Chapter 18
Archie Hopper stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror and tried to drown out the sounds of the other men excitedly getting ready in the next room. They were charged and ready to go, running on adrenaline and copious amounts of coffee.
Archie just felt sick.
He looked around Jefferson's motel bathroom and wondered what half the bottles of hair product and makeup were for. The wealthy recluse always seemed so put together and at ease; he made it look effortless. Apparently he spent more time on his hair than a teenage girl.
He tentatively picked up a bottle of cologne and sniffed it. It was definitely not something Hopper would wear, but maybe his make-believe counterpart would? How does a representative of the Gaming Commission behave? Would he wear a polka-dot tie and sweater vest? Or should he change into a silk suit?
"You're overthinking," warned a voice from the entrance to the bathroom.
Archie looked up and saw August leaning nonchalantly against the door frame, already dressed in the expensive suit to wear once again as Granny's bodyguard, his dark sunglasses perched casually atop his head. "Try to relax. The most important thing you need to remember is to breathe."
He inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, feeling much of his anxieties and fears float away in the process. Clearing his throat loudly, he nodded at his reflection. "Hi…no, um…hello. Hello. My name is Jiminy…Jim….I'm Jim and I would like two…no…I need two minutes…um…"
August frowned at him in concern. "You don't lie very much, do you?"
"I'm just a pickpocket. My parents were the ones who would con the marks while I robbed them blind. I've never really been in this position before."
"Well I lie for a living so why don't you let me give you a few pointers. So. Where are you going to put your hands?"
He picked up his briefcase and umbrella and held them together in front of him.
"No good," said August, swiftly shaking his head.
He moved the items to the same hand and shrugged uncomfortably under his friend's scrutinizing gaze.
"Don't look at your tie, look at me. Ok. I ask you a question and you have to think of the answer. Where do you look?"
Archie's eye briefly wandered to his feet.
"No good. You look down, she knows your lying."
His eyes wandered up to the ceiling.
"You look up, she knows you don't know the truth. Don't use seven words when four will do. Don't shift your weight. Look always at your mark but don't stare. Be specific, but not memorable. Be funny but don't make her laugh. She's got to like you then forget about you the moment you've left her sight. And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances…"
"Hey, August!" called Jefferson from the other room.
"Yeah?"
"We're up! It's time to go!"
August smirked and gave him a quick slap on the arm. "Good luck and don't screw up."
"Wait!" called Archie frantically to their departing forms. "What is it I'm not to do?"
~8~8~8~
Neal looked around at the Presidential Suite's luxury furniture and fantastic view of the ocean and lamented the fact that he hadn't gotten the chance to use it. Granny had booked it under the name of Olivia Lucas a couple of days ago so that Regina would have no reason to refuse her unusual request.
While she had been enjoying the extravagant accommodations and first class amenities, he had been stuck at the two-star motel. It would have been counterproductive to have the team spotted coming and going from the room so this was the first time he had been inside.
"Is there a mini fridge in here?" he asked Emma, who was busy running checks on all her equipment.
"How can you eat at a time like this?" she asked distractedly. "I'm way too nervous to even think about food."
"I could go for pizza!" added Henry excitedly.
"Storybrooke pizza sucks," Neal replied. "Why couldn't Regina build her casino in New York? They have the best pizza in the world."
Henry turned on the TV and started flipping through channels. "I like the pizza in Boston. Maybe you could come visit me there sometime when this all over."
Neal ruffled the boy's hair and smiled sadly.
Spending the night with Emma had been pure bliss but there was still a lot of deep hurt and anger that wasn't about to disappear overnight. He wasn't sure if she would even want to see him again once the job was done. She might decide that the risk of getting hurt again was too great and just disappear with her ten million dollars.
And Henry.
Damn. That kid had certainly grown on him.
He shook himself out of his reverie and checked his watch. "It's almost seven. Do you know where Granny is?"
"Huh?" said Emma, screwing another wire into her laptop. "I think she's in her room doing her makeup."
Neal crossed the livingroom and headed down the hall. This hotel room was larger than his whole apartment! The bedroom door was wide open but he still felt uncomfortable just walking into his grandmother's room unannounced.
