The Black Chip

by Gary Land

“Hmm--well then, what about your report? What is our Mr. Butowski up to?”

  Jerome noticed that he never used Butowski’s nicknames, which he thought odd since he used them for everyone else. He pulled out a notebook from his shirt pocket, and began to read his notes.

  “Today, I...”

  “NO! I want the whole thing. Start at the beginning,” Junior demanded.

  “You want me to go over everything...again?”

  “Yes, Mr. Glassman.”

  Glasser almost sighed, but quickly caught himself. “Noel Butowski is better known as Noly Boots, but he only lets his friends call him Noly. He is a decorated Air Force officer, retired. He is thirty-eight years old. He had extensive security experience in the Air Force, and when he retired, he became a private investigator. He was very successful in that profession and became very well known and respected in the state of Nevada. He still maintains an active PI license although he no longer practices since...”

  “All of it!” Junior yelled.

  “He no longer practices since--”

  “Since he killed my father, and stole twenty million dollars from me!” Junior screamed. He threw the egg he had in his hand across the room, then swept the sauté pans across the island. They flew into one of the refrigerators and clattered to the ground. Jerome just stood his ground as he had learned not to say or do anything when van Leesle acted this way.

  Junior wiped his hands down the front of his double extra-large, white chef’s tunic. He walked to the counter, pressed an intercom button, and said, “Clean up on aisle one.” He unbuttoned the tunic and threw it on the floor with the rest of the mess, and then turned towards Jerome. He nodded his head and Jerome read that as his cue to proceed.

  “After he received his settlement, and after recovering from the coma he was in, Mr. Butowski purchased three apartments buildings in the greater Las Vegas area. He lives in the one called Mountain Meadows where his girlfriend Sarah Benson and her daughter Kacy also live,” Jerome said, watching as Junior paced around the kitchen in a figure eight.

  A maid entered the room and began cleaning the mess created by Junior’s tantrum. He stopped pacing and turned his attention to the maid’s progress.

  Jerome waited a minute and then said, “Mr. van Leesle, ah, sorry, Junior, do you want to know about today?”

  “Yes, yes, go on.”

  “We’re hearing rumors on the street about an unconfirmed theft of three million dollars from the Platinum Palace Casino, which may tie in to the murder of Joey Trainor.”

  “And why would that be of any interest to me?”

  “My guy talked to some people at the casino, and it looks like Joey’s sister is Sarah Benson, who also works at the casino.”

  “Hmm, very interesting...does our friend, Mr. Butowski, know he is being followed?” Junior asked.

  “No way--he’s a little preoccupied. He hasn’t made the tail.”

  “How many men work for you?

  “Just one. He’s tailing Butowski now.”

  Junior went to a drawer, removed his checkbook, and wrote out a check, signing it with a flourish. He handed it to Jerome who just stared at it with his mouth open.

  “But this is for fifty thousand.” Glasser said.

  “Hire more men! I want to know everything there is to know about the casino robbery, the murder of Trainor, and I want to know more about this Benson woman and her daughter. Butowski is sure to be involved in this now.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I want results, Glassman. I need that information.”

  “Sir, can I know...why?” Jerome tentatively asked.

  For the first time, Junior looked directly into Glasser’s eyes, smiled, and said, “I intend to destroy Noly Boots.”

  Chapter 7

  Noly drove a Lexus GX 470, a high-performance SUV that came fully-loaded, courtesy of the late, great “Otto-mobile King” himself. Noly’s friend and attorney, John Rutherford, had sued the estate of Otto van Leesle for the full twenty million dollar reward while Noly was still in his coma. The court fast-tracked the trial due to the high publicity surrounding the case.

  The attorneys for the estate sensed they needed a figurehead to sit in for Otto, so they recalled Otto Jr. from Switzerland, where he was busy attending to the “business needs” of the van Leesle empire. The media more accurately reported that he was on extended vacation making sure the currency exchange system was working properly. The attorneys didn’t really have much choice since Junior was the only remaining member of the van Leesle family not committed to a mental institution.

