The King of Hearts

Manhattan had experienced a string of high-profile thefts. The victims were wealthy, eligible bachelors. All were members of an exclusive dating bureau. The thefts included high dollar jewelry and watches. The game turned deadly last night when a victim was murdered. Shot in the heart. It is the dead of winter. Bobby Crocker's shift was ending on Friday evening and he had plans for the weekend.

Lieutenant Theo Kojak rushed into the room with a memo in his hand. "Crocker!" he yelled as he walked to his office.

Bobby rolled his eyes. Damn! There goes the weekend. He stepped into the lieutenant's office.

I have an important assignment for you. It's undercover and you're perfect for this. You will join an exclusive dating bureau in midtown. The same one that all the theft victims, the wealthy gents, have been members.

"What exactly will I be doing?"

"Dating wealthy beautiful women. Can you believe that? You'll be attending galas around town, like art exhibits, plays, concerts, fancy expensive restaurants."

"Wow."

"Yeah. You must dress the part Bobby, but I know you won't have any problem with that. Chicks adore you."

"Maybe so, but I'm usually taking them to a ballgame."

Kojak laughed. "We're upping your dating game, Bobby. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky."

"This isn't old women looking for gigolos, is it?"

Kojak looked surprised. "You would have a problem with that? Didn't you see 'The Graduate'? Probably, all kinds of women. The only thing they have in common is that they're wealthy. You know the thief's signature?"

"Yeah, I read the memo. A King of Hearts playing card."

Kojak smiled, "Yeah. You'll start tomorrow morning. Report to the club at 9:00 am. Your cover is Bobby Cruger."

"Okay. Do I need a hidden radio?"

"No, sweetheart. The women would find it."

"Oh. Right."

The next morning, Bobby appeared punctually at 9:00 am in the lobby of Cupid's Elite, the matchmaking agency that was located just off of 5th avenue. The place was built of marble with a large porch with marble colonnade. Large 8' tall wood front doors. It made Bobby want to whistle his appreciation. Someone had some big money to have grabbed this real estate. He entered through the doors with some excitement and trepidation. He was supposed to be a trust-fund playboy. He had a wad of cash in his pocket consisting of $100 bills. The lady sitting at the reception desk smiled and introduced herself as Madame Celeste. A well-preserved 50-something.

She smiled a well-practiced plastic injected thick-lipped smile. "Mr. Cruger" she purred, "I'm sure we can find the match for you. You are so young and cute. All the ladies will want to meet you."

Bobby smiled and nodded.

Over the next several days, Crocker immersed himself in the role, attending lavish parties and charity galas, all while keeping his eyes peeled for the tell-tale glint of a playing card in the moonlight. His charm and good looks made him a hit with the city's socialites, but the glamour wore thin as the thefts continued unabated. - At one such event, Crocker locked eyes with a woman unlike any he'd ever met. Her name was Isabella Bernard, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. She was as sharp as she was beautiful, with a wit that could cut through the thickest of social veneers. Crocker found himself drawn to her, not just for the case, but for reasons he couldn't quite articulate. - As they danced, Isabella challenged him on his cover story, poking holes in his alibi with the skill of a seasoned detective. Crocker, surprised by her astuteness, found himself opening up, sharing more of his true self than he'd intended. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another man, one of the agency's most eligible bachelors and Isabella's scheduled date for the evening. Crocker watched as they left together, a strange ache in his chest. - The next day, a theft occurred at the very hotel where Crocker was staying. He found that the victim was none other than the man who'd whisked Isabella away the night before. The King of Hearts lay in wait on the side table by the bed.

Bobby met Theo Kojak at Stella's when the place was empty after lunch.

"Well Crocker?"

"There was a theft last night. How can I find out who the women were at the previous thefts?"

"That information will be on the yellow sheets. I'll have Stavros put together a list."

"I'm interested if there are any repeating victims to find out if the ladies are involved."

