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“The day isn’t over. And none of us have been especially effective with the exception of Tank, who spotted Vlatko twice.” Ranger rolled out of bed and went into the bathroom, and I was sorry the room was dark and I couldn’t see him better. I heard the shower running, and I went back to sleep. I opened my eyes an hour later and dragged myself into the shower. When I came out of the bathroom there was a bag from the bimbo store on the bed. A new shirt and some lingerie. The shirt was red, with rhinestones that spelled out ATLANTIC CITY. The lingerie was black and lacy.
“Thanks,” I said when I came out of the bedroom. “It’s great to have clean clothes. I’m surprised the store is open this early.”
“Only for you,” Ranger said. “Rafael did the shopping.”
Rafael was obviously the slim guy at the computer. He looked up and smiled wide. “I know what the ladies like,” he said.
Hal was at a second computer. He grinned and shook his head.
Ranger was dressed in Rangeman black fatigues. Ready for action. He was leaning against the breakfront with a coffee cup in his hand. He was armed.
“You look like you expect something to happen today,” I said to him.
“Intel has picked up chatter that there’ll be an event involving Semov. Mac has two extra men on him. One with Semov, and one checking Semov’s environment. Semov is scheduled to remain in his suite until eleven forty-five, at which time he and his entourage will make their way to the ballroom, where he’ll give the keynote address. He’s vulnerable when he’s moving. He could get swept along in the crowd, and Vlatko would only need to come in contact with him for a few seconds to deliver the polonium. Personally, I don’t care if Semov lives or dies, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to take Vlatko down.
“I need to put you on the mezzanine level this morning. It’s going to be a mob scene when everyone leaves the convention center and moves into the ballroom for lunch. Find a place where your back is to the wall and you can watch the people entering the ballroom. Vlatko has probably changed his appearance. Colored his hair, ditched the patch, added a beard, whatever, so you need to look for other things, like suspicious behavior and the tattoo. You have an advantage because you’ve actually seen him.”
“How soon do you want me out there?”
“I’d like you in place by ten o’clock.”
A buffet had been set out on the dining table. Croissants, bagels, smoked salmon, cream cheese, little jars of jam, pots of coffee, a large platter of fresh fruit. A container of orange juice. No waffles drenched in syrup. No donuts. No eggs Benedict.
I poured myself a cup of coffee and selected a croissant.
“Have there been any more Vlatko sightings?” I asked.
“No,” Ranger said. “I have someone watching the ladder running up the side of the building, but Vlatko hasn’t used it.”
“Maybe he’s already infected his target and he’s on his way back to Russia.”
“That’s possible,” Ranger said. “That’s why the polonium is so useful. You can eliminate someone and no one necessarily knows for days, maybe weeks or months.”
I took a call from Connie. “I can’t find anyone to bond out Forest,” she said. “He’s homeless, and he stole food to feed his dog pack, so I don’t think he’s looking at a lot of time. I expect he’ll get a week in the workhouse at the most. Problem is, he won’t come to trial for weeks. Are you good with his dogs until then?”
“I’ve got Briggs babysitting. He seems to be doing okay. I asked Lula to look in on him.”
“I haven’t seen Lula. Maybe she went to your apartment before coming here. How’s it going? Where are you, anyway?”
“Atlantic City.”
“The hardship assignment.”
“Yeah, I’m here with Ranger, drinking coffee and eating croissants.”
“I hate you. Did you sleep with him?”
“That’s a complicated question.”
“You did!”
“No.”
“Okay, I don’t want to know any more, but I expect details when you get back.”
I hung up and called Lula.
“Where are you?” I asked. “Did you check in with Briggs?”
