by Denise Irwin
After the round of congratulations from her co-workers, Leona went to tell her boss and ask if he could be there as well as his girlfriend Abby.
“Leona, was that Shelly screaming?”
“Yes it was.”
“I take it her husband found her credit card bill.” He looked up at Leona and winked. “Congratulations.” He came from behind his desk to hug his secretary.
“John, we’re planning to get married this Sunday on the boat, I’d really like it if you and Abby could be there.”
“I’ll definitely be there. Let me call Abby and see if she can attend.”
After work, Leona went straight home to spend the evening planning her wedding. Since it would be on a boat, her boat shoes were a definite. She could also wear jeans if she wanted. What the hell, this was a casual affair. She was overexcited about her wedding which let her to be frazzled. She threw clothes around the bedroom looking for the perfect sweater. She was so intent on finding the right sweater that she didn’t hear Sam when he came into the bedroom.
“Will the future Mrs. Marksman please explain what’s going on here?”
“Sam, I can’t find the sweater I’m looking for. Do you remember seeing that white sweater, the one that scoops low in the front?”
“Leona, does marrying you require that I keep track of your clothes?”
“Oh honey, don’t be silly. Of course it does.”
“We may need to renegotiate the terms of this marriage contract. Let’s go get some dinner. While you were managing to dump every piece of your clothing onto the bed and floor, I fed and walked Bailey. Now, I’m starving.”
“Okay I’ll go to dinner, but we need to be home early…”
“So you can clean this mess up, right?”
“So I can find my sweater, silly.”
It was Friday night, so the bar area of One-Eyed Mike’s was crowded. Leona wiggled her way through the throng of happy hour partiers to the bar. She ordered a glass of wine for her and a Resurrection for Sam. Before they went out to the patio, Sam called for everyone’s attention. When the crowd quieted down, so they could hear him, he announced, “Leona Parker said yes when I asked her to change her name to Leona Parker-Marksman.”
After a round of applause, the crowd said Sam’s money was no good, at least not tonight. Mike told them if they ordered dinner, the tab was on him. The evening was festive and full of good cheer. All the Grand Marnier members ordered their bottles to drink a toast to Leona and Sam. When Sam ordered his bottle, Andy told him that he could not pour from his bottle tonight.
One Eyed Mike’s in Fells Point is the only Grand Marnier Club in the world. He’s been told by the Grand Marnier organization that One Eyed Mike’s sells more Grand Marnier than any other establishment around the world. What had started as a bar was now a five-star restaurant.
By the time Leona called for a halt to the celebration and announced it was time to go home, she was more than a little tipsy. She held onto the staircase railing as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom. Sam was behind her holding onto her waist so that Leona didn’t tumble down the stairs. She no longer cared what she wore Sunday. She shoved her clothes off the bed onto the floor and climbed into it fully clothed.
When Sam rousted her out of bed early Saturday morning, she rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head.
“Ms. Parker, we need to wash the boat today so hung-over or not, get your skinny ass out of bed.”
The room was spinning when she pushed the covers off. She looked around the room and thought, oh my God. Look at the mess I made. She trudged down to the kitchen. Sam had left her a post-it note on the coffee pot. “We’re down to counting the hours, I love you.”
They worked on the boat all morning and just as Sam started to announce it was time for a lunch break, his cell phone rang. Leona flopped on the settee to rest her throbbing head on a pillow while he took the call. He wagged his finger at her as he answered the phone.
“Sam Marksman, how can I help you?”
“Mr. Marksman you don’t know me. My name is Glen Englar. I own a casino in Atlantic City. Cassie Henson has been working undercover in my casino. She asked me to call you if she didn’t report for work. Cassie asked that I call you if he called in for her. The bastard she’s working with just called and said she was sick. I’m afraid for her safety. Can you please come to my casino today?”
When Leona saw Sam’s face, she was sure he was going to pass out. Whatever the caller was telling Sam, had to be very bad news. She watched his face as he responded to the caller.
