Identity (21 page)
Authors: K. J. Cazel
Tom engaged the GPS, which located a Safeway Food Store less than a mile away. He wanted to resolve his issues with Sergio, but he knew he would have to do it the old fashioned way…a stake out. His time in Los Angeles was limited, if he wanted to be back in Chicago by Sunday.
Tom stayed several cars behind Sergio. He wanted to get an idea about Sergio's nightly business.
As Tom followed Sergio, he watched as two of the women were left at the front of different hotels. He had one more woman to deliver. Rather than following Sergio to the third stop, he turned around
through the hotel driveway and headed back to Sergio’s home. He knew Sergio would return to pick up his girls later. When he reached Linden Street where Sergio lived, Tom parked several houses down and waited for Sergio’s return. Since it was after 11:00 p.m. most homes in the area had already turned out their lights and the streetlights at each end of the block gave Tom good cover. It also gave the black SUV the same cover.
When Sergio returned home, he parked the Town Car across from his house. Ten minutes later, all the lights
in that house were out. Tom sat back and closed his eyes. He had to grab some sleep while he could. Because of the odd hours Tom was keeping he fell in a deep sleep and was startled when he heard a couple arguing as they walked passed his car. He checked his watch…2:30 a.m. He immediately turned to see if Sergio’s car was still parked. Tom took a deep breath in relief as he realized that he hadn’t missed anything. Rather than trusting himself not to fall asleep again, he open another can of high-energy liquid and quickly downed it. It didn’t take long for Tom to be wide-eyed again.
Tom knew Sergio had to pick up his girls and wondered what the assigned pick up time was. He didn’t have to wait long. The lights went on in Sergio’s house. Ten minutes later the lights were out and Sergio was returning to his car. Tom checked his watch — 3:45 a.m.
***
Tom started his car and headed back to his hotel. When he arrived, he took the McDonald’s bag out of the center console and placed it inside the Safeway bag along with the remaining energy drinks and garbage he accumulated. The valet came out of the hotel and greeted Tom.
“Good morning sir. Long night?”
“It wasn’t too bad.”
Tom gave the valet his keys and headed into the hotel. After checking with the front desk to see if there were any messages, he took the elevator to his room. Even though his body felt exhausted, his mind was wide awake. He decided to take a warm shower in the hopes that he could get some sleep. He thought that he could be a good advertisement for those high-energy drinks…”Police officers find our drinks invaluable for stake outs.” He smiled.
Before stepping into the shower he looked into the mirror. This was not the face he remembers just twelve hours ago. He decided to shave before showering. When he finished showering, he looked in the mirror. His appearance was back to normal. However, the effects of the energy drink hadn’t worn off yet.
Rather than wasting time in the hotel, he would further check out the house on Colorado Boulevard.
***
He pulled his rental car in the alleyway behind Kari Mason’s house. It was almost 7:00 a.m. and activity in the neighborhood was picking up as everyone was starting their trek to work. Luck was on Tom’s side as he saw a
young woman exiting the back door with a black bag heading for the garbage can. Tom immediately stepped out of his car and walked to the back gate of the property. The startled woman stopped dead in her tracks when she Tom approaching.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just looking for my sister, Ginger Nash.”
The woman hesitated before answering, “She’s gone.”
Before Tom could question her further, Kari Mason came out of the back door. “Mandy, just leave the garbage there and I’ll take care
of it.”
Mandy ran quickly into the house, the screen door slamming behind her.
Kari pickup the black bag and strode over to the garbage can. She looked directly into Tom’s eyes. “Mr. Cassell, I would appreciate it if you didn’t bother my house guests. I told you yesterday, I don’t know anything about your sister.” She picked up the garbage can lid, dropped the bag
in, turned her back on Tom and went back into the house.
Tom returned to the hotel in time for the morning continental breakfast. He avoided coffee. He wanted to get a good sleep because he knew he was going to watch Sergio’s
nighttime activities again. It was important for him to follow through on a plan he had been mulling over in his mind. He wanted Sergio to pay for what he did to his sister.
It was after three when Tom got out of bed. He felt good for the first time in several weeks. He had a lot more on his plate, but being able to capture over eight hours of uninterrupted sleep at one time would make it easier for Tom to function at the top of his game.
The next item on Tom’s agenda was to get a substantial meal instead of fast food, which had become the norm during this trip. He turned on the clock radio to listen to some music to keep him company while he cleaned up. His body welcomed the smooth shave and long hot shower. An hour later, Tom checked with the valet for the closest Italian restaurant.
After his favorite Italian meal of
antipasto salad,
chicken fettuccine and tiramisu, Tom drove back to his hotel. He still had a few hours before he would be returning to Hill Street. This would be his second night to watch Sergio’s activities. He had to make sure that he had accurate times before he executed his plan.
