Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
Stack (Dax)
Sitting at the bar I glance at my watch. Twelve-thirty. The ship is gearing up for the second departure. Their monthly bonus shareholder event. I noticed a few of the day guests stayed, but several new people have just boarded.
Sam approached me earlier and explained the evening’s agenda. As soon as we make international waters the shareholder meetings will start with a very brief welcome. There will be a placard on one of the three tables to indicate my seat. All tables are randomly drawn. As patrons cash out the tables will be combined.
He hands me a yellow card. “During the games, should you need a drink simply write what you want on the yellow card so as not to disrupt the others. Catch the attention of one of the waiter-bartenders who will be walking the floor, and they’ll come get your order.
“Many of our attendees, like you, are here alone. During breaks they sometimes want company. Some lose all their money too quickly and need someone to talk to until the trip is over. Our staff are prepared to be companions during those times for a small compensation. Should you want company, simply ask the waiter/waitress that appeals to you to show you their cuff which will have their name. Write the server’s name on the yellow card, with the time frame you’d like company.”
Sam’s words from the other day come back to me. As a shareholder we ensure you have all the member benefits during our special meetings.
Finishing my drink, I glance around the floor briefly studying and assessing the twenty-four male and female shareholders remaining. Walking to a more secluded window I stare out at the open water and raise my glass to my lips. “I-Tee, did you get a good enough shot of each shareholder?”
My phone crackles a couple times, before Kalli responds. “Yes.”
“Are you getting the feed from the four cameras I planted below?”
“Feed is good. Steel says to switch to your satellite as soon as you hit international waters. He’ll reach out to you soon,” she says.
What the fuck is going on? Earlier, during the commotion of the day travelers leaving, I slipped downstairs and planted cameras on the crew deck where I-Tee instructed, giving him the best angles. The halls were lined with closed doors requiring a card key. But a laundry bag sat outside of one room, the door slightly ajar. A woman was cleaning a lavish bedroom with a satin covered king bed.
“They’re running tricks,” I-Tee states the obvious, his excitement palatable. “Hold on, I’m getting a call from Steel.” A minute later he comes back. “Get back to the floor. I’ll call you back.”
Voices echoed from the rear loading dock coming closer to my location. Finding an unlocked door, I slipped in expecting a closet. Instead, it was a smaller set of stairs that led me to a hidden door in the men’s room.
“Kalli,” I snap again, “What the fuck is going on? What’s wrong?”
More interference. “I don’t know, Stack. They aren’t telling me. I’ll try to let you know as soon as I hear something.”
“Is everyone okay?
“As far as I know. Stay frosty, watch your six.” She disconnects before I can ask more.
All my instincts go into overdrive. Something is wrong.
I take a deep breath. Keep your head in the game. Tonight could be our big break. I want this job over. I need to be with Boots.
Turning from the window, I take a sip from my glass, and glance around the room. The remaining shareholders are taking their places at the three gaming tables. I locate my placard: Ghost. The woman next to me is Gin and Bear is to my other side. Our pre-ordered chips await.
I’ve memorized the names at each table and now identify the faces that go with them.
Four shirtless men wearing bowties and the same number of females dressed in pasties and thongs are preparing drinks behind the bar. They all wear white pseudo shirt cuffs on their wrists. More are walking between the tables taking orders.
Twenty minutes into the first game, Gin, the woman next to me makes eye contact with a particular male waiter and signals him over. When he comes to take her order, she taps his cuff. He turns it over. She writes the name on the top of her yellow card with a plus sign and one hour after game one . Followed by Fuzzy Navel and hands him the card. He smiles and comes back a few minutes later with her drink and a card key.
She winks at me. “Got to get your order in right away or the best ones are gone.”
This is what I came for. Enzo Bay, our mafia suspect owns two thirds of this ship. Gambling we’ve known. Drugs we’ve suspected. Prostitution rounds out the big three moneymakers. Tonight, I collect proof. Hopefully, I can find the name of the silent partner who owns the remaining third. Game on.
