sleep was elusive, and the few times I nodded off the nightmares were

  worse than my pounding head. It was hard to imagine I was about to

  meet the evil Novak. I got out of bed around five o’clock. even a long

  hot shower didn’t help much.

  I managed some coffee and sourdough toast with a surprisingly

  talkative Debbie and, before long, my motley crew was buckled safely

  in Walter's plane, ready for Dallas. After take-off the pilot let Debbie

  come up front, exciting her to no end, and saving me from begging

  her to be quiet. Maggie knew my moods well enough to let me be, and

  I used the quiet time to try to will my headache away.

  Sooner than I had hoped, we were on the ground and on our way

  to the Ritz with a friend of Clovis’s, who had helped him iron out the

  day’s details.

  Now Debbie sat quietly in the back seat, twisting her scarf nervously

  through her fingers.

  “Debbie, I’m sorry. Are you still okay with this? I know you must be

  scared, at least a little.”

  “Well, a little. But I’m okay. Maggie and I had a long talk last night.

  She’s a very good listener. Novak will try to mess with my head, that’s his

  way. But I’ve heard it before, and this time I’m ready. But you and Clovis

  need to be ready, too. He won’t threaten us, and I don’t think we’re in

  any kind of physical danger, but he loves playing mind games.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 181

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  182

  w e b b h u b b e l l

  We stepped out of the car and into the elegant tasteful lobby of the

  Ritz. I spotted Novak easily, slouching carelessly in an overstuffed chair.

  A surly bodyguard paced behind him. Novak looked nothing like my

  preconceived image of a Russian gangster. Thinning brown hair, slight

  build, pencil neck, and no bling or earrings. He stood a little less than

  six feet, wore a tailored business suit and Italian shoes.

  I reached out to shake his hand, but his bodyguard stepped between

  us and grunted, “First, you’re searched.” His accent was straight out of

  the movies. We went to a small private room where we’d agreed to be

  checked for recording devices and weapons. After the door was shut,

  Novak’s bodyguard pointed to me.

  “Take off all your clothes.”

  This had not been part of the agreement.

  Clovis spoke strongly. “He will not. This isn’t a prison–hell, it’s not

  even an airport. And what about Debbie? She’s not going to take her

  clothes off in front of you or him.” Novak remained silent. So this was

  one of his mind games.

  “Take off clothes or no meeting.” I was sure the bodyguard could

  speak better english, but he played his part well. I looked coldly at

  Novak and was turning to walk away, when Debbie unexpectedly

  pulled up her sweater.

  Clovis said hoarsely, “What are you doing?”

  Debbie responded with a bored shrug. “He’s seen it all before. I

  don’t mind if you don’t. I’m not ashamed.” Her sweater was off and on

  the floor, and she had started to unbutton her jeans when we heard:

  “Stop. This is not necessary.”

  Debbie stood up straight, her well-rounded breasts directed

  squarely at Novak, almost a challenge.

  “Put your sweater back on,” he said brusquely. Debbie didn’t move.

  Who was playing mind games now?

  “Please, Ms. Kotrova. My apologies. This is not necessary.” He

  turned to the guard, giving him a hard stare. I took the hand he

  offered me, a little gingerly, I admit.

  “My apologies, Mr. Patterson. Yuri takes his job very seriously. let us

  go into the dining room, have a little lunch, and talk.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 182

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  183

  Clovis was supposed to frisk Novak, but he had the good sense not

  to act. Debbie pulled on her sweater and we followed Novak, leaving

  Clovis and the bodyguard in the lobby.

  “Please, call me Jack. What should I call you?”

  Debbie replied for him. “His Christian name is Alexander Novak.

  He once told me that only his enemies called him Novak. His friends

  call him Alex.”

  Novak looked at Debbie in surprise. “You remember.”

  “I remember.” Her tone was nonchalant, the words almost toss-

  away. I wondered . . . but Alex’s voice brought me back to reality.

  “Please call me Alex. We are hardly enemies; I owe you a great deal.

  But first, let us drink together. I understand you appreciate good

  wine. I’ve asked the maître’d for something special. If his choices

  don’t meet with your approval, please ask for whatever you like.”

  Debbie had told me to expect this type of hospitality, but I certainly

  wasn’t expecting the excellent French Bordeaux or the Flora Springs

  Chardonnay the waiter was carefully uncorking. “Alex” seemed

  pleased, and I wasn’t paying for it, so why not enjoy the wine and go

  with the flow? We started with the Chardonnay. He spoke to Debbie in

  what I assumed was Russian, but she interrupted.

  “Alex, we should talk in english. Jack must know everything that is

  said.” Again, Debbie didn’t seem to be intimidated. But as Novak lifted

  the wine bottle, I saw her swallow and look away for just a second.

  He lifted his glass and said “My apologies. I haven’t had the plea-

  sure of Debbie’s company in some time. It’s my nature to compliment

  her, but she rightfully reminds me why we are here.”

