Vegas Showgirl Murders - book2 - Bob Moats (important of reading books TXT) 📗

seat and we headed out. I maneuvered us over to Russell Road, and then to Maryland Parkway, my favorite road. I headed north and got to Flamingo Road and turned right. I was pointing out all the landmarks, the "99 Cent Only" store that I practically lived in, and the library. Over to the left, was the shopping center that I would buy my groceries at, Albertsons, and paid my car insurance to the Allstate people there. I drove down to Spencer Street and turned right, at the Rite-Aid drug store, where I would buy my beer, and then announcing that we would be going by the apartment buildings that I lived with my son. Turning on to Rochelle Street, I pulled into the parking lot and pointed out the building I lived in. Leaving there, I headed back out to Flamingo and got to the strip, Las Vegas Boulevard, and turned north. I pointed out the Flamingo Hotel/Casino were I worked for five months and then up past Hurrahs, the Venetian, Mirage, Riviera and up to the Stratosphere and beyond. Buck was yelling out the names of strip clubs as we passed.

I drove everyone up past Charleston Avenue, then up to just off Fremont Street. I circled around and found a parking space by the Golden Nugget, and piled everyone out. I took Penny's hand and we went around to Fremont Street. We wandered the enclosed street as I gave the guided tour of old town Vegas. We saw the Golden Nugget, where Sinatra performed, Deacon smiled as he was named for Sinatra. We stood and watched the street artists, painting on spinning canvas, and stopping at booths selling everything from license plates and t-shirts to "I love Las Vegas" buttons.

I didn't want to wear out my little troops on the first day, so I got the address of Deacon's sister's house, found it on my Palm TX map program and headed there. She lived in North Las Vegas, not far from where we were. Deacon got out and headed up to the house, banging on the door, yelling "Open up, it's the police." Not a funny thing to say in this neighborhood.

I asked Deacon if he had let her know we were coming, he said he called her last week. I suddenly realized Deacon never told us her name, I asked and he was embarrassed that he hadn't told us, he said her name was Maria. Finally the door opened and a very tired looking female stared out. Then she screamed "Frankie!" and flung open the door and jumped on him. I swear she was a head taller then Deacon, but maybe not. Deacon introduced her to us, she apologized, saying she worked last night and was still in bed. It was now 3 p.m. and I remembered my days working here, when I wouldn't get out of bed till almost the same time. Many people here were night people. She pulled Deacon in and invited us to follow. It was a pleasant house and well lived in. Deacon introduced Buck to Maria and he just went speechless. He looked a deer in headlights, I said to Penny. She agreed. Maria kept calling Deacon by the name Frankie, I figured since Deacon's real name was Francis Albert DeAngelo, she would call him Frankie. I just assumed everyone called him Deacon.

Maria stood about as tall as Buck and was about as muscular. She looked like she worked out, besides doing her nightly shows. She was quite attractive, and had her shoulder length, jet-black hair pulled back so tight it made her face look like she underwent a face lift. She probably would kill Buck in the sack. Maria had a face of Italian decent, like Deacon, but her nose looked like it may have had a bit of touch up along with the eyes. She seemed like a bouncy, happy person, quite the opposite of Deacon, the controlled storm that made up his character.

"My god, Frankie, you look so pale, and skinny!" she laughed.

"I had an accident on the job. I didn't tell you when I called last week, I was in the hospital for about a month and I had major surgery on my hip."

She looked shocked and said, "You OK now?"

"Yeah, sis, I'll be all right with a little more therapy," he replied. "It's so good to see you again, baby girl!"

She pulled his head down and nuggied it. Then she said to Buck, "You gonna stay here with us?"

Buck looked terrified, hoping she didn't nuggie his head, but said sure. She grabbed hold of him and just about lifted him off the ground with a bear hug.

She backed off and apologized, "I forget my own strength some times. You have to be athletic to be a showgirl, so many nights, so many kicks and numbers. We get a bit strong after a while. I promise I won't kill you."

Now he looked more than terrified. It was cute, I thought.

I told Deacon, Buck and Maria that Penny and I should go check into our room at the MGM Grand. I said if they need us to call my cell phone and we'd come running. But not till tomorrow. I grinned.

We said our good-byes, Buck looked like he was being sentenced to a week at hell house, and we took off.

