Nimravid (The MacFade Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  “You were never a scout.” A mere technicality… “I woke you, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, but no worries, done sleeping anyway.” It was a small lie but no harm done. I yawned and stretched. Nothing hurt, Mai does good work.

  “Thank you.”

  “OI! No eavesdropping remember?”

  “Sorry.”

  “What can I do you for, Babe?”

  “Oh, so that’s how it’s going be, huh? Alright have it your way. You remember that Amber alert that went out about 72 hours ago?”

  “Yeah, the LeBlanc girl, kidnapped right out of her bed, just like Elizabeth Smart.”

  “Yes, similar M.O. How did you know she was taken from her bed?”

  “Must have seen it on the news.”

  “We never released that information.”

  “Smooth, Alex.”

  “Oh, shut up! I’m on five hours sleep. We’ll be lucky if she doesn’t badger a full confession out of me.”

  “Better hope not…”

  I groaned and rubbed my burning eyes. “Babe, your point would be?”

  “Oh, come on Mack! Don’t play coy with me; you’re no good at it. It’s a high profile case. Andre LeBlanc’s child goes missing and the St. Louis PD is accused of sitting on their ass.”

  “That’s because they WERE sitting on their asses.” I mumbled, not quite as inaudibly as I had hoped. “What was that, Mr. Walker?”

  Mr. Walker? This is going to be one of THOSE calls. “What? Oh nothing just talking to myself. So what’s this got to do with me?”

  “The chief of detectives stopped by my office this morning to give me a heads up about some photos of you with LeBlanc, night before last. The Chief likes you a lot Mack, but he can’t let this slide. Lt. Decker wants to bring you in as a suspect.”

  “Suspected of what, doing his bloody job for him? Rat bastard! Decker wants to try to pin something on me. What a shocker! There is a perfectly good explanation for the pictures. Let him know I’ll stop by this afternoon to explain it and that I will not take him sending a black and white out to ESCORT me well, at all. On second thought, since he’s already there…”

  “How did you—?”

  “You’re starting to slip, Claire, I’m on speakerphone and the great and powerful Mack hears all and sees all. Good morning Chief Martin.” I heard a deep male chuckling in the background.

  “Morning, Mack.”

  “The LeBlancs contacted me as a consultant. I pointed them in the direction I would have taken for the purposes of negotiation or retrieval. I’ll let you know if any other information comes my way. Now turn him around or Decker is going to report back to you with his sidearm shoved up his ass.”

  “You wouldn’t dare…”

  “Challenge accepted, sideways it is.”

  “Yeah…you would. Have it your way, Mack”

  “As all things should be.”

  “I’ll see you this afternoon.” Chief Martin replied wearing an audible grin. “I’m quivering in anticipation. You can go now.” I heard the chief chuckling, his chair creaking as he stood up. “It seems I’ve been dismissed.” Claire’s office door opened and closed. I have dealt with the chief of D’s in the past and let him know in no uncertain terms that I’ll not be intimidated. This resulted in some unpleasant exchanges at first and some cases of me strolling right out the front door of the 17th precinct shortly after being locked up in a holding cell. As always, no one could remember why I had been arrested in the first place. After a few unexpected visits to his unpublished home address, we came to an understanding. Things became more jovial after he accepted our interactions were going to be on my terms or not at all. I like the chief, but I’ve gotten into a habit of dealing with authority figures from a position of power.

  “Take me off speaker, Claire” There was an audible pop and the excess background noise disappeared. In MY ears it had been a dull roar. I put up my most innocent tone of voice. “Arianna LeBlanc, is what you were calling about last night?”

  “Yes, you know damned well that’s what I was calling about! Mathew Previtt was found in a steel mill in Granite City, last night. His neck was broken with some sort of garrote that mysteriously had no surface texture or shed any trace evidence.”

  “Sounds horribly frustrating for the M.E…he dead?”