  I raised mine to Debbie. “Debbie can indeed be a distraction, a

  very pleasant one. I wish we were here only to enjoy her company,

  outstanding wine, and a good meal. But, that’s not the case. I hope

  you won’t mind if I’m direct. You claim you’re not responsible for the

  attacks on Ms. lawrence or me and that someone is trying to frame

  you. Frankly, I hope that’s true.

  “The person who tried to kill me goes by the name of Moira Kostov,

  surely not her real name. Sam Pagano thinks you hired her. I don’t. Why

  would you? You have the means to order an execution without hiring

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 183

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  184

  w e b b h u b b e l l

  an outsider. Nor do I think one of your competitors tried to frame you.

  little Rock isn’t that big a market—sorry. I think the common denomi-

  nator is Doug Stewart, a chemistry professor at UAlR.”

  Novak regarded his glass with appreciation and took a generous

  sip. “Actually, her name really is Moira Kostov, although she’s used

  different names in the past. Moira is a professional assassin, a very

  dangerous woman, and she doesn’t come cheap. She’s in Rio now,

  but when she hears you are alive, she will be very unhappy, as will the

  person she works for, and his client. She will come back to finish the

  job. She has a reputation to protect—sorry.” He looked at me evenly.

  “Well, I admit I find that prospect somewhat troubling. All the

  more reason to figure out who’s behind all this.”

  Novak put his wine glass down abruptly. “When I find out who that

  person is, I will take care of that problem for you.”

  “Thanks, but I’d rather you didn’t. let me tell you what I think. You

  can tell me where I’m wrong.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “The Feds have pulled out all the stops when it comes to Doug

  Stewart—something not’s right. Micki saw it first. Growing fifty plants,

  even a hundred, is small potatoes. The Feds have more or less decided

  to leave marijuana alone. So, normal procedure—they would have

  turned the case over to the local prosecutor or done nothing. Instead,

  Blanchard is all over the airwaves gloating about a major drug bust

  and terrorism. At first, Micki thought he was grandstanding, but when

  they moved Dr. Stewart to oklahoma using the cover of national secu-

  rity, she knew something else was up.”

  Novak responded. “Dr. Stewart wasn’t dealing drugs in any big way.

  I would have known. I’ve never heard of the guy. I’ve asked around

  and nobody, I mean nobody, knows of a single person who bought

  weed or anything else from him. No one is looking for a new dealer

  since he was busted. I, of course, do not engage in the sale of illegal

  drugs.”

  “So I’ve been told.” Determined not to lose control, I allowed

  myself a swallow of the Flora Springs. It was a lovely wine, clean and

  almost effervescent.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 184

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  185

  “The events smack of smoke and mirrors, but Blanchard’s prosecu-

  tion of Doug Stewart is real enough. I told the court at what should

  have been his arraignment that Micki would act as lead counsel. Her

  reputation is to dig and dig deep. Someone decided he couldn’t risk

  her discovering what lies behind the smoke. They decided to kill her

  and frame you for the murder. everyone knows you have it in for

  Micki. You’re the perfect scapegoat.”

  “Do you really think the government would do such a thing to win

  a case?” Debbie asked.

  “No, I can’t go that far. No, it’s someone who stands to gain, big

  time and big bucks. I don’t see Dub and his gang hiring Moira. I

  mean, how would they have found her and how could they pay her?

  The same people who planned Micki’s abduction grabbed me after

  they realized I wasn’t going to walk away. Moira all but told me that.

  She also said you’d be the dupe again.”

  Novak cringed at the word “dupe.” He poured more wine just as

  the waiter delivered the first course. The crab cakes were superb, and

  we took a minute to appreciate them. The crab was fresh and suc-

  culent; the cakes contained only a hint of breadcrumbs. Novak was

  obviously thinking. After a few bites, he looked up.

  “Why would I want to kill Micki? How would I benefit?” He turned

  to Debbie, who shrank back a little. “You were special, Debbie, one

  of a kind. My customers miss you. I miss you, moy kotenok. You made

  me good money. The man who ruined you is, shall we say, no longer

  with us. But I’m not stupid. If I killed Micki, nothing would stop Sam

  Pagano until I was under his jail. It may surprise you, but I’m getting

  out of the business. I’ve learned you can steal more money legally in

  this country than you can make illegally, with far fewer complications.

  I’ll be totally out in a year. But I still have my sources. Moira’s con-

  tract didn’t originate in little Rock. She was placed in Detroit to do

  another job. I have no idea why she was moved to little Rock.”

  “Do your sources know the identity of the slimy guy she left me

  with?”

