Page 37 of The Perfect Deception
They continued to walk down the center aisle, hoping to get a better view of him.He made it easy when he turned around and directed the woman they assumed was Margot to a pull-up bar attached to the wall.Even without the familiar broad smile he was currently flashing at her, Jessie would have known it was Tommy Golden.
“Shall we go say hi?”she asked Ryan.
“Yes, but please let me take the lead.The last thing I need is for the guy to grab a dumbbell and swing it near your head.”
“Okay, Detective.”She thought her husband was being a little overprotective, but she wasn’t going to fight him on it on her third day back in the country.
They walked over and Jessie was able to get a better look at Golden’s client.She fit the cliché that Jessie would have imagined.In her mid-forties, the woman was in good shape and attractive in a severe, assisted-by-surgery way.She was wearing full makeup and her chest seemed unusually buoyant.She was giving Golden her best flirtatious smile.That is until Jessie and Ryan stopped in front of them.
Golden half-glanced at them.When they didn’t leave, he gave them more of his attention.“Hey guys, if you’re interested in a training session, I’m happy to discuss it later.I work with individuals and couples.But I’m with Margot here until 7:50.After that, I’m happy to talk for a few minutes.”
“I’m afraid we need to talk now, Tommy,” Ryan said firmly.“It’s in regard to a sensitive matter that can’t wait.So maybe Margot can work out on her own for a bit.”
Margot did not look amused.“I don’t know who you think you are but you can’t just butt into my session and pull my trainer away.That’s not how it works here at Pinnacle.Show some courtesy.”
As she berated Ryan, Jessie caught Tommy’s eye.They didn’t need a major scene and if she could convince him to come with them voluntarily, that would make things much easier.
“Mr.Golden,” she said slowly and deliberately, “we are with a local government agency looking into a pressing issue that you might be able to assist us with.Time is of the essence.I have every confidence that you and Margot can reschedule your session, but right now, we need your help.Do you understand?”
Golden’s expression suggested that he did, even if Margot did not.He turned to her and went into full charm mode.“Listen, I’ve been volunteering with local government on some serious issues.I don’t like to talk about it because I get embarrassed by the attention.But I did promise them that I would be there if they needed me.”
“At seven in the morning?”Margot balked.
“It’s crazy, I know, and I will credit you for this session, but I made a commitment that trumps my income and is even more important than helping you maintain that sexy physique.Don’t worry.You know that your hot bod isn’t going to suddenly disappear if we don’t work together again until Monday.”
Margot blushed at the compliment before her pique returned.This time she focused it on Jessie.“Are you telling me this is going to take more than five minutes?Can’t you get what you need fast and be on your way.”
“I’m afraid this may take quite a bit longer than five minutes,” she said with certainty.
Tommy leaned over and whispered loudly in the woman’s ear.“How’d you like a free session?You’re owed.”
That made Margot smile before she replaced it with a pout.“You better believe I’m owed.”
“Tell you what,” Tommy said, still remarkably smooth under the circumstances, “why don’t you do a half hour on the Stairmaster to keep that ass tight.If you burn 400 calories, you can reward yourself with a smoothie from the café.Sound good?”
Margot nodded as she giggled like a schoolgirl.The she turned and headed off, but not before glaring at Jessie and Ryan one last time.
Once she was gone, Tommy asked quietly.“I’m assuming you guys aren’t with the DMV?”
“I’m afraid not,” Ryan said.“I’m Detective Hernandez with the LAPD and this is Jessie Hunt.We have a few questions.”
“About what?”
“Why don’t we find somewhere a little less crowded to chat?”Jessie suggested.
“Okay.There’s a business center across the main hallway.They have private work suites.I can see if one of them is available.”
“That sounds good,” Ryan said.
They followed him back through the double doors and out into the hallway with the couches.Sure enough, there was a well-appointed business center across the hall behind glass walls.Golden led them in, walked through the main area, where a half dozen people were at work stations, typing away on their laptops.He continued down a narrow hall with four small conference rooms, two on each side.
They were all named for downtown streets.The Figueroa, Grand, and Olive Rooms were all occupied, but the Flower Room was empty.The small window built into the door was frosted and there were four chairs around a circular table.
“Is this okay?”he asked.
“It’ll work fine,” Ryan said
They were just starting to sit down when Golden popped up again.“I just thought of something.Let me check with the front desk to make sure that no one has reserved the room anytime soon.I wouldn’t want us to get interrupted.”