  “No, just paralyzed, disappointed?” I didn’t dignify the remark with a reply, so she continued scolding me. “Whoever did it, left a note on top of enough evidence to convict him of a dozen cold cases and took credit for putting Previtt down, blaming the S.L.P.D. for Arianna’s death. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

  “Hmmm, sounds like LeBlanc brought in a heavy hitter. Bloody Hell, Claire, I told you they were looking in the wrong direction! American crime syndicates don’t kidnap kids, most of the time. They either hit you in plain daylight, to send a message, or leave the body of one of your crew on your door step. Might be a cartel, they tend to act without mercy.” Claire knows I work as a “Security Consultant”, which is a fancy cleaned up term for mercenary. I see myself as, a “fixer” more of a problem solver. Problem solving comes in many different forms, you get the idea.

  I could Hear her teeth grinding. “A heavy hitter? That sounds about right. Anyone we know?” There was a thick note of suspicion in her voice. “Could be, though I don’t know of many that wouldn’t finish the job. It’s bad for business, depends on exactly what they were contracted to do though.”

  “You know that’s not a good enough answer.”

  “I know, but it’s all you’re going to get.”

  “Plausible deniability…”

  “Impressive, I didn’t even need to give you the speech.”

  “Not funny.”

  “Just trust me, Claire. Previtt, from the sound of it, got less than what he deserved but he’s out of business, fair enough?”

  “I guess that will have to do, so why were you getting in so late last night?” Oi! Like a dog with a bone, this one! “As I said before, I was on a job and it went a little long. Is that all you wanted?”

  “No, we still need you to come by my office.”

  “Claire…”

  “It’s nothing like that. The Chief wants to ask for your help with something. He’s willing to pay but it would have to be off the books.”

  “Whoa! Stop right there. Is this line secure?”

  “I, I don’t know. It should be.”

  “OK then we’re going to put a pin in this until I get to city hall.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Anything else, babe?” I was trying to put Claire at ease. “Uh, well there is only one other thing of a personal nature. Aunt Effie has invited US to Sunday dinner again, for the third time.”

  “Oh…”

  “Now don’t you start! She really wants to meet you. I’ve been telling her about you for over a year and this is her third invitation.”

  “Claire, you know I’m not comfortable in settings like that. It’s too intimate, too many stares, awkward silences or just plain stupid questions. Not to mention all of the stray thoughts from everyone I have to try to ignore, yelling in my ears all night. We tried it at your uncle’s Thanksgiving and it was miserable. All he wanted to talk about was my mixed heritage and ask me embarrassing questions I couldn’t answer. It ruined our whole day.”

  “That won’t happen at Effie’s, I promise. She won’t allow it. I’ve already told her about the dinner at Uncle Joe’s.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Will you? Fair dinkum?” It’s so cute when she tries to speak Aussie. I smiled in spite of myself. The dinkum had done its job. “Alright, I’ll give it serious consideration.”

  “I love you, Mack, need to get back to it.”

  “Love you too Babe, bye.” Hanging up, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, rubbing at my watering eyes. “Lucy hungry,” she conveyed in the warbling growl language she uses. I looked around the room. “Lucy always hungr
y, Alex feed you in few minutes. Where is Charles?”

  “In window, talking to birds. Charles waiting for birds to talk back?” I laughed, it felt wonderful. It was a sincere question or Lucy was slamming Charles’ sanity. Either way it was the funniest bleeding thing I’d heard all week. “No Lucy, Charles is trying to lure them to the window so he can eat them.”

  “Oh.” Lucy’s eyebrows indicated some level of comprehension. “That too much work, Lucy like chicken Alex bring home.”

  “I know you do kid, but it’s kibble this morning.” Lucy wagged her tail in anticipation. I went about my usual morning routine, paper, coffee, breakfast for any interested parties and a quick scan of the email. I filled Casey in on the previous night. “Fuck! Sorry I missed that. You think they’ll come after you?” I gave him a dry look. “The man has my credit card information and I spanked his ass like an unruly child, what do YOU think?”

  “I think come sundown we should be in another time zone but we both know that won’t happen.”

  “No, it most certainly will not.”

  “Whatever Mack, you’re in a really rotten mood this morning. Just let me know when the fireworks are going to start, shoot out at the OK Corral come sundown?” I grunted my agreement and went back to my email. He decided not to pursue it any further. “Hmmmm, looks like The Blue Man Group is coming to town. I’ll bet Claire would love them.” I reached for my coffee but it seemed rooted to the table, it wouldn’t budge. Mai appeared in the chair across from me, hand clamped to the mug. “You’re stalling.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about; good morning to you too, Mai.”

