Marshon slowly blew out his breath. “I’ve been recuperating at the convention center Hyatt, where the staff was hiding me. I needed to take care of some business before leaving town. The doctor looked at me yesterday and said the wound seems to be healing okay. I saw Gail last night and planned to rent a car this morning and drive to St. Louis. Then, I got freaked out.”
“What happened?”
“I was on the mezzanine level after she left and saw some uniformed cops — maybe some detectives —and thought they might be looking for me. I bolted and caught a cab over here. Your house was the safest place I could think of.”
“How long you been here?”
“Since about ten. I called Jemmy on a safe phone and he remembered a guy who shoots craps at The Wheel. Elroy Franklin. His brother-in-law is a police dispatcher. Jemmy made some calls and found out the cops were at the Hyatt helping the ATF arrest somebody for illegal gun sales. It wasn’t even about me.”
Richey watched Marshon open a zippered pouch, extract a banded stack of cash and place it on the table. “Here’s five thousand for your trouble, Richey. When it’s light, maybe you can drive me to a car rental agency, and I’ll get on my way.”
“Keep the money. I’ll help you anyway I can, but I got my own problems, Marshon.” In a tumble of words, Richey explained what had happened, including his frantic search for Carmen.
When he finished, Marshon said, “Semanski, the knife thrower. He’s one dangerous sonofabitch. Obviously, he didn’t leave town after you gave him the last five grand.”
“He apparently killed a couple of guys Tuesday night. The result of a lovers’ triangle. Two detectives questioned me about him. Of course, I never said anything about Ace, The Wheel, or you. I have no idea why he kidnapped Carmen.”
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Marshon agreed. “Your best bet is to go to the cops, Richey.”
Richey reiterated his fears. “I got no proof and it would open a can of worms.”
“It could. The prosecutors and cops may have a video of the killings at The Wheel, and they may know what Ace looks like. But, they obviously don’t know where to find him.”
“Neither do I. But, I can’t take a chance and involve the cops, Marshon. If I did, they’d figure out who Ace is and link him to you. And, me to you. Carmen would get lost in the mix.”
“You got to figure out what Ace is up to, Richey.”
“I hate to admit it now, but I used to barshit with him about Robin Hood-type movies. He talked to me one time about kidnappings and how they always fall apart when the kidnapper tries to pick up the ransom. I’m beginning to think he never talked about anything without having an ulterior motive. It’s like he has a plan of some sort. There’s a possibility he’s going to kidnap a local rich woman named Cathy Kennedy and demand a ransom from her banker husband. It’s the only thing I can think of. Why he kidnapped Carmen, though, is beyond me. Ace just said he had something for me to do tomorrow or, actually, today.”
Marshon took a drink and shifted his weight in the chair, which caused him to grimace. “If you’re right, it may be that he plans to use you somehow in the kidnapping.”
“You mean, like have me kidnap the Kennedy woman!”
“Or, pick up the ransom.”
Richey paced the room for several minutes. “That’s it. In the movie, Ransom, the mastermind played by Gary Sinise sends one of his lieutenants to pick up the first ransom and the cops kill him. Ace told me about seeing that movie.” Richey suddenly felt sick to his stomach and rushed into the bathroom where he retched into the sink. Back in the kitchen, he fixed himself another drink.
He returned to the living room and sat across from Marshon, who said, “I still think your best move is to tell everything to the police, Richey. If the cops stake out the Kennedy house, they’ll arrest Ace as soon as he shows up. They’re not going to wait until he tries to kidnaps her. Not some rich, white lady who lives near the country club.”
Richey was still unconvinced. “Ace is a psychopath. Cold as death. He’d deny any intent to kidnap Kennedy. As for Carmen, he could also deny kidnapping her, and say he doesn’t know where she is. She could be tied and gagged, lying at the bottom of an old well. Prison time wouldn’t scare Ace. He’d claim self-defense in the murder of Kandie's ex-boyfriend and the other guy. Kandie would probably back him up. He would definitely try to deal on you and the killings at The Wheel. Again, he could claim self-defense and I’d have to alibi him for the second time. No, I’m not going to the police, Marshon!”
