Wine and Roses Read Online Free Page A

person you saw. Then move on to other features hair color, length, etc. Then on the next page we’ll move on to the various features in the face like shapes, nose, and eyes, and then into facial coloring. If you can identify his build we can add that, too.”
    She shifted the laptop and glanced at the images on the screen. “Oh, I get it. Sorta like creating an avatar. Cool. And at the end it will come up with a picture of the guy?” she asked.
    “That’s what we hope,” the detective said.
    She worked silently for a few minutes to get the hang of the software then another several minutes creating an image. But at all times very aware of both men in the room watching her from either side.
    “There,” she finally said. “That’s him. That’s the guy.”
    “Are you sure?” Simon asked.
    Something in the way he asked the question had her turn toward him. “Yes, positive. Why?”
    “Just that he looks familiar.”
    Eboni couldn’t hide her shock. “You know him?”
    “I think so. Looks a lot like Len Bennis, a mercenary.”
    “Hmm, may I?” Detective Jackson asked before reaching for the laptop.
    “Oh, of course.” She lifted it off the table tray to hand it to him.
    The detective took the laptop and typed something then turned the laptop so she could see the photograph he pulled up. “Is this the man you saw?”
    “My God! That is him!”
    “Are you sure?” Jackson asked again.
    After she nodded, the detective moved the screen back to himself. “Okay, if you’ll excuse me for a moment I need to make a few calls. I’ll be right back.” He turned with the laptop in hand toward the door. Simon followed behind him. “I’ll be back,” he said, closing the door after them.
     
    ***
     
    Jackson walked over to the end of the nurse’s station placed the laptop down. “Okay, what’s the deal?” Simon asked.
    “If you know this guy then you probably already know.”
    “All I know is he’s former military, a hired gun, and a real asshole.”
    Jackson looked at the screen. “You didn’t hear this from me, but I know you have access to it. Lenard Gary Bennis, ex-military. Honorable discharge. Seems to have a string of jobs as bodyguard to some interesting people on the FBI watch list. Suspected for years to be involved with questionable activities, one involved a shooting of an American in Jerusalem involved in sensitive talks, another a diplomat, a courier for the Saudi government. The authorities found the courier dead in the bathroom of a plane this Bennis guy happened to be on. The coroner ruled it death by natural causes but the information the courier carried was never found. This guy’s name comes up in connection with two more deaths of foreign nationals in suspicious manners, but he’s never been held for anything. He also conveniently leaves the country at just the right time. So far he’s never been touched. About a year ago, he disappeared off the grid.”
    “Can you find out the name of his last employer?” Simon asked.
    “Not sure. But I’ll make a few calls.”
    “So will I. I might be able to find out faster. I’ll pass it along.”
    “How do you know this guy?”
    “He was the head of security for a corporate exec a few years ago, and we butted heads. My agency ended up taking over the security job. I didn’t like him then, and now I’m glad.”
    “This means we might finally be able to pin something on this bastard,” the detective said.
    “It also means Eboni is in danger.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m taking care of that.” Jackson pulled out his phone and moved away from Simon, who frowned at the detective’s back. He returned to Eboni’s room.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    “I’m…a witness aren’t I? Am I in danger?” she asked Simon as soon as he opened the door. She’d been scared before, knowing she’d witnessed a murder, but the police presence at the hospital and Simon put her at ease. The fact Simon recognized the guy and both the detective and