He cautiously peeked in first and quickly spotted her sitting at the vanity. Her hair was perfectly coifed, her makeup simple but elegant. She was inserting diamond earrings, a wedding gift from her ninth husband if he remembered correctly, and he couldn't help but appreciate how handsome the older woman still was. No wonder she never had trouble finding new husbands.
She carefully stood up and adjusted her dress and blazer, admiring the finished look in the mirror. When she went to grab her purse, however, she swayed slightly and fell back on her chair.
Neal wanted to run to her side but he knew she was a proud woman and wouldn't appreciate him seeing her looking old or weak. He nervously waited as she took a moment to compose herself and take a couple of pills from a small bottle. She swallowed them dry then closed her eyes, looking somewhat pained.
"Granny?" he called quietly. "It's time to go."
She nodded her head and smiled weakly. When she stood this time, she looked strong and tough, like the bad-ass Granny he had always known.
"Let's do this."
~8~8~8~
Buses drove into the small seaside town by the dozens, ferrying passengers from all the major centers within a five hundred mile radius. Scalpers were situated across the crowded wharf illegally selling tickets at ten times what they paid and supply was running out quick. This historic fight was one for the books and it would certainly put Storybrooke on the map, with the Casino right at the center of it.
The atmosphere was electrifying as hordes of people crammed themselves through the convention center's doors, all eagerly awaiting a night to remember. It was loud, frantic, and a bit chaotic.
Regina thought it was absolute Heaven!
Her high heels clicked rhythmically across the marble floor as she made her way through the hotel lobby. Her hair and makeup perfectly complimented her designer black dress. It was fairly conservative compared to her usual apparel but the cut of it was made to show off the priceless diamond necklace that hung perfectly atop her breasts.
The fact that the jewel had once belonged to Leo's late wife Eva brought a secret smile to her lips. Tonight was her night. She was getting everything she deserved!
Her assistant Mallory caught up to her and together they walked out the door where Mrs. Lucas was patiently waiting by the curb. Regina instinctively scrutinized the older woman's clothing and jewelry and noted the expensive designer.
There was something off about Olivia Lucas but one thing was for sure; she was dripping in money.
"Mrs. Lucas," she said cordially. "This is a very busy night for me. Are we on schedule?"
"I have no reason to suspect otherwise," replied the older woman gruffly. "My couriers should be here any minute."
A non-descript black sedan expertly pulled up to the curb and two finely dressed men in dark suits came out, one handcuffed to a standard sized briefcase. The dark haired driver unlocked it from his companion and quickly cuffed it around Mrs. Lucas's wrist.
Regina couldn't help but appreciate how handsome the two couriers were, especially the one with the perfect hair, and briefly wondered if she could convince them to join her team. She always enjoyed breaking in new personnel.
"Were you followed?" asked Lucas.
"No, ma'am," replied the lighter haired guard. "We took several different routes and switched vehicles like you requested."
"Well done. Ms. Mills, if you don't mind, I would like to get inside as quickly as possible. The sooner this package is secured in your vault, the better."
"Of course, Mrs. Lucas. Please follow me."
The gaming floors had never before been so congested as fight-goers gambled and drank away the time before the big event, enjoying everything the casino had to offer. The crowds seem to magically part for the famous owner and her small group as they made their way through the bustling sections. Between the expensive attire of the ladies and the foreboding bodyguards flanking them, they were quite the sight to behold.
The name Regina literally meant Queen and she certainly felt like one tonight, surrounded by peasants and noblemen alike, all looking at her with abject awe. She was the center of attention, just like it had been when she was a world renowned model.
Her critical eyes quickly spotted the wealthier patrons among the horde, easily picking out those with expensive tastes and compared them to her own accessories. None even came close.
It was then that the glimmer of pure gold to her left caught her attention. At closer inspection, she realized that it belonged on the top of a simple black cane, its owner leaning conspicuously against a set of machines, downing a drink. He looked slightly frazzled and a little drunk.
Regina quickly motioned for Mal. "Tell Sidney that Mr. Gold is in the West Slots. Now."
