Ian's Ultimate Gamble - Brenda Jackson [56]
Ian knew he didn't have to ask if their security men were in place. What the two intruders didn't know was that once they entered the vault, they would trigger a mechanism that would lock them inside.
He decided to move away from Brooke. Her scent was playing havoc with his mind and had aroused him to a high degree. He walked over to stand beside Dare, who was watching the activity on the monitor intently. Just as Ian knew this was not the time and place to kiss Brooke, he also knew it wasn't the time and place to thank his cousin for taking him to task, making him realize what a jewel he had in Brooke.
"See that wristwatch blondie is wearing," Brooke said, indicating the blond woman who was standing with her husband and chatting with one of the casino workers. "It's my guess it relays signals to and from the two who are working the vault. If something goes wrong she'll be the first to know."
"And my men will be ready if they try anything." Vance said. "All eyes are on them. In fact the woman that blondie is being so chatty with is one of my top people. She's pretending to be a casino worker tonight."
Ian shook his head. "Damn, Vance, you thought of everything." Vance laughed. "That's why you pay me the big bucks."
They watched as the vault door opened. The kicker to the trap was to make sure both women went inside the vault. To make sure they did, Vance's team had put fake jewels in a big box that would require both of the women to lift it to stuff the jewels into the black felt bags they were earning.
The plan worked. The moment both women were inside, the door slammed shut behind them. Everyone switched their gazes from that monitor to the one of the casino. And just as Brooke predicted, they read the look of panic on blondie's face when she received a signal from her sisters that something was wrong.
They watched as the woman leaned over and whispered into her husband's ear, not knowing her every word was being picked up. "Something went wrong. I got a distress signal from Jodie and Kay." The couple turned, no doubt to make their great escape, and barged right into several security men who were waiting to arrest them.
Vance grinned and said. "Those two are taken care of, so let's go meet and greet the other two."
Two hours later Ian's office was swarming with the local FBI and the news media. Everyone wanted to know how Ian's security team had been able to pull off what no law officials could— finally end the reign of the Waterloo Gang.
"I have to credit an off-duty FBI agent who just happened to be vacationing at the Rolling Cascade," Ian said into the microphone that was shoved in his face. "This agent was alert enough to notice something about one of the women that raised her suspicions. She brought it to me and my security manager's attention. Had she not, we would have suffered a huge loss here tonight. I'm sure Prince Yasir is most appreciative."
Ian glanced around, but he didn't see Brooke anywhere and figured with all that had gone down, she was probably in one of the lounges getting a much-needed drink. "I also have to thank my cousin. Sheriff Dare Westmoreland, who just happens to be visiting from Atlanta. He helped us figure things out."
Ian then glanced over at Vance and grinned. "And of course I have to credit the Rolling Cascade's security team for making sure we had everything in place to nab the Waterloo Gang and to obtain the evidence we need to make sure they serve time behind bars. The entire thing was captured on film. We have handed the tapes over to the local FBI."
Ian checked his watch. It was almost two in the morning. More than anything he wanted to find Brooke, talk to her, beg her forgiveness, kiss her. make love to her...
"Mr. Westmoreland, were you surprised the Waterloo Gang was triplets?"
"Yes." And that was the last question he was going to answer tonight. He needed to see Brooke. "If