Lucky Flash: A Lucky O'Toole Novella (The Lucky O'Toole Vegas Adventure Series) by Deborah Coonts Page B
Authors: Deborah Coonts
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took the goods to a warehouse in Henderson.”
“Okay, Jeremy, you follow Teddie’s stuff. I really need all of it back as he gave it to me. Understood?”
He gave me a quick nod, gathered his things, and headed toward the door.
“Wait.” Flash blocked his path. “I’m going, too.”
Jeremy shook his head at me. “Flash, this is where things get down and dirty.”
“I’m a down-and-dirty kind of gal,” she said, shooting a warning look across my bow. “I chased Pismo down, remember. Risked bodily harm. You owe me this story.”
Over the top of her head, I gave Jeremy a pleading look. He shrugged.
“Okay. But do what Jeremy says. And stay out of trouble.” Why I even bothered saying that, I didn’t know. If there was trouble, Flash would find it. It’s what she would do with it that had me worried.
Flash gathered her things and hustled after Jeremy.
Romeo frowned. “The police ought to handle this.”
“For evidence to hold up, you guys need a warrant. I’m not sure we have enough evidence to convince even the most inclined judge, and not enough time to try.”
He shrugged in agreement, but the look on his face told me he didn’t like it.
“Let them do their thing, then they can call it in as a crime in progress and your guys can charge right in.”
“Okay. I’ll set it up. I’ll need my radio. It’s in the trunk of my car.”
“You can deal with that as we head across town.”
“Where are we going?” he asked, but I thought I saw a glimmer. He knew.
“Hunting.” I gave him my best evil grin.
“I thought you’d never ask. We’re heading to the Liberace Museum installation, aren’t we?”
“My, detective, your powers are impressive.” Although I sounded like it, I wasn’t kidding. Color rose in his cheeks. The kid never could take a compliment.
“Hope you’re up for a little breaking and entering.”
Liberace’s mansion nestled on a quiet residential street on the east side of town. Formerly one of the most prestigious, the neighborhood now looked old and faded, defeated by heat, time, and the changing of the guard. Wayne Newton’s massive home wasn’t far—he’d recently lost it to bankruptcy, hanging onto faded glory too long. I thought of my own life. Of Teddie. And I wondered what my heart would say if I listened.
The house, a long, lean brick rambler with a French roof, was quiet. The workday over, daylight was thinning toward night. Fifteen thousand square feet of over-the-top kitsch, restored to its former glory.
“Come with me,” I motioned to Romeo as I let myself in the low wrought iron gate in the decorative fence fronting the street. “I know a secret way in.”
“You think anybody’s here?” he modulated his voice to match my hushed tones.
“We dangled the carrot. The thickening cover of darkness. I don’t think they can resist. Hopefully we beat them here.”
Moonlight lit our path as we padded down the drive around to the back. The awnings over the windows had been replaced; large potted palms squatted by the pool, which sparkled, catching the light. Everything looked fresh, new, cared for, as if Liberace had never left.
I wiggled one of the frames around the center pane of glass in the door to the grand ballroom, opening a secret panel. “I hope your guys killed the security system alert.”
“Would I let you down? The new owner is going along with this. He was very happy to know of this secret way in.”
“I’m sure. Glad they didn’t change out the doors.” I stepped inside and took a deep breath as memories assaulted me. Mona dancing with the Big Boss, hidden from those who would try to stop them. Liberace in his mink-lined cape playing the part he loved so much, then settling in at the white baby grand to play the music that filled his soul. The first true Vegas showman.
“How did you
“Okay, Jeremy, you follow Teddie’s stuff. I really need all of it back as he gave it to me. Understood?”
He gave me a quick nod, gathered his things, and headed toward the door.
“Wait.” Flash blocked his path. “I’m going, too.”
Jeremy shook his head at me. “Flash, this is where things get down and dirty.”
“I’m a down-and-dirty kind of gal,” she said, shooting a warning look across my bow. “I chased Pismo down, remember. Risked bodily harm. You owe me this story.”
Over the top of her head, I gave Jeremy a pleading look. He shrugged.
“Okay. But do what Jeremy says. And stay out of trouble.” Why I even bothered saying that, I didn’t know. If there was trouble, Flash would find it. It’s what she would do with it that had me worried.
Flash gathered her things and hustled after Jeremy.
Romeo frowned. “The police ought to handle this.”
“For evidence to hold up, you guys need a warrant. I’m not sure we have enough evidence to convince even the most inclined judge, and not enough time to try.”
He shrugged in agreement, but the look on his face told me he didn’t like it.
“Let them do their thing, then they can call it in as a crime in progress and your guys can charge right in.”
“Okay. I’ll set it up. I’ll need my radio. It’s in the trunk of my car.”
“You can deal with that as we head across town.”
“Where are we going?” he asked, but I thought I saw a glimmer. He knew.
“Hunting.” I gave him my best evil grin.
“I thought you’d never ask. We’re heading to the Liberace Museum installation, aren’t we?”
“My, detective, your powers are impressive.” Although I sounded like it, I wasn’t kidding. Color rose in his cheeks. The kid never could take a compliment.
“Hope you’re up for a little breaking and entering.”
Liberace’s mansion nestled on a quiet residential street on the east side of town. Formerly one of the most prestigious, the neighborhood now looked old and faded, defeated by heat, time, and the changing of the guard. Wayne Newton’s massive home wasn’t far—he’d recently lost it to bankruptcy, hanging onto faded glory too long. I thought of my own life. Of Teddie. And I wondered what my heart would say if I listened.
The house, a long, lean brick rambler with a French roof, was quiet. The workday over, daylight was thinning toward night. Fifteen thousand square feet of over-the-top kitsch, restored to its former glory.
“Come with me,” I motioned to Romeo as I let myself in the low wrought iron gate in the decorative fence fronting the street. “I know a secret way in.”
“You think anybody’s here?” he modulated his voice to match my hushed tones.
“We dangled the carrot. The thickening cover of darkness. I don’t think they can resist. Hopefully we beat them here.”
Moonlight lit our path as we padded down the drive around to the back. The awnings over the windows had been replaced; large potted palms squatted by the pool, which sparkled, catching the light. Everything looked fresh, new, cared for, as if Liberace had never left.
I wiggled one of the frames around the center pane of glass in the door to the grand ballroom, opening a secret panel. “I hope your guys killed the security system alert.”
“Would I let you down? The new owner is going along with this. He was very happy to know of this secret way in.”
“I’m sure. Glad they didn’t change out the doors.” I stepped inside and took a deep breath as memories assaulted me. Mona dancing with the Big Boss, hidden from those who would try to stop them. Liberace in his mink-lined cape playing the part he loved so much, then settling in at the white baby grand to play the music that filled his soul. The first true Vegas showman.
“How did you
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