by Marie Astor
“Right this way—” Janet nearly blurted out “Mr. Libby,” but checked herself just in time. She wondered if Libby’s wife was going to join him later. Somehow Janet couldn’t picture Mrs. Libby in a place like this, but then appearances could often be deceiving.
Janet’s question was answered as soon as she seated Libby at his table. No sooner had she begun to walk away when a young woman joined Libby at his table. Janet didn’t remember seeing her there before. Just like the rest of the girls the Kovars picked to service their establishments, this one was no exception: long blonde hair, model-like body, and large, blue eyes.
Janet slowed her step, pretending to fix the tablecloth on a nearby table and strained her ears.
“Karina! How good to see you!” Libby’s eyes lit up with a fire that wasn’t there when he was dining with his wife, devouring the girl’s body, most of which was exposed by her very revealing red cocktail dress.
“Did you miss me, honey?” the girl asked in a raspy accent, perching on Libby’s lap.
“Of course I did. I brought you a present.” Libby placed a small velvet box into the girl’s hands.
“I love presents!” She opened the box and removed a gold pendant with blue stones. It looked expensive, certainly more expensive than the jewelry Libby’s wife had worn.
“Sapphires; I thought they’d go nicely with your eyes.”
“I love it!” the girl squealed. “Can you help me put it on?” She turned her back to Libby and he fastened the chain on her neck.
“It looks beautiful on you,” said Libby. “Tonight I want to make love to you with it on.”
“Oh, I love it when you talk dirty.” The girl wrapped her hands around Libby and pressed her glistening lips against his.
As much as Janet would’ve liked to watch Libby play tongue hockey with the blonde, she had to return to the hostess station. There was only so much time one could spend fixing tablecloths.
“Everything all right?” Roman asked.
“Everything is fine. I had to fix a tablecloth.”
“You don’t need to do that; we’ve got waitresses for that.”
“Well, the waitress wouldn’t do it,” Janet said pointedly.
Roman strained his neck to get a better view of Libby’s table. “Karina is not a waitress,” he granted. “Her job is different.”
Janet stared blankly at Roman. “What do you mean?” she asked naively.
Roman shook his head. “You are something else, Janet. Some clients like having a pretty girl by their side; that’s Karina’s job.”
“Is she a prostitute?” Janet asked, her voice astonished.
“That’s a dirty word. Our clients prefer escort.”
“I see.” Janet nodded. Roman Kovar may think her a naïve idiot, but in reality he was the idiot; their entire conversation was being recorded.
“I’ll be right back,” Roman said. “Just want to make sure that our customers have everything they need.”
“Okay.” Janet nodded.
The drapes around the entrance fluttered, and Janet prepared to greet another customer. A moment later, two men dressed in black suits entered the room. They didn’t look at all like Kovar’s clientele, and they weren’t. In what felt like a flash of a moment, one of them unleashed a series of complicated moves, quicker than lightning, knocking out Ivan and Boris, the two beefy bodyguards. Ivan and Boris might have been former Special Forces, but they fell on the floor like two potato sacks.
The other man raced to the hostess stand and flashed a card at Janet. It wasn’t green or gray in color; it was an official id with the letters FBI printed on it prominently.
“FBI. We have a warrant. You stay right there, ma’am,” the agent added.
Janet shrank into the wall adjacent to the hostess stand. She had envisioned this moment hundreds of times throughout the day; she had planned to exercise her self-control to remain calm and collected, but now that it was here, her body was shaking like a leaf from all the stress and the adrenaline. The only time she had seen armed FBI agents raiding a place was on TV, but this was no movie. This was happening for real, and she was smack in the middle of it.
A split second later, the room was swarming with FBI agents clad in uniforms and bulletproof vests. Havoc erupted as guests started jumping up from their chairs, upturning their tables and spilling their drinks in the process. The croupier girls screamed, trying to desperately cover their exposed breasts, as though the presence of the FBI agents had awakened their previously sedated sense of propriety.
“Everybody calm down!” the man who had flashed the id at Janet spoke into a mouthpiece. “The process will go much smoother if everyone cooperates. Employees and owners step to the right side, guests to the left—”
The agent’s command was cut off by an unintelligible string of curses, followed by a desperate cry, “Freeze or I’ll blow his brains out!”
Crouching by the hostess station, Janet craned her neck to see what was going on.
Roman had Libby in a headlock, pointing a gun at his head. “Don’t anybody move, or I’ll blow his brains out!”
“Calm down, sir,” said the FBI agent. “Let’s talk this through.”
“Do you know who this is?” Roman held up Libby by the scruff of his neck, as though he were a kitten. “This here is Councilman Libby. He is a very important man! The newspapers said he will be running for senate. How would you like to have your future senator shot?”
“This lunatic must have me confused with someone else!” Libby squealed. “Please, help me!”
“You come here all the time!” Roman snarled. “I know who you are!”
Ever the politician, Libby vehemently denied the truth. “I’ve never been to this place in my life! I was lured into this establishment under the false pretense of an interview!”
