice outfit you’re wearing,’ said Jonah.
Lori smiled and reddened. She left as the elevator door opened for us, her arms folded as she walked slowly away.
I turned to Jonah. ‘I looked round for her It’s hard not to act superior when you’ve been to Harvard embroidered cushion.’
‘It’s probably beside her bed. I’ll let you know.’
We drove from the bank to the downtown address on NW 16th Street. It was a smart modern building on three floors, the type you’d rent if you needed to impress your clients for a little fraudulent shipping.
The WPP Corporation had a second floor address in suite 200 according to the large and varied list of tenants on the downstairs office directory.
We walked up the stairs. Suite 200 was one of those office facilities where you rent offices on a criminally ad hoc basis and where you have personal telephone and fax answering in the name of your particular company. You get the use of a reception area and receptionist, plus impressive looking meeting rooms. Visitors to your office could be led to believe that it all belonged to you. Welcome to Scam City.
A woman was at the reception desk, organising photocopying, faxing and switching phone calls. A sign on the desk stated her name was Ms Munoz. No Mrs or Miss as it’s none of your business.
I gave her my card and she raised eyebrows when I told her we were private investigators enquiring about the WPP Corporation and Mr Henry Hill. She wasn’t about to help us so Jonah walked away from us down a corridor towards a bank of offices, a manic disruptive look on his face. As he opened an office door, she stopped running interference like a linebacker so I showed her a set of photos Cza had sent. Some nose-screwing-up scrutiny later, she reluctantly identified Henry Hill as someone who looked like Ricky Bezzant, who’d paid a year’s rent in advance in cash about nine or so months ago. No, she said, it wasn’t unusual, lots of tenants paid in cash in Miami.
He occasionally called in for messages. Yes, she had a cell phone number for him in emergencies, which she would not give to me. Their only mail had been from South Federal plus some junk. This was collected irregularly by a messenger. That’s all thank you very much. Jonah walked to another office and put his hand on the door.
She said, ‘What else can I help you with?’ translated as I’ll tell you a little more if you get your asses outta here.
To her knowledge they’d used the office conference room once, about six months ago for a meeting. Yes, she thought that it was with some Oriental gentlemen. No, that was all she would tell us as she’d told us too much already. Now piss off why don’t you as I’m shit scared.
I gave her my card and told her to make sure she called Bezzant to say we’d been there. She shook her head so I asked if she’d reported the rent paid in cash on a CTR form as required by law. So she gave me Bezzant’s cell number providing I promised not to tell him who’d given it to me and we left and didn’t come back.
‘She’d make a lousy witness. One visit from Moresco and she’d have congenital amnesia,’ said Jonah, doing a careful 360 to look around him as we left the building.
‘He’ll get pissed when he knows we’ve been there. If she calls Bezzant which I think she’ll do. And we’ll be held responsible when the bank doesn’t pay them.’
Jonah said, ‘That crossed my mind. They’ll have nine hundred and sixty thousand more reasons to be pissed.’
We were driving out of the car park into the busy traffic, keeping a weather eye open for unfriendlies or other unusual people, even though it would be hard to single them out in this town.
‘We’ll get a mug shot of Johnny Vittorio later today from Cza. His prints match those on Lori’s shipping documents.’
‘The cutlery dude?’
‘Yeah. Johnny Steaknife.’
‘He’s been a long time gone. Where that bad boy been?’
‘Obviously not practising his craft. They hadn’t cocked up with those container numbers, the bank would’ve paid out by now.’
Jonah moved his shades to the end of his nose and looked over them. ‘Probably get his pension benefits cut.’
I did likewise with mine. ‘They cut something more painful than that.’
I had my eye on a light blue Chrysler Neon with darkened windows that was about five cars behind us. I was sure I’d seen it on our way from the hotel that morning. I pulled up on 5th and Jefferson. The Neon turned into a corporate car park a block behind us. I drove toward Washington and it exited back on to 5th. I doubled back, and U-turned behind it. I read its licence number out to Jonah as it continued in the direction of Lummus Park.
We pulled in at the office park. There were no shooters waiting. There never are when you’re ready for them.
Tonique gave me a message slip. ‘Mr Sayers called and wants you to call him at The Delano after six this evening. He said it’s urgent.’
‘OK. He calls again, tell him you’ve given me the message. And have someone get the tag details on this. A blue Chrysler Neon.’ Jonah gave her the plate number.
Dooley was cleaning a pistol and looking pleased with himself. On his desk were some cell phones and a metal box about the size and shape of a shoe box.