At 8:30 p.m. Tom packed his gun in the McDonald’s bag and went down to get his rental car. Twenty minutes later he was parked down the street from Sergio’s house.
Sergio pulled his Towne Car to the front of his house at 9:00 p.m. on schedule. Tom watched the three working girls come out and enter the car. Sergio drove away. Tom waited a few seconds before he made a U-turn and followed Sergio. Sergio stopped at the first hotel. After meeting with a security guard, one of the girls exited the car and Sergio drove off. Tom continued to follow. He watched as the next two stops were a repeat of the first one. Tom observed that each of the hotels were either welcoming conventioneers or trade show exhibitors. Evidently, this proved to be a good source for Sergio’s girls to practice their trade. Tom followed Sergio back to Hill Street and parked his rental car. He waited until
Sergio came out at 2:30 a.m. Sergio returned to the Town Car. Tom followed as Sergio repeated his actions of the previous evening
***
On Friday, Tom drove to the nearest Wal-Mart to buy some different clothes. At the very least he needed a black long sleeve sweater. Since it was springtime, finding a long sleeve black sweater was a challenge. After a fifteen-minute search, he found a suitable substitute, a navy blue sweatshirt on the clearance table. Tom decided to make do with his own brown shoes and slacks. After he bought the sweatshirt, he headed back to his hotel, stopping at a subway shop to get a three meat sub. He brought the sub back to his room.
It was only two in the afternoon. Tom was anxious and wished he could just put his plan into action now rather than waiting until later that evening. He had hashed his plan over in his mind several times and knew it would work.
When he finished eating, he called the private jet company and arranged for a return flight to Chicago at 7:00 a.m. from the Van Nuys Airport. If everything worked out, there should be no trouble making the connection.
Before laying down for some sleep, Tom packed his suitcase, leaving out his gun and shoulder holster.
***
It was 7:00 p.m. when Tom woke up. He had slept in his clothes so he was ready to leave. He strapped on his shoulder holster and gun and then put on the sweatshirt over his shirt. He checked the bathroom, and closet to make sure that he hadn’t left anything behind. He took his suitcase down to the front desk to check out.
Tom went to the hotel restaurant to get a turkey sandwich and a large cup of black coffee to go. He returned to the lobby and waited for the valet to return with the rental car.
By 8:00 p.m. Tom was on his way to Hill Street. The sun was beginning to set. He could see that the red sunset meant that tomorrow was going to be a nice day. He smiled to himself. He knew that revenge could be sweet. But, he reminded himself that he could not be caught with a concealed gun.
Tom parked the rental car on Sergio’s side of the street four houses
down. It was 8:45 p.m. Sergio would be leaving shortly. This time, however, Tom wasn’t going
to follow him. He wanted the car ready to leave when the time came. He knew it would be at least an hour before Sergio returned so he ate his sandwich and drank his coffee. He was not tired. He was having an endorphins rush. It wouldn’t be long before his confrontation with Sergio.
An hour and
a half later Sergio returned to the parking space in front of his house. Tom watched. He hoped Sergio was a creature of habit.
Standing on the corner in dark clothing was Angelo. He watched Tom sitting in his car. He wondered what he was up to. Regardless of what the detective’s plans were, he knew he had to protect Sergio. If he didn’t, Naldo would make him pay for his negligence. It was unfortunate because he felt Sergio was a punk. Sergio told him several times to ‘get out of my face. I don’t need my big brother’s help.’
At last, the lights went out in the house. Tom prepared. He took off the sweatshirt and unstrapped his shoulder holster. He put the sweatshirt back
on and then strapped his shoulder holster on. It wasn’t going to be long now.
Tom checked his watch. The lights had been out for an hour. It was time to move. Tom exited the car but left it unlocked. He walked up the sidewalk and stopped at Sergio’s front door. Angelo watched as he slowly crept forward, staying out of Tom’s view.
Tom pounded on the door. There was no answer. Evidently Sergio was a sound sleeper. He found the doorbell and repeatedly pressed it. At last he heard mumbling on the other side of the door.
“Come back tomorrow.”
“Aw, come on man. I need some stuff. I got cash.”
Tom could hear the locks being turned. A good drug dealer could never turn down a cash customer. As the door slowly opened, Tom took out his gun and pushed the door the rest of the way open. Sergio fell backward hitting the corner of the hallway door jam.
“You son of a bitch!” Sergio yelled from the floor.
“Don’t get bent out of shape.” Tom pointed his gun in Sergio’s face.
“What, what are you going to do?”
“Don’t worry you prick. I’m not going to kill you, yet. Let me introduce myself. I’m Ginny’s brother.”
“I don’t know no Ginny.”
“Don’t give me that shit. She is that sweet little red head that you wined, dined and turned into a prostitute.”