“Shut up!” Roman smacked Libby on the head, making it bob like that of a bobble head doll. “Was Karina going to interview your cock? Is that what you had in mind? You come here twice a week to screw her.” Roman’s eyes searched the room, as if looking for Karina to support his claim. He saw her too late. There was a dull thump and Roman sank to the ground.
Karina stood by triumphantly; her weapon, a wine bottle with which she had clobbered Roman on the head, still clutched in her hands.
The FBI agents swiftly cuffed Roman and dragged him away.
Karina dropped her now useless weapon on the floor. “Oh, my baby! You didn’t think I was going to let Roman hurt you? I’m here, honey!” Karina flung herself at Libby.
“Get this woman away from me!” Libby screamed. “I have no idea who she is! She endangered my life; I could’ve been killed by this lunatic!”
“Baby, calm down. Don’t be scared. The bad man is gone,” Karina cooed, shoving her ample bosom into Libby’s face.
Libby pushed her away. “Get this nut away from me! I don’t know who she is!”
Karina’s eyes narrowed as she thrust her hands on her hips. “What? That’s not the way you spoke to me earlier this evening. You said you wanted to make love to me with nothing on but this!” She triumphantly held up the pendant Libby had given her earlier. “Now you squirm like a coward? Are you ashamed of me? You pig, you dirty scoundrel!” She kicked Libby in the shin, and he winced, jumping on one leg.
One of the agents took her by the elbow. “Ma’am, please come with me.”
“Gladly!” Karina sputtered. “I will tell you everything about this schmuck!”
The FBI agents began taking information from the guests and the casino personnel, separating them into two groups. Soon, two lines were formed on either side of the room.
Feeling safe under the protection of the agents stationed by the hostess stand, Janet peeked from her hiding spot, curious to see how things were progressing. There were many mortified faces, mainly from the clients, and much cursing, mainly from Kovar’s staff.
“You have no right to hold me here! I’m a Czech citizen!” Regina was yelling at one of th
e agents.
“Ma’am, please wait your turn to be questioned. Your information will be taken down shortly,” replied the agent.
“Stop staring at my breasts, you pervert!” Regina shot back, clearly eager for a fight.
“I wasn’t looking at your breasts, ma’am, but being that they are hanging out in the open, I don’t see how you can accuse anyone of staring.”
“My breasts are not hanging!” Regina screamed. “My breasts are perky and firm! Here, try and squeeze them!” She thrust out her chest.
“Ma’am, with all due respect, I have no interest in touching your breasts. Now, please step back into the line.”
“I knew you were a pervert! You probably don’t even like women!” Regina raised her hand in a clumsy attempt to swipe at the agent.
At this point the agent apparently had had enough. With one quick move, he flung Regina over his shoulder, and as she continued screaming and kicking, carried her back into the line where he lowered her onto the ground. “Please wait your turn to be questioned, ma’am,” the agent said succinctly.
“Good job, Ms. Maple.”
Mesmerized by the spectacle, Janet didn’t even hear anyone come in. She turned around and saw Jeff Falk standing there, his hand extended for a handshake.
“Thank you.” Janet blushed, shaking his hand. “Your men did all the work.” The whole situation was still too surreal to take in; she couldn’t believe that she had just helped take down Kovar’s undercover casino.
“Don’t be so modest. You got us the lead, Janet, and thanks to your courage there were no casualties. Well, with the exception of several bodyguards with concussions, but I think they’re used to that in their line of work.”
“Probably,” Janet conceded, barely resisting a laugh. Despite all the earlier adrenaline, or maybe because of it, the memory of Ivan and Boris slumped on the floor was hilarious.
“What do you say we get out of here?” Falk offered his arm.
“You don’t need me for questioning?”
“We can take care of that later. Besides, we’ve got everything on tape. You’re a very brave woman, Janet, and a damn good investigator.”
“Thanks.” Janet leaned on Falk’s arm. Suddenly, she became aware of how tired she was. The stress of the night’s events had finally gotten to her; she was about ready to collapse.
“Right this way.”
The underground corridors leading to Kovar’s casino bunker now had FBI agents stationed at every juncture, which made the ascent along the narrow hallways a lot less scary. Finally, they were above ground.
Falk motioned at the black car standing by the curb. “The driver will take you home, Janet.” He helped her into the car and closed the door.
Janet leaned against the back seat and closed her eyes.
“Where to, miss?”
The familiar brogue made her prick up her ears. She looked at the driver’s mirror. “Jason? What are you doing here? You’re working as a driver now?”
He laughed. “It was technically against protocol, but I talked Falk into it. I figured the least I could do after you got me out of that hellish assignment at Panther was to make sure you got home safely. I tell you, I was getting sick of bartending.” Jason started the car and it glided into motion. “So you want to give me that address?”
“So you’re not mad at me?” Janet asked him after she gave him her address.
“Why would I be mad?”
For upstaging you, Janet almost blurted out, but held her tongue. “For stealing away your thunder.”
“Not in the least. In fact, I’m grateful for it. I’ll still get credit for the assignment, and after that, it’s going to be office land for this soldier. I’ve had my share of adrenaline. I’m tired of masquerading as a car mechanic, bartender, or what have you.”
“You had to impersonate a car mechanic?”
“I’m not at liberty to give any further details.”
