30. Shmoozy shmoozy

Lil's Monday morning was packed. As soon as the morning meeting was over, she headed to her computer. She composed an email to all of the Trenton Rangemen, explaining the holiday charity drives she was starting this week. She had planned with Ella to place giant boxes for the toys and large jars for the cash near the elevator on five. Lil made sure to tell the men that the toys didn't need to be wrapped, she would take care of it. The deadline for donation would be December 22nd. Before signing her name, she dropped a few small hints about their upcoming in-house festivities. Lil hit send. Not a minute later she received a response from the boss saying that whatever money was collected for the soup kitchen would be matched by Rangeman. Awww.

Today was the first day Lil would get to work directly with Cal and the Bond Enforcement team. She was going to try really hard to not slip up and call him Sugar-butt. No promises. She was heading to his cubicle when he intercepted her, and turned them to the small conference room. "We're all meeting in here this morning. After showing you some stuff, we need to discuss a bond that's almost forfeit." Woody, Vince, Hal, and Manny were already waiting for them. After quick pleasantries, Cal got down to business. Lil had a general working knowledge of the Bond Enforcement and Apprehension business from her four years in college. Cal gave her details on how they normally went about research and background checks, attempting to find whoever they were looking for. It was all pretty straight forward. He brought up their search programs, making sure she understood which ones were above board and which ones might be a little 'morally gray'. Like that bothered her. The group spent another fifteen minutes passing on information to their new co-worker. Lil thought she was prepared, considering she wouldn't ever be the person going out and actually apprehending the FTA's.

Ranger was in his office, writing out more flashcards for Tilde. He found it was a good way to pass the time in between client calls or planned meetings. As usual, his door was shut… While he wrot on an index card, he thought of Lil. That was a bad idea, now he couldn't stop thinking about her. Visions of her kitty pajamas swam into his brain. Shit. He knew she was working with Cal today. Wondering what they were up to, he scanned the fifth floor cameras until he found them. Really, this wasn't stalking...much. He raised the volume and watched their meeting. He was telling himself that checking up on his newest employee was part of being a thorough boss. Uh-huh.

Cal passed folders out to Lil and the men. "I know you guys are familiar with this one, we've been working on it for a month. But for Lil's benefit, let's go over it again. We really need a break on this FTA, bond's up in less than five days." The other's nodded as Lil opened the file and stared at the man's picture. Looked like a standard businessman. Nothing memorable or remarkable. Cal pressed on, "Roger Fordham, 45 years old. Wanted for sixty-three counts of embezzlement by the FBI. He screwed a whole lotta people over on a pyramid scheme. This is his fist arrest, only a white collar. No known past violence. He was arrested in Chicago, bond was set at three million. He paid, then fled to New York. Fordham is well connected with many wealthy people, influencers with more money than sense. He has two ex-wives, a current wife, and a mistress. None of them have been any help. No children on record. For the last two weeks he's been holed up at the Pearlman Building in Manhattan, penthouse suite. He's known to travel with at least one bodyguard, but probably has more now that he's a wanted felon." Cal took a breath.

Lil asked the obvious question, "Why haven't the feds served their warrant and arrested him if they know where Fordham is?" Cal let loose a disgruntled noise. "Because the feds are being pussies with this case. Are you familiar with William Pearlman?" She nodded, "Yes, he's that super eccentric billionaire, comes off as really paranoid." Manny took over. "That's the problem. Pearlman doesn't have a good past with the feds or law enforcement in general. He's very distrusting. The last time he dealt with the feds, there was a huge fall-out after. Too much bad publicity and political shit." Cal picked up the thread. "So the feds are too scared to bust down the door and take this joker out of Pearlman's building. We've tried to reach William Pearlman, hoping he could help, but he's out of the country on business. Dubai we think." Vince explained that a distraction was likely to fail since the building was very secure and Fordham was now not leaving the penthouse for anything. Once all the information was out, the men sat back with a look of frustration and disgust. They would each take it personally if this one got away, on principle.

Lil rubbed a sore spot on her thigh, thinking. "Can I try something?" Cal raised his eyebrows, "Lilly-pad, please try anything you can think of, we're getting desperate." She gave his hand a pat. "It'll be OK Sugar-butt. Let me make a call." Vince and Manny snickered as Lil reached into the side pocket of her cargos, pulling out her personal cell phone. She scrolled through her contacts with one hand while rubbing her leg with the other. Ranger was following the movement of her hand from his screen. It was mesmerizing. Finding the number she needed, Lil hit the call button and waited a few rings. Cal had no idea who she could possibly be contacting, and he could only hear her side of the conversation.