"Right away, Regina." The blonde assistant immediately veered off from the group to speak privately into her ear piece.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lucas and her two bodyguards faltered behind, exchanging a look too quick for her to ascertain. "Is something the matter?"
The older woman quickly steeled her features and shook her head. "No. Of course not. I just thought we should wait for your associate to return."
"No. She has a security matter to attend to now. Speaking of which, I'm afraid I can't have any private security personnel in the casino cages. Your men will have to stay out here."
Mrs. Lucas opened her mouth to respond but before she had a chance to speak, an elderly man wearing a garish flowery shirt and beige pants blocked their path. He removed his sunglasses, held his arms out wide and smiled toothily. "Beverly! Sweetheart! I thought that was you!"
Regina stared suspiciously at the two seniors as Mrs. Lucas had suddenly turned a disturbing shade of white. "Beverly? I thought your name was Olivia."
Olivia Lucas cleared her throat loudly and stammered. "It is. This man is mistaken."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, seeming genuinely confused. "Don't you remember me, beautiful? We had dinner once back in Ft. Lauderdale, at the Ocean View Retirement Complex. I seem to recall you found me to be quite witty."
Mrs. Lucas nodded her head quickly to her two guardians. "Take out the trash, boys. I don't have time to deal with senile old men tonight."
Her bodyguards stepped in to deal with the nuisance, each scooping an arm under his armpits and dragged him away despite his cries of protest. Regina continued to stare at Granny skeptically.
"Ms. Mills, if you don't mind?" She lifted the briefcase and gestured to the handcuffs still shackled to her. "I have never enjoyed the feeling of chains around my wrist."
Regina raised her eyebrows in mock indignation. "Funny. That's exactly how I prefer to spend my Friday nights. Follow me."
The two ladies passed through the casino cage doors and into a maze of corridors. She guided her guest to a large glassed office where two red jacketed employees were counting and stacking hundreds of thousands of dollars of bills to be bound and labeled. This was known as the cash office and it was the second most secured place in the casino besides the vault itself.
She gestured for Mrs. Lucas to place the briefcase on a table where she swiftly uncuffed it from her body and opened it for Regina's inspection. Inside were four of the largest and most beautiful emeralds she had ever seen! They were absolutely perfect. After feeling around inside to verify there were no hidden objects, she nodded in satisfaction.
"All right, Mrs. Lucas. I acknowledge that your briefcase does not contain any dangerous or elicit material, and I further agree to take custody of said briefcase and store it in my secure vault for a period of twenty four hours. Now, I cannot allow you to actually accompany the briefcase to the vault…"
"What?" she demands crossly. "Why is that?"
Regina studied the older woman carefully. "Insurance for one, security another, but most of all…I just don't trust you."
Mrs. Lucas grinned appreciatively at her bold assessment.
A knock on the door drew her attention away. "Excuse me, please."
One of her favorite pets, Gaston, had just walked in and nodded respectfully to Mrs. Lucas. He approached Regina and smirked in satisfaction. "I have two plain-clothes on Gold now. He's walking through the bar as we speak. I want him."
"No. Security can handle him. I need you to take care of this before the fight. Mrs. Lucas? I would like you to meet my Casino Manager, Gaston Chevalier. If you will allow him, he will arrange to have your briefcase escorted into our secured vault while you watch on our monitors. Those are my terms. Do you accept them?"
She sighed heavily and handed him the briefcase. "You leave me no choice."
Regina glanced at her watch in irritation, noting how quickly time was passing. Mallory then walked in and handed her the daily black portfolio which contained the new security codes.
"Don't let me keep you, Ms. Mills," said Mrs. Lucas. "I understand this is a very important night for you."
"Thank you. You have no idea."
She marched out the doors, her mind on Belle who was most likely waiting in the restaurant and that bastard Danny Gold, who dared to enter her little kingdom.
He had been responsible for taking away the love of her life and now she was repaying the favor. She had been manipulating Belle so much ever since his arrest that the girl barely knew who she was anymore.
Knowing that his true love was alive but no longer wanted him was a fate far worse than death.
Oh, how revenge was sweet!