  The civil court jury took exactly thirty-eight minutes to deliberate in favor of the plaintiff. Noly Boots became a multi-millionaire while still in the hospital. His level of care, and the number of well-wishers sending flowers and greetings, increased dramatically after the verdict.

  Otto Jr. was properly incensed at the outrageousness of the lawsuit primarily because he would have twenty million less dollars he could fritter away himself. Even though it represented less than ten percent of the van Leesle holdings, it amounted to a significant quantity of his liquid assets. At the conclusion of the trial, he actually threatened Noly, in absentia, of course. Mr. Rutherford suggested that he wait until Mr. Butowski awoke from his coma and make the same threat face to face.

  Rutherford, in an attempt to stick it to the van Leesle’s, included in the lawsuit a demand for a new vehicle from every one of the ten dealerships that the “Otto-mobile King” owned. The only vehicle Noly eventually took delivery on was the Lexus SUV. The remaining nine vehicles are pending delivery whenever Noly makes a final decision.

  Noly chirped the car alarm off, and opened the door of the Lexus. He sat down, started the SUV, and cranked up the air conditioning. He realized he never called Rutherford back from his text message, so he did so now.

  “John, it’s Noly.”

  “Noly, thanks for getting back to me, but as usual your timing sucks. I’m just walking into court.”

  “Okay, make it quick--I can’t talk long either.”

  “I wanted to let you know that one of my paralegals has a friend in Raymond Brewster’s law office. He’s going to file a civil lawsuit against you today--apparently, Catherine van Leesle is filing a criminal complaint accusing you of murdering her father.”

  “She’s in a mental hospital--she can’t accuse anyone of anything.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Anyway, can’t do much until we read the case. I’ve gotta run--I’ll call you later.”

  Noly hung up. This was bullshit. It wasn’t worth thinking about.

  He drove over to

  Craig Road and followed it down to the Nellis Main Gate. It only took a few minutes. Instead of turning in, though, he drove around the adjoining neighborhood hoping he would see Sarah and Kacy sitting on a bus bench, or walking out of a store. He realized how ridiculous that was, but the thought persisted. Sarah wasn’t telling him that she was going to be standing outside the main gate just that she would be in the general area. He decided to canvas a five-block area around the air base, stopping at three motels to verify they did not have any tenants that fit the description of Sarah or Kacy.

  “No one is going to sit on a bench in this heat,” he told himself. He made a U-turn, pulled into the main gate, and waited his turn behind two vans.

  Nellis Air Force Base started out as Las Vegas Army Air Field in 1941. Its primary purpose was as a training school. It’s located less than ten miles from the Mountain Meadows apartments. Most people who visit Las Vegas don’t realize that a fully functioning air base is located within a few short miles of the Strip casinos.

  Nellis is not only the home of the USAF Warfare Center but also the Nevada Test and Training Range, USAF Thunderbirds, and the USAF Weapons School. It covers more than 11,000 acres, while an additional 7,700 square miles of airspace is available for military flight operations.

  “Sir? Are you okay?”

  The gate guard had walked down to Nol
y’s car, because he hadn’t moved forward in line. Noly had been thinking of the last time he was here with Sarah and Kacy. They saw the air show, and then Noly took them on a special tour of the base compliments of his former commander, Colonel Baybell.

  “Uh, I’m sorry--daydreaming”

  “That’s okay, sir--what is the purpose of your visit?”

  “I need to speak with Colonel Baybell.”

  The guard’s eyebrows flicked up for a second. From the reaction, Noly guessed not too many people asked to see the head of base security.

  “Can I have your name and some ID please?”

  Noly pulled out his wallet and showed him his private investigators license. Even though he didn’t consider himself an investigator any longer he kept his license current. He felt it gave him some level of credibility if he needed to question someone or cut through bureaucratic red tape with a pompous clerk.

  “Noel Butowski?” the guard asked, recognition showing on his face. “Are you the same...”

  Noly cut him off before he could continue. He really didn’t feel like going into his air force career with the gate guard. He wasn’t above using his status as leverage though. Reading the guard’s insignia and nametag, Noly said, “Airman First Class Daugherty? Get on the radio and ask the Colonel to meet me at the Visitor’s Center.”