"Good Morning Mr. Bryant, this is Lillith Peyton, formerly of the Wynn… It's nice to hear your voice too… Mr. Bryant your still a flirt… I know, I know, I'm supposed to call you Herb… How's Betsy and the boys?… Oh that's wonderful, please pass on my congratulations… No, no, I'm still single… I'm sure you nephew is a very nice man… (laughs)… Yes, actually, there is something you can do for me… Yes, I'm calling in my chip...(laughs)… I'm working with my brother on the east coast now… Yes, the man in the picture on my desk with the tattoo… (laughs)...He's been tasked with locating a criminal who has fled to New York. Our sources say he's staying in the Pearlman Building… Yes, very secure… I know, I've heard...Oh really? That would be wonderful! You're such a doll...You know if Betsy hadn't found you first… (laughs and starts scribbling a name and number on her notepad)… I really appreciate your help with this Herb. Be on the look out for my Christmas card soon… You too sweetheart.

Lil closed her phone with a sigh. Hal stared at Lil in amazement, "Did you just call the former owner of the Utah Jazz?" She chuckled, "Yes, that was Herb Bryant. He was a whale we secured at the Wynn. Herb and his wife would visit a few times a year." She shrugged, "He owed me a favor, so I called him to collect. Hopefully, if I can get through to this person, we might get somewhere on Fordham." The Rangemen were thrilled. It wasn't necessarily progress, but it was still fucking awesome. Cal couldn't believe his sister had the numbers of such famous people in her cell phone! Lil dialed the number she had written down from Herb. Ranger was sitting on the edge of his seat. Watching her work was really turning him on.

"Hello, Ms. Evelyn Walker?… My name is Lillith Peyton, I'm a friend of Herb Bryant…Yes, he is a very wonderful man. Mmhmm, great family… Mr. Bryant thought you may be able to help me, I need to get in contact with William Pearlman… Oh I know, I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't very important. My security associates and I believe the Pearlman building may be in danger… Yes, someone very disreputable has been staying there, I would like to help get him out so everyone can stay safe… Sure… (laughs) Yes, that's me, Lilly from the Wynn… (laughs)… Oh Goodness, that man is too much… Oh Ms. Walker, if you could do that I would be forever grateful… (laughs)… Yes, this number would be fine… Thank you so much. And by the way, that editorial in Vogue last month was spectacular!… You too…

Again Lil hung up with a sigh. Being so pleasant was tiring. She was a little out of practice. The men all looked to her for an explanation. "That was the socialite Evelyn Walker. She's friends with both Bryant and Pearlman. She's going to see what she can do. Try and bridge the gap for us." Lil shrugged again, to her this was no big deal. A third of her job at the Wynn was knowing and using the right people in the right situations. She continued rubbing her thigh, not even realizing she was doing it. Her phone started to vibrate with an incoming call. She didn't recognize the number, which was a really good sign. Lil smiled and answered the call.

"This is Lillith Peyton, how may I help you?… Thank you so much for calling Mr. Pearlman… (Cal and the others sat up straighter. Holy Shit, she'd gotten him!) Yes, you are a difficult man to contact. I can thoroughly appreciate your desire for privacy… I'm sure… Of course, I'll make this as quick as I can… Yes Sir… You have a tenant in the penthouse of the Pearlman Building, a Mr. Fordham… I see… Well Mr. Fordham is wanted by the FBI and local police after fleeing from felony charges… Yes… Yes… That's my concern. Legally, they can. And if they do, it is likely to bring bad press and possibly even damage to your beautiful building. I'm sure your other residents don't want a full scale take-down, likely at night… I know… The security firm I work for is willing to extract Mr. Fordham, covertly… Yes Sir… Yes Sir… Bodyguards, yes… That can be arranged… Rangeman Security… Yes Sir, same one… Yes, Mr. Manoso is a highly qualified professional… I'm sure your business would be greatly valued… Yes Sir, thank you. Please enjoy the rest of your trip."

This time when Lil hung up she let out a whoop and spun her chair in a circle. She started scribbling on her pad again. "Alright guys, here you go. The name of the person at the Pearlman Building who will let you in. Here is the password you need to give for entrance. Mr. Pearlman will allow a small group to enter quietly and get him out. He said the building's security will help if you need. He would like it all handled in the next 48 hours." She finished writing the info and passed it to Cal. The men in the conference room were beyond impressed. Cal knew his sister was smart and talented, but that was another level. "Lilly-pad, you are the freakin best!" He gave her a hug and a big kiss on the cheek. The group immediately started planing the clandestine take-down of Roger Fordham. Once they knew how to get in, and pulled up some not so secure blueprints of the building, the logistics became much easier.

Ranger had continued to watch, completely astounded by Lil's success. She had worked a connection, schmoozed and charmed the right people, and found a safe way to their target. All while never leaving the conference room. Ranger texted Cal: 'You have a GO, schedule the chopper'. He then texted Lil: 'Great Job. Please write up the report, I would like to share it with the other offices. Get it to me by EOD Wednesday'. Lil read the message and laughed. She looked up to the camera and smiled brightly. That sneaky fine man had been watching her.