Lying Eyes (5 page)

The Captain chuckled. "Sounds like the two of you have locked horns. I know just how you must feel, Miss Marble."

She grinned. "We
have
disagreed, several times, sometimes loudly. I don't like being ordered around."

He laughed.

"Carlo is as stubborn as my uncle's mule. I can't—" Stopping midsentence, she glanced around. "What time is it?"

"Almost six-thirty. Why?"

She tugged Carlo's sleeve until she had his attention. "Conference registration closes in thirty minutes. We need to go now. We won't be admitted to the banquet or the Welcome Party without our badges."

He scowled at her. "Forget it. You're not—"

"Yes, she is," Captain Samson said. "Susan and Marsha still need to register, and Ladies, while you're there pick up Demetri's conference packet, and save him a trip. I hear he enjoys the sanctuary of this room."

He winked knowingly at Allison and smiled at the three of them. "We'll be right here when you get back."

Then he quietly added, "You officers know what to do?"

"Right," Carlo added, growling. "Guard Miss Marble—Allison—with your lives."

––––––––

G
rateful to find the Down elevator unoccupied, Allison stepped inside and turned to her attractive guardians. "Is Detective Demetri always like this?"

Susan shrugged noncommittally.

Marsha grinned. "Sometimes he's worse, but his heart is in the right place. It's obvious he's worried about you."

"He has never lost a victim on his watch," Susan added, warming to the topic. "Captain Samson once staked his life on Carlo, and the detective didn't disappoint. With his prickly personality, respect for him has been hard earned, but well deserved."

The elevator slid to a stop. Allison waited for her bodyguards to step out.

Susan murmured, "I'll go first."

Smiling, she glanced around as if getting her bearings and turned to them. "Looks like we have to stand in line."

"There's more than one line," she soon discovered. "Marsha, why don't you wait in the line for the M's and N's with us? Then we'll stand in your line and not risk one of us becoming separated in this crowd."

"This is convenient," Marsha said as Allison and Susan stepped in front of her in line. "I can ask for Carlo's packet at the same time I do mine."

Registration went smoothly and the officers soon turned toward the elevator, but Allison paused.

"Something wrong?" Marsha asked.

"No, I was looking for the hotel gift shop."

"Need something? It's this way. I saw it earlier, when I checked in."

Allison grinned. "I'd like to replace my makeup. Mine was... stolen."

"I texted Carlo to let him know we're making another stop. Let's go," Susan said.

Luckily the shop was not crowded like the rest of the hotel. Allison soon found everything she needed and turned to get in line.

"You and Susan wait here. I'll pay," Marsha insisted.

As Allison forced two twenties in Marsha's hand, she noticed a young woman wistfully gazing at the cashier.

"Did you find everything you need?" Allison asked, smiling at the young woman.

"Yes... I mean no. I'm... how you say... observing the cashier," the woman said with a slight accent.

"Where are you from?"

"Turkey, but we've lived here for three years."

"Your English is good."

"I try to learn. Watch TV. Read. I have better English, I get better pay."

"Oh, from your uniform, I thought you already worked here."

"I clean rooms. Pay not good for three of us. My mother eats. My little boy, too. He grows. I need to find better job."

"In the gift shop?"

She nodded hopefully. "Cashier. I want to learn..."

"What?" Allison prompted.

"Accounting. Online class nice, but no Internet, no computer."

Her narrow shoulders slumped. "My son grow big before I have any."

"Have you tried the library? You can use their computers and the librarian will be able to recommend some classes for you to take."

The woman's eyes rounded. "She will? Thank you."

Marsha joined them. "Everything all right?"

The young mother smiled for the first time. "Yes, everything—how you say?—great. Many thanks."

"Good luck," Allison said, accepting her purchases and her change from Marsha. The three of them headed for the elevator.

Once inside the glass module swiftly rising to the fifth floor Allison asked, "Is Carlo always this hard to work with?"

