8. Chapter 8
Chapter eight
Remington
I don’t know how he accomplished it, but Danny managed to get hired as a cater-waiter for tonight’s event at the mansion. Once again, we grab our gear and head out into the darkness.
I’m in my usual cargo pants and t-shirt, while Danny wears black slacks, a white button-down, and a black tie. I don’t know where he dug up the outfit, but he certainly looks the part of a waiter.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
He glances my way, gives me a quick nod, then focuses back on the road. “It’s the only way to get inside.”
“You really think anyone will talk to you?”
He gives me his classic cocky grin. “I’m good at getting people to tell me things they probably shouldn’t.”
I’m still not convinced. “What if they catch you?”
“Rich people don’t notice their waiters. Nobody in that house has any idea who I am. As long as I don’t spill anything on anyone, I’ll be fine.”
I can’t tell if he’s joking to reassure me or himself. Maybe it’s both.
After the long drive, I get an eerie feeling of déjà vu when Danny stops at the same spot we were in earlier.
“Will you be okay out here on your own?”
“I’m not the one who’s going to be smack-dab in the middle of things. I’m more worried about you.”
“Don’t be. What’re they gonna do, shoot me in the middle of their fancy party?”
I turn my head slowly and side-eye him.
He chuckles when he sees my expression. “Okay, yeah, I heard it. I promise I’ll be careful. Don’t worry about me, RJ.”
Still, a bad feeling gnaws at me. I want to beg him not to go, but Danny is fearless when he’s running down a story, and I doubt there’s anything I can say that’ll change his mind.
I’ve done some pretty risky things myself to get the perfect shot.
I’d be a hypocrite if I tried to talk him out of this.
This is the job, and sometimes the job is dangerous.
So without another word, I grab my gear, slide out of the car, and watch him drive away.
When I lose sight of him around a curve in the road, I hitch my pack higher on my shoulder and, with only the moonlight to guide me, I make my way up the hill again.
Because it’s dark, it takes longer, but it also allows me to get closer this time.
Once I’m set, I lift my camera and focus on the mansion.
The estate looks different at night. Lights have been strung and landscape lighting artfully illuminates the trees and walkways. Armed men with automatic rifles patrol the perimeter and grounds at a leisurely pace.
It takes a few minutes for Danny to come into view. I watch as he makes it past security, parks, and strolls through a side door with some of the other waitstaff.
He’s in the lion’s den now.
Limos, town cars, and luxury vehicles line the driveway, waiting for their turn at the valet. The guests are formally attired like they’re attending a fancy gala, when they’re most likely here to buy and sell people.
I snap photos of everyone. The majority of attendees are men, but to my surprise, there are also a handful of women. I guess depravity isn’t influenced by gender.
One of the last to arrive is the man in the suit.
He’s shown reverence, receives preferential treatment, and everyone moves a little faster to accommodate him.
He’s got a woman on his arm. She’s a pretty blonde, but her eyes are vacant.
She’s like a doll, every move she makes is stiff and robotic.
I can’t help wondering if she’s a previous purchase.
Once all the attendees are inside, there’s nothing for me to do but wait…and think about what happens if Danny doesn’t walk back out of that house.
The two hours I hang around feel like the longest of my life.
Sitting in the dirt, killing time, I eat a small bag of pretzels and a few carrot sticks for dinner, huffing out a quiet laugh as I think about the glamorous life I lead while trying not to focus on what might be stalking or slithering through the underbrush.
When Danny finally appears at the same door he entered earlier, I release a tension-filled breath. Even though I know he can’t see me, he looks up and signals me. I pack up my camera and make my way down the hill to the road, relieved this night is over.
When I see headlights approaching, I stay hidden in the brush until I’m sure it’s Danny. Only then do I leave my hiding place and slide into the passenger seat.
I twist to face him when we pull away. “So? Tell me everything. What’d you see in there?”
“It was like any other extravagant party. Those bastards were talking and laughing, drinking champagne, and eating fancy finger foods.”
“Did you see any evidence that people are going to be sold?”
“Nothing solid. I didn’t see any hostages, but they took our phones, and the upstairs was off limits. The staircase was heavily guarded. There was also a stage set up where I’m guessing they’re going to parade the ‘product’ so the crowd can bid on them.
“Unfortunately, they kicked all the waitstaff out before the real party got started. But my educated guess is the auction’s happening right now.”
On our way back, I have Danny stop so I can mail my envelope of film. Since we’re both starving, we make another stop at a little hole-in-the wall for something to eat.
“It’s time to file the story, RJ. I booked us on the first flight out tomorrow,” he tells me, slipping the key into the lock of the apartment door.
That’s music to my ears, but I won’t relax until my feet land safely back on American soil.