by Emery, Lynn
“I see it,” Willa clipped back and smoothly changed lanes.
Ten minutes later she turned on Airline Highway. The Days Inn sign glowed high up lighting the way. She maneuvered the Honda Pilot onto the driveway and into a parking space between two minivans.
Willa turned off the engine. “Okay let’s go over it one more time.”
“Aw hell Willa, stop being so OCD,” Jazz blurted out and fell against the seat back with a huff of annoyance.
“Excuse me Miss Action Figure, but this isn’t a video game. We’re not going to go busting up in there. Now tell me again what she said. Go on MiMi.”
“Oh Lord, if it will make you feel better. Jack somehow got a lot of money out of the country. The money was in the Dominican Republic first, maybe seven years ago. That was just when the DR government tightened up banking laws under pressure from the United States.” MiMi tapped on the dashboard clock as a prompt they needed to move.
Willa ignored the hint. “Sounds really thin to me.”
“Then we’ll fill in the blanks after I talk to her,” MiMi snapped, her patience at an end. She pulled on the door handle. Locked.
Jazz tried to open her door as well. “You’ve got to be joking. Open these damn doors.”
“I was hoping you’d both get some sense during the ride here. Look, we’re pretty sure this Villa woman is too scared to leave. We can make sure by sitting on her until then. We can call Don…”
“No,” MiMi broke in.
“And he’ll get in touch with the local police and those FBI agents will get here in no time,” Willa continued.
“Drake and Forrester will say Don knew all along. They might even accuse him of being dirty. Is that what you want you? We don’t repay our friends by getting them in trouble?” Jazz snapped.
“Jazz is right, Willa. I don’t see a way of involving him at this stage. Unlock the doors.” MiMi rattled the handle.
“Call the FBI guy, you’ve got his card. Tell him you’re scared and want to talk. Then he can make the decision to call Drake and Forrester. That leaves Don out of it,” Willa argued.
“Open the fuckin’ damn doors, Willa,” Jazz hissed at her. She reached across Willa for the lock switch.
Willa blocked the move and pushed Jazz back. “Get off. Look, Nairoby can talk when the FBI or police are interviewing her.”
“Now who’s crazy? We’ve got almost a million in cash on the line. The feds will swoop down and get our money before she finishes her last sentence.” Jazz’s eyes narrowed to slits as she stared down her sister.
“You don’t have a claim to any money,” Willa shot back.
“I think some of Felipe’s stash ended up in Jack’s hot, greedy hands. So yeah, I’ve got a stake in this,” Jazz replied. She tried to reach across Willa again but got shoved for her trouble. “I’m going to—”
“I wish you would,” Willa replied with deadly calm.
Jazz reached out as if to try for the master lock again, but instead pinned one of Willa’s arms. Meantime MiMi tried to take advantage of the distraction to stretch from the backseat and get at the switch. Willa managed to twist her body until her butt covered it.
“Get the hell off me,” Willa shouted.
“You’ve finally lost your damn mind.” Jazz panted the words between tussling with Willa.
MiMi tried to help Jazz pull Willa away their target. The Pilot rocked as all three grunted, cursed and got twisted into a human pretzel. Seconds later a loud tapping on the window startled them. They froze.
“Somebody’s out there,” Willa gasped.
“Step out of the vehicle,” a female voice ordered.
“You were supposed to make sure we weren’t followed,” MiMi whispered harshly at Jazz.
“I did,” Jazz whispered back. “Can’t see, the windows fogged up.”
“Step out with your hands first please. Everybody exit on the driver’s side. Now!” A male voice shouted.
“Shit, now you’ve done it, Willa. Thanks for getting us arrested.” Jazz mumbled a few cuss words. Then she spoke loud. “Y’all keep calm, we’re coming out.”
Willa clicked the locks open. One by one, with Jazz going first, they slowly opened each door and stuck their hands up. When they all stood on the pavement they stared at an older white couple. Dressed in khaki shorts and a plaid shirt, the man stood with spindly legs spread apart. The woman with him wore a matching outfit, except her sandals were bright pink.
“What the hell?” Jazz lowered her arms.
