Jackpot

12

As Teddy wandered around the suite wondering what to do with the information he had gotten from Kevin, he noticed a pile of cases and bags just inside the doorway. Since Teddy had left his luggage in the Hong Kong airport lounge, Peter had said he’d gather some stuff from the film set to tide Teddy over. Peter and Teddy both knew it wasn’t clothes he’d been missing from his luggage. He quickly found the smallest bag and took it into the bathroom where he unlocked it and unpacked a small cache of makeup and effects material. It’s wasn’t a great disguise kit, but it was enough for what Teddy needed to do.

Teddy had disguised himself as people ranging from a cabdriver to a professional athlete, but there was one disguise he’d long wanted to try but never had the opportunity. It was his biggest challenge and his most taboo subject. He worked as quickly as possible while still getting the details right. When he finally finished, he looked in the mirror and a completely different man was looking back at him.

Stone Barrington.

Teddy left the suite and made the rounds of the casino in his Stone Barrington disguise. He would be convincing on video, but anyone who knew Stone would never buy it in person, so Teddy was guarded with his movements. Stone Barrington was a memorable man, so there was no telling how many people he had made an impression on during his short time in Macau.

He wanted to meet with Zhou Peng, the head of casino security and, Teddy suspected, one of Arrow Donaldson’s right-hand men, but first he wanted to establish video evidence of Stone’s appearance in the casino after he’d allegedly left town. When Teddy was convinced he’d created enough of a video trail, he headed up to the security office.

Dale Gai was the first person who met him in the office. She was pleasant and feigned acceptance of Teddy’s disguise, but he could tell she knew something was wrong.

“I’d like to speak to Zhou Peng,” Teddy said, in his most booming Stone-like voice.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“My work usually takes me places where I should not be. It’s the nature of my business.”

“And what would that business be, Mr. Barrington?”

“Ah, so you remember me.”

“I know exactly who you are,” she said. “Zhou Peng is away from the office right now, escorting a high-profile guest to a more secure location.”

Teddy knew right away that Dale was giving him a thinly veiled clue that Zhou Peng was more than the head of casino security, and that Teddy should proceed carefully.

Zhou Peng interrupted them, and he didn’t seem happy to see Stone.

“I understand that this is awkward,” Teddy said. “I want to help find whoever is responsible for trying to frame or blackmail my son.”

“There is nothing you can do right now to help your son, Mr. Barrington,” Peng said. “If I can be of assistance making other arrangements for you to talk with other people, I would be most happy.”

“Have you had any other problems with fake videos on your security cameras?”

“I have received no confirmation that there have been any fake videos on my security cameras. Thank you.”

“Okay, thank you for your time. Just one more question. Do you know a man named Bing-Wen Jo?”

Teddy could tell immediately he’d hit a nerve when Zhou’s eyes turned to small pinpricks and a flush of red washed across his face. It was quick, but it was all Teddy needed. On his way out of the office, he stopped by Dale Gai’s desk.

“When are you off work?”

“I don’t socialize with visitors to the casino, Mr. Barrington.”

She said the name overly dramatically, and Teddy wasn’t sure if it was helping or hurting his cause.

“I have no trouble filling my social calendar. What I could use more of are your tips on how to navigate this complicated environment.”

“You flatter me. I’m sure your business has taken you into far more complicated environments than our casino.”

“Now you’re the one offering flattery.”

She took a second to breathe, then looked to her left as Zhou Peng wove his way through the floor of the security office. Peng made eye contact with Teddy, then with Dale. His gaze lingered on both of them a few seconds too long for Teddy’s comfort, but eventually he waved for Dale to follow him and then walked away.

“Room 5318,” Dale said. “Why don’t you change into something that’s more you and meet me in thirty minutes?”

“I’ll make myself comfortable if you do the same.”

“Thirty minutes.”

She nodded softly and went to meet Peng in his office.

“Why is Stone Barrington still in my hotel?” Peng asked. “What did you tell him? What did he ask you?”

“He wanted to talk to you. I told him you were busy and that he should let you do your job.”

“Why is he still in the casino? I thought he left. His plane left. Why is he still here?”

“Are you sure it was his plane?”

Peng’s face went bright red and his eyes exploded with rage. He swiped his hand across the desk and caught hold of a thick golden apple. His fingers wrapped around the apple and his swipe turned to a throw. The apple soared across the room and hit Dale Gai under her right cheek. She crumpled to the ground and Peng rushed to stand over her.

“Is that a satisfying answer to your question? Does it inspire you to ask more questions?”

“No. Thank you.”

He continued looking down at her as she squirmed and held her cheek but didn’t cry or scream.

“Perhaps you should take the rest of the day off to think about your role in this organization.”

Dale nodded and bit her lip, then turned and left.

Peng’s eyes followed her as she departed. The woman was going to be a problem.