“I’m on my way. Is there anything more you can tell me?”
“She was living with another agent whom she despised. Cassie thought he might be part of the money laundering gang. Sam, she was concerned enough that she blew her cover and gave me your number and made me promise to call you if she didn’t show up for work. Sam, Cassie’s days off are Thursday and Friday, which means the last time we saw her was Wednesday night.”
“She would have shared her work schedule with her partner. It’s a three-hour drive but I’ll see if I can’t shave some time off. Wait for me before you call anyone else. If anyone asks just say she called out sick or something similar.”
“I’ll be here. Don’t drive so fast that you end up dead.”
“I won’t. I’ll see you around 3:00 this afternoon.”
Sam looked at Leona. He was about to break her heart when he told he’d have to get on the road and drive to Atlantic City.
Leona jumped up from the settee. The concern in his voice when he talked with the caller, had Leona worried. “Sam, talk to me. What’s happening? Where will you be around 3:00 this afternoon?”
She took his hand and tried to read his eyes. Whatever he saw in his mind was horrible.
“Leona, that phone call was from a casino owner in Atlantic City where Cassie was working undercover. She blew her cover to the owner. She gave him my number and told him that if she didn’t report to work to call me immediately. Cassie didn’t report for work. No one’s seen her since Wednesday night. I have to go. I…”
“Sam, don’t you dare feel guilty about cancelling our wedding, we have the rest of our lives to get married. There is a ‘but’ to this. You are not going alone. Bailey and I are coming. You’re too upset to drive three hours alone.”
Sam knew she was right. “I’m meeting the owner at his casino. I don’t know when we’ll be able to come home.”
“Sam, I don’t give a rat’s ass about that. Let me grab a bag and Bailey’s food. I can call mom from the car. I’ll let you drive until I’ve made the calls. If you’re meeting this guy at his place of business, Bailey and I can wait there. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
“There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”
With a stern tone in her voice, she told him, “No there isn’t. We’re wasting valuable time.”
They walked to Leona’s house on Wolfe Street where they each took quick showers, changed into clean clothes, and gathered a bag of clothes together. Leona packed Bailey’s food and his food bowls. They were on I-95N within fifteen minutes.
Leona’s first call was to her mother. “Hey kid, are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Bill, is mom around?”
“No she ran to the store. Leona, what’s wrong?”
“Bill, Sam and I are on our way to Atlantic City. I don’t know when we’ll be back. Sam got an emergency call and we have to go. I’ll call back later and fill you in, but for now, can I ask you to call Jeremy and Tara to let them know the wedding is postponed?”
“Don’t worry honey, your mother and I can make those phone calls. But, I need to ask if you are okay.”
“Yes. Thanks Bill. Please tell mom I’m okay or she’ll freak out.”
“I will. You be careful.”
“I promise I’ll be very careful. I gotta run since I need to call Shelly and John.”
“Call your mother tonight.”
“Yes sir.”
> Sam turned his head to look at her, “Bill answered?”
“Keep your eyes on the road. Yes, it was Bill. He’s going to call his kids. I’m gonna call John first and save Miss Twenty Questions for last.
Sam managed a small chuckle, “Good plan.”
John answered his phone on the first ring. “So are you two ready to get hitched tomorrow?”
“We were, but we have to postpone the wedding. I hope Abby said she couldn’t make it.”
“She did. I was coming solo. What’s going on?”
“Sam’s been called away for an emergency.”
“What kind of an emergency?” Leona knew her workaholic boss was sitting at his desk in the office. She could visualize the wrinkles on his forehead as he frowned.
“The Bureau Agent he worked with in Vegas may be in harm’s way. So, we’re going to Atlantic City.”
“What the fuck do you mean by, ‘so we’re going’? Are you with Sam?”
“Yes I am.”