A tall black man strode up dressed in a dark uniform. The short woman behind him wore a white shirt with the hotel logo embroidered on it. She stood well to the side as if ready to let him take any bullets.
“Hotel security. What’s going on out here?” the man barked. He glanced from the white couple to MiMi and company.
“I’m Fred Watkins and this is my wife Irma. We’re retired sheriff’s deputies Hancock County Indiana. We’re here on vacation,” the man said in an officious and brisk tone.
“Yes, sir. We observed these three acting suspicious. Then they started a ruckus in this vehicle, maybe arguing over drugs,” Irma said with a sharp nod of her head. “NOPD should probably bring a drug dog out.”
“Don’t listen to Homer and Marge Simpson,” Jazz spat as she jerked a thumb at the couple. “We’re minding our own business, visiting a friend in town.”
“That’s right, sir. She’s registered at this hotel. Check it out.” Willa put in.
“They were fighting in there, officer. Or doing something else. Look to see if a man is in there pulling up his pants,” Irma said with a raised eyebrow.
“Hey, we’re not prostitutes. You’ve got a lot of nerve, and by the way you’re not even cops anymore. Mind your own business,” MiMi yelled.
“Even if you were, you’re out of your jurisdiction,” Willa added.
“Everybody just calm down. Lana, go check on this guest they claim to be visiting. Name of…” The guard looked at Willa.
“Her name is Nairoby Villa,” Willa said calmly.
“I’ll send Ray out here just in case,” Lana said to the guard before hurrying to the lobby entrance.
“What’s your name, sir?” Jazz smiled at him.
“Terrell Jackson. Move away from the vehicle everybody.” Terrell held up a hand when Fred took a step to follow him. “Everybody includes you, too.”
“Sure. Just trying to help,” Fred said with a nod. He went back to stand next to his wife. Still both of them craned their necks to watch him.
The security guard shined a flashlight around the interior of Willa’s Pilot. He sniffed a few times. When a second man walked up, the guard nodded at him. The man nodded back. Terrell then climbed into the Pilot for a closer look. A few minutes later he climbed out.
“You should call the NOPD,” Erma said again.
“Ma’am, we’re in Kenner, not New Orleans. Did these ladies try to steal from y’all, or approached you aggressively?” Terrell looked from Irma to Henry.
“Well, no,” Henry admitted and frowned. “But…”
“So they were in their SUV and you didn’t like how they behaved,” Terrell pressed on.
“They were acting suspicious, like they were in a fight or something,” Erma put in. She glared at Willa, Jazz and MiMi in turn.
“So you didn’t really know what they were doing when you ordered them out of their vehicle?” Terrell planted his beefy fists on his waist.
“We got into a bit of an argument,” Willa said quickly before Erma or Henry could speak.
“Yeah,” Jazz added. “MiMi wanted to drive, but she’s had a few drinks. She gets a little hard to deal with. She grabbed the keys out of the ignition, and I grabbed them back. Then she tried to get them again.”
Lana returned. “Ms. Villa checked in two days ago. I asked was she expecting anyone and she said yes, a business associate.”
The guard turned back to Willa, MiMi and Jazz. “You said y’all were friends.”<
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“We became friends after doing business together, sir,” MiMi replied. She blinked as if genuinely confused. “Is that a crime?”
“Sounds fishy, like they’re thinking up a story on the fly, officer,” Henry piped up as Erma bobbed her head in agreement.
“I’m not an officer. Hotel security doesn’t have rank, mister,” Terrell said. “Look, bottom line is these ladies didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Sounds like some party girls out for a good time,” Ray replied with a grin at them.
“Too bad you’re working, Ray,” Jazz said and winked at him.
“If there’s nothing going on, then you should get back to the desk,” Lana said sharply as she glared at him.
“Sure. Call me if you need anything at all,” Ray said, his gaze on Jazz’s full breasts outlined by the knit shirt that clung to her figure.
Terrell let out a sigh as he watched the slender young man stroll off. “Look folks, they didn’t do anything to y’all, and neither of you saw them do anything that might be illegal.”