‘We’ve just made the local Bell company very happy and we’re getting a bonus,’ he said, half of his attention on his Beretta Alley Cat .32, his new back-up gun, as he demonstrated its tip-up feature,
where you load the chamber without racking the slide.
He reluctantly got back to the metal box. ‘It’s an ESN reader. The bad guys take it out to a busy intersection for a couple of hours and smoke a J to pass the time. Its gizmos inside read the electronic serial numbers of cell phones and their ID numbers. The data gets loaded into a PC and then onto a stolen phone. Then, hey presto, you have a cell for sale.’
I said, ‘When does the legit owner find out?’
‘When he gets a three grand bill from the phone company or a busy signal on his phone all the time. It normally takes a month or so. See this yellow sticker here on the back of the phone? It has a date which is a guarantee if it gets cut off within thirty days, the seller will replace it for free. You believe that? Money back on a chop shop phone.’
‘What do they cost?’
‘Fifty to a hundred bucks for unlimited calling for at least a month.’
‘Cheap telephone time.’
‘You’re not kidding. A lot of them get sold to honest Joes and small businesses. They don’t seem to think they’re breaking the law.’
‘Do many get caught?’
‘It’s the cloners they’re after. We’ve just completed a surveillance and shut down one of the big boys. Probably only temporarily.’
‘What’s the penalty?’
‘Possession of the phone a third degree, and possession of the cloning equipment a second degree felony. But the DA in this case was really pissed. Not just because his conviction rate was down or that it’s election year. He and his wife and daughter all had their cells cloned recently. Someone ran up ten grand on their accounts. So he wouldn’t let this guy cop a plea and the case is now going to trial. And that’s kept the phone company happy. They want the publicity.’
‘Nice to think we keep at least one client satisfied.’
Tonique came in to Dooley’s office. She looked pleased with herself.
‘The information on the Chrysler,’ she laughed. ‘I thought I recognised that number.’
The blue Neon was registered to Milo and Dooley, South Beach.
I gave Dooley the slip of paper. ‘You either got someone working for the enemy or you’re checking up on me.’
‘When I let you out of my sight you see what happens. I had a man free so he’s been dogging you. Just being your big brother, man. Can’t afford having you shot all over the place. Bad for business.’
‘Thanks. I appreciate it.’
‘So what happened at the bank?’
‘It’s a scam. Just like the New York mob pulled in ‘85. The bank knows this but wants to cover its ass by going through the motions. We checked out the shipper’s office downtown for them. It’s an accommodation address. Rent paid one year in advance by Bezzant.’
A wry smile. ‘These guys find out, they’ll think you killed this deal. And wonder how you got involved. They’ll want your asses in a sling.’
‘They won’t find out the deal’s killed for a few days more yet. The bank’ll stall ‘em. They’ll think it’s just some bureaucratic banking bullshit holding up the money.’
He thought awhile. ‘Let’s not tell Tomas about this. Boy has enough on his plate.’
Dooley took a call. ‘Your Sayers and his bald friend are on their way to Hialeah again.’
I said, ‘So much else going on, I’d almost forgotten about them. I need to get me one of those electronic hand-held gizmos so I can keep track of all given villains at any one time. Have ‘em GPS tagged.’
‘So in the meantime, why don’t you go keep Jay company. She talks nothing else but you, and Gloria keeps matchmaking on your behalf. You got some fires to be kindled or otherwise put out there,’ said Dooley.
‘Only I get to come along and be chaperone,’ said Jonah. ‘I’m your official minder now, remember.’
‘Don’t you have some bank security officer or red haired waitress to see?’ I said.
I called Cza and reached her answer service. I asked her to return my call and told Dooley to remind her that we needed the photograph of Johnny the Steaknife, when she called back.
I called Jay. The thought of an afternoon with her at Dooley’s did have a certain appeal. My minder sat in the rear seat as we drove to North Miami Beach. The Chrysler Neon was reassuringly a half block behind.
Jay answered Dooley’s door in mini denim shorts, a teal blue bikini top and blue toenails. My colours. She wore her wedding ring on her right hand for the first time. I’m a private eye. I notice such things.
‘Why’ve you been keeping those legs from me all this time?’ I said.
She kissed us both on the cheeks and then took my hand as I followed her inside. ‘Been getting ‘em tanned before I inflicted them on you.’
‘That sort of infliction I could use.’
‘How’s the shoulder?’
‘It needs a bit of TLC, but apart from that, fine.’
Jonah mock-retched. ‘Before I throw up, I’m going for a swim.’
‘Then it’s lunch by the pool. Gloria and I have been food shopping.’