"Sure. Return here tomorrow afternoon and I'll have the info."

Bobby returned to the dating bureau. That evening he was Isabella's assigned date. He met her in the lobby.

She held out her gloved hand and Bobby graciously took it. "Hello, Bobby. We meet again."

"Yes, and it is my pleasure to accompany you this evening to your play of choice."

"A Streetcar Named Desire. It's my favorite."

"Beautiful."

Bobby drove Isabella to the theater in the red Maserati he had been given for the role he was playing. Isabella was beautiful in a silver dress with a silver fur coat. Bobby tried not to stare at her, but he caught her looking at him several times. Bobby was having trouble making the transition from cop to wealthy playboy. He thought when people looked at him, they saw Bobby Crocker not Bobby Cruger.

Bobby walked Isabella into the lobby. He seated her there and he went to the box office to buy the tickets. He purchased the best seats they had. He returned to Isabella, and she smiled as he took her hand, put her arm under his arm and walked her into the theater. The usher found their seats. The theater was beautiful. There were several well-dressed well-healed patrons and a few rowdy tourists but that was to be expected. The lights went down, and the play began. Bobby liked A Streetcar Named Desire. He'd seen it with a girlfriend on several occasions. It was a favorite.

After the play, Bobby took Isabella to a nice restaurant where they talked about the play and his family. He smiled. He knew she was scouting out his wealth. He made it sound promising. He walked her out of the restaurant into the cool night holding her hand. The time square lights made it look like daylight. "What do you want to do now, Isabella?" he asked expecting her to want to go home. "Instead, she said "you have a lonely hotel room, don't you? Why don't' we get some wine and go there." Oh boy, Bobby wasn't expecting that so soon. He wasn't sure he could be comfortable having sex with a woman that didn't' know his true identity. That weighed heavily on his integrity meter, but he had a job to do after all. As they walked a block to the car, Isabella wrapped her arm around Bobby's waist and pulled him close. He put his arm across her shoulder. He could get used to this.

Bobby knew there was wine in the room, so he went straight to the hotel. She removed her coat, kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable on the plush suede sofa. He poured the wine and handed her a glass. Then he thought about the thief. "Isabella, what happened last night?"

"A thief was hiding in our room. He robbed my date." She said it in a very matter-of-fact way like it was no big deal.

"Were you scared?"

"No. He wasn't threatening me."

"Did you get a good look at him?"

"He had a mask on."

Mmm…Bobby said. "I think I'll just check around to make sure we don't have any company."

Isabella laughed. "Okay. I'll wait here. Don't take too long."

Bobby got up and walked to the bedroom. He looked in the bathroom, in the closet. He looked under the bed. It was like he was a kid again looking for a hidden monster. The suite was a one-bedroom with a kitchenette. When he walked back into the living area, he checked the utility closet where the hvac unit was located. "Are you comfortable? I can adjust the temperature."

"Yes, I'm fine," she answered. "You're a regular boy scout, aren't you?"

Bobby laughed. "I was a boy scout and a cub scout. It didn't help me much. I was also a bad boy."

Isabella laughed. "Well come here and show me the bad boy."

Bobby walked over and lay down by Isabella and rolled over on top of her.

"That's more like it, bad boy." He thought, I am a gigolo. Isabella slipped her dress off and positioned Bobby's hands where she wanted them. He kissed her and she put her tongue in his mouth like this was routine for her. She wrapped her legs round him and reached for his belt to unbuckle it. This was fast by Bobby's standards, but he played along knowing he had to, or he would blow his cover. She was purring at him.

"I should wear a rubber." he said quietly.

"I have protection boy scout. But you may want protection from me"

Bobby laughed. "Didn't mean to offend you."

"Oh man your voice turns me on boy. Are you an athlete?"

"I was. I stay in shape." Bobby pulled the contraceptive out of his pocket, opened the package and slipped it on. A familiar practiced move.