  “His name is Jan Stosur. He is, you would say, a little fish.” He raised

  his hands in a quick, dismissive gesture. “He has dug his own grave.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 185

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  186

  w e b b h u b b e l l

  I felt a little bead of perspiration form on my forehead. Novak had

  confirmed my suspicions, but the details were more than a little trou-

  bling. I felt like I had a big fish on my line, and the fish was playing

  me. I tried to keep my face calm, resisting the urge to wipe my brow.

  Novak asked the hovering waiter to decant the Bordeaux. Another

  waiter brought in pomegranate duck served over a mushroom risotto.

  I took a tentative forkful, surprised to find myself hungry.

  Debbie excused herself to the bathroom, and I used the oppor-

  tunity to ask a question I had hesitated to ask in front of her. Novak

  confirmed my suspicion, another tidbit to put in the bank.

  After a few bites I put the fork down and regarded my host thought-

  fully, “Why did you ask for this meeting?”

  “You have encountered many obstacles. Most men with your intel-

  ligence would take their marbles and go home. You haven’t. So, I’ve

  concluded you and I are not so different.”

  A compliment to me, or to him?

  Novak took another bite of duck, followed by a swallow of wine, and

  continued.

  “You and I are not fools, so I’m going to let you in on information

  I would normally keep to myself. Before I do, I must ask your pledge.”

  “I’m a man of my word.”

  “That I already know, or we wouldn’t be enjoying lunch together.

  You must promise that you will do everything you can to protect

  Debbie. Moira will surely realize it was Debbie who found you. Debbie

  is a loose end, and Moira’s employer doesn’t leave loose ends. Debbie

  won’t let me protect her, and I understand why. So, I want your word

  that you will protect her.”

  “You have my word. Without asking.”

  Debbie had slipped quietly into her chair just a few seconds earlier.

  She hadn’t said a word.

  Novak smiled and poured us each a glass of the Bordeaux.

  “What else? You must want something more.”

  “You may never reveal the source of your information—to anyone.

  Not to Micki, not to your friend Sam, or anyone else. You may tell

  them what I am about to tell you, but you must never reveal your

  source. only you and Debbie know the source.”

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 186

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  187

  “I agree.” I had no idea what I was about to hear, but I was definitely

  interested.

  Novak raised his glass, examined the wine’s color, and said, “Dub

  Blanchard is dirty. I don’t know what that means to you, but it’s a fact

  you may wish to consider.”

  You could have heard a pin drop. I stared at this Russian thug,

  knowing I had heard the truth. He had finished his wine and signaled

  easily to the waiter.

  “I will honor our agreement, but I must ask. How do you know?”

  “He was a client. He was Novak’s client for many years.”

  The small voice was Debbie’s. I turned to see her bright red face. I

  admit my attempts at a poker face failed. How could she have not said

  anything earlier?

  “Drink your wine, Jack. Debbie and I have a few things to tell you.”

  Novak smiled grimly as the waiter filled our glasses.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 187

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  36

  D

  For the next hour, Novak and Debbie told me about Dub Blanchard,

  his visits to Novak’s gambling parlors, and his kinky preferences with

  the girls. He’d taken up gambling to relieve the pressures of law school

  and was quickly hooked. A trip upstairs and a good night at the tables

  helped restore his bruised ego. He was lucky at first, but soon was up

  to his ears in debts to the house. Twice he had to call on his uncle for

  help, the same uncle who would find him a job in Congress after he

  finally got his JD degree.

  In the beginning, he didn’t indulge his habit in Washington. He

  managed trips back to little Rock as often as he could. But his needs

  grew, and Novak soon set him up with an associate in DC. Novak and

  his associate extended him credit, knowing Dub was a valuable asset.

  Debbie told me his sexual preferences became “weirder” over time,

  but he never hit a girl or asked her to do anything “really sick.”

  Not long after he was appointed U.S. attorney, he came by for a

  night at the tables in little Rock. He drank more than usual, lost

  heavily, and took a girl upstairs. He was too drunk to perform, got

  frustrated and beat her senseless.

  Novak said, “Because of his position I was called in. I sobered him

  up and told him I’d make it right with the girl, and that I’d overlook

  the incident. After all, his favor was worth a lot. He promised to pay

  me back, and I thought I’d seen the last of him for a while.”

  “How much did he owe?”

  “Thirty-seven thousand.”

  I whistled, and he continued.

  7714 Ginger SnapsCS6ejs [2P].indd 188

  3/10/15 2:08 PM

  g i n g e r s n a p s

  189

  “Much to my surprise, he came in a few weeks later and handed me

  fifty thousand dollars in cash. He said, ‘Now we’re even. Give the bal-

  ance to the girl. I won’t be back, and it’s in your best interest to forget

  I was ever here.’ He hasn’t set foot again in any of my places since, but

  he didn’t quit playing the tables or enjoying the ladies. That much I

  know.”

  Debbie interrupted. “He was never my personal client. I knew

  about his fetishes from other girls, but only Alex knew who he was

  or what he did for a living. I’d see him at the tables, and once, a long