Big Girls Don't Cry (20 page)

“Honey, I didn’t say that. There isn’t a damn thing that happens here that Sergio doesn’t know about it. But if he gets a big enough cut and distance from the crap if the cops find out? Hey, he’s sitting pretty. Same with the gangs.”

“You mean the gangs aren’t involved either? I don’t get it. The gangs are always involved. You know that, Bella.”

Bella shook her head impatiently.

“Hear me out. I’m telling you this is different. Of course, the gangs get their cut, but they aren’t running this. I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly sure who is. But we are selling some of the most righteous shit I’ve ever seen. This stuff is so pure that it melts in your mouth. And, honey, the beauty of it is that all we have to do is hook up with the thousands of hot little soldier boys who circulate through this town and introduce them to the best shit they’ve ever had.”

“Wow. It…it sounds great. How…do you think I could be involved?”

“Honey, with your looks and that killer body, you could be rolling in money within the month. Hell, I’m making more in a month than I did turning five tricks a night for a year. And you’re coming in at a great time. I got notice last night that the biggest shipment we’ve had yet will be here in a couple of days. All we have to do is get the parties organized and prepare to rake in the dough.”

Lexie frowned. “I’m not sure what you are talking about. I still don’t understand who’s running the show, but heck, what do I care? I just want in!”

Bella laughed. “No, no. Nothing bad. The only problem is that the guy who does the interviewing is the most disgusting man alive. And let’s just say, he has an interesting interview process.”

Lexie shook her head trying to quell the fear churning in her gut. This was too close. Too close to some very bad memories. She took a deep breath and tried to sound annoyed, not scared.

Lexie didn’t even try to imagine Jake’s reaction. She reminded herself that she had brazenly told Jake if she had to strip she would. But a lap dance? It was too personal. Taking a deep breath, she shoved down her fear. It was like Bella said. This is business and if she has to do this to get on the inside, she will.

“It’s a piece of cake, honey. Just do the kind of moves you usually do and keep bumping into me. That’s all he cares about. But if you don’t want to get sick, I advise you keep your eyes off what he is doing. Disgusting doesn’t begin to describe this guy. But, maybe we’ll get lucky. Half the time, he’s so drunk he barely knows we’re there.”

Chapter 20

Jake mused as he listened to the dial tone waiting for Dirk to pick up. He hated like hell to leave Lexie tonight, but he needed answers to some questions that were gnawing at his gut.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Dirk. Do you have a few minutes? Or better yet, can I buy you a beer? We could meet at the officer’s club.”

“Yes to the beer, Jake. But I can go one better than the club. I’m at home now and was about to throw a steak on the grill. How about you join me? It will give us a chance to catch up. It’s been a hell of a long time since we’ve spent time together.”

“A steak sounds great, Dirk. What about Emily? Will she mind me barging in?”

“Nope. I’m a bachelor this summer. Emily and the girls are spending a couple of months in Europe. It’ll be just the two of us, unless you wanted to bring one of your men.”

“No, Dirk. The two of us sounds great.”

“That’s terrific, Jake. We live up on Stone Creek Road, a couple of miles from the crossroad at Pine and Stone Creek. A small sign that says ‘Private Road’ leads to our driveway. You remember Emily. She always did like her privacy. How about 8 o’clock.

“Sounds great. See you then.”

~~~

Jake gave a low whistle as he turned onto the private road leading to Jake’s house. It was more like a scenic route winding up the side of the mountain than a driveway. From what he could see in the moonlight, the desert landscape was breathtaking. The lights from the city below added to the sense of exclusive privacy. He slowly drove up the road. The switch backs were sharp enough to make speed dangerous even on his bike which was a lot more nimble than his Jeep. At the last turn, he saw the house ahead and let out another low whistle. He tried to remember Dirk’s circumstances. Seemed like he remembered either Dirk’s family or Emily’s had money. But someone sure as hell did. The complex at the top of the mountain was a spread straight out of
Architectural Digest
.

He parked the bike alongside a sleek Porsche 911. Yep, Dirk was doing okay. Looking around, he saw the lights surrounding an Olympic sized swimming pool next to a tennis court. A deep wash surrounding the house provided a moat-like barrier around the house. As he was taking in the opulent surroundings, the twelve foot oak carved door opened and Dirk stepped out.

“Jake, c’mon in. Great to see you again. Trust you didn’t have any trouble finding us?’

“No, once I figured out you lived on top of your own private mountain, it was just a matter of making sure I didn’t land in that ravine below.”

Dirk smiled, then nodded at Jake’s bike. “I remember now. You always did go for the crotch rockets, like you need anything else to attract the women.”

Jake laughed. “I gotta admit, Dirk, I was into bikes long before I knew women were anything but an annoyance. But, hell, Dirk, this place is astounding. Looks like something out of
Architectural Digest
. Did you buy it or build it?”

“No, we built it. And as a matter of fact, we were featured in the
Digest
a while back.”

“Impressive. It’s a beautiful home.”

Dirk gave a nonchalant shrug. “It helps marrying a wealthy woman. The fact that I’m in love with her makes Emily’s family money all the sweeter. But c’mon in, I’ll give you a quick tour.”

After viewing the 7500 plus square foot complex, Jake stopped in front of an impressive wall of photographs. Most were of the family, but a couple caught his eye.

“Is that Helmand Province? I didn’t know you were in Afghanistan, Dirk.”

“Oh, yes. That is Helmand. I was there on a fact finding mission. We were having some logistical issues and I needed to get to the bottom of it.” He pointed to another photograph. “You probably recognize Nangahar as well. I was there on the same mission.”

“I sure do. I’ve been in and out of both places close to twenty times now. Hell, I think I even recognize those Afghan leaders. Isn’t that Mohammed Amir?”

“Damn, Jake. That is some memory you have. There’s no way I could remember all those people’s names. Hell, we must have met fifty so called leaders at the time.”

“Is that Mike Pierce with you?”

“Yes, Mike was along on the trip. But then he’s been there many times. Just so happened we connected on this one.”