“Sorry, I forgot that your work is classified.”
“I’m just messing with you Janet. If it were classified, I would’ve never even mentioned it. It was for an old assignment; we were after a mid-level drug dealer and I had to bug his car.”
“Sounds fascinating.”
“I thought so too at first, but I’ve had more than my share of excitement. Now, it’s time for a nice, cushy office job.”
“I see what you mean,” Janet said. She really meant it; the last few weeks had given her enough excitement to last a lifetime, with tonight being the culmination. She certainly didn’t feel the need to prove herself in the field to anyone anymore.
They drove on in silence for a few blocks, and before she knew it, her building came into view.
“Thanks for the ride.” Janet reached for the car door.
“You’re welcome, Janet. If that boyfriend of yours doesn’t treat you right, you give me a call.”
“I sure will.” Janet didn’t bother asking Jason how he knew about Dennis; after all, he was with the FBI.
“Let me get the door for you.” Jason circled around the car.
“Thank you.” As she exited the car, Janet saw a male silhouette move from the shadowed area in the building lobby. “I think there’s someone there,” she whispered, clutching Jason’s arm.
The figure took one more step towards them. “Are you flirting with my girlfriend, man? You said you were going to bring her home safe and sound.”
The familiar voice filled Janet with elation, wiping away her fatigue. “Dennis!” She let go of Jason and leapt into Dennis’s arms. “You were waiting for me!”
“Of course I was. I told you I’d always be there for you.”
His arms encircled her, and she clung to his warmth, oblivious to everything around her.
“Janet, we forgot to say goodbye to Jason,” Dennis reminded her.
“Oh, sorry.” She wiped her eyes that had become wet with emotion and turned around. Jason was standing on the sidewalk uneasily. “Thanks for everything, Jason.”
“You’re welcome, Janet. And you, my friend, had better take good care of her. You’ve got a great girl, Dennis,” Jason added.
Dennis put his arm around Janet protectively. “I know that, man. Don’t you try to steal her from me.”
“I won’t if you treat her right,” Jason shot back. “Goodnight you two. I’m sure I’ll see you both around.” He tipped an imaginary cap and got back inside the car.
Janet clung back to Dennis. “I’m so glad to see you,” she whispered.
“I’m very glad to see you,” he whispered, tightening his arms around her.
Suddenly, for no apparent reason, she felt tears welling up. “No, you don’t understand. I was such an idiot, acting like I could take on anything—”
“Janet, calm down, you’ve been through a lot today. Let’s get you upstairs.”
“No, let me finish.” She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. “When the FBI burst in to raid the place all I could think about was you. Call me a coward, but this crazy thought kept running through my mind: one stray bullet and I’ll never see you again.”
He took her face in his hands. “A coward? Are you crazy? You’re the bravest woman I know. If I were in your place, I would’ve crapped my pants.”
She grimaced, her tears replaced by laughter. “Gross!”
“It’s true though and it got you to smile.” Dennis’s voice grew serious. “Janet, what you did tonight was incredible.”
She placed her hand over her mouth, realizing that she wasn’t supposed to give Dennis any details.
“Don’t worry, I know better than to ask you about the specifics until the whole thing is cleared. I do know enough though to say that you’re one kick ass investigator, Janet Maple.”
“You’re pretty kick ass yourself, Dennis Walker.”
“Well, if you say so, then it must be true.”
“Don’t let it go to your head now.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. No
w how about a kiss to seal the deal?” Before she could answer, he kissed her, hard.
Her breath caught. Maybe it was the after effect of adrenaline, maybe it was nerves, but she wanted him right there and then. She pressed herself into him; he was hot and hard, and her need for him became so intense, it was almost painful.
“Let’s go upstairs before we get arrested for PDA.” He picked her up and carried her into the lobby.
“Dennis, let me down!” Janet laughed, as he carried her to the elevator.
“Not in a million years.” The elevator doors opened and he carried her inside. Propping her against the wall, he pressed the floor button. Then he kissed her again, his tongue caressing hers, setting her body on fire.
She groaned, wrapping her legs around his waist. “We have to stop; they’ve got cameras in here.”
“I don’t care.” His lips moved down to her neck, electrifying her skin with a sequence of kisses and gentle nibbling.
Just then the elevator doors opened and they tumbled out into the hallway. Her back pressed against the wall, with one leg on the ground and the other hooked around Dennis’s hip, Janet rummaged in her bag for keys.
“I got it,” Dennis mumbled. Thrusting the key into the lock, he opened it in one swift jerk. Once they were inside, he shut the door behind them.
He pulled off her jacket and was about to unbutton her blouse. “Wow, Janet, am I seeing double or did you just get bigger?” He eyed her bosom questioningly.
“It’s the padded bra I had to wear to fit into the hostess dress at the casino.” She pulled her blouse over her head and unhooked her bra, dropping it onto the floor.
Dennis cupped her breasts and kissed each one. “You don’t need any padding.”
“I am glad you think so.” She threw her head back, as he kissed her stomach, all the way to the fly of her jeans, which he unzipped to pull the jeans off of her.
“How come I’m in my underwear and you’re still dressed?”