Unknown: Spread for pleasure

Stephi jumped to her feet and said, "I'll make it. Chris you stay here and make sure they save the juicy parts until I get back. Would anyone like a sandwich or something else with their coffee?"

The two men shook their heads and Joe said, "Chris you can go help Stephi. Lynden and I have some calls to make based on your identifications."

Chris and Stephi went into Chris' tiny kitchen. After getting the coffee maker running they scurried between apartments and found several different kinds of cookies and crackers to serve. In less than thirty minutes they were back in Chris' living room. Lynden was still using the phone but Joe had dozed off in his chair.

Lynden, whose first name was Sam, the women discovered told them that Joe had been up most of the night working on the case. They had been startled to discover that the DEA was also involved but, as he put it, "I'll let the Lieutenant do all the explaining."

The three of them sipped their coffees and ate cookies while Joe slept. Finally, just as Stephi wondered out loud whether she should make more coffee Joe wakened. He stretched and said, "Must have needed that. The coffee smells good. Is there any left?"

Chris poured him a cup from the carafe and then shook it listening for the splash. "If anyone wants more I'll go make it otherwise I'd like to hear what's going on."

Joe finished his coffee and said, "I don't think we need more. Lynden and I have to get back in within the next hour so here's the story to date. It seems that one of the major Valley hospitals hired themselves a real bottom line type as an administrator."

"This bean-counter decided that the best way to cut hospital expenses for the company, not the patients, was to hire people from south of the border. He was not too interested in whether they had any experience in caring for the sick because he figured they could be trained to work as aides or if they had enough experience as LVNs."

"The hospital's director of nurses and her two assistants objected and were fired. He tried hiring others and was unsuccessful. Then about two years ago someone told him of a newly established recruiting service that imported in hospital personnel. He hired them on the spot."

"What her hired was a group of thugs really. They are drug importers and dealers. The people they bring in are untrained or poorly trained. The administrator, one of the people you did not identify Chris, has been taking massive kickbacks from these people."

"Incidentally his name was not one Marilyn gave you. She gave you the names of two doctors who are also in on the scam, one runs the ICU/CCU of the hospital in question the other's function is still not clear."

"OK. Now among the people whose pictures you identified, one was the big woman Lena hassled with at the bar. She's a cop. Another was Betty Morales. She is, believe it or not, a DEA agent. She has provided us with much information including the old picture of Marilyn Short."

"The pictures of Fred Welsh and Billy Deacon are from our bunco files. Fred is a real charmer who follows the well-to-do golfing crowd. He's an excellent golfer and passes himself off as a pro."

"Apparently he left the LA area several years ago and turned up again recently as an employee of the recruiting service I mentioned. No complaints about his bilking rich unmarried women which is his usual con."

"Billy Deacon is somewhat different from Fred. He is a skilled tennis player and apparently has been a good teaching pro at various clubs over the country. His problem is that he is a real skirt chaser. He has been fired from various country clubs because of his amorous adventures."

"He has been here in the LA area for over a year. We are not certain of how he has supported himself but we do know he has lived with at least three different women since his arrival here. One of the women he lived with claimed he conned her out of some jewelry. That's how he wound up in the bunco file."

"Unlike Fred he has no criminal record and seems to really come into this picture only because he has been very friendly with Marilyn. She has used him on two other recruiting adventures similar to your experience Chris. Each time he's the boy that gets Marilyn."

"Interesting. But what do you hope to find in all this?" Chris asked.

Sergeant Lynden responded. "We think that Fred and Marilyn are no more than working stiffs. There is a boss of the operation who arranges the shipments of 'nursing personnel' and the accompanying drugs. The processing of both probably occurs in that big house occupied by Marilyn. We have two well trained nurses from small midwestern towns who have come to us, belatedly, and told us of the operation."

"In each instance they were recruited as you were and taken to a place where their service in treating drug over doses, and recovering condoms full of dope, required. They were always blindfolded and threatened with revelation of embarrassing secrets, including pictures and video tapes, if they talked."

"You may well receive threatening call if you don't make a real effort to contact the people Marilyn suggested. We have discovered, through Betty Morales, that everybody at those so called parties could have been video taped. Consequently, we want you to initiate another conversation with Marilyn."

Chris blanched. "That sounds risky," she blurted.

"Not really," Joe said. "We think that if you confront her with haying bugged your car she may break. You are to visit her tonight with Sergeant Lynden as your police escort. Just be convincingly angry about the bugging situation," Joe said smiling and patting her hand.

"OK. I guess I better get my laundry and get out of here Stephi," Chris said smiling.

"Be ready about seven," Joe said as Chris rose from her chair, "I'll take you to dinner before the balloon goes up."

Chris collected her dry linen and clumped up the stairs not exactly thrilled with the turn of events. "I guess a poorly controlled libido can get you in all kinds of trouble after all," she thought as she put her clean sheets away.

After stowing the linen Chris selected her wardrobe for the evening. She decided she should wear a subdued outfit and so selected navy blue turtle neck shirt and gabardine slacks, plus a gray tweed jacket and black loafers. Then stripping to her panties only she crawled into bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Her alarm wakened her at six. She hurried with her shower and was dressed and ready when Joe knocked at her door a little before seven.

He was impeccably dressed in a pinstriped three piece suit, blue shirt and rep tie.

"You are a handsome fellow," Chris said as she ushered him in.

"Thanks. Let's hurry I have seven-thirty reservations at a swanky place in Beverly Hills. Wont due to be late when I'm showing my best girl off," he said smiling broadly.

Chris slipped on her jacket, checked her make up and reappeared in moments. "All set. Let's show each other off."

Dinner was leisurely and as they sipped brandy Joe said, "Sergeant Lynden will meet us at the West Valley Station around ten. Why don't you try calling Marilyn now about seeing her tonight. Make it clear you wont take no for an answer."

Chris went to a public phone near the restrooms and dialed Marilyn's number. It took six rings before the brusque voice of Marilyn Short came on line.

"Yes."

"Marilyn, it's Chris – Chris Diamond."

"Oh, so you've finally called someone. Why bother me? Call the people I told you to," she replied angrily.

"Look Marilyn, I've got something serious to discuss with you. I want to see you tonight."

"Like hell I'm busy. You do as your told or you'll find yourself doing a lot of explaining kid."

"Marilyn, listen to me carefully. I want to see you tonight. I don't know what you mean about embarrassment but I do know that you or your friends have some explaining to do. I'll be at your place within the hour. So get yourself straightened out," Chris said getting angry at Marilyn's truculence.