The games will go ninety minutes with a thirty-minute break in between. We’ll be docking at approximately seven am and all games will cease before we reach the three-mile limit. We are reminded to use our yellow cards for orders.
Play starts. Everyone seems to concentrate on the game for the first couple hands. After the first round of drinks are served two new servers are added to the floor. They all make the rounds between the tables. At the end of the first hand, a gentleman at the next table, stands and follows one of the male servers to the stairs leading down to the next level.
At the first break between games, the lady next to me leaves to meet her companion.
Stretching my legs I again walk to an isolated window where I can watch the people mingling behind me and activate my earbud.
“Is the comm fixed,” I ask.
“Yes,” Steels responds.
Hearing him on the headset puts me on high alert. “We have a situation. Boots was kidnapped from the bar. We followed the tracker you put on her but just missed getting her back. The tracker took her to the cruise ship you’re on. But we lost the signal. Pax and Silk are on a zodiac following the cruise ship. They’re going to try to latch on near the supply dock and board.”
“How the hell did this happen?”
“She was busing tables. A fight started and the lights were cut. All hell broke loose.
“I-Tee scoured the camera feed and found Boots’ father; he was with someone we now know is a known associate of Enzo Bay. Nyla recognized the guy and said he’s been coming in for weeks. He usually sits in Boots’ area. All the waitresses refer to him as Big Tipper and a really nice guy.”
“Are Pax and Silk looped in on this call?” I ask.
“This is on me,” Silk replies, the guilt and remorse heavy in his voice.
Am I pissed? Fuck yeah. But I’ve been in enough war zones where everything goes to shit in the blink of an eye.
“It’s on her fucking father. I want him. Somebody find him.
“Silk, you and Pax stay close, once I find her, I’ll let you know, and we’ll plan from there.”
Midway into the second game I see her. My Boots. She just entered and is standing near the wall behind the bar dressed as skimpily as the other waitresses. An older woman, a little more dressed, with an air of control stands next to her. I assume she’s the madam. The table call comes to me. “I’m out.”
Pushing from the table, I make my way to the bar. Another guy beats me there and is taking the card from Boots. Her hand is shaking, and she’s focused on the floor. “Don’t bother, she’s mine.”
Boots’ gaze flickers up for a moment but doesn’t go past my chest, then falls again.
The other man grins at me as he writes on the card, then hands it to the woman standing next to my girl. “I always get the new ones.”
I grab the older woman’s wrist and see the name Karen on her cuff. “Karen, hand me the card.”
“He’s already turned it in, sir.”
“The rules state that someone else can out bid. Put me down for three times what he wrote or hand it to me and I’ll do it.”
The man chuckles. “Go ahead, Karen.”
When she’s done, he looks at her. “Now add another fifty on top of that to my bid.” He turns to me, speaking softly. “You’re new here. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.” He holds out his hand for a shake. “You’ll learn. No hard feelings.”
I take his hand and pull him into my chest as we shake. Leaning close to his ear, I whisper. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Mr. Dennis. But I know who you really are, Mic. Now you can walk away and let me up the bet or in twenty minutes they’ll find you gutted on the satin sheets you think you’re going to take her on. Your choice, but I’d choose wisely Mr. Dennis…if you want to see the sunrise and maybe even your political aspirations. I can be a good friend. Now make nice and we both walk away.”
He stiffens and pulls back. “I-ah don’t believe I caught your name?”
“Ghost. Ellis Ghost. And your card said Dick, correct?” I use the pseudonym he assumes for his more nefarious endeavors keeping them hidden from his political aspirations.
Sweat beads his brow and he nods before turning to Karen. “Go ahead and let the newbie have the bid. I just noticed a friend I need to catch up with. There’ll be other nights.”
Karen has me sign the receipt for the charge and then leads us downstairs to a room. Handing me a card key she whispers something to Boots before turning to me. “You two have a nice relaxing chat. There’s champagne in the room. Will you be wanting anything else?”
“Thank you, Karen. We should be good.”
She glances at her watch. “Your time will be up twenty minutes before we dock. I’ll be back to make sure everything was satisfactory.”