Yes, you do. You are very much in shape for a rich boy. She rubbed her hands down his back and it wasn't long before Isabela got what she was after. Afterwards Bobby wondered when the thief was going to join the party. He held her for the rest of the night and slept a little. She didn't wake up until daylight. Then she dressed. He asked if she wanted him to drive her home. "No. I'm staying here, next floor up."

Bobby took a shower, dressed and called Lieutenant Kojak.

"Hey lover boy," Theo asked with a chuckle.

"Okay, so Isabella stayed with me last night and there was no thief."

"Maybe he's just making sure you are for real. He may be weary of new guys. You could be a cop."

"Yeah."

"Hang in there kid, I think you can handle this. I wish I had your job."

Bobby laughed.

The next week Bobby dated several women and none of them were looking for sex. That was a relief. Isabella booked him for the following Friday night. They met in the lobby at Cupid's Elite. She greeted him with a hug and a kiss. "Where do you want to go?" Bobby asked. Isabella sighed, "That voice. Let's just go to the hotel. We can order food service later."

At the hotel, Isabella pulled Bobby into the hotel bar. She ordered a drink and Bobby did the same. He hated hard liquor, but it was the job. After she had a couple of drinks, she took Bobby's hand and led him to the elevator and to his room. She never took her hands off of him as he unlocked the door and led her inside. "Hey Isabella, where are we going with this?"

"Just having some fun. You don't have to marry me to make love to me."

"You say that to all the guys, right?"

Isabella backed up and slapped Bobby's chest. "Okay boy scout don't spoil the fun."

"Sure. We're just having fun." Bobby was thinking this is surely the night he will meet the thief. He was hoping he would show up so he could get back to loving his real girlfriend.

Isabella led Bobby to the bedroom, and they had a pretty steamy night thanks to Isabella's aggressiveness. Bobby was content to let this woman lead him wherever she wanted to go. At about 3:00 am Bobby heard the click of the suite door opening. It made him take a deep breath which Isabella noticed "What's wrong."

"I think we have a visitor."

"No!" She yelled. "No!" She sat up and wrapped the sheet around her. She was scared and distraught.

A man walked into the room and flipped on the light. He had a ski mask on. "Hello lovers. Never mind me." He walked to the side table and picked up Bobby's watch, dropped a playing card on the table then he looked for Bobby's wallet. "Don't bother to get up, I know what I'm looking for." He found Bobby's blazer and checked the pockets. He found the wad of bills. "Nice!" He exclaimed. Bobby had stuck his gun in his shoe, the guy didn't see that. When he turned to leave, Bobby rolled over and grabbed his gun. "Halt! Police!" he yelled "Put your hands up". The man did as he was told.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that" the thief said. "You're kind of young to be a cop."

"Shut up!" Bobby yelled. Bobby pulled his pants on. He walked over and pushed the man against the wall and patted him down. He found a gun, a knife, his watch, the wad of bills, a stack of cards –the King of Hearts. He walked back to the closet keeping his eye on the man. He found his handcuffs lying on the shelf where he had left them. He put the handcuffs on the man. Bobby pushed the man into the living room and pushed him down on the floor. "Face down." The man complied. "Isabela get dressed please."

Isabella came out of the room fully dressed. Bobby picked up the phone and dialed Manhattan South.

"Manhattan South, Detective Stavros."

"Stavros this is Bobby."

"I thought you would be too busy to be calling us."

"Shut up!"

"Sure, Prince Valiant." Bobby heard laughter in the background. "Saperstein says we should change your nickname to Casanova."

"Tell Saperstein to shut up. Is the lieutenant there?"

"Nope, but he said to call him if we hear from you."

"Okay so call him. I have the thief collared here. I need you to come get him. I can't bring him over in the Maserati. He's too tall."

"Well darn it. I wanted to take a spin in that Maserati. Rizzo and I will head up there right after I call the lieutenant.

