Home Free - Fern Michaels [100]
“Don’t call me a weasel, you slimeball. I told them everything. Don’t try playing innocent, because I know Span told you everything. These women are the vigilantes, and they don’t take prisoners. Everyone in the damn world knows that.”
Nikki had the two laptops open and was typing furiously. She looked up a moment later and confirmed, “He was telling the truth about his password.”
“Must be your lucky day, you piece of crap,” Alexis said, lowering the KA-BAR to her side. “Okay, Mr. Parker, you’re up. Give us your password, and I won’t peel the skin off your face. They say vinegar burns like hell.”
“No way am I giving you my password! If you’re so damn smart, figure it out.”
“Now you see, there’s a problem there. We really don’t have time for fun and games. Either you give it up now, or you both get a facial peel. Your choice,” Isabelle said.
Alexis looked over at Orzell. “This might be a good time for you to tell your buddy here that the game is over, and if he doesn’t cough up the password, you both get the peel, and he goes first.”
“Parker, give it up, for God’s sake. There’s no way either one of us can win this. Besides, you’re a damn crook, bilking people out of money just like that scum Madoff.”
“And aren’t you the lily-white little weasel.”
“No, I’m not a lily-white weasel. I’m guilty just the way you’re guilty. At least I had the good sense to own up to it. Look at them, for Christ’s sake. They have blood in their eyes. They won’t blink if they start skinning you. The president pardoned them, and here they are, doing what they did before the pardon, so that means the president knows about it. She’s looking the other way, you stupid clod.”
For the first time, Parker looked unsure of himself. “Okay, let’s cut a deal here. I tell you the password, and you let me walk out of here.”
The women doubled over laughing. “Sweetie, you aren’t going anywhere except where we send you. We closed up your office. You are officially out of business and have left the country. We’re going to give your clients back all their money, plus a little extra for being stupid enough to get involved with you,” Annie said.
Alexis walked behind Parker’s chair, grabbed a handful of hair, and yanked his head back. “On the count of three, I’m going to slice off the top of your scalp, roots, skin, and all, if you don’t give up the password. One! Two!”
“Okay, okay! It’s Rich.”
Nikki looked up. “That’s stupid. I would have guessed that right away. What’s the password for your client list?”
Alexis gave Parker’s head another jerk backward, the tip of the KA-BAR digging into his skull. “Fools. As in plural.”
“Look who’s the fool now,” Nikki said as she typed in the passwords. “Well, lookie here! This sure is a lot of money just sitting there. Let’s see, how should I divert it? I think I’m going to need more time to decide what I want to do with it. You, too, Orzell. Now tell me where that really big fund is, Mr. Orzell, and the name of it and how you work it.”
“It’s all in a file named Rose of Sharon. It was my mother’s favorite flower. Everything is in the file, the brokerage houses, the account numbers, the offshore money, all of it. You aren’t going to take my personal money, are you? My parents and my friend Joel left me an inheritance. You can’t take that!”
“Oh, you silly, silly man, of course we’re going to take it. Where you’re going, you aren’t going to need money. I’m going to print out some quitclaim deeds you’re going to sign so your properties become ours. We are going to have such a good time spending your money. Yours, too, Parker,” Nikki said.
Nikki turned to Jack and said, “Go into his office and hook up his printer. I’m going to download the deeds. Alexis is a notary, and I’m sure she has her seal in her red bag.”
“You’re thieves!” Parker spat.
“Yes, we are,” Nikki said agreeably. “Rich thieves,” she clarified.
Jason Parker sprang off his chair and lunged at Nikki. Harry moved quicker than lightning, and the next thing they knew, Jason Parker was out cold across the room.
Owen Orzell