Chapter 8
Matt Stevens had already started his own study of Leon Pace. The businessman seemed to conduct all activities at the club. This was a good thing with only the club and house to cover but also a bad thing because the business was a tight-knit outfit. Most attendees were regulars, and unknown visitors stuck out like a sore thumb. Getting into the back room to look for a safe would be a difficult proposition. Leon’s house was not an easy break-in either. Unlike Damon’s townhouse, Leon’s humble abode did not have doormen or sophisticated security systems. What he did have was the neighborhood watch. Black communities were notoriously clannish, and repairmen were known. Faking a work order and uniform would not fly there. In hindsight, Fields' desire to move up in the world worked against him, Stevens thought. Pace was smarter to remain in his native area with the folks to protect him.
Still, where there was a will, there was a way. Time and patience would reveal the vulnerability. Everyone had a weak spot. In any sense, Stevens was under the gun to produce results. Vanderbilt was a refined sort but did not respond well to excuses, delays, or failure.
The wheels of investigation turned slowly. Detective Jones' request for surveillance took over a week for official review, resource assignment, and implementation. Finally, the team arrived and began their recording of all movements in and out of Leon’s club.
A record search revealed that Pace was only a part owner. 30 percent held directly by his LLC made him the primary shareholder, but several other entities had large portions as well. A few days of logs showed him to be the face of the club, receiving guests and coordinating daily activities. Leon sat in his office, sending gofers to and fro with tasks and collecting the daily proceeds.
One of the main gofers was Mark, Leon’s second cousin. He seemed to be the main assistant, able to give his own orders to underlings and handle things when his boss was elsewhere or otherwise engaged. Tall and husky, Mark conveyed a physical presence which could intimidate when necessary.
The team also recorded Jasmine arriving and leaving for her part-time job as a dancer. For the first few days, she seemed like the typical employee, entertaining clients and hustling drinks. Then, the log showed a visit to Leon’s office. And then another one a few days later. One visit might be a “well done” from the big boss. But multiple visits? What gave her direct access to him?
This was not evidence, but it was unusual activity. With nothing else to go on, the team focused more on Leon and his activities. Could there be a connection between Leon and Jasmine? Or even better, between Leon and the recently departed Damon?
Meanwhile, Stevens continued his own analysis. Payroll drops to the bank were well-guarded, so there was no profit pursuing that angle. There had to be a safe somewhere to hold valuables. Leon’s office was the probable location since the boss required direct access at any time.
The professional thief decided to apply for a security job to gain access. Staff turnover was high, and interviews occurred on a regular basis. The first interview would be with Mark, but Stevens was sure that Leon would want to size up potential employees for himself at some point. That would mean a trip to Leon’s office and a chance to look over the entryway, walls, ceiling, and architectural plan.