“Hey, she was the one who wanted the drugs and couldn’t pay for them.”
“Liar!”
Outside, Angelo was peeking in the front window from a corner gap in the blinds. He was sure that if the detective were going to kill Sergio he would have been done so by now. He continued to watch the action.
“I’m here to get a little revenge for the way Ginny was treated.” Tom gave Sergio a hard punch to the jaw. Sergio fell. When he was on the floor, Tom gave Sergio a strong kick in the stomach.”
Sergio groaned loudly and bent his body in the fetal position while holding his stomach in pain.
“That’s for starters. I believe the video I saw from Vegas showed the john give Ginny several kicks.”
Tom pulled the lamp cord out of the wall. He took out his Swiss Army knife and cut the cord from the lamp. Then he cut it into two pieces. Tom had his back to Sergio and didn’t realize that Sergio had gotten up and was starting for Tom. Tom turned just in time.
With the knife in his hand, he was still able to punch
Sergio’s face. The knife drew a long cut down the side of his left eye. Even though
t
it wasn’t a deep cut, the blood gushed out.
“You bastard.” Sergio charged Tom again.
With his left hand, Tom threw another punch. This time in landed in Sergio’s sore gut. Sergio bent over holding his stomach. Tom folded the knife, pocketing it. He then grabbed Sergio’s hands and turned him around. Tom grabbed one of the lamp cord pieces and secured Sergio’s hands. Then, Tom pushed Sergio over to a lounge chair. As Sergio slumped in the chair, Tom took the other piece of cord and tied his ankles together.
“You’re not going to get away with this!”
“Yea, and what are you going to do about it?”
“You don’t know who my brother is!”
“Oh, Naldo? Isn’t he in Italy? I believe he can’t come to the states
because of warrants?”
“He has friends.”
“Well, I’m just going to take my chances.”
Outside Angelo watched. So far, he felt that Sergio didn’t get anything he didn’t deserve and it wasn’t worth his interference.
Tom left the room and went into the kitchen. He could have kicked himself for not buying some duck tape when he was at Wal-Mart. He grabbed a dishtowel and ripped it into a strip. He held the strip under water and returned to Sergio.
“Open you mouth.”
Sergio didn’t say anything, but kept his mouth shut tight. Tom gave him another punch to the stomach. When Sergio started to yell, Tom took the wadded strip and stuffed it into Sergio’s mouth.
He left Sergio gagged and tied up in the chair. He started searching the house. In the front bedroom, he saw three twin beds. Evidently this is where the girls slept during the day. He moved on to the second bedroom. It was obvious that this is where Sergio slept. He went over to the top dresser drawer. He started tossing things out. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for. In the bottom of the drawer were three passports. He opened the first one. The picture was of a young fifteen-year-old girl. It was issued three years earlier. He opened the second one. This time the girl was eighteen. She had the same last name as the younger girl. He opened the third passport. It pictured another young woman who was just eighteen and it was issued six months ago. He placed the three passports in his pants’ pocket. He searched the other drawers and found nothing of interest.
Tom moved onto the closet. He could see from the clothes that Sergio definitely liked leather. The thought sent a shiver up Tom’s spine. He still hadn’t found Sergio cache. He knew there must be some cash or the drugs someplace. He
bent
down and looked under the bed. Luck was on his side. He pulled out the briefcase. It was locked. No problem. Tom again pulled out his Swiss Army knife and popped the lock.
Tom opened the case. Inside were bundles of hundred dollar bills. He counted the first bundle. Five thousand dollars. He multiplied the amount by the number of stacks. There were forty packs. Two hundred thousand dollars. There were also three small packets of white power. He took the packets in one hand and closed the briefcase. He returned to the living room with the cocaine and briefcase.
He walked over to Sergio. Sergio saw Tom had his briefcase. Tom could tell from Sergio’s eyes that he was now more concerned than ever. Tom placed the briefcase down. He bent down and looked Sergio in the eyes.
“I have a present for you.”
Tom opened the first packet and held it up to Sergio’s nose.
“Come on, breath in.”
Sergio turned his head trying to avoid breathing in the white powder. This didn’t stop Tom. He gave Sergio another punch to the stomach. As Sergio tried to catch his breath with the gag in his mouth, Tom opened the second packet. Sergio had no choice; he inhaled the white powder. Once that packet was inhaled, Tom opened the third packet and repeated the process. Tom waited. Before he left he wanted to make sure Sergio had passed out.
Tom checked his watch. It took less than two minutes before Sergio passed out. Using his Swiss Army Knife
,
Tom cut loose the lamp cords off of Sergio’s wrists and ankles. He then removed the gag from Sergio’s mouth. With the briefcase and passports in hand, Tom left the house.
