CRIME OF RETRIBUTION: A Gripping Crime Mystery Full of Twists Read online

  “Stop worrying. That won’t happen.”

  “Don’t tell me not to worry. It isn’t your neck on the line.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Dan and Woody arrived at the Sterling Club, a two-story building on landscaped grounds featuring tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a variety of massage and physical therapy rooms, and a restaurant with nightly entertainment. They drove to the main entrance where a valet offered to park their car.

  “We won’t be long,” Dan told him. “Point me to the short-term parking.”

  They pushed through the revolving door and found themselves in a room with hanging chandeliers and a sweeping staircase leading to the second floor. The interior was tastefully decorated with Oriental rugs, plants in ornate containers, and abstract paintings on the walls. Sofas and wingback chairs were arranged in comfortable seating groups. Recorded music played in the background.

  An Asian woman wearing a tight-fitting dress and stiletto heels rose from the reception desk and came to greet them.

  “Welcome, gentlemen. My name is Jewel. How may the Sterling Club be of service?”

  Dan tipped the brim of his hat. “Me and my buddy are in town for business. We were informed this is the place to come for recreation.”

  She pointed to chairs beside her desk. “You were told correctly. What can we offer? A relaxing soak in our thermal baths or a hot stone massage?”

  Opening a gallery of pictures on her computer, she turned the screen in their direction. “Perhaps you prefer to book a private cabana at our outdoor pool. We also have a gaming room if you’re interested in poker.”

  Dan pointed to a picture of people drinking champagne as they sat in a hot tub. “That looks swell.”

  She looked at Woody. “What about you, sir? You look as though you could benefit from our stress-relieving massage package.”

  He gave her a lascivious wink. “It’s fine hanging out with my buddy at work but I prefer female companionship after hours.”

  “You’re referring to our escort service. We’re happy to provide dinner dates or companions for any events you attend in town.”

  Dan snickered. “I assume the nightlife here is tame given the importance the locals place on health. I’ve never met so many people into fitness. I bet the town folds up early because everyone jogs at the crack of dawn. Am I right?”

  She smiled politely. “We cater to plenty of individuals searching for a good time after dark. Late night parties or clubs where they can boogie away the hours on a dance floor.”

  Woody turned the computer screen away. “We’re getting closer. But I’m looking for more than company, if you get my drift.”

  She lowered her eyes with a false show of modesty. “What you are hinting at is beyond the scope of services I arrange.”

  He acted contrite. “Forgive me if I spoke out of line.”

  Rather than being offended, the hostess responded suggestively. “What our escorts do on their own time is up to them. Now give me your preference in terms of a companion.”

  Woody poked his friend’s side. “What did I tell you, buddy? It’s as easy as they said it would be. Don’t be bashful. Tell the woman what you’re looking for.”

  “I’m partial to Hispanic girls,” Dan said, shifting uneasily in his chair. “But I’d have to see a picture of her first.”

  “No problem.” She turned to her laptop. For several seconds, her long, painted nails clicked on the keyboard. Then she swung the screen for Dan to view. “Here’s a young girl who just started working for us. She’s as sweet as she is pretty. Her name is Dulce.”

  It was Adriana all right, no matter what name they called her by.

  The hostess showed Woody a different picture. “Dulce’s cousin also works for us. She would be an excellent escort for you.”

  Putting aside his anger, Dan forced himself to respond calmly. “They both look fine. When can we meet them?”

  “Let me take you upstairs to the lounge where you’ll be served complimentary champagne while I make arrangements.”

  He pulled out his phone. “I have friends who might be interested. Is it okay to call them?”

  “Sure, invite them over,” she replied. “The more the merrier.”

  He placed the call. “Come on over. They have what we came for.”

  The hostess stood. “I’ll get the girls so you can get acquainted. When your friends arrive, I’ll bring them to join you.”

  She led them up the marble stairs to an elegantly decorated room on the second floor. The back half was a dining area furnished with tables covered with gold cloths and chairs lined with blue velvet. The remaining space was filled with a horseshoe-shaped bar and an elevated stage with poles and overhead spotlights.

  After seating the guests, the hostess left.

  “A far cry from the bars where I hang out,” Woody mumbled, looking around.

  “No big-screen TVs,” Dan observed. “I guess watching sports isn’t the primary source of entertainment here.”

  A scantily dressed barmaid came to their table with a bottle of champagne. “Here you are, gentlemen. Compliments of the house.”

  She leaned over to fill their glasses. “Are you enjoying your visit to the Sterling Club?”

  “More every minute,” Woody said.

  Dan rolled his eyes and placed a hand over his glass, signifying he wanted nothing to drink. A moment later, the hostess reappeared followed by a reluctant Adriana.

  “These gentlemen want to meet you,” she told the girl as she pushed the young woman into view.

  As Pedro’s girlfriend approached the table, she recognized Dan. He quickly put a finger to his lips.

  Jewel looked at Woody. “I’m sorry to report Luisa has been engaged for a private party. We’ll find another escort for you. Just give me a moment to get my book.”

  As soon as the woman left the room, Adriana turned on Dan, her eyes ablaze with anger.