"Bobby went into the bedroom, grabbed his shirt, his shoes. He finished dressing.

In about 30 minutes there was a knock on the door. "Hey man, it's us" Bobby opened the door to Stavros and Rizzo. Bobby pointed to the man on the floor. Stavros walked over and pulled the ski mask off his head. "Anybody know this guy?" Isabella shook her head. "Okay young lady you have to go with us to the precinct. We need a statement from you. She looked at Bobby. "What about him?" Stavros looked at Bobby. "Well, honey, he is one of us. He can come with us, or he can get some sleep" Stavros winked at Bobby "and then come to the precinct. Lieutenant said there was no hurry." Bobby looked at Isabella. "I'm sorry Isabella, we had to catch this guy. Bobby Cruger is not my name. My name is Bobby Crocker, and I am a poorly paid cop. I was born and raised in Jackson Heights. I am so sorry I had to deceive you."

" Jackson Heights?"

Yep.

"So, it was all a lie?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Wow. You fake it really good."

Bobby laughed and so did Stavros and Rizzo.

"You guys shut up," Bobby said.

At the precinct, it was around 6:00 am when Theo Kojak walked into the squad room. He saw Bobby sitting at his desk. "Crocker, make sure that report is PG rated." The guys laughed.

"Yes sir," Bobby said. "Isabella Bernard is sitting in the interrogation room. She was with me when the thief appeared. The theft was exactly what the victims described. I have a suspicion that she knows the thief."

"Yeah. Stavros did you put together a list of the women?"

"Sure did," Stavros said. "Isabella was always the victim's consort."

Gil Weaver looked up from his desk. "Lu, this isn't fair. I only get pimps, whores, & junkies for company when I go undercover. Crocker gets the richest women in town and a Maserati. Not fair!"

"Gil, I agree with you" Kojak replied with a smile. "It isn't fair. You need to talk to the criminals in this town about that."

Kojak walked over to the interrogation room and looked through the window. "Man, Crocker, this is a shame. That's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and we have to arrest her." Kojak opened the door and walked in. He sat down across from the woman. "Miss Bernard, I'm sorry the surroundings here don't match what you are accustomed to, but the city just doesn't care. You are an accomplice to the crime that your friend in the hold over there committed."

Isabella hung her head. "I'm not who I seem to be Lieutenant. Bobby told me he had been lying to me. I haven't told him yet that I was lying to him. How ironic wouldn't you say?"

"Yes, but not a surprise."

"Bobby was born and raised in Jackson Heights. I was born and raised in the Broncs."

"You made a nice life for yourself for a short time, didn't you?"

"Yep."

"Do you want to tell us who that man is?"

"He is my brother, Edward. He doesn't have a criminal record. Our parents taught us to steal."

"Oh? Gypsies?"

"No. Irish Travelers."

"That's a shame Isabella. You could have had a nice life without stealing. You're going to have to join your brother."

"Yes. May I talk to Bobby?"

"Sure. Of course. I'll send him in."

"I need to apologize. I'm glad he is a cop. I'm glad he caught us."

"Sure. You tell him that. Just a moment. Crocker!"

Bobby appeared at the door.

"Isabella?"

"I owe you an apology. I deceived you. I'm not who you thought I was. That man in there is my brother."

"You will go to prison, Isabella. What you and your brother were doing…

"I know. I just want you to know I'm sorry. You fooled us. Edward and I thought you were too young to be a cop."

Bobby smiled. "I didn't want to do what I was doing. Deceiving you. I feel bad about that."

"Don't feel bad. It was fun while it lasted, wasn't it?"

"Sure. It was fun. Take care Isabella."

Bobby turned and walked back to his desk. Kojak was waiting for him. "It's going to be hard coming down from that Park Avenue lifestyle."

"I'm not going to miss it…maybe the car a little."

Theo laughed. "You save up a year's salary you can buy one of those."