Viva Las Vegas (4/?)
By Carol M.
See first part for details
Enjoy it, kiddies! I'll try my hardest to get the next part out sometime tomorrow night.
Darien awoke the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee. He rolled over and put a pillow over his head, trying to ignore the throbbing pain that had invaded his brain. He was never going to drink again.
"Rise and shine, Darien," he heard Claire say in a voice that was much too bubbly for his taste.
"Ughhhh," was Darien's muffled response as he pulled the covers over his entire body to hide from Claire and whomever else wanted to interrupt his descent into hangover hell.
He quickly felt the covers being yanked from his body. "Come on, Fawkes, time to wake up and play with the big boys," he heard the voice of his partner urge.
"Don't wanna," he mumbled into his pillow.
"Too bad, Fawkesy," said Bobby as he ripped the pillow from Darien's head.
Darien growled in anger and sat up, his hair stuck up in a million different directions. His face was wan and pale and his eyes were bloodshot, reminding Claire and Bobby both of QSM.
"Aww, does Fawkesy have an upset tummy?" asked Bobby sarcastically.
Darien rolled his eyes and dragged himself off the couch. He drudged to the bathroom and slammed the door dramatically behind him.
He emerged nearly twenty minutes later, looking a little more human. His hair slick and styled, his day old stubble had been shaved and his face had begun to regain some of its color. He padded towards his suitcase and pulled out a pair of khakis, his orange polo shirt and a pair of briefs.
He glanced at Claire and blushed slightly. "Um, can you maybe turn around here?" he asked awkwardly.
"No problem," said Claire.
Bobby took a look in Darien's direction and when he realized he was about to see Darien's naked rear, he too turned around with a look of horror and disgust on his face.
"Okay, I'm dressed," said Darien a few seconds later. He pulled out some sneakers and socks and quickly put them on his feet. Then he stepped over to the kitchen counter and poured himself a glass of the delicious smelling coffee.
Bobby and Claire joined him at the chairs surrounding the counter.
"So did you here any good criminal gossip last night, Hobbesy?" asked Darien as he took a sip of the coffee.
Bobby smiled smugly and poured himself a cup as well. "As a matter of fact, I did. Turns out our friend Hastings is a gunrunner. Does that ring any bells?"
"No," said Darien as he shook his head. " I'm drawing a blank here, man. Anything else?"
"Assorted tales of crime and mayhem, but nothing solid. It's all up to you my see through friend," said Bobby.
"Great," said Darien as he took another swig of his coffee. He gazed at Claire curiously. "Any word on what my plans are for today, wifey?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," said Claire as she picked an envelope off the counter and handed it to Darien. "It came right before we woke you up. Along with these," said Claire as she fingered a pair of glittery earrings hanging from her earlobes.
"Nice. I see you're enjoying the perks off being my wife there, Keep," said Darien as he opened the envelope and peaked inside. He read the enclosed letter and then glanced at Bobby and Claire with a slight look of panic on his face. "Aw crap," he said.
"What, what?" asked Bobby as he snatched the letter from Darien and started to read. "Mr. Michaels, please join the party on the golf course at 11 a.m. sharp. Leave Shirley and James behind. J." He gave Darien a look of confusion. "What's the problem?" asked Bobby.
"Oh I don't know, maybe it's that I have no idea how to play golf. I'm gonna look like an idiot out there," said Darien.
Claire smiled. "Darien, please, I really don't think they're going to care if you can play a good game of golf or not. Besides, while everyone's occupied, Bobby and I can do a little snooping around in some of their rooms," she said with enthusiasm.
"Wow, Keep I'm impressed. That sounds so devious," said Darien teasingly.
Bobby nodded. "Maybe we can find some concrete evidence against these Armani wearing crooks. You might want to cut out of the game early, Fawkes. We might need your unique B and E skills," he said, glancing over at Darien.
Darien nodded and set down his cup. "Sounds like a plan," he said as he stood up from his chair at the counter. He motioned to his clothes. "Am I dressed okay?"
Claire looked him up and down and nodded her head in approval. "Classic, with a little color thrown in for fun. It's perfect."
"All right, well I should get going," said Darien as he looked at his watch and saw that it was 10:30. "How bout I cut out on the golf game at 12:30 and meet you guys in the lobby."
"You got it, partner," said Bobby. "Have a good game. Just remember to follow through on your swing."
Darien smirked and then walked out the door.