*

Chapter Three


Penny and I arrived at the MGM Grand and I let the valets unload the SUV. They gave me the ticket for the vehicle, drove it off and pushed the luggage into the lobby. We went to the check in, gave our names and signed in. Penny's station was going whole hog with the accommodations, and we were whisked up to the next to the top floor. Our Porter opened the door to our suite and moved the luggage into the room. He stood with a smile on his face, I knew he was hoping for a tip, I slipped him a five; he thanked me and headed out. Penny was standing at the window, amazed by the view. I came up behind her and just about lost my breath. I didn't like heights, unless they were protected by rail or windows, but it still made me nervous. I wrapped my arms around Penny and kissed her ear. She said she loved this, the city, being here with me. I was also amazed at the sight we had from our window, as long as I didn't look down. We could see past the Stratosphere, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, to the beautiful mountain range that circled Las Vegas. I loved the mountains. The sight of Las Vegas Boulevard snaking it's way North passed all the casinos that have stood for years, some new, some old, some waiting to be imploded to make way for a shiny new building. The dreams of many people wanting a taste of the pie. I was content with the woman in front of me, my treasure.

We had most our clothing unpacked; I was feeling quite hungry, and said so. Penny agreed and we dressed casually to go eat. We got to the lobby and out onto Vegas Boulevard. I pointed to the New York, New York Hotel building across the street and told Penny about working there for the magic shop. We wandered up the street and stopped into a Subway shop to get subs to eat. I took Penny around the side of the building, where I used to sit to eat my subs, for what seemed years ago. We finished and walked further up the street, taking in the sights. We got to the Flamingo Hotel and went in, through the casino, up to the show room entrance, where I used to stand at the end of each show, selling souvenirs of the show. Back out, we manage to get up to the Mirage and since it was now getting a bit dark, the volcano out front was starting to erupt. We went to the other side of the boulevard and walked back down towards our hotel. We got to the Bellagio Hotel and leaned against the stone railing and watched the fountains and blasts of water up to the sky doing its ballet. The air was warm and dry, breathing was easy, and the spray of the water felt good to our skins.

We got back to the hotel and I took Penny out to valet parking and got our vehicle. We drove back up the strip and again parked by the Golden Nugget. It was dark now and I wanted Penny to see the video overhead on Fremont Street. It hadn't started yet; music was playing down the entire length of the street, piping out from huge overhead speakers, making the sound surround us. Suddenly the entire place went dark, all the casinos had shut off their thousands of lights, the crowd gave a happy cheer and then it began. The whole sky overhead lit up with sound and video, jet planes roared from one end down almost two blocks to the other. Then eagles screamed and flew, music swelled and the whole thing turned colors and shapes. Penny grabbed on to me every time the scenes changed. She looked like a little girl at her first fireworks. The show ended and she hugged me, whispering she could see why I loved the place.

We rode back to the MGM Grand and Penny was humming music from the show. She looked beautiful in the lights from the strip, but I had to keep my eyes on the road. We drove into valet parking and they went off with the car, as we headed into the lobby. The elevator took a slow ride to our floor. I kidded with Penny about having sex in the elevator, but they have cameras in them to watch us, pointing up to the little eye in the corner of the ceiling. She laughed and pushed me against the wall and started smooching me, then threw a kiss to the camera. This girl is dangerous, I thought.

Back in our room, I turned on the whirlpool spa and stripped down before Penny knew what I was doing. She giggled, and joined me. The whirlpool was right in front of the window, so we could look out at the city lights, all shining bright. Before we could wrinkle too badly, we got out and dried off. I would have carried her to the bed, but my back would have gone out and ruined a great vacation. I told her to pretend I was carrying her and pulled her to the oversized bed. We made love for the next hour or so, and then we both felt the exhaustion of the day tugging at us. We cuddled and slept.

The next morning around 8 a.m., my phone rang and it was Buck saying howdy. I asked if he survived the night and he said that they had a fantastic time. Maria took both of them to her show and got them front row seats. Deacon warned him not to look when the women were bare breasted, Buck said he peeked. He whispered in the phone, Maria's got a great rack. I could see his smile through the phone. He asked if Penny and I were coming to get them. I told him I had to go to Metro police to say hi to a few names on Trapper's list, then Penny and I would be going to the convention center to get Penny registered. I said he was more than welcome to come, but he said he wanted to spend the day with Deacon and