“Coming to a hotel isn’t against the law in Louisiana. Maybe they do things different in Hicksville County Indiana,” Jazz drawled and leaned against the Pilot.
“Yes, we were minding our own business. You might want to try it,” MiMi quipped.
Irma squinted at Jazz, and then swept a critical glance at MiMi and Willa. “You’re going to find yourselves in trouble real soon. I can tell.”
Terrell held up a palm. “Okay, okay, let’s all try to get along. Ladies, be careful and have a good night. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, anything else I can do for y’all?”
Henry wore a frown for a few seconds before he shook his head once. “No, guess not.”
“Good deal. Now you folks enjoy your stay. I’ll be glad to suggest some fine places to eat. You going to the French Quarter this evening?” Terrell transformed from a stern security professional to a friendly local.
“We have reservations at The Bombay Club,” Fred replied. He continued to eye Jazz, MiMi and Willa with skepticism stamped on his pugnacious features.
“That’s a fine jazz club. Y’all have a great evening, okay?” Terrell managed to herd them away. They ended up at a large RV parked at the other end of the lot.
Lana cocked her head to one side. “Well? Your friend is waiting.”
“Hmm, right. I’ll go up and get her. Y’all wait down here,” MiMi said.
“Okay.” Willa studied the hotel windows facing the parking lot where they stood.
Jazz stared at Lana. “I think we can take it from here. We don’t need an escort.”
The hotel manager gave them all a look of suspicion, but said nothing. She left, but not without glancing back at them and the security guard. Terrell still stood with Henry and Erma. MiMi suspected he was arguing that he had no grounds to call the police. Once Lana entered the automatic glass doors to the hotel, MiMi spun to face Willa and Jazz.
“I think we’re in luck. The hotel manager didn’t mention how many of us were here, just asked if Nairoby was expecting company. Y’all stay put.” MiMi took only a couple of steps when Willa jerked her back.
“She’s not stupid, MiMi. She’s going to figure you didn’t come alone,” Willa said.
“Yeah, but her back is against the wall. So she’s got no choice,” Jazz replied.
“Exactly, we’re all she’s got at the moment. At this point, I’ll bet she doesn’t care. Nairoby hopes I help her dodge a police interview. If she tells me about missing money, the FBI and Baton Rouge detectives will forget about her.” MiMi nodded eagerly to convince Willa.
“You want us to wind up being suspects with the feds and the local police over some money?” Willa blurted out.
“Half a million? Hell yes. I’ve talked my way out of bigger jams for nothing,” Jazz joked with a laugh.
“Willa, the police are building evidence against me while we stand here arguing. Let’s at least find out about the over four hundred thousand dollars Jack finessed out of the country. I may need it to fund my defense team,” MiMi said, struggling to keep from shouting or shaking her stubborn pal.
“Okay, fine. Dial my number and keep your cell phone on speaker. I’ll mute mine so background noises won’t come through on your end. The minute I hear something funny, we’re coming in.” Willa pulled out her phone.
“Great idea. See, you were right to come along with me.” MiMi did as instructed and dropped the phone in the pocked of her hoodie pullover. “Okay, ready.”
MiMi crossed the parking lot. Despite her show of bravery, her stomach knotted the closer she got to the hotel entrance. Lana and Ray stood at the desk, both watching as she entered. MiMi gave them what she hoped was a carefree smile. Lana simply raised a dark eyebrow in response, but Ray winked at her.
“Room 302,” he said with a grin.
“Thanks.”
Once she got past them, MiMi glanced around to get familiar with the layout. A hallway lead branched off from the lobby to another glass door to the parking. A sign said it was locked at night for the safety of guests.
“Hey y’all, come to the north side of the building. You’ll see a big green exit sign. I’ll let you in,” MiMi said quietly into the phone.
Five minutes later Willa and Jazz appeared at the door. MiMi let them in, careful to open the door slowly in case it made noise. She eased it closed again. The click seemed as loud as July fourth fireworks. All three scurried to conceal themselves around another corner, but no one came to investigate.
“We’ll take the stairs and wait on the landing. That way we’ll be close if something goes wrong,” Jazz said.