**
Darien nervously stepped onto the tee of the first hole of the golf course, carrying a heavy bag of clubs he had rented from the sports shop. He saw John, Jack, Ray, Marvin and Jonathan practicing their swings, all looking like professional golfers. He looked around and saw that they seemed to be the only players on the large golf course.
"Golf go out of style this season or what?" said Darien as he stepped next to John.
John set down his golf club and smiled. "No, I had the course shut down for just us. Better for private conversations that way."
"Wow, you had them shut down the whole golf course? That's pretty cool, man," said Darien as he took out a golf club and a ball.
"It's one of the perks of being the owner," said John.
"Oh, so you own this place?" said Darien as he set down the ball and began swinging the club haphazardly through the air.
John nodded and picked up his club. "Yes, that's right," he replied as he set down a ball and swung solidly at the ball with the club. The ball flew into the air and disappeared far out into the distance.
Darien glanced awkwardly at John and then attempted to copy his movements. He cleared his mind to concentrate and then gave the ball a whack with the club. The ball went all of five feet before it stopped lazily on the grass. Darien's face turned a light shade of crimson. "Guess I'm a little out of practice," he said.
"It's okay, you'll get you're game back," said John. He cleared his throat and looked at the others. "Gentlemen, shall we start?"
The others nodded and picked up their golf bags, hauling them towards the tee-off for the first hole. Darien followed suit and began lugging his bag behind them with John walking beside him.
"So Roy, I'm been hearing all about your impressive drug connections. I'm wondering if maybe I can't get in on the action," said John.
"You mean like a partnership?" asked Darien.
"I was thinking more along the lines of you introducing me to your source and acting as a middle man in certain situations. You would make a hefty cut of whatever deals we make," said John.
Darien nodded. "Yeah, I could get in on that. My cut would have to be large."
"Well that goes without saying," said John. "You see Roy, I'm trying to invest in the future here, build a nest egg. With your drugs, Jack's guns and Ray and Marvin's business connections, I think it could be a good year for all of us, don't you think?"
"Yeah, man, maybe I'll be getting Shirley that Porsche after all," said Darien.
"Exactly, Roy. We're all businessmen here. We just deal in commodities other than stocks and bonds. The risk might be a little higher, but so is the payoff," said John.
The group reached the tee-off and set down their bags. "So what do you say, Roy? Do we have a deal?" asked John.
Darien nodded and stuck out his hand. "Deal," he said as he grasped John's hand and gave it a firm shake.
"That's what I like to hear," said John as he set down his bag. He smiled and nodded towards the tee. "You're first, Roy."
"Oh goodie," Darien whispered to himself. He looked at the other men, who were staring at him expectantly. He swallowed nervously and then pulled out a club and a ball. "Okay, swing and follow through," he whispered to himself.
He set down the ball and took a few practice swings with the club. Then he eyed the flag for the first hole that seemed to be miles away. "Here goes nothing," he said as he swung the club against the ball as hard as he could and tried to follow through on the entire stroke. The ball sailed through the air, coming to land almost halfway towards the hole.
Darien started jumping up and down in the air. "Wooo hooo," he shouted as he swung his club excitedly through the air.
The men began clapping in appreciation. Darien took a small bow and then stepped back into the group, settling next to Jack.
"Looks like prison didn't effect your game, Mr. Michaels," said Jack as they watched John prepare to take his turn.
Darien glanced at Jack curiously. "Do I know you?" he asked.
Jack smiled mysteriously. "Let's just say that I know a lot about you."
Darien stepped closer to the man. "Like what?" he asked, his heart thumping loudly in his ears.
Jack shrugged. "Like your time at Northfield Penitentiary for instance. You went down for possession 10 years ago. Did five years," said Jack.
"Oh yeah, that," said Darien, his rapid heartbeat starting to ease. "It was a stupid mistake. I've learned to be more careful in my old age."
Jack grinned. "I'm sure."
"So how is it you know so much about me?" asked Darien.
"I make it a point to know everything about my fellow employees," said Jack.
Darien opened his mouth to ask Jack about his own background, when a series of cheers stopped him. He looked across the course and saw the ball John had hit was only inches away from the green.
"Nice swing, Mr. Sabattini," said Jack.
John took a bow. "Thank you very much gentlemen. Jack, you're up."
"Excuse me," said Jack as he gave Darien a slightly smug grin and stepped to the tee.
Darien sighed in frustration and watched Jack take his swing.
An hour later, the game was in full gear and Darien was about to kill himself. He hadn't gotten another word out of Jack and everyone else was talking about golf, nothing even remotely incriminating. It was time to make like a tree and get out of there.