  “Cut the crap, Alex. Make the call.” She crossed her arms under her modest breasts. I knew that look. Sighing resignedly, I picked up my “special phone”, satellite and bounced off so many servers around the world it’s virtually untraceable. I supply my clients with a burner cell they use to contact me. I dialed up LeBlanc’s unit.

  A hesitant voice answered. “Hello?” Aces! Ms. LeBlanc, that’s all I needed. She lived for that kid and must have been completely crushed. “Good morning Ms. LeBlanc, this is—”

  “Yes, I know who this is. What can I do for you Mrs. Smith?” Mrs. Smith? Close enough… She must be really upset or anxious to get off the phone if she cut me off like that. I reckon I couldn’t blame her. I wouldn’t be too bloody happy with me right non. Unless… “Are the police there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are they listening to this call?”

  “Yes, from a distance, but you don’t have to worry. I’m not alone. There are plenty of people here. If you’re calling about the book I owe you; I can send it to you if you tell me where. It was worth the read.”

  “She’s talking about the 2nd half of your payment and that she appreciates everything you were able to do for, Arianna.”

  “Really? I completely missed that… You know, women aren’t quite as mysterious as you all would like us to believe.”

  “Alright wiseass, you’re on your own. Just hurry up and get this over with!”

  “Fine! Don’t rush me!”

  “Very good Ms. LeBlanc. You’re either very experienced at this or very quick witted. Are they showing any interest in you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Alright, you have my deepest condolences for your loss. I wish I could have saved Arianna but it was too late, by the time I found her. I can tell you, she was a brave little girl; be proud of her. Arianna asked me to tell you she loved you, before she died. I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to recover her body before the fire became too hot.” There was an awkward silence on the other end of the line. “Ms. LeBlanc?”

  “Yes, thank you. I understand. From what the police said, the hiding place he had wasn’t traceable to him, so if it weren’t for the Good Samaritan who called in the tip they never would have found her. There was a reward posted you know.”

  “I won’t be accepting the last payment, I failed you.”

  “That really surprises me. I hadn’t heard that the caller wasn’t accepting the reward. They certainly do deserve it. After all if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have Arianna’s ashes to lay her to rest. I do have one question though. Do you think it was difficult for them to make that call?”

  “No need Mai; even I picked up on that one.”

  “You want to know if she suffered.”

  “Yes.”

  “Alexander! You gave your solemn word to that little girl.”

  “And I intend to keep it Mai, but I have to alleviate her mother’s suffering if, I can.”

  “All I can tell you, Ms. LeBlanc is that she had already passed on before her body was burned. I know it’s not much; a small mercy, at best. His other victims weren’t so fortunate”.

  “Thank you, I appreciate that. But about that book.”

  “Keep your money, Ms. LeBlanc. Use it to set up a scholarship or memorial to Arianna. I haven’t earned it and this is my final word on the subject.”

  “You’re a good man Mr. Smith, people should know that,” she whispered.

  “I am a gun for hire Ms. LeBlanc, no more, no less, which is all people need to know.”

  “I can appreciate that, if it’s how you truly feel. I’ve have to go now. Thank you for your kind words and all that you do. I’ll let my husband know what we’ve talked about and we’ll think about taking your advice. Good bye Mrs. Smith.”

  “Good bye and good luck to you Ms. LeBlanc. Please destroy this phone by fire first chance you get.” I disconnected the call.

  “DUDE! You didn’t take the money!” Casey blurted after I had hung up, “Are you nuts? What were you thinking? That had to be what, fifty thousand?”

  “One hundred… doesn’t matter; I have plenty of money.”

  “IT DOESN”T MATTER! Who are you and what did you do to, Mack?”

  Mai stood up, leaning sternly over the table and looking cross. “Back off Casey! This whole thing was hard enough on him and you know it. And if I recall, YOU didn’t do too well with it either.” Mai is being modest, her memory is flawless. She has 1800 years’ worth of information up there and not a single thing ever forgotten. “He doesn’t think he earned it so he won’t accept it. It’s a little thing called integrity, familiar with the concept?”

