Monte Carlo

Chapter 1

"We have a possible new contact in Monaco."

"Hey, that's where that famous casino is." The safecracker was all eyes and ears now. "What's it called? Monte Carlo. I always wanted to go there. So how long we staying?"

"He contacted London in a round-about way so by the time the information arrived it was out of date. Our mission is to observe…"

"And see where his loyalties lie," finished Actor.

"Yes." Originally he had hated someone finishing his sentences but had come to accept it. It did mean that his team, especially Actor, was playing attention and they were thinking along the same lines as he was. "We are to get in close enough and learn all we can."

"Do we know anything about him? Name, age, origin? I assume the contact was made in French if he is from Monaco?"

"Yes, but other than that we know nothing else. He did sign off with Lupo."

"The Wolf," said Actor, "In Italian."

"Fancies himself a tough guy, does he?" said Casino sarcastically.

"Apparently. So how do we find this man, Lupo?"

"We have a suite near the Casino. He is to arrive at midnight wearing a green jacket."

ggggg

Five handsome men, all dressed in tuxedos, were stationed around the entrance room watching the arriving patrons. Perfectly tailored suits and long evening gowns were the norm. Diamonds sparkled on fingers, necks and at wrists. Casino's eyes watched the flash of perfectly set jewels. As it neared midnight their attention became more focused on the door.

"That can't be the guy," whispered Casino after edging closer to the Officer. "He stands out like a sore thumb."

The man, in his late sixties, allowed a young man from his entourage to remove the great coat and take it to the coat check. This revealed dark trousers and a green velvet smoking jacket with gold silk trim. Underneath was a white shirt open at the neck revealing an elegant ascot. His hair was dark but going silver at his temples. The effect was stunning and a number of people turned to look. On each arm was a beautiful woman, one, a blonde, in a long white sleeveless gown, the other a brunette dressed in black. Each wore a diamond necklace with matching ear rings. They were beautiful.

"All the better to discount him. You've already written him off," said Garrison under his breath.

"So you think it could be?" After a pause as they watched he added, "Maybe it's one of the entourage. How be I slip over there and have a talk with the blonde."

"No."

"The brunette?" he asked hopefully.

"No. Watch him." Carefully the Officer looked around. Chief was near the door, watching nervously. The young man was never good in crowds but he was observant. Goniff was half way around the room watching one of the waitresses carrying a tray. She gave him a smile and he beamed. Eyes on the room thought Garrison. As if on cue the Englishman turned in his direction and almost shrugged.

Actor was over… No he wasn't. Where was Actor? With his height he should have stood out but he wasn't… Garrison had to trust him. Slowly he let his eyes drift over the room. Was Actor already zooming in? Where was he?

Nonchalantly the Officer made his way through the crowd touching base with each of his men. No one had seen Actor for at least ten minutes. Even Chief had lost track of him. Where the Hell was he? Sometime later he saw him or at least the back of his head. Was he just playing it safe?

It did not take long for the team to learn the man's name. He was well known to the waitresses and the Casino staff as Adolfo Cesarini, Count Adolfo Cesarini.

With no windows it was hard to tell the passage of time but Garrison's watch said it was approaching dawn. The men had tried to sleep earlier but by now they were all tired. As he moved about the room he kept an eye on the Count. He had played Baccarat for several hours before switching to Trente et Quarante and from the size of his winnings he was doing well. Now he was playing Poker.

Goniff was barely able to stifle a yawn as the man they assumed was 'Lupo' finally stood gathered up his winnings and headed for the cashier.

On his signal Casino was the first to leave. He knew what he had to do. Chief soon followed. He would remain outside to watch their backs and make sure they were not tailed. Goniff waited until the Count and his party left before he gave the coat check girl a peck on the cheek. That left Garrison and Actor, where ever he was. The crowd had thinned considerably so it was easier to see who was left and Actor was not one of them. Assuming he had left earlier for some reason Garrison got his coat and hat and left.

Their hotel was not that far from the building and with the day dawning so pleasantly he walked. When he arrived the other cons had stripped off their jackets and loosened the shirt buttons. Cufflinks were being tossed onto the coffee table.

"Be careful of those," warned Garrison as he too removed his jacket.

"They're paste," said Casino off handedly as Chief let him into the suite.

"Doesn't matter. They have to go back." Turning to the safe cracker he asked, "You find out where he's staying."

"Yeah. That big fancy place near the Casino. Second floor front."

A second tap on the door and Actor was admitted. Garrison was angry but he knew dressing down his second in front of the others was a bad idea. Instead he signalled for him to follow him out onto the terrace.

Keeping his voice calm he asked, "What happened in there?"

"I am sorry," said the Italian standing up straighter, "but I cannot continue with this mission."

Of all the things the American had expected, this was not one of them.

"What? What do you mean you can't?"

"I mean you will have to find another way to contact him. You have become quite adept at the con, perhaps you can take over the role." All this time Actor had stood, hands on the railing looking out over the beautiful view though he probably was not seeing it.

Garrison reached out and grabbed his arm to spin him around. This was serious.