Complicity in Heels Read Online Free Page A

day-to-day operations. They included a chauffeur, chef, housekeeper, receptionist, groundskeeper, two waiters, and a front-house manager. Any additional services that were required usually were contracted out. With most of the staff working on Nikki’s “back on the block” party, today the Compound was abuzz with activity.
    The dining area was plastered with welcome back, nikki signs. Balloons and ceiling danglers hung from overhead, in sharp contrast with the room’s mahogany paneling and impressionistic art. Several guests had gathered over by the portable stage near the band. After four clicks from the drummer’s sticks, the cover band erupted into a smooth rendition of Katrina and the Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine.” The song’s upbeat tempo resonated throughout the hotel. Some began to dance, while other, more conservative onlookers, tapped their toes to the beat.
    Nikki entered the dining area, where she exchanged hugs and kisses with the eight-member Compound staff before being ushered over to Big Al.
    “Nicola,” the now-slim tailor greeted her, preferring to use the formal version of her name, even though it was in fact “Nicole.” “How’s the dress?”
    Nikki stared at Big Al’s physique in surprise. “Oh, wow, is that you?”
    “The one and only, darling.”
    “How much have you lost? You’re so tiny.”
    “A hundred and twenty pounds,” he answered proudly. “Gastric bypass.”
    “You look fantastic.” She reached out to where Big Al’s stomach used to be. He met her hand halfway then guided it toward his abdomen.
    “I have a couple more surgeries left to get rid of the excess skin.”
    Nikki smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be chiseled by next summer.”
    “For ten grand, I’d better be, even if they have to airbrush the muscle definition in.”
    The two laughed together and embraced. “Thank you for my dress, Al,” Nikki whispered. “I absolutely love it.”
    Big Al grinned. “Anything for you.”
    Nikki made her way through the crowd when Spence approached her from the side, grasped her hand, and escorted her up to the stage.
    “What’s going on?” she protested.
    The well-dressed criminal kept moving with her in tow. At the stage, Spence made eye contact with the band’s lead singer and gave her a nod. “Relax, Nikki. Just go with this.”
    The music trailed off to a few soft chords played in the background while several white-jacketed waiters served the crowd Pinot Noir in long-stemmed wineglasses.
    Spence walked onstage toward the lead singer, who handed him the microphone and stepped back. “It’s a delight to host this fun-loving group surrounding me today,” he announced. The crowd cheered in response. “Now for the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Put your hands together, and let’s welcome our colleague and friend, Nikki Frank.” Nikki stepped forward to the sound of thunderous applause. The chants of her name emboldened her step. She waved back to the crowd. “Nikki and I met skimming ATMs,” Spence continued. “She was a skilled, street-reputable skimmer, and I was a naïve criminal looking to expand his trade by learning the craft. Four years ago, we were caught tampering with a few cash machines. When the police moved in to make the bust, we split. Nikki was arrested and sent upstate. Today she stands before us a free woman.” The audience whistled and clapped. “Please join me in raising your glasses to celebrate her release.” A waiter on standby presented Spence with a glass of red wine, which he held in the air. He waited a moment for the crowd to do the same before continuing. “No greater sacrifice does a person make than to set aside a portion of his or her life for friends. For to sacrifice is to love. To the spirit of self-sacrifice! To Nikki Frank!” Spence emptied the glass of its contents then handed it back to the waiter.
    The lead guitarists played the opening chords to Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out.” The drummer and lead