‘Where is she?’ I said.
‘On my way out.’ Gloria was standing behind me. ‘I’m leaving you folks alone for a while.’ Her wink almost gave her whiplash.
Jay and I stretched out in adjoining recliners and Dooley’s maid appeared with a jug of rum punch. She poured us each a glass. We toasted each other and I lay back enjoying the sun beating on me. I thought about the last week, which had more twists than a pretzel. I’d been assaulted in my London office, met the living dead in a mortuary, played water polo with a mobster’s thong, been shot by an uninitiated gang member with an antique pistol, and was soon to be blamed for doing the mob out of the best part of one mil. Not to mention whatever Sayers and his hood had in store. That’s the bad news. The good news. I’ve met a flight attendant with a great sense of humour and body. An FBI agent with the above plus a .38, and an attractive and witty client who was lying next to me. It was also warm and sunny. Now, if only Liverpool could beat Man U on the weekend.
Jay stared at me. ‘What you thinking about, Milo.’
‘Life and the pursuit of happiness.’
‘That possible?’
‘What?’
‘To pursue happiness. I thought that you only pursue hedonism, sybarism, that sort of thing. Happiness either happens, or it doesn’t. Serendipity’s found by not being looked for, Confucius say.’
‘Too philosophical for me on such a hot day. I was thinking about what a week it’s been,’ I said.
‘I’m glad you’re here with me now, Milo. That’s all. You’re now my white knight in shining armour.’
‘Careful with that white knight stuff,’ I said, ignoring the fact she’d pronounced armour as amour. ‘The Politically Correct Police will get you.’
Jay was now propped up on her elbow. ‘Your friend Cza was here last evening visiting Dooley and Gloria. She some sort of cop or secret agent or something?’
‘A government cop,’ I said.
‘She was asking Gloria a lot about you. Seems interested.’
‘Who, Gloria or Cza?’
‘Very funny. What do you think of her? She’s very attractive and intelligent.’
‘Plus she’s a girl of loaded gun.’
‘That what I need to get your attention? A .45?’
Jay was now upright on her recliner and she topped up our glasses. The rum drink plus the sun had given me a hum. Jay was turning up its volume. I had another drink and closed my eyes and absorbed the warmth of the moment.
I felt the tips of Jay’s fingers on my lips, forcing them open. She hand fed me pineapple from the drink, letting her fingers linger in my mouth while some of the punch ran down my chin and neck. I closed my eyes. I could sense her shadow on me and I felt her tongue and lips on my mouth, then on my chest where the drink had spilt.
She was licking the sticky mixture off my body. ‘What’s a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?’
‘Exactly what she’s
doing, it seems. What’s a guy got to do?’
‘This.’
She put her glass to her mouth to drink. I felt her lips on mine again as she forced my mouth open with her tongue. She fed the sweet drink to me from her mouth, slowly and gently.
She said, ‘Hey. This ain’t fair. You get more than me this way.’
‘We can soon fix that.’ I picked up the jug, the glasses and took Jay’s hand. We walked toward the guest quarters. Jonah was lying on the grass, feigning sleep.
The doorbell rang. Fidel the parrot mimicked its ring in the background. It rang again. I was tempted not to answer it. The maid was elsewhere. I went and looked through the peephole and could see Cza on the doorstep. I opened the door.
Jay was standing beside me. We had our glasses in our hand and looked as if we’d been in a dorm fruit fight. Jonah stood behind, the slide of his pistol racked.
Cza handed me an envelope. ‘Sorry. Am I interrupting something?’
I said, ‘Not at all,’ feeling a dig in my back as I spoke.
‘These are mug shots of Johnny Vittorio taken in ’80 and ’85. I wanted to get them to you today and Dooley said you were here.’
I motioned with my hands. ‘Come in.’
Cza looked at me and then at Jay. She had that look women get when they give another woman, the other woman, the allencompassing once, twice or several times over with a genetically inherent look of insolence.
Cza gave a little wave with her fingers and the smile of an android. ‘Hi Jay.’
Jay nodded cheesily in reply.
‘You guys look busy so I’ll leave these pix with you,’ said Cza. ‘And your friend Johnny – he’s got a few warrants outstanding from the Detroit area. One drugs related. Plus an ag battery charge or two.’
‘Outstanding since when?’
‘Mid-’80s. Before he did his Houdini act.’
I held the door wide open for her to come in.
‘Sure you won’t join us?’ I said.
‘No, I’ve got bad guys to catch. But call me tomorrow. And you two have fun now,’ she said, looking at Jay with a precisely measured look of hauteur.
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