Just for the heck of it, I'm sharing the first chapter of my novel with an insider's look at Las Vegas. The title comes from the Spanish meaning of Las Vegas - the green spot or oasis or springs. It's available at Amazon or you can get other links at my blog @ A Soldier's Stories
BLOOD IN THE MEADOWS
By: Dale Day
ONE
Okay, Lieutenant, whats this meet all about? Sergeant Veles asked.
Lieutenant Chambers of the North Las Vegas Police Department smiled as he looked at his subordinate.
Veles certainly didnt look like a cop. His clothes came from expensive boutiques to match expensive hand-made Italian loafers, a gaudy Rolex watch and enough gold to put King Tut to blame.
Were going to take down the group you told us about in The Tower. The Feds believe the guy behind the operation is the son of a big-time Colombian Drug Lord, Chambers responded.
Ah shit! Veles muttered. The Feds re involved. Thatll really fuck things up.
Relax, Sergeant, their local head guy is a Pro. Carusos an ex-Special Ops type and knows what hes doing.
Sergio shrugged. He continually scanned the room, hoping like hell that the meeting wasnt blowing his cover.
Relax. Nobodyll see us back here. This areas reserved.
After a brief pause. Chambers said, Weve been told to bring the head guy out alive. Hes the son of a big-shot Drug Lord in Colombia.
I dont care who the hell he is! Veles growled. The son of a bitch is raping a twelve-year-old girl night and day. Shes being doped up and kept a prisoner in that fucking suite and I want to see the mother fucker eat some of the rug in there.
Well, Sarge, I agree completely. However, the Feds want him alive. They believe they can get some vital Intel out of him.
Goddamned Feds got their heads up their ass. That bastard wont tell them anything.
Uh, how do you know about him abusing a little girl? Chambers asked.
Its all over the Hood, Veles replied. A lot of people are joking that such a big shot isnt man enough to satisfy a real woman and has to take on babies instead. His voice trembled with anger and disgust.
Chambers said nothing, sharing his subordinates rage.
Okay, so whatcha want from me? Veles asked.
The Lieutenant smiled. Knew I could count on you. He explained how they needed a recon so they could get some idea of what theyd be up against. Veles had been to the suite twice to buy smack and the occupants wouldnt be surprised if he returned.
Its a bad idea, Lieutenant.
Why is that?
Making a frontal assault on that place will only result in a body count. The guardsll fight to the death and, even if you capture Olegario, you wont learn anything from him.
Chambers stared at Veles for several minutes. Okay, out with it. You know something.
Only what Ive heard on the streets. The word is that, if you work for Olegario, he not only pays well but, if you go down fighting to protect his interests, your familial receive fifty grand for doing so.
Chambers whistled low. Wow. Thats a lot of dough. One hell of an incentive.
That aint all, Veles added. The other sides that if you rat out, you die. Not only you but your entire family.
Oh shit! Chambers paused. So, what do you suggest?
Hes been holed up in his suite for a week or so with the little girl. But, from experience, he wont stay there long. Hell tire of her and go hunting for something new in the Strip Clubs.
Veles paused. Or, hell scout around for some teenager to sate his hunger for a little while. He prefers Gringas but will accept Hispanas.
Veles added, If he cant find those, hell take a young Negra butll treat her badly.
\
Both men sat quietly for several minutes, thinking over their options.
` At last, Chambers asked, What do you suggest?
As I hear it, hes a High Roller. Word is he came here while attending Stanford and liked being the Playboy, tossing lots of his Daddys money around in the casinos and surrounding himself with babes. Before he goes boobie hunting, hell head for one of the casinos with a high limit room to gamble. Keep an eye on the place and, when he leaves, move in on him. Set up a DUI trap or something.
Wont that lead to a shootout in the streets? We cant let that happen?
I doubt it. Hell travel with two or three bodyguards and they wont be carrying anything but automatics. Besides, why would he put up a fight? He wont be carrying drugs or doing anything illegal.
Chambers sighed. Ill bring it up to the Feds and see what they say.
Veles could tell that Chambers lacked confidence in that option but would try anyway.
They left separately, Veles going out through the kitchen while Chambers paid the bill and walked out to his personal car. Even an unmarked police vehicle was too easy to spot.
Veles walked across the parking lot and Industrial to the small motel where hed parked his Jaguar sedan. He appreciated that the lieutenant had picked the truck stop on Blue Diamond Road near Interstate-15. It was highly unlikely that anyone who would recognize him hung around there.
Sergio had operated undercover for three years, working the seedy side of town. He personally didnt care whether people used drugs. It was their choice and, if they wanted to ruin their lives and the lives of those around them, it was their choice. However, dealing was against the law and, when hed graduated from the Police Academy, hed sworn to uphold and protect the law. He had also seen his share of lives ruined by drugs.
