We had been in Vegas for just over a month. Jennifer and I have been in our house in Henderson for about a week. Stephanie was preparing to graduate design school, and getting ready to start her career. Karen was just starting to get settled. She had been going back and forth trying to get all her things sold or shipped to Vegas.
I had also checked in on Gabby several times and she seemed to be doing well in rehab. I had learned that Jack had abused her far beyond what I originally thought. These were the times I wished I hadn't let him go, but so far he hadn't resurfaced anywhere near me or the people I cared about. Who knows, maybe Steve had done me a favor? He would never tell me. It would be left unspoken.
My daughter Becca was doing good. Her relationship with her mom was improving. I didn't know if it would ever get to a great relationship, but things were better between them. Becca had even been very supportive of Jennifer and me. Granted Becca didn't know about our life together, but she knew I was happy and that was all she cared about.
I was in my home office when Jennifer came down and plopped down in the chair in front of me. I laughed at her because there are times Jennifer is a perfect vision of a sexual woman, and there are times like this that she reminds me of the girl who played in my pool. "What's wrong Sweetie?"
"Well Stephanie is graduating and I'm having such a hard time planning something for her. I know her friends here and her family are planning something for her, but I want you and me to do something for her. I would love it if we could take her away for a weekend party. Just you, me, and Karen." Jennifer said with a grin and a wink.
"I tell you what. Get together with Karen and you two decide where we go. Where ever you decide we will go. Just remember to make it a weekend trip."
Jennifer hopped up and ran around the desk and sat in my lap and gave me a deep kiss. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Jennifer said as she kissed me after each thank you. "I think you just like the idea of three hot ladies at your beck and call for a weekend." Then she kissed me again and ran off to call Karen. After she left I made a couple work related calls and then called Becca. I couldn't get in touch with her, but left a message, then I went and told Jennifer I was going into the city for lunch. I was meeting a friend who was running one of the bigger casinos.
I put on a coat for this meeting since he was one of those guys who liked his food fancy and expensive. I was just hoping a tie wouldn't be required. As I pulled in the front of the casino he was there to meet me and hopped into my car. I was thinking we were eating at his hotel, but he had other ideas. I didn't ask I just drove out from the front and we headed down the street. I looked over and asked him where to and he just pointed straight ahead. I knew then that this was more than lunch. We drove for a while as Tony kept checking the mirrors.
"If you want I can crank this car up. I have a top end of 190mph, and I have been wanting to wind it out." I said as he eyed the mirror on his side.
"You probably could go a little faster. Our lunch is at a diner outside of Death Valley. I would hate to be late."
The one good thing was once I was out of the city I could really open it up. I didn't think the traffic would be bad once out of Vegas, but you never knew. I set my radar detector up and once we cleared the city I quickly pushed the car to 100mph and had plenty more if needed. I looked over at Tony, but he still wasn't in a talking mood so I kept driving.
"My friends from back East said they have some information for you, and I can't have them coming into Vegas, so Death Valley was the choice. I didn't get the impression this was something they wanted to discuss over the phone." Tony said as he watched the mirror.
I didn't say anything but my foot on the accelerator said it all as the Porsche surged forward. As the speedometer hit 130mph I could see Tony looking a little nervous. I backed it down to 115 and he looked somewhat relieved. I didn't know what the information was but I had a bad feeling. I looked over at Tony and said "Can you do me a favor? How about have a couple of your guys go out to my house in Henderson and discretely keep an eye on the entrance gate."
He looked at me and got on his phone and sent four guys out there. Then after he got off his phone I called Karen and asked where she was. She said she was on her way to the house to talk with Jennifer about Stephanie. I also called Becca, and her voice mail picked up again. I left a message to call me ASAP. Once I got off the phone my foot went back down on the accelerator. As the speed climbed higher Tony didn't say anything. He understood this could be more serious than even he thought. He pulled out his phone again and called the casino and told them to have the helicopter head to Death Valley.
"Fuck it, they can pull my gaming license if they want to. If Becca is in any trouble all my sources are at your disposal."
I just spent my time concentrating on threading my way around the traffic we came across. As we turned off the main highway a small diner came into view. The parking lot only had a couple cars in it and we stirred up a dust cloud when we pulled into it. As we got out Tony tried to keep me calm reminding me that we didn't know what information they had. Once I was inside I knew it wasn't good. One of the people who came out here was a man I hadn't seen in ages. Not since I got his son out of a hell hole in the Middle East. We all shook hands and the guys with him left me with the old man.
He sat there for a time looking at me before he finally spoke. "My people came across some information that concerns you. It seems there is this young punk who has been bragging about how he was going to do something big. He even tried to recruit a couple of my people. He mentioned you by name, but the threat involves your daughter. I put the word out for my people to pick him up, but he seems to have left town."
I sat there and shook my head. "How long ago?"
"The last time anyone saw him was yesterday afternoon. You saved my son when you didn't have to. I will always owe you for that. I wouldn't put you in the position of asking what you want done, but rest assured, I have people looking for him and who will take care of it."
"Thank you sir. I appreciate any help you can offer. I didn't follow my gut with this person, and now he has become a threat to my family. I should have taken care of this when I had the chance."
The old man shook his head. "We all make mistakes. I find myself getting too soft at times, and that isn't a good thing in my line of business. People see that as a weakness and the younger ones see it as an opportunity. I guess old age brings wisdom, but it also softens us to the danger around us."