AT 29 (94 page)

Once righted, Jimmy looked for a place to put down his glass. He didn't like being embarrassed and the biker gave no indication that he would be placated as he drew on his joint and blew a billow of smoke in Jimmy's face. The put-down was plain.

“Give it here,” Benson said, from behind, as he came up and took the glass from Jimmy's hand. Jimmy looked over his shoulder to find the drummer and Chase looking amused. Chase gave the biker a smile of recognition and then returned his eyes to Jimmy with a mocking smirk. Tammy used the moment to extricate herself from his arm.

Chase watched her move away into the crowd. Then he nudged Benson. “You think he's got the nerve?”

“I dunno,” Benson answered. “Never had any when I was kicking him around.”

The pugnacious biker looked beyond Jimmy at Chase and Benson. “Is this guy another one of those rockers you hang around with?”

“You could say that,” Chase answered, laughing. “Big shot who thinks he's running the show.”

The scene was hard for Jimmy to rationalize. On one side was an unknown intruder who had no business being a part of this farewell party, ostensibly organized to send the Blossom stable off to its final two shows in Australia. On the other were two hangers on; one who owed his presence to Jimmy's guilty conscience, the other a mere roadie that no one liked. For the moment, however, things were too tense to let his guard down. He decided to stand his ground.

“Let me show you what a Vulture does when he's mad.” The biker laughed loud and jammed the lit end of his joint into Jimmy's shirt. A tiny curl of smoke rose up as the small ember quickly burned through and seared Jimmy's flesh. Jimmy grabbed at the wound, a flash of anger coloring his face. With little forethought, he swiftly brought his knee up and into the biker's crotch. As the man buckled over, Jimmy clenched his fists and brought them down on the back of his neck, driving him to the floor.

“Hey!” Chase shouted, as Benson moved in to wrap Jimmy in a bear hug.

From the far side of the room, Ellis flew through the crowd, closely followed by Sonny and Ted. Jimmy twisted out from Benson's hold just as Ellis came around and put his forearm around Benson's neck. Though bigger, Benson was powerless to withstand the strength of Ellis' grip. He grasped at the agent's arm, trying to pull it away, fighting to breath and unable to scream. Ted pushed through toward Chase who made a move to grab Ellis. The harmonica player was unquestionably the strongest of the three, He used his body to block Chase from coming forward. Then he took the roadie by the shirt with both hands and forced him backwards through the crowd to the open front door. With one final shove, he sent Chase sprawling onto the cobblestone pathway. Then he slammed the door shut and hurried back to where Benson struggled with Ellis.

Jimmy stood over his fallen opponent as Sonny moved in and spread his arms to force shocked onlookers away. Benson jerked back and forth, aware that he was in serious trouble. Ellis showed no sign of letting go. His eyes were wide as he tightened his forearm. The biker at Jimmy's feet rolled over on his back, holding his crotch and showing no more fight as his face lost color. The younger biker looked on in disbelief then broke for the door.

Ted looked at Sonny. Both men began to sense that Ellis had murder in his eyes. Sonny moved in close to Ellis' ear and shouted for the agent to let go as Ted took hold of his arm and coaxed it away from Benson's neck. Ellis woke-up and loosened his death grip, looking from Sonny to Ted.

“Let him go, Ellis,” Jimmy ordered. “He's not worth the trouble.” Ellis dropped his arm. Benson whirled away, clutching his throat. He bent over, coughing and choking as Ellis watched. Then the agent leaned in close to the drummer's ear.

“You better decide which side you're on.” Benson didn't seem to hear as he raised himself, still clutching his throat and headed for the door.

The fight sucked all gaiety from the room. The more cautious among the revelers made for the door right behind Benson. Others stood still in shock. The injured biker sat up at Jimmy's feet, rubbing the back of his neck and looking around as if he wasn't sure where he was. Ellis stooped down to look him in the face.

“What's going to happen now?” He demanded.

The biker seemed to come to his senses. “Payback. That's what's gonna happen.”

“How many punks came with you?”

“Enough to make you pay.”