Marshon shrugged his acceptance of Richey’s decision. After all, he had rejected advice from Mort Saperstein that now seemed eminently reasonable.
“But if we intercept him at the Kennedy’s house, he’ll tell us where Carmen is, especially when I start shooting him in the arms and legs,” Richey said, with passion.
Marshon scoffed. “There’s one big problem, Richey. I can’t take this guy down, not in my condition. Maybe not in my best day. And, Richey, I’m sorry to say that neither can you. For your plan to work, you’d have to first subdue him without shooting him and killing him. Can you do that?”
Richey rubbed his forehead as if to stimulate creative thinking. Then, his eyes lit up with an idea. “Who can take Ace down? Jemmy can!”
Marshon frowned. “I don’t know, Richey. Jemmy’s got a lot on his plate right now. The police could be tailing him, too, thinking he’ll lead them to me.”
Richey looked to be in agony, as he tried to formulate a persuasive argument. Marshon was on the run. So was Widja. The Wheel probably wouldn’t spin for some time. He figured that Marshon might be short on money, or couldn’t get to it right now. “Look, Marshon, Carmen and I were just talking about pooling our assets, before all this stuff happened. We got nearly a hundred grand between us. It’s yours if you and Jemmy will help me. It would take me a few days to get it together, but you know I’m good for it. Jemmy knows me. He knows I’m trustworthy. You can stay here in my house for as long as you want. I’ll help you get out of town any way I can. Please, Marshon, please! We can still save Carmen and then get on the road, the two of us. Maybe the four of us.” At some level, Richey knew it was a shameless appeal, but he’d worry about that contradiction later.
Marshon looked doubtful, even shook his head, but he finally said, “I’ll put it to Jemmy. If he wants the deal, it’s up to him.” Marshon couldn’t deny hope to his friend. He wondered if this turn of events could enhance his chance of escaping the city without being caught, although at the time Marshon couldn’t think of any advantage it offered.
From this point forward, events unfolded rapidly, like a city park chess game with a ten-second clock. The opening moves were daring, pawns were sacrificed, the momentum shifted, strategies changed, and, as always, miscalculation and bad judgment played a big role. The final flurry of exchanges were desperate and left the game board littered with the fallen.
23/Death And Desperation
Ace awakened, rolled onto his side and looked at the fluorescent clock hands, indicating it was ten minutes to six a. m. Saturday morning. Carmen lay spread eagle on the single bed beside him, with her wrists and ankles secured with ropes to the four legs of the bed. Her position had caused her red skirt to bunch up toward the top of her legs. Before he went to sleep last night, Ace had tied a handkerchief around her head and across her mouth, in case she decided to scream, for all the good that would do, since they were in the end unit. Ace had thrown a blanket across her upper body, since the old-fashioned radiator didn’t sufficiently heat the room.
When they arrived at the hotel after 11 p.m., Carmen expected Ace to rape her, especially since he felt her up while tying her to the bed. He’d pulled her pantyhose down far enough to penetrate her and then lick his finger, saying that she tasted all yummy.
Country also had been standing beside her bed, asking Ace every few minutes, “Are we gonna fuck her, Ace. Are we? Are we?”
Actually, Ace’s actions were calcu
lated. He had been terrified much of his childhood, beginning when the neighbors began to molest him, and the neighborhood blacks beat the shit out of him nearly every day, either on the way to school or after school. When he was terrified, he couldn’t think straight. He couldn’t develop a plan to extricate himself from the terrifying situation. He learned that frightened people became docile people who did what they were told. In prison, he’d read that experts called it the Stockholm Syndrome. That’s how he wanted Carmen to feel.