Angelo watched through the window as Sergio moved around on the floor in his drugged state. From Sergio’s movement, experience told Angelo that Sergio would be okay. Poorer, but okay. He stepped back from the front window and slid deeper in the bushes to remain unseen.
Tom retuned to his car and opened the trunk. He placed the briefcase inside. He unfastened his holstered gun; the black sweatshirt was removed and also thrown into the trunk. He returned to the briefcase and took a banded stack of hundred dollar bills placing them in his pants’ pockets along with the three passports. Even though
,
he was
finished with Sergio, his night’s mission wasn’t over. He drove off as Angelo kept vigilant watch at
the scene.
Tom drove down the highway and turned off at the first hotel where Sergio had
dropped off the first woman. As Tom pulled into
the driveway, a young woman stepped out of the side entrance of the hotel. Tom recognized her as one of Sergio’s women. He reached into his pocket and reviewed each of the passports. After quickly checking out each passport, he could see that the woman was Anya, the younger sister of Alma. He got out of the car and approached Anya.
“Anya, I’m here to pick you up.”
“Where is Sergio?”
“Sergio is incapable of being here. Please come with me and we will pick up your sister Alma and your friend, Sophia. Please trust me. Everything is going to be okay.”
Anya looked at Tom. She wasn’t sure what to do, but knew that she didn’t have any real options.
Anya returned with Tom to the rental car. He opened the front passenger seat door for Alma. She looked up at Tom’s face. Having someone open a car door for her was an unexpected experience. After she was seated, Tom returned to the driver’s side and drove off to pick up Alma and Sophie. They drove in silence.
Sophia was standing at the curb when Tom pulled up in front of her. Anya rolled down her window and spoke to her in Russian. Sophia opened the back seat door and climbed in. The two women conversed in Russian as Tom drove to his next stop.
When they arrived at the third hotel, Alma was nowhere
to be seen. Anya turned to Tom, “I’ll be right back.”
Anya left the vehicle and headed to the front entrance of the hotel. It was a familiar route for her as she headed to the ladies restroom off the lobby. She found her older sister in one of the stalls. Alma was sitting there sobbing. Anya wrapped her arms around her shoulders and helped her up. “Come. I believe we have found someone to help us.” Alma looked into her younger sister’s eyes and tried to smile. The two left the restroom and headed for the car. When Sophia saw her friends coming towards the vehicle, she got out of the back seat leaving the door open for the sisters to get in and sit together.
Tom started the engine and drove down the highway. He had to follow the plan that he had worked out in his mind. The woman continued to converse in Russian as Tom drove down the boulevard.
“Where are we going?” Anya asked.
“Before I can get you out of Los Angeles, we have to get you some new clothes.”
“You do know it is three in the morning.” Sophia commented.
Tom smiled as he pulled into the parking lot of the 24-hour Wal-Mart where he was earlier yesterday. He turned off the car and began giving the women insight to their future.
“In order for you to avoid any of Sergio’s so called friends, you are going to have to leave Los Angeles.”
Anya leaned forward from the back seat and addressed Tom, “We can’t go home to Russia. We have disgraced our families.”
“I do have an alternate plan. You’re to go in there and purchase some different clothes,
a large purse and a carry on bag for your flight out of Los Angeles.”
“We’ll do the best we can with our funds from this past evening.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Tom reached into his pocket and took out one of the bundles of cash.”
Sophia’s eyes widened as she saw the cash. “Is that for us?”
“Not all, yet.” Tom took several one hundred dollar bills from the stack and gave each of the women two hundred dollars each. “That should adequately cover your purchases. Please remember, the clothes you choose should be something that will not call attention to you. You must blend in. Please try to be back within the hour.”
The women exited the car and headed for the front door of the Wal-Mart. At this time of the
morning, it appeared that they were probably going to be the only customers in the store.
While the women were in the store, Tom made two calls. The first call was to Alaska Airlines to book three reservations to Fairbanks. His second call was to confirm the reservations for the private jet to take him back to Chicago. He sat there with closed eyes. It had been a long day and the thought of returning home felt good.
It seemed like no time at all when Tom heard a tapping on the car’s window. The girls had returned.
“Sorry, I must have fallen asleep.” Tom released the door locks as well as the trunk lock.”
“You can put as many of your purchases in the trunk. What doesn’t fit, you have to bring in the car. Then, we’ll find a safe place for you to change.” Tom could hear the woman giggling as they were stuffing their purchases in the trunk. Tom smiled. He thought that, perhaps, this was the first time in a really long time they felt free to laugh.
Once everyone was back in the car, Tom drove down the boulevard when he saw a sign indicating there was a park if he took the next right. Tom followed the directions to the park. He pulled his car at the end of the parking lot allocated for visitors. He turned off the car.