Darien started wiping his forehead and swaying about slightly. He stuck a hand across his stomach and groaned.
"You all right, Roy?" asked John as he noticed Darien's plight.
Darien put a hand to his forehead. "Actually, I'm feeling a little sick here. I think the alcohol and sun are starting to catch up with me," he said weakly. "I think I need to lie down for awhile."
John nodded his head. "Sure Roy," he said as he looked at the other men. " Hey, does someone want to take Roy back to his room," he shouted. He looked back at Darien. "We don't want you passed out cold somewhere."
Darien shook his head violently. "No, that's okay. I'll be fine."
Jack stepped next to Darien. "I'll help him back to his room, Mr. Sabattini."
Darien began to panic. "No, really it's all right."
"I insist," said Jack.
John nodded gratefully and looked at Darien. "We'll be meeting tonight at 8 o'clock in the casino, Roy. Please join us if you're feeling up to it. I'll see to it that your clubs are returned to the sports club.
"Thanks sir," said Darien as he eyed Jack uneasily.
He began walking off the course with Jack close behind. He had to ditch Jack as soon as possible. When he spotted a bathroom up ahead, he knew he had his chance.
"Oh god," he said as he clutched his stomach. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Jack looked at him in disgust and pointed towards the bathroom. Darien sprinted towards the men's room, eyeing several older gentlemen coming in and out.
"I'll just wait outside," shouted Jack after him as Darien disappeared inside the restroom.
Darien quickly went into a stall and let the quicksilver flow over his skin. Then he opened the door and walked undetected out of the bathroom, passing by Jack's wandering eye as quickly as possible.
Once he got far enough away, he dropped the quicksilver and headed towards the lobby to meet Claire and Bobby.
**
Bobby checked his watch for the twentieth time in as many minutes. "Fawkes, where the hell are you?" he whispered out loud.
Claire gave him a worried glance as she checked the lobby for any sign of Darien. "You don't think anything has happened to him, do you?"
Bobby shrugged. "With Fawkesy, you never can tell."
"Guys!" they heard someone shout.
They turned around and saw Darien dashing towards them.
"Sorry," he panted apologetically when he reached them. "I had to ditch our friend, Hastings. He was on babysitting duty. Did you guys find anything?"
"We got some guns in the head honcho's room. Other than that, nothing. We couldn't get into Marvin or Jonathan's room because their chicks were in there," said Bobby.
"Along with their security guards," added Claire.
"What about Hastings? Did you get in there?" asked Darien.
"No, we were waiting for you," said Claire.
Bobby glanced at Darien. "What about you, Fawkes? Did you get anything?" asked Bobby.
"Well, Sabattini asked me if I wanted to be his partner in the drug trade. We shook on the deal. Does that count for anything?" asked Darien.
"Not unless there was a wad of hundreds in his hand, my friend," said Bobby.
"Great," said Darien.
"We gotta catch these guys in the act of something…anything," said Bobby.
"This just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it," said Darien sarcastically.
Bobby nodded grimly. "I'm gonna call Eberts, see if I can get some info on these guys. Maybe there'll be something we can use."
Claire nodded. "Yeah, and while you do that, Darien and I can search Hastings' room," she offered.
Darien gave her a strange glance. "You sure about that, Keep? It could be dangerous."
Claire sighed. "Guys, I can handle it okay. Now let's get up there before he comes back."
Bobby nodded. "All right. Be careful. Meet back here in twenty."
**
"Well, I guess we're not the only ones with a luxury suite, honey," said Darien as he glanced around Jack's room after they had successfully broken in through the door. The suite was nearly identical to Darien and Claire's.
Claire began sorting carefully through Jack's suitcase, while Darien busied himself going through the closet and drawers.
After a few minutes, it became clear there was nothing to find. "Well this has been a big fat zero," said Darien from the bathroom, where he was checking out his reflection in the mirror.
"I'll say," said Claire. She walked over to the entertainment center and began looking through the cabinets. A sudden noise at the door caused her to turn around in a panic. "Darien, I think he's back!" she whispered urgently. She started to run towards Darien so he could quicksilver her, but quickly realized that she didn't have enough time. Instead, she dived under the bed just as the door opened.
Darien stepped out of the bathroom and quickly let the quicksilver flow over himself. He stared in black and white horror as Jack entered the room and sat down on the bed, effectively blocking any way for him to get to Claire without Jack noticing.
TBC