  “I thought you were going to help,” she hissed. “You’re no better than the rest. I should have known we couldn’t trust outsiders.”

  The rebuke stung as though she slapped him but he knew her indignation would disappear.

  “You’re coming with us.” He took her by the arm and called after the hostess. “No need to find another girl. This one suits our needs.”

  Adriana’s eyes turned into dark pools of fear but the woman merely nodded. “It’s all right, dear. These guests are paying for your services.”

  The two men steered the girl hurriedly downstairs.

  “Wait, gentlemen,” Jewel called, trailing behind. “We need to discuss terms.”

  “We won’t waste more of your time. She’s who we want.”

  “But you haven’t paid…”

  Her words faded away as Tom entered the premises followed by two policemen. One uniformed officer produced an official-looking paper.

  “These are the friends I mentioned,” Dan said. He turned to the trembling girl. “Tell the officers, Adriana. Are you here of your own free will?”

  The hostess looked confused. “Your escort’s name is—”

  “I know her name,” he replied gruffly as he waited for an answer.

  Adriana peeked around him to glare at Jewel. “They told me it was the only way to pay off my family’s debt and prevent Pedro from being harmed.”

  “That’s all I need to hear,” Tom said. “Go with my officer. We’ll be outside in a moment.”

  She grabbed Dan’s sleeve. “They’ve taken my cousin Luisa to a private party. She’s only fifteen years old. I won’t leave without her.”

  Dan glanced at Tom in exasperation. “What should we do?”

  Tom shrugged. “You heard her. We can’t force her to come.”

  Dan turned back to Adriana. “Will you agree to go with us if my friend and I promise to find your cousin?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Do you know where the party is being held?” he asked.

  “They told Luisa she was inv
ited for a cruise around the harbor. They gave her a fancy dress to wear. She was excited about going but she’s too young to understand what might happen. I’m afraid for her.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll find your cousin,” Dan assured her. “Now go outside. I’ll join you in a moment.”

  He watched as an officer escorted Adriana from the premises. Then he turned to the hostess.

  “Where’s your boss?” he demanded. “We're arresting him for kidnapping and soliciting prostitution.”

  Flustered, she led them to the back and knocked on the office door. Without waiting for a response, Tom barged in.

  A man in his late thirties with a crooked nose and greased hair jumped up from his desk. He wore a tailored suit with an open shirt and chains of gold jewelry.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded. “Who are these people, Jewel?”

  Tom interrupted before she could respond. “Lieutenant Elliot of the Buena Viaje Police. We have a warrant for your arrest and to search the premises. Read him his rights, officer.”

  The man snickered. “You’re wasting taxpayers’ money. My lawyer will spring me in an hour.”

  “We’ll see about that. The girl you call Dulce is here against her wishes.”

  He snickered. “No one who works here would ever testify. The prosecutor will be laughed out of court.”

  “You’d be surprised what people are willing to do when their rights are violated. If you’re smart, you’ll start figuring a way to get yourself out of this mess.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “Tell us who provides you with the girls and things might go better for you.”

  “You’re crazy if you expect me to snitch.”

  “You’re the one who’s crazy if you think whoever you’re protecting won’t turn on you,” Dan replied with contempt. “We’ll get the guy one way or another. When we do, he’ll throw you under the bus.”

  Tom turned to the uniformed officer. “Take him away. A night in jail will give him time to consider his position.”

  Dan grabbed Tom’s arm. “Don’t forget Luisa.”

  The lieutenant raised his hand to block their progress. “Before you go, we hear you arranged a private party to be held at the harbor. We need the name of the boat.”

  The man replied insolently. “We never divulge information about our clients.”

  Tom stepped aside. “Have it your way but refusing to cooperate won’t help your cause.”

  After watching the lieutenant lead the procession outside, Dan stopped at Jewel’s desk.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “Based on his refusal to play nice, your boss is spending the night in jail. You’ll be in a cell next to him unless you tell us where to find Luisa.”

  “She’s been booked as an escort to attend a corporate event aboard the Admiral.”

  “Is that one of the boats chartered for cruises around the harbor?”

  The hostess nodded.

  “What’s her date’s name?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “For reasons of discretion, our clients use pseudonyms in their bookings.”

  “So tell me the man’s pseudonym,” Dan said impatiently.

  “Rambo.”

  “Very helpful,” he snarled. “You better hope we find her safe and unharmed in any way or I’ll make sure this whole bloody place is shut down.”

  He stopped at the door. Ignoring Tom’s warning about interfering in the murder investigation, he returned to speak with Jewel.

  “A young farmworker was found murdered at Rancho Hidalgo,” he told her.

  The hostess shuddered. “I saw the story in the news.”

  “Don’t suppose you know anything about that.”

  She looked alarmed. “Why would I have knowledge of that poor girl’s death?”

  “We were informed she worked here at the Sterling Club. You must have known her.”

  “That’s not true,” she stammered. “I’ve never seen her except for the picture in the paper.”

  “You seem nervous for someone who doesn’t know anything.”