“Right.” Willa nodded though her expression implied she wished they were far away.
“You act like you’ve done this before,” MiMi said as she texted Nairoby she’d be at the door soon.
“I refuse to answer on the grounds it may incriminate me,” Jazz murmured rapidly and gave them a crooked grin. “Now go before Nairoby gets too jumpy.”
MiMi read Nairoby’s cryptic “I’m here” reply then dropped the phone back into her pocket and zipped it shut. She gave them a thumbs up signal and went back down the hall to the elevators. Lana appeared when MiMi rounded the corner leading to the elevators. She frowned, suspicion.
“I thought you’d gone up already.” The manager studied MiMi.
“I took a wrong turn, and then I answered a text,” MiMi answered smoothly. The soft ping announced the arrival of the elevator.
She disappeared inside and pressed the button to close the doors. All the while she prayed Lana wouldn’t get on with her at the last minute. MiMi let out a long sigh of relief once the doors slid together and she was alone. Seconds later she arrived on the third floor. The thump of loud music came from one of the rooms. The Days Inn had seen better days. Maybe Nairoby had chosen it because it was cheap. Still it appeared clean. A burst of raucous laughter made MiMi jump. She increased her pace to find the stairwell exit. After a whispered confirmation that Willa and Jazz were on the fifth floor, MiMi again concealed the cell phone. She found room 502. At first she knocked discreetly. The noise forced her to try again, this time banging hard.
Nairoby jerked the door open. “You want to make more noise. Maybe the entire world didn’t hear you.”
“You picked a…” MiMi didn’t finish because Nairoby yanked her inside and shut the door.
“Were you followed?” Nairoby dragged MiMi with her to the window and looked out.
“You lost your mind?” MiMi twisted her wrist until she had freed her arm. Then she stepped back.
“I know you brought your little ghetto friend, whats-her-name, and her gang. Am I right?” Nairoby moved from the window quickly and into a defensive stance to face MiMi.
“We’re not the ones you have to worry about. We need each other.” MiMi hoped she sounded as cool and confident as Jazz would be.
“Yes, little spoiled American princess. You want the money.” Nairoby’s worried expression eased
into a smirk.
“Get to the point so I can help you get back to the DR even faster,” MiMi snapped. “Or maybe you don’t want to go home.”
“Where I go is none of your concern, princess,” Nairoby shot back. Yet the smirk melted from her pretty brown face.
“Fine, tell me about Jack’s money and if you know anymore about Roderick,” MiMi said. She was as eager to be rid of the troublesome woman as Nairoby was to leave.
“First things first. What have you told the police and FBI about me?” Nairoby backed up to the window while keeping her gaze on MiMi. Barely moving the drab tan curtains, she darted another quick glance outside.
“I told them you thought Jack cut you out of a big money deal and you came here to get it back,” MiMi started.
“You mean Jack stole from me,” Nairoby spat like the words were bitter on her tongue.
“Yes, darlin’. Your one true love jacked you big time,” MiMi replied, this time with her own smirk.
“You…” Nairoby glared at her for a few seconds. “What else?”
“I told them you didn’t know anything about Roderick’s business, that he only met with your bosses. You’re only a step above their secretary.” MiMi took pleasure at the scowl her last words brought.
“That’s bullshit. They wouldn’t have made any connections here without me. I put money in their pockets. If they were so much smarter than me, then they wouldn’t have trusted Jefferson so easily. I know men, I would have seen through him.” Nairoby waved a hand in the air.
“So what happened with Jack? You didn’t see through him obviously.” MiMi held up a palm. “Look, let’s not waste energy fighting about him. Jack had skills in and out of the bedroom. His charm was almost supernatural.”
Nairoby gazed at her for a few seconds before she nodded. “Those eyes like smoky topaz, and the scent he wore. And his hands, his mouth—”
“Whoa, whoa, I don’t need the details. Like I said, he was good.” MiMi studied Nairoby. Despite the hard exterior, the woman seemed to have had a worse case of Jack Crown than MiMi or Willa.
“You couldn’t have kept Jack satisfied. You were just a tool.” Nairoby tossed her long black hair over one shoulder.