Paradise Burns Read Online Free Page A

Main
Street met 9 th Avenue. I crossed over and turned right, which
according to the information I had would lead me to Cannon Plaza, where Jackson
was currently in a meeting. The plaza had a large fountain in the center and
lots of people walking across it in every direction.
    He was in the building at the far end. It
was a tall, unmarked, dark glass structure, easily twenty floors high,
overlooking the plaza. I fought my way through the bustle of people and sat on
the edge of the fountain facing east, so that the entrance to the building was
on my left, about fifty feet away.
    Next to me, on my left, there was a
young woman with a new-born child in a baby buggy. I’ve never been a
particularly broody guy, and children haven’t really been on my radar at all
since I lost my daughter. But I have to admit, it was one cute little kid.
Couldn’t have been more than eight months old. It had a bubble of spit on its
lips, and these big, wide brown eyes, that looked around in awe at everything.
It was nice to see that true innocence still existed in this world.
    I turned my attention back to the
building, looking out for Jackson. I didn’t have to wait there long before he
walked out. As in the photograph, Jackson looked ever the businessmen. He was
in his late forties, and dressed in an expensive gray suit. He had his phone in
his right hand, and he was talking hurriedly into it. In his left hand was a
brown, leather briefcase. What struck me as odd right away was that it was
handcuffed to him. You don’t normally see that kind of security measure on
everyday people. I’m a details guy, and I question everything. Sometimes the
smallest detail can have the largest impact. I shelved the observation for now,
and made a mental note to ask Josh to work his magic and look into it for me
later.
    He was walking fast, like he was running
late for something. It looked like he was alone, so I went to get up and follow
him, but something caught my eye just behind him that made me sit back down. At
first, you wouldn’t have associated one thing with the other, but with my
professional eye, I realized that he wasn’t alone. He had a bodyguard with him,
walking a couple of paces behind, at roughly the same speed.
    And she was beautiful.

 
    FIVE
     
    She was dressed
head to toe in leather - fitted pants and vest top. I briefly wondered how she
managed to walk around in this heat dressed like that. But I didn’t dwell too
much on it. She also had a long, leather trench coat on, that came down to her
shins. She had dark sunglasses on, and the brightest red lipstick I’ve ever
seen. Her dyed-blonde hair rested on her shoulders, and bounced as she walked, purposefully,
never taking her eyes off Jackson. She had an amazing body, and long legs.
Because her clothes were so tight, you could see the definition of her arms and
legs. She was in very good shape.
    After the initial shock of seeing
someone who could easily be a model, dressed like an extra from The Matrix, guarding the guy I’ve just been paid to kill, I quickly took my phone out and
discreetly snapped a couple of pictures of the two of them. I sent them to
Josh, then put my Bluetooth earpiece in and rang him as I set off walking after
Jackson and his mystery woman.
    ‘Josh, it’s me. Have you got the
pictures I just sent you?’ I said, as I negotiated my way through the crowds,
trying to keep sight of my target.
    ‘I sure have,’ he replied, laughing to
himself. ‘Who’s the stripper?’
    ‘That’s what I want you to find out. She’s
Jackson’s bodyguard. And as much as I’m sure you’d love to find out she
actually was a stripper, trust me - she’s all business. Definitely a
pro. Find out all you can about her, as well as Jackson, and why he hired her
for protection. Also, dig up what you can on Pellaggio, would you? The game’s just
got interesting, and I want to know about all the players on the field.’
    ‘Leave it with me, Bossman,’ he said
before hanging