The Secret Brokers Read Online Free

I’m sure you will enlighten me,” Dallas coolly replied .
    “Animals means bugs,” Cleveland illuminated. “And we both know how ya feel ‘bout insects. I’m just wonderin’ how’s ya gonna get near that woman without a can of Raid in ya hand.”
    Dallas shrugged. “I don’t like bugs. So what? It’s not going to interfere with my plans.”
    Cleveland laughed, a raucous deep bellow. “Man, do ya know what bein’ on a farm in Louisiana means? Everythin’ that can fly, creep, crawl, or walk will be out to eat ya skinny ass.”
    “It’s winter,” Dallas reasoned. “There are no bugs in winter.”
    Cleveland folded his arms over his chest. “There ain’t no winter in Louisiana, Dallas.”
    “I think I liked it better when you called me boss,” Dallas quipped.
    Cleveland ignored him, turned, and headed for the door. “I best be gettin’ to the store and buyin’ ya some Deep Woods Off and stuff, cause boy, ya gonna need it.”

Chapter 2
     
    As soon as Dallas stepped into the New Orleans International Airport terminal he could feel the change in temperature embrace him. Even when the rest of the country was being accosted by the brutal winds of winter, New Orleans still managed to stay balmy. He had left overcast skies and near freezing temperatures in New York, but as he made his way down Concourse B to the baggage claim area, Dallas had to remove his jacket and start rolling up his shirtsleeves . Slinging his overnight bag over his shoulder, he felt a slow smile spread across his lips. He was back in the city he had grown to love. Despite the outcome with Nicci, he still felt drawn to the quaint nonchalance of the people from the Big Easy. As he listened to a brass band strike up a familiar jazz tune from the end of the terminal corridor, he reflected on the adventures he had shared with Nicci in New Orleans. He had been through so many assignments, so many intrigues, but none had buried themselves as deep within his soul as the time he had spent in the Crescent City.
    As Dallas approached the end of the terminal, he immediately spotted a familiar face.
    “Dallas!” a tall, older man, dressed in an expensive dark suit, called as he held his arms out to him.
    Dallas walked over to Lance Beauvoir and took the man’s hand. “I can’t believe Carl sent you!”
    “I volunteered,” Lance happily chirped as he grasped Dallas’s hand and gave a reassuring squeeze.
    Despite a lifetime of excess alcohol, five failed marriages, and a penchant for gambling, Lance Beauvoir always appeared to be the embodiment of youth. He had lived a reckless life by avoiding the family business, Beauvoir Scrap Metal, and had left all the responsibilities of family to his younger brother, Bill. His green eyes were always filled with a mischievous glint, and his underworld connections had saved Dallas from a wide variety of troubles.
    “I’ve already gotten your car.” Lance handed Dallas a set of keys. “I pulled it into the garage on the second floor, right in front of the elevators. It’s the Red Mercedes E550 Coupe. You can’t miss it.”
    Dallas put his overnight bag down on the floor as he took the keys from Lance “That’s kind of flashy for a handyman,” Dallas suggested.
    “Carl wanted to get you something that would impress Gwen. He didn’t want you driving up in some go-cart of a rental car.”
    Dallas eyed the keys in his hand. “I’ve gotten the impression from what little I could find on the woman that an expensive car would not impress her.”
    Lance winked. “She’s a woman; an expensive car will turn her on.” He patted Dallas on the shoulder and nodded to the stairs that led down to the baggage claim area. “Let’s go get your bags.”
    As the two men headed toward the stairwell, Dallas placed the overnight bag over his shoulder. “So, how is Bill these days?”
    Lance nodded. “Fine. He and Betty have settled down into a comfortable life together. Shame you couldn’t make it in for