~~~

Jake settled in a comfortable armchair on the extraordinary patio. They had a 360 degree of the surrounding area and watched as planes arrived and left the runway to the north.

“This is spectacular, Dirk. I think I would spend most of my time right here. Great view of the base and, hell, you can see for miles. And thanks again, I haven’t had a home cooked meal in months.”

“So that beautiful young woman you’ve been hanging out with doesn’t cook?”

Jake arched a brow in surprise.

Dirk quickly filled in. “I saw the two of you at the MMA Center yesterday. You looked like you were doing some heavy duty sparring, so I didn’t interrupt. She’s Beloi’s sister, right?”

“Yes, she is.”

Dirk seemed taken aback by his curt response.

“Sorry, Jake. Didn’t mean to pry. It’s just difficult not to notice such a beautiful woman. She’s enough like her brother to be his twin.”

“Yes. She is remarkably like Anthony, in looks and temperament. She shares his passion for justice. Which brings me to my reason to talk with you. I’d appreciate it if this conversation is off the record.”

“Hell, Jake. You don’t have to ask. Anything you have to say is in complete confidence.”

“Thanks, Dirk. I have some questions about Mike Pierce
.
I’m hearing through my sources that Mike is intent on shutting down my investigation. Apparently, he’s convinced it’s a fluke that Anthony’s body was found on the base. Now I agree there’s probably a 90% certainty that it was a fluke. The killers trying to implicate the Army. We’re an easy target. What I don’t understand is why Mike is so passionate about it.”

“Well, Jake. I’m assuming what I say is also confidential, correct?” When Jake nodded, Dirk continued. “Mike does seem bent on shutting you down. The most likely explanation is that we’ve been getting a lot of scrutiny from Congress. This immigration issue has every fucking armchair soldier in the Senate up our ass. We don’t need any bad publicity. A dead soldier – a mutilated one at that -- is something none of us wants public. On the other hand, Jake, I have to be honest. Mike seems to have a vendetta against you personally. I’ve been surprised at some of his statements in our senior staff meetings. He seems to have made it his mission to get you the hell out of here as fast as he can.”

~~~

Once more, Lexie tugged at the scanty underwear that kept riding up her butt. She reminded herself that it was no different than the thongs she routinely wore. But then she usually had pants or a skirt covering her thong, not just her bare ass cheeks.

She followed Bella into the private room, calling on her years of meditation and martial arts to calm her breathing. It wasn’t about to be calmed. She was sure anyone within ten feet of her could hear her heart thumping in her chest. Thank God that Nine Inch Nails gave her pounding heart some cover.

In the semi dark room, she saw a large man sitting in a huge armchair. He looked older, maybe in his fifties. His skin was an unusual color, the orangey kind you get from bad self-tanning creams. Rather than making him look younger or healthier, it just stuck in his creases making his face even more wrinkled. By far the weirdest thing about him was his glossy black hair and matching moustache. Damn, a reminder. Don’t buy over the counter hair dye at your local drugstore.

Bella sashayed in to the room and called out in a sweet, melodic voice, “Hi there, James. Sure hope you’ve been waiting for us. I have a treat for you tonight.”

She tugged on Lexie’s arm, pulling her up next to her, calling her the alias Lexie had used to introduce herself.

“Sarah, I’d like you to meet one of the most important men you’ll ever meet. This here is James Carter. He’s the man I told you about.”

A shiver ran up her spine. That knowing twinge of impeding danger that she’d learned to respect. Is there a way he could know her? Know who she was? Breathing deep, she reminded herself it was a small town. Her escapade with Jake at the bar last night hadn’t gone unnoticed. She decided to go for brazen.

Tilting her head, she flashed him a saucy grin.

“It is today. I’ve been around, here and there, stirred up a little trouble along the way. You never know who’s coming after you. A name change doesn’t hurt. A girl can’t be too careful.”

He studied her, disbelief apparent in his expression. She decided to take him on. What could she lose? Plus, if she was going to get hired, she needed to prove she was tough.