Ace planned to let Richey talk to Carmen this morning. He had to, otherwise Richey might not help carry out Ace’s plan. Ace wasn’t quite certain how Richey would react if Carmen told him she’d been beaten up and raped. Richey might be terrified on behalf of Carmen and do whatever Ace demanded. Several considerations caused him to hesitate, however. According to Kandie, she’d told Richey about the Tuesday night fight between Ace and Hank and Melvin. The cops told Richey those two individuals were dead, so Richey knew that Ace probably had killed them. However, Richey didn’t offer his opinion to the cops, or tell them that Kandie was lying. Richey might be protecting Marshon, indirectly. He might also just not want to get involved. His life’s tendency was to go along and do as instructed, even if he whined about everything. If Ace raped Carmen, Richey could decide to give up, get drunk and go to the cops. The cops would immediately pick up Kandie, who then wouldn’t be available to perform her job. After all these considerations, Ace decided he would threaten and terrify Carmen, but not actually harm her.
Ace got out of bed, went to the bathroom and then came back to stand beside Carmen’s bed. He removed the gag. “No screaming, Carmen, or I’ll hurt you and put the gag back in. Understand? I gotta get ready and leave. When I get back, I’ll let you talk to Richey. Then everyone will understand his or her job. Do it right, and you might get out of this alive, Carmen, none the worse for the wear. Understand?”
“Please don’t hurt me,” Carmen said. “I have to go to the bathroom. And, I’m freezing.”
Ace undid the ropes tied to the bed, and watched as she pulled down her skirt and sat on the edge of the bed, massaging her wrists.
Ace walked to the open door leading to the adjoining room, while keeping a close eye on Carmen. He figured she was calculating her chances of running to the door leading outside and getting the chain lock off before Ace intercepted her. There wasn’t much of a chance, but he liked teasing her with the possibility, as well as seeing just how desperate Carmen was.
“Country, get your ass up! Now!”
Ace waited until Country lumbered into the room, wearing dirty boxer shorts and scratching his private parts. He had a visible erection.
“Why we up so early, Ace? We goin’ out for breakfast? I’m really hungry.”
“You got beer, potato chips and donuts. You ain’t going nowhere. Right now, I want you to do what I tell you.”
Ace gave Country a questioning look, as if to prompt him to respond in a certain way. It took the dummy a few seconds to remember, but he snapped to attention, saluted and said, “Yes, sir, General Ace.”
Ace walked over to Carmen, grabbed a rope still tied around one wrist and pulled her toward the bathroom. She began to whimper. Ace shoved her through the door and said, “There’s the stool. Do your thing.” Ace turned to Country. “I’m gonna take a shower while she pisses and shits. You make sure she doesn’t try to run, okay? She doesn’t leave the bathroom.”
“Okay, Ace.”
Before he pulled the shower curtain closed, Ace looked at Carmen and then at Country. “She’s got a nice ass, don’t you think so, Country? Would you like to fuck her?”
Country’s eyes bulged and his mouth dropped open. “Can I, Ace? Can I?”
Ace looked at Carmen as if he were debating. “Not right now, Country, but later today we’ll both have a go at her.” When Carmen looked at him fearfully, he said, “You have no idea what it’s like to be fucked by me, Carmen. It’s going to be a helluva experience you’ll never, ever forget.” He stroked his penis for emphasis.
The shower relaxed Ace and made him feel clean and ready for whatever the day had to offer. He knew it would be exciting, challenging and that he would win in the end. He could feel it in his bones.
Ace got out of the shower. While still naked, he escorted Carmen back to the bed and again tied both of her wrists to the bed frame. Again, he rubbed his penis on her cheek before covering her with a blanket.
Ace walked to a clothes rack located behind the exterior door. He grabbed clean underwear and socks from the top shelf and began to put on a security guard’s uniform he purchased at a local uniform store. The “uniform” consisted of black shoes, gray pants and shirt with shoulder straps to hold slip-on epaulets spelling out SECURITY in gold letters. He had a matching SECURITY cap. For ninety-nine cents, he bought a gold, black-trimmed Sergeant chevron and sewed it onto the left shoulder area of the shirt. Before putting on the shirt, he slipped on the figure-eight shaped knife holster, which held two throwing knives he could access by reaching over his right shoulder. He pinned a gold shield on his right shirt pocket. It cost twenty-six bucks and featured an American flag surrounded by the words “Security Officer.” A universal gun holder and belt cost forty dollars. It held Hank Hendricks’s nine-millimeter Glock. The wide black belt had a leather pocket to hold handcuffs, which Ace bought for thirty dollars. This kidnapping was going down for a modest clothing investment of about three hundred bucks.
