So no, he wasn’t nervous about that either …
He looked at the front door of the cab of the Winnebago and took a deep breath.
He wasn’t nervous.
He was absolutely terrified.
He opened the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. He tried hard to keep his voice even, but it still cracked a little as he spoke. “Hi there.”
From behind the firmly closed curtain to the back came an equally nervous-sounding female voice.
“Hi.”
Zoya’s voice.
Chapter Forty-Three
Arnie Buckler looked nervous. It was not a good look on him, but then nothing was. To be fair, Freddie doubted he was in any position to throw stones. It had been forty-eight hours since he’d slept, and while he thought he’d had a shower yesterday morning he couldn’t be sure.
The night had been torture. Waiting for it all to come crashing down. He’d considered bolting there and then, running for the hills. But he couldn’t. Not without some of the money at least. He’d dedicated three years of his life to this frickin’ church and he needed – no, he deserved – one really big payday. More importantly, if he left without it, it would mean that she won.
Arnie was standing in the doorway to the vault of Clown Town. It was now 11am. He’d had to get more cash delivered, so Freddie had reluctantly given him additional time.
“OK,” said Arnie, running a handkerchief over his sweat-soaked brow. “I called in favours and what I got here is two million in cash.” He held up a hand to quell Freddie’s protests. “Look, everything is done by card these days. Do you have any idea how much shit I went through to get you this much? Let me tell you, I’m going to have auditors up my ass. Up. My. Ass!”
Arnie’s face was getting redder as he spoke. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I’m hoping that now you can see the money and that everything is on the up and up, you’ll relax and remember that you can trust your old friend Arnie.”
Freddie laughed.
“Don’t be like that, compadre.” Arnie pointed at the two security guards in stab vests and helmets with mirrored visors standing behind Freddie. “And you didn’t need to get your own security, mi amigo – the Celestial Church of New Hope is a valued customer of this establishment. I would’ve let you use ours.”
“Oh, you’d have liked that, wouldn’t you, Arnie?” Freddie laughed again, and then stopped, aware he was starting to sound unhinged. He took a step forward, which caused Arnie to jump back.
Arnie pointed at his own security guards, who stood behind him. “Easy! I should warn you, I’ve instructed these men that if you make another grab for my balls, they’re to use all force necessary.”
Arnie’s two security guards weren’t wearing helmets, so Freddie could see their facial expressions clearly. He was pretty sure they were hoping to see their boss get his nuts crushed.
“Relax,” said Freddie, “I’m just going to get my money.”
“Whoa,” said Arnie. “Alright, if that’s what you want, but there’s a whole lot of paperwork that needs signing first.”
A whole lot of paperwork later – and several photographs, as Arnie went out of his way to document everything – Freddie finally held a large holdall containing two million in cash. From here, he had a limo booked to take him to the airport. Three, in fact – two were dummies. From there, a private plane would fly him direct to Panama. After that, several other steps were already planned out. By the end of it, he would be a ghost.
He was walking through the back corridors of the casino, out to the loading docks, where his real ride was waiting. His two security guards walked in front of him. He’d googled security companies in Los Angeles and rang every one, finally finding one that was willing to send two guards up to Vegas overnight for a pretty penny. There was no way that Dionne could get him now.
Freddie smiled to himself and then he stopped. One of the guards. He’d not seen their faces, but one of them – the left one – had a killer ass. A feminine-looking ass.
They passed a maid loading her cart. The right-hand guard calmly directed her to stand against the wall. The woman did so, her facial expression blank, as if this were an everyday occurrence.
They moved on to the loading docks. At this time on a Saturday morning they were quiet, all the deliveries for the weekend having been taken in on the Friday. Clown Town had long ago substituted bigger portions for the concept of totally fresh food.
That ass.
Relax.
So, it’s a woman? Women are security guards. The other ass was – well, it could be feminine, but it was by no means certain. Why hadn’t he asked to see their faces?
No, a voice in Freddie’s head spoke with absolute certainty. This was Dionne. She was always going to find a way.
Well, Freddie would see about that. “Freeze!”
He didn’t like guns, but seeing as they existed, he made sure to have one. He was glad of it now. It felt reassuring in his sweaty palm.
The two guards stopped and scanned in front of them for a threat. As if they weren’t it.
“Turn around and put your hands in the air.”
One of the guards turned to look at him.
“Do it!”
They looked at each other and slowly did as they were told.
Freddie nodded. “Now, one at a time – take off your helmets. Slowly!”
First the left guard and then the right one complied. Ha! Freddie had been right. Women!
The one on the left had a shaven head and a scar running down her face. The one on the right was a hot brunette. He looked more closely at her.
“You work for Dionne.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said the