  “Don’t start the whole bushido thing up again. Mack’s Yakuza, not a Samurai.”

  “He’s right, I’m more of a Ronin, really.” Mai gave me the hairy eyeball for being cheeky; didn’t even slow Casey down. I’d say the kid has a death wish if it weren’t for the fact he’s already dead. “I just think that if we went through all of this and the contract was to FIND Arianna and Previtt if possible, then we earned the whole amount. It was kind of a twofer.” I leaned forward with wide eyes. “Tell me, what were you going to spend your nonexistent cut on, dead man?”

  “I thought we could get a hi-def home theatre but now…”

  “I can do that anytime. What’s this really about?”

  “I don’t know, it’s just that...”

  “Let me do this for you, OK, mate? It’s just that most of this is Andre’s fault Arianna was so vulnerable and seeking male affirmation. Shelling out $200,000 would be a fitting punishment, since money is the only thing he really seems to care about. Is that about it?”

  “Kind of.” Casey’s voice was small and miserable, yet angry. “Casey, did it ever occur to you that I refused payment for Ms. LeBlanc’s sake, not Andre’s?” I drummed my fingers on the table irritably while he considered my words. “No, but that makes sense. She did everything she could. So why punish her?” I quirked a slight smile, finally, he gets it. “Something like that.” I was watching Casey closely, to see if this really was sinking in. There were hot angry tears in his eyes but they were subsiding now, it was hard on him to see that girl die. Mai walked over and put her arm around his shoulders. “Do you understand now, Casey?”

  “Yeah, I get it. I still think Andre got off light.”

  My head rocked back in mo
ck surprise, “Seriously? You consider 126 million dollars, light?” Casey’s jaw dropped, “Huh? What are you talking about?”

  “The LeBlanc’s approximate net worth is $250 million and change. Ms. LeBlanc is going to divorce Andre as soon as all this calms down.”

  “She has been gathering evidence of his philandering and debauchery, for years.” Mai’s voice was filled with disgust. Now we had Casey’s full attention. “How do you know?” Mai snorted. “She was thinking about it all during our meeting. She was so angry with him that she considered hiring Alex to kill him. We sort of nudged her toward the divorce idea instead.” I looked up over the top edge of my paper and nodded with raised eyebrows. “Too bad we don’t do exterminations for hire.”

  Casey sounded thoughtful “Or do we?” I slammed the paper down on the table so hard the kitchen shook. “That’s not cool Casey! I have only done a few assassinations in my lifetime and two were to protect my family from the Watanabe clan, you little bastard!” Casey held up his hands in a warding gesture. “And the other one?”

  “The other was a ratbag Columbian drug lord; who used to control his village by publicly executing people and raping women and children. He had it coming and my only regret is I did it with a high powered rifle. I would much rather have made his pain last for days and then strangled him to death with my bare hands.” I grumbled moodily. I get a little worked up when it comes to people abusing children. Mai and Casey were both staring at me. Casey whistled and rolled his eyes toward the living room. “Awkward…forget I said anything. I’m going to go be in any other room but this one, now.” I looked at Mai with challenge in my eyes. “What?”

  “That was a little dark, even for you. I agree that the dog needed to be put down…” Lucy looked up from her bowl suddenly alarmed. “Not you Lucy. Sorry, bad choice of words.”

  “You think?” I snapped crisply. Mai gave me a worried look. “I had no idea that all this was going on in your head.”

  “Now you know why there’s no eavesdropping allowed.”

  “I see. I’ll keep that under advisement. Now what was on the to-do list today?” I looked up, it was already 11:15am. “Shit! I've got to get moving!” I was still in my lounge pants and a t-shirt. “You think?” Mai said in a perfect imitation of my voice. “OK, now that was just disturbing.” Mai tried to look innocent. “Whatever do you mean, Alex?” Again in my voice, it was just plain creepy. "Leave off!” I was beginning to lose my temper. Guffaws came in from the other room. “Just for that, YOU get to sit watch for Dominic’s retaliation, laughing boy.”