  The guard only hesitated for a second, and then said, “Yes, sir.”

  Noly continued through the gate and parked outside the Visitor’s Center, a central location where new arrivals and family members could get assistance when checking into the base. He left the car running so he could keep the air conditioning going and thought about the situation. He was upset with himself for not being there when Sarah and Kacy needed him, and instead had made that lousy trip to Miami to inspect an apartment building.

  Noly watched a mother and her two children exit the Center. A boy and a girl. They both looked less than five. It seemed like every time Noly saw a family like that he would think of Sarah and Kacy. More than once, he would ask himself why the relationship between him and Sarah didn’t work. It wasn’t for lack of trying by either one. But there was something missing when they were together, something that seemed out of sync. Lying there, just beneath the surface, was the real thing. It was tantalizingly out of reach. Noly thought for a long time it had to do with Kacy and the way they all met. It was as if without Kacy, Sarah and he didn’t work.

  A sharp rap on the window brought Noly back to the present. He looked up into the smiling face of his best friend. He turned the car off, opened the door and stepped into a blast furnace.

  “Woody, thanks for seeing me--I know you’re busy.”

  “Not a problem--nice and toasty out here in the real world. Not healthy to sit in a refrigerator like that.”

  Woodrow Franklin Baybell was a full-bird colonel who was several years older than Noly, and several inches smaller. What he lacked in physical height he more than made up for in presence. He stood ramrod straight and had an air about him that brooked no nonsense.

  “You look like crap, Noly--what’s wrong?”

  “You remember Sarah and Kacy? I brought them out for the last air show.”

  “Yeah, cute kid. Mom’s a looker too. As I recall you couldn’t keep your eyes off her.”

  Noly didn’t answer. He seemed lost in another memory.

  “Are they okay?” Woody asked, concern in his voice.

  “They’re missing. Somehow they’re mixed up in some theft and...her brother’s dead.”

  “I’m sorry, Noly. That doesn’t sound right to me. She seemed like a real nice person, and the kid is obviously not involved.”

  “Kacy.”

  “Right, Kacy. Listen, you know, anything you need from me just give me the word.”

  Noly handed him a picture showing Sarah, Kacy, and Noly standing on the tarmac at the base. “They left me a note. I think they were going to come down here, to Nellis, and wait for me. Can you--”

  “I’ll post copies with all the guards, and we’ll keep a special watch out for them.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Come on, let’s get out of this heat. I’ll buy you a drink.”

  Noly’s cell phone rang. He took it off the belt holster he had, and looked at the readout. He recognized the number and flipped it open.

  “Boots.”

  “Noly, its Collins...we found a body.”

  Chapter 8

  Noly talked to Collins for several seconds before hanging up. Collins directed him to the Dayton Complex on the University of Nevada campus. Noly knew that was one of the student housing buildings. He thanked Woody and excused himself, promising to call later and update him on what he learned.

  Noly jumped into the SUV and made his way back to

  Craig Road. This time of day it could take a half-hour to get to the UNLV campus. He decided the longer route would actually be faster, so he headed towards the I-15, trying to banish images of Sarah and Kacy lying dead on the university campus. The SUV powered forward through light traffic. Noly unconsciously gripped the wheel harder. He had feared the worst, and here it was. He reminded himself that Collins had said ‘unidentified female’ when referring to the body, so he hung to whatever hope that represented.

  Noly called Collins back. It rang twice before the detective answered the call.

  “What did you mean by ‘unidentified’?” asked Noly.

  “That’s all we got on the callout. Unidentified female in a car.”

  Noly sensed there was more, so he waited for the detective to go on.

  Collins finally continued, “No detectives on scene yet. Campus police called it in. They just looked through the window, and backed off. They’re waiting for us. We’re on our way there now.”

  Noly noticed that Collins avoided using the word dead. Maybe because it sounded so final. Of course, he knew cops didn’t use the word ‘body’ unless they meant the same as dead. As he listened to Collins, he could feel the anger coursing through him. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel harder. He felt like ripping it off. He felt like breaking something, or someone.