It did not take that long for Veles to reach the new high-rise condominium in the newer part of North Las Vegas. Homes had filled the northern part of the valley, even including a new casino that would soon be built. Las Vegas, like most Southwest cities, sprawled from mountain to mountain; a far cry from the small railroad watering stop of a hundred years earlier.
The security guard at the basement entrance opened the gate without hesitation. He remembered the Jag from previous visits.
Veles pulled into a visitors space and checked his appearance before walking to the elevators.
Whatcha want, Flash? the Hispanic guard answering the door to the condominium growled.
I got cash and you got the goods, Veles replied, flashing a big smile.
The goon didnt appreciate the humor and simply moved aside to allow the customer into the suite.
Veles kept up the façade but did his best to refresh his memory about the layout of the suite and the personnel inside. The crew leader welcomed him, grinning when Veles handed over two five thousand dollars stacks of hundred dollar bills.
Nice to have such a flush customer, he said with a thick Spanish accent. Have a seat and my man will get your product.
Veles accepted the proffered Margarita but turned down the offer of a snort. Never use the stuff, he explained. Its a nasty habit.
The crew leader chuckled. I do not either. But, it certainly makes life easier.
Veles tried to spot the so-called Person of Interest but he was nowhere to be seen. Veles guessed that he was holed up in the master suite with the little girl.
The suites furnishings spoke of money. Real paintings and not prints. The latest fashions. But, the slobs living in it ruined it with garbage, trash and the remains of delivered foods strewn around. The cleaning crew would have lots of work.
Shit! Maybe thats the answer. Set up the raid using the cover of the cleaning crew. Veles would suggest that to Chambers as soon as he saw him again.
The occupants wore expensive clothes and jewelry but couldnt be mistaken for anything but low-grade soldiers. Most didnt speak English, their accents speaking of a variety of national origins. In addition, their clothes were wrinkled and spattered with food stains.
But, there was no mistaking their submachine pistols and automatics openly carried by all in the room.
There were two sides to the suite. To the left was an area that included the dining room, kitchen and the maintenance areas. Two doors to the right, widely spaced, led Veles to believe those were the bedroom suites. The large floor-to-ceiling windows served as sliding doors leading out onto a wide balcony with a spectacular view of Downtown and The Strip.
One of the goons went to the one to the far right to retrieve the coke and Veles guessed the Olegario guy was in the other.
Salsa blared from the expensive entertainment center but Veles noticed the way one of the soldiers kept glancing at the master suite with pain and deep anger on his face.
What in the hells that all about? Veles asked himself. He studied the guy and saw the way he winced as if hearing something that really caused him agony.
Is he somehow connected to the little girl the boss man has stashed away and is sexually abusing?
Veles completed the sale, shaking hands before taking the suitcase filled with coke. He didnt even bother to test the product as doing so would be a sign of mistrust and could cost him his life.
Veles drove around an hour to make certain he wasnt being followed before leaving the valley, heading north on U.S. 95 to Indian Springs.
So, how did it go?
Veles handed the suitcase to the lieutenant and shrugged. Chambers locked the suitcase in the trunk of his car and they went into the truck stop.
The waitress waved them through to a closed-off area used for small groups. A single individual waited at a table with Fed written all over him. He wore a cheap, gray suit from the Mens Wearhouse, sensible, thick-soled shoes and a passé hat from the Fifties.
Chambers introduced Veles to him.
Im Special Agent Caruso, Sergeant. Sit down and give us a rundown.
Veles spent the next thirty minutes providing a detailed analysis of the suite and the personnel in it. Caruso provided paper and Veles drew a floor plan including the placement of the furniture and even the paintings on the wall.
You have an outstanding memory, Sergeant.
Ever since I was a kid. My family wanted me to go to school to get an Arts degree. He didnt bother to explain why hed taken courses leading him to the Police Academy and the Fed didnt ask.
So, what now? Veles asked.
Nothing for you, Chambers responded. Well take it from here. We dont want to put your cover in jeopardy.
Youre not going to take my advice? he asked the lieutenant.
Too risky, the Fed quickly interjected. We know where he is and dont want him to escape our net.
Well then, how about this? Veles quickly outlined his idea of using the cleaning crew as a cover for getting agents inside before the raid. That might give you a good chance of grabbing the SOB without gunfire.
Caruso said hed think it over. Ill see what my Ops guy has to say.
Veles had a hunch the Fed wasnt going to take his advice and internally shrugged it off, thanked his superior and wryly saluted the Fed as he lef
Your man is very observant.
Chambers replied, Hes been under over two years now and Im tempted to bring him out.
Know how you feel. Ive got one under whos been there for three. At least hes not married although got a girlfriend. Yours?