Tammy came up beside the group. “Twelve.”

Ellis stood up and turned to look at the groupie. He shook his head then turned back to the biker on the floor. “Any weapons?” The Vulture didn't answer. Ellis tapped Jimmy on the shoulder. “Keep him on the floor. If he tries to get up kick him in the head.” Then the agent raised his voice and addressed the rest of the onlookers who hadn't moved. “Show's over. Everybody clear out and do it fast!” He grabbed the nearest partier and pushed him toward the door, following him outside like a shield. He strode quickly along the path until he reached the elegant fence encircling the pool. He peered over it and studied the group of Vultures who had formed a circle around Chase and the young biker, both talking animatedly. He tried to listen, but could not hear what the two men were saying. Benson was off to the side still rubbing his neck.

Ellis counted heads. Tammy was right, eleven men plus the one inside and Chase and Benson. He decided not to waste anymore time. The path was jammed with exiting partiers making their way to the dock. Two launches waited. He heard the motors start, pleased that this part of the problem was working itself out. He fought his way back up the path and forced his way into the house. Tammy was waiting just inside.

“You asked about weapons.”

Ellis looked her up and down, taking note of the frightened look on her face. “What do you know?”

“There's a big guy. They call him Hank. He's the one who guards the drugs in a black bag. There's a gun in the bag.”

“Where?”

“He brought it upstairs to Winfield.”

“Are any of the others carrying?”

“I don't think so. The leader is good with a knife. They call him Stick. He'll be close to Hank. He uses the big guy as a bodyguard.”

The last of the bystanders poured through the door. Ellis waited then closed the door and locked it. He turned back to Tammy and took her by the arm. “Tell me about the drugs.”

“Grass, coke, crack and heroin.” Ellis guided her to where Jimmy stood with Sonny, guarding the fallen biker.

“They're having a pow wow down at the pool. I don't like the way it looks.” He turned to Ted. “Take this one upstairs and lock him away somewhere. If you can find something to tie him up, do it.” Next, he addressed Sonny. “Go around the house and lock every door and window. Make sure the women are out of the way. I'm going to call McCabe.”

Jimmy moved closer. “Cops?”

Ellis shook his head. “Winfield's around here somewhere with a bag full of drugs. We can't afford to have the cops snooping around.” He brought Tammy forward by her elbow. “She knows what the bag looks like. See if you can find it. And get everybody from Blossom together. I need the guys down here. Maybe if this bunch sees we're waiting for them they'll back off.”

Tammy shook her head. “They'll want their money.”

“What money?”

“Winfield. Chase is the bagman. He hasn't collected yet.”

“This gets worse by the minute.”

In the bathroom, with the door closed and the hair dryer blowing on full, Les didn't hear the telephone ring on the nightstand. Sister Monica waited for eight rings before the front desk manager came back on the line.

“There's no answer. Would you like to leave a message?”

“Yes, please inform Miss Marshall that she is required to return to Saint Malachy's Orphanage as quickly as possible.”

Ellis dialed Miles' hotel from a wall phone in the kitchen. He walked to a window, extending the telephone cord to its full length, looking through the glass as he waited. Miles came on the line sounding alert and a bit agitated.

“What is it Ellis?”

“I'm over on Marvel Island. I think there's going to be trouble.”

McCabe sat upright on the bed. “What kind of trouble?”

Ellis explained everything. He told the executive about the drugs and the possibility of a gun. He tallied the number of bikers and offered his opinion that they'd be coming into the house at any moment. “We can't afford to get the police involved.”

Miles tried to think. “Can you keep things under control until I get there?”

“I can't say. We've got one of them under wraps. He says they'll be looking for payback. One of the girls also says Winfield owes them money. Whatever else happens, they're going to come for the money.”

“I'll get there as soon as I can. Is Cindy with you?”

“No. She hasn't arrived yet.”

Miles sighed with relief. “Good.”

“Miles?”

“Yes?”

“Make it quick.”

McCabe hung up and immediately dialed Felix. It took several rings before a sleepy voice came on the line. He explained everything Ellis told him. Felix was all business as soon as he understood.