John’s voice wasn’t gentle when he asked her sternly, “You’re telling me he asked you to come with him?”
“No, he didn’t. I demanded that I drive with him; I didn’t give him a choice. He lived with her in Vegas. I couldn’t let him drive alone. I’m planning to stay in a safe place with Bailey. We’ll be fine.”
“Call me if you need me.”
“I will.” She then ended the call.
“I take it John wasn’t happy that you’re with me.”
“It’s not his choice either. So, don’t give me any shit. Sam, in case you’ve never noticed I’m my own woman and I live my life the way I want.”
For the first time since he received the phone call from Atlantic City, Sam laughed. “Oh my love, I’ve noticed. Remember, I live with you. Call Shelly and then we’ll stop for a coffee.”
“Let me get my head in the right place for this. Let me sit here quietly, while I search for my Zen.”
“Make that Zen search quick. I’ve gotta piss like a racehorse.”
“Now that you went and said that, so do I.”
Leona called Shelly, who answered the phone singing Ave Maria. Leona couldn’t help but laugh at her best friend. “Shell, you really should consider getting some counseling.”
“Hey woman, back off or I’ll wear my tutu tomorrow.”
“Shell, I’m calling because Sam and I have to postpone the wedding.” Leona actually ducked her head down as if Shelly was about to throw a punch through the phone.
“Why? I checked the weather; it’s going to be beautiful tomorrow. I just took my globally awarded cheese cake out of the oven.”
“Oh Shell, you are such a good friend. Sam and I are driving to Atlantic City. He received an emergency phone call around noon. We have to go.”
Her best friend asked in a soft voice, “Leona, whatever it is, it’s bad isn’t it?”
“We won’t know until we get there.”
“I understand. Lee, I love you. You and Sam have the rest of your lives to get hitched, just promise me I can be there.”
Leona was crying when she told Shelly, “I can’t get married without you. I might even let you wear that fucking tutu.”
“Careful girlfriend, you know I might do that. Call me when you get home.”
Sam asked, “Leona, are you okay?”
“For once Shelly understood. Her only request was that she be there when we get married. She didn’t ask any questions.”
Sam chortled, “Of course, she’ll be there. I saw a sign for a truck stop. We’ll pull in there.”
Armed with two cups of fresh coffee and some snacks Leona jumped into the driver’s seat and the car resumed its journey to Atlantic City. “Sam, are you okay?”
“I’m not sure. If she’s been hurt, I’m afraid I’m gonna lose it. If she’s dead, I know I won’t be able to contain my anger. I don’t think I told you this, but as we left to catch our connecting flights she told me to ask you to find a man for her since you picked better men than she did.”
“I don’t remember you telling me that.”
The time passed slowly for Sam, who was anxious, but Leona finally pulled onto the parking lot of the Chariot Casino. They entered the casino at exactly 3:00 in the afternoon. Englar greeted them as they came through the door.
“Inspector Marksman, I’m Glen Englar, and this is my silent partner, Rudy.”
“It’s nice to meet the two of you. This is my fiancée, Leona Parker, who insisted she drive up with me.”
“Ms. Parker, it’s my pleasure. Sam, let’s go to my office where you can tell us your plan.”
“Mr. Englar, until I have a little more to work with, I won’t be able to tell you much of a plan. I need a little more info to develop a plan. At this point, all I know is that Cassie is missing.
Mr. Englar had a massive office with several conversational areas set up. A wall of windows on one side showed off the flashing lights from the casinos across the street. He asked if they’d eaten.
Sam told him, “We picked up some snacks on the way up.”
“In that case, let me order some food.”
Sam anxiously told Englar, “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to waste any time. I’d prefer to look for Cassie now and eat later. I’d be very grateful if you could let Leona and Bailey stay in the casino while I’m gone.”
Eager to please the investigator, Englar quickly responded, “Absolutely, it would be my pleasure. Sam, I’d like to join you, but if you think I’d be in the way you can be honest with me and tell me to stay here.”