Married. Goes home regularly but kinda hard on his family, as he cant tell them what hes doing. At least shes Hispanic and agrees with what hes doing.
The two men then spent some time going over the information Veles supplied.
BLOOD IN THE MEADOWS
By: Dale Day
ONE
Okay, Lieutenant, whats this meet all about? Sergeant Veles asked.
Lieutenant Chambers of the North Las Vegas Police Department smiled as he looked at his subordinate.
Veles certainly didnt look like a cop. His clothes came from expensive boutiques to match expensive hand-made Italian loafers, a gaudy Rolex watch and enough gold to put King Tut to blame.
Were going to take down the group you told us about in The Tower. The Feds believe the guy behind the operation is the son of a big-time Colombian Drug Lord, Chambers responded.
Ah shit! Veles muttered. The Feds re involved. Thatll really fuck things up.
Relax, Sergeant, their local head guy is a Pro. Carusos an ex-Special Ops type and knows what hes doing.
Sergio shrugged. He continually scanned the room, hoping like hell that the meeting wasnt blowing his cover.
Relax. Nobodyll see us back here. This areas reserved.
After a brief pause. Chambers said, Weve been told to bring the head guy out alive. Hes the son of a big-shot Drug Lord in Colombia.
I dont care who the hell he is! Veles growled. The son of a bitch is raping a twelve-year-old girl night and day. Shes being doped up and kept a prisoner in that fucking suite and I want to see the mother fucker eat some of the rug in there.
Well, Sarge, I agree completely. However, the Feds want him alive. They believe they can get some vital Intel out of him.
Goddamned Feds got their heads up their ass. That bastard wont tell them anything.
Uh, how do you know about him abusing a little girl? Chambers asked.
Its all over the Hood, Veles replied. A lot of people are joking that such a big shot isnt man enough to satisfy a real woman and has to take on babies instead. His voice trembled with anger and disgust.
Chambers said nothing, sharing his subordinates rage.
Okay, so whatcha want from me? Veles asked.
The Lieutenant smiled. Knew I could count on you. He explained how they needed a recon so they could get some idea of what theyd be up against. Veles had been to the suite twice to buy smack and the occupants wouldnt be surprised if he returned.
Its a bad idea, Lieutenant.
Why is that?
Making a frontal assault on that place will only result in a body count. The guardsll fight to the death and, even if you capture Olegario, you wont learn anything from him.
Chambers stared at Veles for several minutes. Okay, out with it. You know something.
Only what Ive heard on the streets. The word is that, if you work for Olegario, he not only pays well but, if you go down fighting to protect his interests, your familial receive fifty grand for doing so.
Chambers whistled low. Wow. Thats a lot of dough. One hell of an incentive.
That aint all, Veles added. The other sides that if you rat out, you die. Not only you but your entire family.
Oh shit! Chambers paused. So, what do you suggest?
Hes been holed up in his suite for a week or so with the little girl. But, from experience, he wont stay there long. Hell tire of her and go hunting for something new in the Strip Clubs.
Veles paused. Or, hell scout around for some teenager to sate his hunger for a little while. He prefers Gringas but will accept Hispanas.
Veles added, If he cant find those, hell take a young Negra butll treat her badly.
\
Both men sat quietly for several minutes, thinking over their options.
` At last, Chambers asked, What do you suggest?
As I hear it, hes a High Roller. Word is he came here while attending Stanford and liked being the Playboy, tossing lots of his Daddys money around in the casinos and surrounding himself with babes. Before he goes boobie hunting, hell head for one of the casinos with a high limit room to gamble. Keep an eye on the place and, when he leaves, move in on him. Set up a DUI trap or something.
Wont that lead to a shootout in the streets? We cant let that happen?
I doubt it. Hell travel with two or three bodyguards and they wont be carrying anything but automatics. Besides, why would he put up a fight? He wont be carrying drugs or doing anything illegal.
Chambers sighed. Ill bring it up to the Feds and see what they say.
Veles could tell that Chambers lacked confidence in that option but would try anyway.
They left separately, Veles going out through the kitchen while Chambers paid the bill and walked out to his personal car. Even an unmarked police vehicle was too easy to spot.
Veles walked across the parking lot and Industrial to the small motel where hed parked his Jaguar sedan. He appreciated that the lieutenant had picked the truck stop on Blue Diamond Road near Interstate-15. It was highly unlikely that anyone who would recognize him hung around there.
Sergio had operated undercover for three years, working the seedy side of town. He personally didnt care whether people used drugs. It was their choice and, if they wanted to ruin their lives and the lives of those around them, it was their choice. However, dealing was against the law and, when hed graduated from the Police Academy, hed sworn to uphold and protect the law. He had also seen his share of lives ruined by drugs.