“Get dressed and meet me in the lobby.”

“Felix, I can't have the police involved.”

“Why? That's their job.”

“Because too many people will get hurt.”

“It's too late, Miles. People are going to get into trouble.”

“No. We've got to keep it contained.”

“You want to break the law?”

“I want to save my business. We can sort things out later.”

“I didn't come to work for you to break the law.”

“I'm counting on you to help me head things off. Now is our chance.”

There was a long pause. “I know some people. I'll see what I can do.”

***

There was a knock on the door just as Les put the finishing touches to her make-up. She saw the blinking message light as she crossed the room to the door. Odd, she thought, Cindy's here and no one except those at the orphanage knows where I am. She took a quick glance through the eyehole then opened the door. They hugged briefly then she went for her pocketbook. As the two women approached the door, Cindy also spotted the blinking light.

“Do you want to answer that?”

Les stopped. “I probably should although I don't know who it could be.”

The front desk manager found Sister Monica's message and read it aloud. Cindy knew something wasn't right when Les' eyebrows arched in consternation and she immediately asked the manager to put her through to Melbourne.

“What is it?” she asked, as Les waited, her face dark.

“I don't know. They want me to fly back to Melbourne.”

“You just got here.”

“It must be a mistake.”

The ringing went for many seconds before a harried switchboard operator came on the line.

“This is Les. Can you put me through to Sister Monica?” Despite the delay, Les could detect breathlessness in the voice on the other end.

“Oh, Les. Thank goodness you called. Are you on your way back?”

“I'm at my hotel in Miami. What's going on?”

“The orphanage is in lock-down. The police just arrived.”

Les sat up with a start, fear written on her face. Cindy moved to the bed, concerned. “Put me through to my office.”

“The line is busy. Emergency services must be using it.”

“Is someone hurt? What happened?”

“I don't have the details. All I know is one of the boys went missing, Nicky Aldridge. That's why we're in lock-down. Everyone has been searching for him all day.”

Les screamed into the phone. “Where is Nicky?”

“Say that again? You clipped.”

Les waited, trying to calm herself. “Sister Monica wants me to come back right away. Does it have anything to do with Nicky?”

“Well, yes. I think it must. I don't know if he's been found, but something's definitely wrong what with the lock-down going on so long and the authorities being called in.”

Les broke the connection and immediately dialed zero. The front desk manager picked up on the first ring.

“I need a flight to Melbourne, Australia as fast as possible.”

“That may be difficult at this hour.”

“It's an emergency. I'll take anything. I need to be on a plane right away.”

“Yes. I understand. I'll call you when I have something.”

Cindy remained on the bed, bewildered. “Did something happen?”

Les moved to her suitcase and frantically set about collecting her clothes. “Will you drive me to the airport?”

***

Jimmy helped Ted hustle the injured biker up the stairs as Tammy followed behind. They deposited the struggling Vulture in a side room where Ted wrenched a piece of cord from the nearest curtain and used it to tie the man's hands and feet.

“You guys don't have a chance!” the biker shouted as they closed the door.

Ted went back downstairs, leaving Jimmy and Tammy to their search. She reached for his hand, trembling in fear as Jimmy surveyed the lengthy hallway One by one, he began to open each door, bedrooms and bathrooms, all empty. As they moved
deeper into the house the sound of laughter hit their ears. When he opened the next door he found the Riland brothers in a luxurious king sized bed with two attractive, but very young teen-aged girls. All four were naked.

“Get dressed and go downstairs, now!” Jimmy ordered, as Jeff and Randy sat up, looking embarrassed. The two girls giggled and slid under the covers. “Make sure the girls stay in this room. Lock the door behind you.”

“What's going on?” Randy demanded.

“Just hurry and see Ellis downstairs. Do what he says.” Jimmy closed the door and moved on.

In the next room he found Travis. The scene was similar, but the young woman in his clutches was older. Tammy recognized the girl and pushed past Jimmy to give the same command. Travis looked from Tammy to Jimmy.