Ace opened the door leading outside so he could check the weather. The television forecast was for rain, turning to sleet and possibly snow by late afternoon. Ace also had purchased a blue raincoat with the word SECURITY attached to the back, but he didn’t want to wear it unless he had to, since it would cover the various symbols of his authority.
Ace drove Carmen’s Mazda to a nearby auto dealership and parked it near the service entrance. Owners leaving their cars the night before filled out a service request, sealed that form and their keys inside an envelope, and pushed it through a slot into a box inside the service office. While pretending to fill out a service request, Ace used barbecue tongs he’d bent with pliers to extract an envelope from the overstuffed box. He located the parking space noted on it and drove away in a new Nissan Rogue.
Perhaps this extra precaution wasn’t necessary, but Ace considered that Richey could have panicked and told the cops about Carmen, in which case they’d be looking for her car. For the same reason, he’d tossed Carmen’s cell phone out the car window last night after she talked to Richey. No use missing a small detail that could upset the apple cart, although he knew other things could go wrong. He had to be flexible in any case.
Ace counted on Richey to equivocate and not involve the cops. The failed actor was a hand wringer. He overthought everything, and then became overwhelmed by all the possibilities. Richey always took the path of least resistance — which usually involved sitting at a bar for the entire evening, drinking martinis.
Truthfully, Richey indeed faced several daunting dilemmas. He, Ace and Marshon were linked by an intricate web that would be hard to explain to the cops. Even if the worst scenario happened and the police arrested Ace, he planned to spin so many half-truths that it was unlikely he spend much time behind bars. He’d say he was actually working security that night at The Wheel, and killed the two robbers in self-defense. Marshon prevented him from reporting the deaths to the police. Jemmy threatened him. Ace would claim not to know what they did with the bodies, and could pass a lie detector test. The cops and prosecutors would salivate over using his testimony to bring down Marshon’s criminal empire and all the disreputable police, bureaucrats and politicians he’d bribed to allow it to operate.
As for Hank and Melvin, Ace could claim that it was Kandie and Country who killed them, while he was out picking up beer. He only helped dispose of the bodies. As for Carmen, she’d followed him out to the motel. When he rejected her, she became vicious and accused him of rape. Could she prove he’d raped her? Again,
he’d take a lie detector test. Would she? It would be he said, she said. The more he thought about it, the more Ace was convinced that he shouldn’t rape Carmen before the job was done, although he would continue to threaten rape. He might let Country rape her. Then, he could say it was the idiot who kidnapped Carmen and brought her to the motel.
When it was all said and done, Ace concluded that he probably could negotiate his jail time to somewhere between three and five, or five and seven at the worst, what with the parole violation. He could do that standing on his head. Prison wasn’t a horrible alternative to the likes of Ace. He’d victimize the inmates, just as he’d done before. He’d rob them and use their money to buy booze and drugs smuggled in by the guards. He’d select one of the inmates to be his bitch, preferably a flabby, young black guy. It was called situational homosexuality. There might even be a female guard or two he could seduce. It was all worth the risk, especially if he was successful, in which case he’d be two million dollars richer later in the day.
Ace arrived at the Kennedy mansion about seven-forty and drove completely around the estate, as he’d done once before. He carefully examined all the cars on the street, looking for stakeout cops. Everything looked normal. Lights were on in the main house, but not in the carriage house.
Ace parked on the street and waited. Maggie Iscaria, the Belton employee Ace had seduced, told him James Kennedy went to work every Saturday morning, while Cathy had brunch with friends. She and her husband then met at the country club for a snack and tennis, weather permitting. Otherwise, they might play racquetball. Ace hoped that was the case this Saturday since it could be difficult for him to subdue both of them without injuring or killing someone — and that would complicate things. Besides, Ace planned for Richey to conduct negotiations with the banker, just to confuse and complicate the issue should anything go wrong. However, if banker Kenney was sleeping in on this rainy day, or decided not to go to work, Ace was prepared to improvise.
The Money Game Page 40