“You call a few beers and a roll in the hay an orgy? You’re betraying your small-town origins.”
“Hey, we had tons of orgies where I grew up.”
Jeff laughed and Robin remembered Chesterfield.
“You have a second?”
“For you, always.”
Robin walked into Jeff’s office and plopped down on one of Jeff’s client chairs. “I just had a really weird experience,” she said. Then she told Jeff about the magician’s visit.
“Do you know anything about the Chesterfield case?” she asked when she was through.
“That was way before I joined the firm. Are you going to try and get him his patent?”
“I don’t think I should. I feel like I’d be asking for a malpractice suit. Although, I must admit I’m tempted. I love magic, and it would be really cool to know the secret behind one of these amazing illusions.”
“You should watch that television show. You know, the one where Mysterioso, the magician in the mask, reveals how famous magic tricks are done.”
Robin flushed with anger. “I hate that show and I think Mysterioso is disgusting. He’s ruining the fun of millions of people by destroying the wonder other magicians create.”
“Whoa. Why don’t you tell me what you really think?”
“Giving away the secret behind a magician’s tricks should be a criminal offense.”
“Sorry I brought it up.”
Now Robin blushed. “No, I’m sorry I went off. I shouldn’t have gotten so worked up, but that guy really pisses me off. Anyway, I’m going to wait to talk to Mark before I decide if we should turn down Chesterfield.”
“Are you going to ask Regina about the case she handled for him?”
“I was planning on visiting her today. I can ask her this afternoon.”
CHAPTER TWO
Robert Chesterfield was disappointed that Regina Barrister was no longer practicing law because he knew that he might need a top-flight criminal attorney very soon. He’d also looked forward to seeing Regina again because she was one of the most beautiful and intriguing women he’d ever met. The combination of brains and looks had been very exciting. Over the years, he’d fantasized about what she might have been like in bed.
Chesterfield sighed. She’d have to be better in the sack than Claire. God, what a mistake he’d made marrying her. She was attractive and rich, but she was a controlling bitch who used her pocketbook as a whip. Unfortunately, he had not discovered this until after they tied the knot. The one lucky break he’d gotten was not having a prenup. When they wed, Claire thought he had more money than she did because he was a headliner at a major casino on the Las Vegas Strip. That was all over now, and the only way he could solve his financial problems was by getting his wife to loosen the purse strings. Unfortunately, once Claire discovered his real net worth, she had secured an unbreakable lock on her cashbox.
To make matters worse, there were rumors that she was in a hot and heavy relationship with David Turner, a rival magician, whom he loathed. Chesterfield wouldn’t mind getting rid of Claire if he could find another woman with a lot of money who would help him out of his current predicament, but he had no idea who that might be.
Chesterfield was so distracted by thoughts of doom and gloom that he didn’t notice the two men until they were next to him. He didn’t recognize the muscle-bound ape with the shaved skull and shoulders so wide that they threatened to rip out the seams of his black leather jacket. But the second man was no stranger.
Rafael Otero was slender, clean shaven, and dressed in a suit. His sunken cheeks and narrow jaw gave him a slight resemblance to a wolf. Chesterfield knew that Otero was the more dangerous of the duo.
Augustine Montenegro had sent the men to intimidate Chesterfield, but the magician had dealt with bullies since he was a mere lad in Manchester. If push came to shove, Chesterfield could make a very sharp knife materialize. He’d started carrying it when Roger Bergson tried bullying him in primary school, and it had been a successful solution to the occasional difficulty over the years. Unfortunately, Auggie had many more enforcers in his stable. If these two disappeared, two more would take their place.
“Hello, Rafael. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Chesterfield asked.
“Cut the shit, Bobby. You know damn well why I’m here. You owe Auggie a lot of money and he’s getting antsy waiting for it.”
“He shouldn’t be worried, old chap. Didn’t I send him some of what I owe quite recently?”
“What you sent barely covered the interest. Auggie doesn’t want drips, Bobby. He wants you to fill his tank.”
Chesterfield smiled. “You are very adept at turning a phrase, Rafael.”
“I’m also immune to bullshit.”