Sam didn’t go directly from his hotel to the opening, but drove his car, as planned, and parked it a block south of the Top of the World Casino. Locking his car, he got out and walked a few blocks in both directions, checking out the media coverage and the police presence. He walked around the outside of the casino, paying special attention to the doors leading to the street. He didn’t see any extra security coverage on any of them. Feeling satisfied that exiting the casino would be no problem once his task was completed, he made his way into the Casino.
Sam kept his head down and melted with a group of well-dressed men and women, whom he assumed were also attending the opening. He was correct, as they all made their way to the Snake Pit. There was a brief wait at the entrance to the club, as each person’s name was confirmed with the guest list. Sam waited his turn, occupying himself with observing and listening to the chatter exchanged by those in line. Most was just drivel, but Sam found some of it interesting, as a good many did not seem to want to be here. So why come, he thought. Was it such a big deal to be seen at an event like this? To some, appearance was everything. Look at his host for the evening, a prime example of a publicity seeker if there ever was one.
Sam was finally at the front of the line where he had a nice, unexpected surprise. One of the employees checking names and providing security for the evening, was none other than Tyrone, the bouncer who had let him into the club where he’d first scoped out James. Sam waited until Tyrone looked up from his clipboard, then he smiled and stuck out his hand.
“Hey man, nice to see you here,” Sam greeted him.
Tyrone looked a little taken back that a guest would talk to him let alone offer to shake his hand. When he finally met Sam’s gaze, recognition dawned in his own deep brown eyes. “Nice to see you again, sir,” his bass voice rumbled. “If you need anything this evening, you come find me. I’ll take care of you,” he promised Sam.
Sam nodded his head and when he withdrew his hand from Tyrone’s ham-sized paw, the hundred dollar bill that had been discretely hidden there was gone. Sam always hedged his bets, and he just might need Tyrone’s help before this night was over.
The lighting in the club was dim, allowing for an ambience of discretion, as Sam made his way inside. He was met by a tall, good-looking, young man who asked Sam if he could show him to his seat. Sam gave him James’ name, and was led to a table situated right up front and to the left of a small, raised platform. It had a podium and a mike on it, from which Sam expected his host would be speaking when the festivities began. His guide motioned to a chair at the table which would allow Sam a good view of all the activities going on inside the club. Sam tipped the young man and thanked him for his assistance.
He glanced around at the others already seated at the table, recognizing a few actors who had had some minor success in films. Unbuttoning his tux jacket, Sam took his seat. He made eye contact with his host, Jared James, mentally preparing himself for the upcoming evening. The game of cat and mouse had begun, but who was the cat and who was the mouse?.
“Mr. James,” Sam said as he rose out of his seat and extended his hand to James.
James hesitated a fraction of a second before he took the hand and shook it.
Sam had to hide his distaste, as James’ grip was wimpy and slightly damp. “Wus,” he thought.
James played dumb as he waited for Sam to regain his seat before he asked, “And you are?”
“Sam Barnhart,” Sam replied. “I received a message that I was to be your guest tonight at this opening. Some kind of lottery pick it seems, and I was one of the lucky winners. Right place, right time, I guess,” Sam told James as he made eye contact with the man.
“Oh yes,” James said in a friendly tone of voice that was more for the other guests at the table than Sam, “congratulations, we’re glad you could join us. The two locked eyes for a few seconds then James asked, “What do you think of the Snake Pit so far?”
Sam took his time as he let his eyes roam the room. It was too loud and pretentious for his taste, exactly the kind of place he would have avoided like the plague on a normal basis. “It’s great,” he lied convincingly. “Really great. I was very surprised to receive an invitation to the opening tonight. Before you told me about the lottery pick, I thought it might have been because you’d heard I was looking for a new investment opportunity while I was in town,” Sam told him. “Either way, I can’t tell you how honored I am to finally get to meet the Jared James. I’ve read and seen a lot about you in the media. You are a very important man in this country,” Sam said stoking James ego. He paused to give Jared a chance to speak. The sticky sweet tone of his own voice was beginning to gag him. He raised his glass of champagne and took a small sip trying to wash the foul taste it left from his tongue.
James looked closely at Sam. He was trying to figure out if the information Benny had given him could have been a mistake. Sam did not seem like a killer to him, and was showing no signs of being uncomfortable in his presence. In fact, he seemed to be rather in awe of the great Jared James. And rightly so, he decided sitting back in his own chair.
“Well now, Sam,” James said in a boastful tone, “it’s always a pleasure to meet a fan of mine. I don’t know much about you, but if you are looking for some place to lay some money, this little gem right here,” he said motioning his hand around the club, “would be a great place to place your bet.” Having made the offer, James sat back to see where the conversation would go.
Did Sam really have money, he contemplated. The report given to him had said nothing about his financial situation. James was always looking for good investors to boost his projects and self-image.
Sam smiled and looked eagerly at James. “You know,” he said in the same ass-kissing tone of voice, “that would be worth a look. To be in a business venture with you would be an honor.” James preened as Sam continued to pour on the syrup, “You’re bigger in real life than you appear on TV, and much younger looking also. I just can’t believe I’m at your table.” He shook his head as if he just couldn’t believe his good fortune, then told James, “I usually do all my business behind the scenes, but this seems like a great opportunity, right here and now.”
Jared’s gaze became a little keener, as if he was trying to decide if there was a double meaning behind the words Sam had just delivered. Did he mean that he was going to try to kill him right here, right now, tonight at this public event? Jared continued to look at the man across the table trying to read his expression. It seemed open and a bit awestruck to him. He had always prided himself on reading people and all he was getting were good vibes from this Sam Barnhart. Was Benny wrong?
“Well, Sammy, can I call you Sammy?” Jared asked
“Sure,” Sam replied thinking to himself that no one called him that and lived. “You can call me anything you want as long as it’s not late for dinner.” Both laughed falsely at the old joke.
At that moment James’ attention was drawn away as an older man approached the table and whispered in James’ ear. Nodding his head, James returned his attention to the table, focusing his attention on the other guests at the table. While he was preening for them like a peacock on parade, Sam watched him and made his own evaluations as to how much James knew. He had seen James look more closely at him when he’d dropped a hint to his intentions. Jared knew something, that was for sure. But what and how much? Sam decided it did not matter how much James suspected, the hit was a go.
For the next hour Sam and James sparred with each other, Jared trying to get information from Sam and Sam sucking up to James so much that he was sure he was going to have chapped lips the next day from all the time they spent on James’ ass. Sam thought it was kind of funny that no other unknown people, besides himself, had come up to James and thanked him for an invitation to the opening. So, he surmised, the lie about the promotion was just that, a lie to get him here and watch him. Maybe James was trying to put Sam at ease as he tried to reverse the tables.
The hour reached eleven as James rose from the table and stepped up to the podium. He was met there by the same older guy as before, and, after a brief conversation, the older man stepped up to the mike and turned it on.
“Good evening ladies, gentleman, and friends,” he smiled as he welcomed the audience. “We would like to welcome you to this special event tonight, the grand opening of the Snake Pit.” Applause came from around the room as all turned their attention to the spot lit platform. “I will personally guarantee that this will be a night you will never forget.” James eyes looked over the crowd, his eyes settling on Sam.
Amen, thought Sam, amen.