“Since I have no idea what we’re facing, you might be able to help. You need to follow my lead and stay out of danger. I’m going in armed. Do you have Grossman’s address?”
“Yes sir, I do.”
“Then let’s get on the road. I’ll drive while you navigate. Do you mind if we use your car?”
“Of course, we can use my car.”
“Good. My Maryland license plates will stick out like neon lights.”
“Leona, I’ve arranged for lodging here in the casino. You are welcome to use any of our facilities. I’ve also told Rudy that any charges you need to make are on the house. That also includes any money if you want to hit the tables or the slots.”
“Thank you Mr. Englar, I appreciate that. It’s also very kind of you to let us bring Bailey.”
Sam gave Leona a kiss goodbye and patted his pooch on the head. “Bailey, you take good care of Leona.” He wagged his furry reddish blonde tail acknowledging his master’s request.
Chapter Five
October 2001
As the Cadillac pulled out of the parking garage, Englar asked Sam, “Do you have a plan when we get to Grossman’s house?”
“Not really. I think when we get in the area we scope it out first. I don’t know yet where we’ll go from there.”
“Sam, that’s not sounding like a decisive plan.”
“Sometimes there aren’t any decisive plans, at least not until I scope out the area.”
“Grossman knows I’m her boss. He just might let me in the door.”
“If we don’t have to put your life on the line, I’d prefer not to let you go in first.”
“Take the next left. The house number is 224.” Englar watched the house numbers until they reach Grossman’s house. “There it is on the right.”
“I see it. I’m gonna drive by. Look in the driveway and tell me how many cars you see.”
“Two, the first one looks like one of those economy cars. The second one looks like it’s maybe a Buick Century.”
“Good, that could mean he was stupid enough not to get rid of her car. I’m gonna drive around the block. I threw my bag onto the back seat. Inside is an infrared camera, can you pull it out?”
Englar found the camera and held it on his lap waiting for Sam’s next directive.
Sam put the car in park several houses away from Grossman. He took the camera from Englar. Looking through the camera’s lens, he saw a numbe
r of closely knitted laser beams that crossed the yard and house. Grossman could have the beams set up so that if a beam was broken, an alarm would sound, but it was a sophisticated set up for a working-class neighborhood. Sam knew the laser beams could also set off a device such as a bomb. Even though there were two cars in the driveway, that didn’t mean Grossman was in the house.
“Glen, I’m going to drive around the block again. This time, we’ll park further away from the house. When we’re at a safe distance from it, I’ll call Grossman’s phone. He wouldn’t recognize my caller ID. If he answers, I’ll just say something like ‘sorry, wrong number’. Two cars in the driveway don’t necessarily mean he’s in the house. We can’t do anything until we know whether or not he’s in there.”
As Sam slid the car into a parking space five houses away from the target house, he was about to make the call when he saw a man getting into the Buick.
“Sam, that’s Grossman getting into the car.”
“Okay. Let’s sit tight for a couple of minutes. Be ready to duck down if he comes this way. Would he recognize your car?”
“No, I just bought it earlier this week.”
Grossman backed his Buick out of the driveway and drove off in the opposite direction.
“What do we do now?”
“You’re going to wait in the car. I’m hoping that he’ll be gone for at least ten minutes. Call my cell if he returns before I’m back, and then call the police.”
“Sam, tell me you are not going into that house alone.”
“I’m going in. If those beams are alarms, and you hear them, call the police.”
“Sam, what if he sends the alarm to his cell phone. You’ll be in the house alone.”
“If we’re lucky the police will get here before Grossman. When I get out of the car, get into the driver seat. Get the fuck away from the house if he shows up. I don’t want him to know you’re onto him. Glen, I’ve never seen a residential alarm setup with this level of sophistication. There’s a slight possibility that there’s a bomb in there. If I call your cell number, immediately call the police and drive away.”