  She turned her back on him. “I have work to do.”

  He threw a business card on her desk. “If you think of something which might be helpful, give me a call.”

  “I told you I can’t help,” she insisted.

  “You can get in serious trouble withholding information about a crime. Better ask yourself if your job is worth it.”

  With that word of advice, he hurried outside to join the others beside the police van.

  “Luisa is on a boat called the Admiral,” he announced.

  Woody’s eyes widened. “How did you wrangle that tidbit out of Jewel?”

  “The lady’s loyalty to her boss appears to have limits. She’s interested in her welfare more than his.” He turned to the lieutenant. “We’ll take Adriana to my office while you process this guy’s arrest at the station. Then Woody and I will crash that little party at the harbor.”

  The man in custody glowered at the girl as he passed. She covered her face with her hands. “I’m afraid to be in a cell with him. Please don’t make me go.”

  Dan took her arm. “Don’t worry. You’re coming with me.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked with trepidation.

  “There’s someone waiting for you at my office,” he said as he walked her to his car.

  “Pedro?” she murmured excitedly.

  He nodded. “Your boyfriend promised to testify in exchange for your safe return.”

  Relief flooded her face. “I can hardly wait to see him.”

  “What about you, Adriana?” he asked, eyeing her closely. “Isn’t it time to stand up for yourself and show these people they can’t do this to you or your cousin, or to any other girls in your position?”

  They watched as the operator of the club was placed in the police car. When the door slammed shut, he scowled out the window at her.

  She raised her chin and glowered back.

  “You’re right, enough is enough,” Adriana declared. “I will stand up with Pedro to testify.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  When they pulled into the harbor, they parked in the lot closest to the area where rental boats were docked.

  At the slip painted with the name Admiral, they saw a double-decked yacht packed with people. A guard at the top of the ramp leading to the boat greeted arrivals. He directed each guest who presented a card to the main deck.

  “How do you want to play this?” Woody asked. “Looks like we need an invitation to get on board.”

  “We have to find Adriana’s cousin and get her out before they start the cruise around the harbor,” Dan replied.

  “Without a warrant, we can’t force them to tell us where she is,” Woody pointed out. “We need an excuse to search from room to room until we locate her.”

  “How about this?” Dan suggested. “I’ll act like an irate father looking for my daughter. That will give you an opportunity to sneak past the guard.”

  “Do you think the guard will believe you?”

  “Don’t worry, I can be convincing. I’ll act as I would if I caught Ashley in this situation.”

  “It might work. You search the starboard side. I’ll look portside. We’ll meet at the bar when we’re finished. Hopefully, one of us will have Luisa in tow.

  Dan climbed the ramp alone.

  “Sorry, sir,” the security person told him. “This boat has been rented for an exclusive affair this evening. Only guests with invitations are permitted on board.”

  “I’ve been told my daughter is here. She’s too young to attend an event like this. I want to find her and take her home.”

  “I don’t mean to interfere in personal business, sir, but don’t you think your daughter can decide herself whether to be here?”

  “She’ll make her own decisions when I say she’s mature enough to make those decisions.”

  The guard looked dismayed. “You put me in a
n awkward position. I have firm instructions that no one comes aboard without an invitation.”

  Dan took the guard’s elbow and led him away from the ramp. “My daughter is only fifteen and if I know her, she’s drinking. I guarantee her actions won’t lead to a good result for any of us.”

  He glanced over the guard’s shoulder and saw Woody sneak past. “If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you and your boss responsible.”

  The guard appeared to be barely of legal age himself. “I suppose I can let you in for a quick look but we’re ready to get underway.”

  “I’ll have her out of your hair before the boat leaves the dock,” Dan assured him. “You made the right decision. Your employer will thank you for this.”

  The young man looked doubtful as he turned to greet new arrivals.

  Dan entered the main deck which featured a dance floor, a full-service bar, and a buffet. Waiters carried trays of chilled champagne and food delicacies through the crowd of mingling guests.

  Off to one side, couples gyrated to music played through loudspeakers. Men loosened their ties. Women, several of whom appeared to be escorts, slipped off their high-heeled shoes and joined the dancers.

  Dan searched the sea of smiling faces using the description furnished by Adriana. He walked past a bar where men stood talking to women half their age. One couple stood at the handrail enjoying the view. She voiced no objection when the man’s hand slipped down her back. An older, executive-looking type expounded on numerous subjects while a bevy of junior associates hung on every word.

  Dan ran up the stairs to the viewing deck where he found couples engaged in activities other than star-gazing. With a growing sense of anxiety, he broke into the ladies' room.

  “Anyone here?” he yelled as he moved from stall to stall pushing doors open.

  Having no luck, he rushed into the corridor where he ran headfirst into his friend.

  “Anything?” Woody asked.

  “Nothing. How about you?”

  “I came up empty as well. Maybe we were given faulty information.”

  “You think Jewel gave me a bum steer to buy time to clear out?”

  Woody shrugged. “Guess we’ll find out if she doesn’t show up for work tomorrow. In the meantime, all we can do is maintain surveillance at the club until Luisa’s date returns her.”