Marsha chuckled. "Only if you have a problem with the tall, silent type. His unreadable eyes never give a hint of what he's thinking, but at Central, when Carlo says something, everyone listens."

"Does he... socialize?" Allison asked.

"You mean
date?"
Susan shook her head. "I've never known him to, but if he gazed at me the way he does at you, I wouldn't hesitate to crawl on his lap."

Allison huffed as the elevator halted and Marsha stepped out ahead of her. "Not me. I've been on my own for four years but Carlo treats me like an unreasonable child."

As she rounded the corner Allison slowed.

"What's wrong?" Susan whispered cautiously, slowing, too.

"I had the strangest feeling we were being watched," she murmured, "but it's gone now."

She glanced around. "I need to get my bearings. I didn't pay that much attention the first time I went to the ice machine. Carlo was so angry with me for leaving my room without permission he hasn't let me stick my head out since."

Susan laughed. "He can be such a dick."

"An adorable dick," Marsha added with a mournful sigh. "But when you least expect it, he can be unbelievably thoughtful—"

"—or turn his righteous indignation on anyone who fails to toe some imaginary line."

Allison silently filed each of their comments for review later.
Maybe tonight when I can't sleep, I'll pull them out and ponder their ramifications.

She didn't expect to close her eyes. Anticipating an encounter with a drug dealer at every turn made her hair stand on end, but she refused to let her anxiety be known.

I'm at the center of a sting operation and if I play my cards right I have the perfect opportunity to learn from a respected leader how one is run.

Or is this a stakeout? I don't dare ask Carlo. He'll bite my head off if he realizes I'm enjoying this.

As she approached her room, her new friends stepped back to guard her back while she unlocked the door.

"Ta-da!" she said, grinning at the sea of expectant faces turning her way. "We all made it back in one piece. Have we missed anything?"

"Any problems?" Carlo asked.

Susan said, "If you're asking whether the perp approached us, the answer is sadly
no.
If you're curious to know if Allison's presence made a stir in the lobby and
yes
, every man within ten yards stood at attention as she walked by. And in the elevator bringing us to this floor, two guys on the make almost made your worst fears come true."

"Cute." Carlo's throaty growl made Allison want to groan.

"She did have the feeling we were being watched as we approached this room," Marsha added.

Captain Samson drew Allison's attention. "Bob Stonewall has just filled us in on the part his staff will play to keep the hotel guests safe. This handheld radio is for you, and is set to hotel security's frequency. Later, Detective Demetri will instruct you in its use. Any questions?"

"Will I be wearing a wire?" she asked, determined not to let her anticipation show.

"Not a wire, a wireless receiver in your ear," Carlo said, still scowling.

Allison swallowed a grin.

"After the Welcome Party, you and Demetri are to agree on a workable conference schedule for tomorrow and prepare a list of the events you want to attend. Carlo will forward the list to Stonewall and Detective Hanson, who share the responsibility of assuring a sufficient number of undercover officers are on hand before the two of you exit this room or head to your next venue. Understood?"

Allison wanted to dance instead of meekly replying, "Yes, Sir."

The Captain's lips twitched as he held her gaze. "I think it best you and Carlo confine your spitting matches to this room. Once you step out into the hall, pretend you're friends, maybe even lovers who enjoy each other's company."

Act like lovers?

Her skin heated and her heart beat skipped. She would have no problem pretending.

What about Carlo? Would he?

Soon after, her guests departed by ones and twos until Carlo and the Captain were the only ones left.

"Stonewall brought a protection rod to insure your safety while you're in this room, Allison," the Captain said. "With it in place your door can't be opened from the hall. Prop it underneath the door handle when you plan to spend time here. Officer Daniels's luggage is in Carlo's room next door and as soon as room service removes the party tables she'll be moving in to share your room. For your safety, don't lock the connecting door."

Like a benevolent father, he smiled at her, speaking softly. "As soon as the tables are removed, Carlo will show you how to wedge the protection rod in place. Officer Norcross will be right across the hall, and one of my men will be in place on this floor at all times, plus a member of Stonewall's staff."