It did not take that long for Veles to reach the new high-rise condominium in the newer part of North Las Vegas. Homes had filled the northern part of the valley, even including a new casino that would soon be built. Las Vegas, like most Southwest cities, sprawled from mountain to mountain; a far cry from the small railroad watering stop of a hundred years earlier.
The security guard at the basement entrance opened the gate without hesitation. He remembered the Jag from previous visits.
Veles pulled into a visitors space and checked his appearance before walking to the elevators.
Whatcha want, Flash? the Hispanic guard answering the door to the condominium growled.
I got cash and you got the goods, Veles replied, flashing a big smile.
The goon didnt appreciate the humor and simply moved aside to allow the customer into the suite.
Veles kept up the façade but did his best to refresh his memory about the layout of the suite and the personnel inside. The crew leader welcomed him, grinning when Veles handed over two five thousand dollars stacks of hundred dollar bills.
Nice to have such a flush customer, he said with a thick Spanish accent. Have a seat and my man will get your product.
Veles accepted the proffered Margarita but turned down the offer of a snort. Never use the stuff, he explained. Its a nasty habit.
The crew leader chuckled. I do not either. But, it certainly makes life easier.
Veles tried to spot the so-called Person of Interest but he was nowhere to be seen. Veles guessed that he was holed up in the master suite with the little girl.
The suites furnishings spoke of money. Real paintings and not prints. The latest fashions. But, the slobs living in it ruined it with garbage, trash and the remains of delivered foods strewn around. The cleaning crew would have lots of work.
Shit! Maybe thats the answer. Set up the raid using the cover of the cleaning crew. Veles would suggest that to Chambers as soon as he saw him again.
The occupants wore expensive clothes and jewelry but couldnt be mistaken for anything but low-grade soldiers. Most didnt speak English, their accents speaking of a variety of national origins. In addition, their clothes were wrinkled and spattered with food stains.
But, there was no mistaking their submachine pistols and automatics openly carried by all in the room.
There were two sides to the suite. To the left was an area that included the dining room, kitchen and the maintenance areas. Two doors to the right, widely spaced, led Veles to believe those were the bedroom suites. The large floor-to-ceiling windows served as sliding doors leading out onto a wide balcony with a spectacular view of Downtown and The Strip.
One of the goons went to the one to the far right to retrieve the coke and Veles guessed the Olegario guy was in the other.
Salsa blared from the expensive entertainment center but Veles noticed the way one of the soldiers kept glancing at the master suite with pain and deep anger on his face.
What in the hells that all about? Veles asked himself. He studied the guy and saw the way he winced as if hearing something that really caused him agony.
Is he somehow connected to the little girl the boss man has stashed away and is sexually abusing?
Veles completed the sale, shaking hands before taking the suitcase filled with coke. He didnt even bother to test the product as doing so would be a sign of mistrust and could cost him his life.
Veles drove around an hour to make certain he wasnt being followed before leaving the valley, heading north on U.S. 95 to Indian Springs.
So, how did it go?
Veles handed the suitcase to the lieutenant and shrugged. Chambers locked the suitcase in the trunk of his car and they went into the truck stop.
The waitress waved them through to a closed-off area used for small groups. A single individual waited at a table with Fed written all over him. He wore a cheap, gray suit from the Mens Wearhouse, sensible, thick-soled shoes and a passé hat from the Fifties.
Chambers introduced Veles to him.
Im Special Agent Caruso, Sergeant. Sit down and give us a rundown.
Veles spent the next thirty minutes providing a detailed analysis of the suite and the personnel in it. Caruso provided paper and Veles drew a floor plan including the placement of the furniture and even the paintings on the wall.
You have an outstanding memory, Sergeant.
Ever since I was a kid. My family wanted me to go to school to get an Arts degree. He didnt bother to explain why hed taken courses leading him to the Police Academy and the Fed didnt ask.
So, what now? Veles asked.
Nothing for you, Chambers responded. Well take it from here. We dont want to put your cover in jeopardy.
Youre not going to take my advice? he asked the lieutenant.
Too risky, the Fed quickly interjected. We know where he is and dont want him to escape our net.
Well then, how about this? Veles quickly outlined his idea of using the cleaning crew as a cover for getting agents inside before the raid. That might give you a good chance of grabbing the SOB without gunfire.
Caruso said hed think it over. Ill see what my Ops guy has to say.
Veles had a hunch the Fed wasnt going to take his advice and internally shrugged it off, thanked his superior and wryly saluted the Fed as he lef
Your man is very observant.
Chambers replied, Hes been under over two years now and Im tempted to bring him out.
Know how you feel. Ive got one under whos been there for three. At least hes not married although got a girlfriend. Yours?
Married. Goes home regularly but kinda hard on his family, as he cant tell them what hes doing. At least shes Hispanic and agrees with what hes doing.
The two men then spent some time going over the information Veles supplied.