  Noly took a deep breath and asked, “Just...one body?”

  “Yeah...they think so. We’ll check the trunk when we get there.”

  “Why do you think it’s her? Do you--”

  Collins cut him off. “Because of the car. It’s a 2002 blue Ford Taurus, registered to Sarah Benson at the Mountain Meadows address.”

  Noly crossed the lane marker and almost hit a delivery truck. He swerved back, and over-corrected to the other side. Amidst wild honking, Noly dropped his cell phone so he could steer with both hands. He got control back of the SUV, and pulled to the curb. He slammed the palm of his hand into the steering column causing the dash to shudder.

  Noly picked up the cell phone, and heard Collins calling his name.

  “Yeah, I’m here.”

  “You okay?”

  Silence.

  Collins finally said, “I’m sorry, Noly--I’ll meet you at the

  Tropicana Avenue entrance.” Noly snapped the phone closed. He pulled back into traffic and silently dared anyone to get in his way as he made his way onto the I-15 South onramp towards the University.

  It shouldn’t hurt so much, but it did. Maybe it was because he had already saved their lives once. He had surely saved Sarah just as much as Kacy. Sarah’s life would have been destroyed if Kacy hadn’t made it. He was responsible for them. And he loved them. He knew that now. Hell, he always knew it.

  When Noly arrived at the UNLV campus, he parked on

  Gym Road and walked over to the crime scene. He saw Collins and Johnson talking to two men dressed in campus police uniforms. When he approached the crime scene tape a Las Vegas Metro Police sergeant stopped him with a hand to Noly’s chest. “Where you going, pal?”

  The cop’s nametag read FOWLER. He was grinning at Noly who thought briefly how easy it would be to take the sergeant’s hand and break his wrist, but he held h
is rage in check.

  Noly took his sunglasses off and looked into Fowler’s eyes. The grin left the sergeant’s face and he slowly pulled his hand back.

  Noly walked past the sergeant, and stepped closer to the tape.

  “Collins!” he yelled.

  “Hey, I’m in charge here,” Fowler said, catching up to Noly. “You don’t just walk away and try to get around me. Let’s see some ID”

  Noly was in a foul mood, and as he watched Collins walk towards the tape, he turned and looked back at the cop.

  “When you joined the force did you picture yourself like this? Waiting tables at a crime scene? Your momma must be really proud of you.”

  Fowler’s hand went to his gun. His face got hard and his mouth twisted as he said, “Fuck you, asshole. Turn around, hands behind your back.”

  Now it was Noly’s turn to grin at the cop. Collins had arrived and was lifting the crime scene tape up.

  “He’s with me Sergeant Fowler,” Collins said in a firm voice. “I’ll be talking to your commander about your attitude. You’re out here to keep order not cause problems.

  “Come on Noly, let’s go.”

  Noly stepped under the tape, put his sunglasses back on, and walked towards the car. He dreaded looking into that window, but he had to. He mentally prepared himself as Collins jogged up to join him.

  “We don’t think it’s her, Noly. I got her picture from DMV. Hair’s the wrong color, and what we can see of the face doesn’t match. Need you to make the final ID though.”

  A measure of relief spread through Noly as he stepped up to the car. The forensics team had finished with the outside of the car and they were ready to open it and examine the body. He took a quick look and immediately told Collins it wasn’t Sarah. He hadn’t realized how fast his heart was beating, but it began to slow down now as he once again could convince himself that Sarah and Kacy were safe and unhurt. He might be kidding himself but until proven otherwise it was all he had to hold onto.

  The body leaned against the driver’s side window. The long, dark hair covered almost half the face. Blood had clotted along the forehead. It looked black. Collins hesitated to open the door. The media were starting to hover outside the tape, and he didn’t want to put on a show for them. The smell would be bad too especially with this heat. He gathered several cops and the campus police and had them stand in a semi-circle around the car to block any pictures the media might try to take as they removed the body from the car.