Then the Captain gripped Carlo's shoulder. "I want you to check in with me at bedtime and again before you head to the first of tomorrow's events. Daniels will stand in the back of the room during the sessions Allison attends. She and Norcross are to always accompany her to the ladies’ room and Susan will sit with her during every event."

When Carlo slowly agreed, a tremendous weight lifted off Allison's shoulders.

All right.
She mentally gave the Captain a hi-five.

"Tomorrow night we'll discuss how to protect her while she makes her presentations."

"Is it all right if I sit with her some of the time?" Carlo asked.

"I have no objections unless Allison does?"

She grinned at Carlo. "The subjects to be discussed in some of those workshops will be graphic," she warned.

Carlo scowled as his ears turned red.

The Captain chuckled all the way to the door. "Sleep well, you two, and remember to mute your disagreements."

As the door closed behind him Carlo raced to throw the security lock, making Allison again feel like a helpless child.

She slumped on the bed, kicked off her platform shoes, and rubbed her toes, sighing with pleasure.

"Why do you wear those contraptions if they hurt your feet?"

"To aggravate you. Looks like I succeeded." She snared the last sandwich as Carlo unlocked the door and wheeled the party remains past her and into the hall.

When he finished, he made sure she watched as he wedged the protection rod beneath the door handle, double locked the door again, and turned to her. "I need to be sure my luggage has been transferred to the room next door and make certain my door key works. I'll be right back."

By the time he returned she'd eaten the sandwich and was thumbing through the contents of the conference package she'd dumped out in her lap. "This badge holder has a place to carry money and a room key."

"Not a good idea. An agile thief could cut the flimsy strap and disappear in the crowd waiting for the elevator or leaving a workshop. You might not even miss it until someone asks to see your badge. A money belt inside your clothes is a much better idea."

"The wise man has spoken. I concede defeat."

"You know, you'd be an attractive woman if you'd learn to keep your smart mouth shut."

"In my line of work assertiveness is a necessity."

"That's right. The Captain told me his mother lives in San Diego and when he visits, he watches you. You didn't tell me you have your own show."

"I co-host an early-morning newscast," she said proudly, wiping her hands on a tissue before opening the conference schedule and perusing it.

After a lengthy silence she glanced at Carlo. "What does it take to become a police detective?"

"Hard work. Perseverance. Graduating from the police academy and patrolling the streets for at least three years without getting killed."

"How long did it take you?"

"Almost four years. I learned my lesson after the first two years and began going the extra mile. Took classes after my shift on patrol, and kept my nose clean, not always easy to do."

"Why?"

"I suppose there's petty jealousy on any job. I've run into my share of back-bitters and just plain bums who should have been weeded out of the academy and never allowed to wear a badge.

"It took me a little longer than the required three years to make detective. The Captain said my attitude got in the way of my promotion. I couldn't help it at first. Attitude is as much a part of me as breathing. Without it, an inexperienced cop would be too frightened to face a known criminal, too shaky to aim a gun. Attitude may not make friends, but it is what gives an officer the backbone needed to stay alive."

"But doesn't make him very likeable. What's it like riding patrol?"

"Nowadays, a man on patrol feels like a sitting duck. I loved never knowing what the day might bring. I dealt with the dregs of society and those on the top. They're all reduced to the same level once they break the law. Some will lie, rather than admit their guilt. Others try to bribe the arresting officer. The weaker ones cry."

She chuckled. "I imagine crying doesn't get them anywhere. Have you ever taken a bribe?"

He gave her his not-in-this-lifetime look.

"Being a cop sounds depressing."

"Not always. Every year for the holidays I make a difference in the lives of a down-on-their-luck family. One time I bought a new bike for an eight-year-old boy laid up in the hospital with two broken legs. He'd been riding his bicycle on the sidewalk when a truck with a drunk driver at the wheel hopped the curb and ran him down. The accident totaled his birthday bike."

Remembering, Carlo grinned. "You should have seen his face when I wheeled in his new bike."