Angel in the Full Moon by Don Easton Page A

room in the basement for you to hide in. Come, I will show it to you.”

chapter four
    Jack and Laura started their shift by checking with the property managers of the apartment building that the two Russians lived in. The office was located in the main foyer, next to the front entrance of the apartment building itself.
    Jack noticed the building was secure, complete with intercom and security cameras, inside and out. After producing identification, Jack and Laura learned that the actual apartment manager was a retired Vancouver city policeman by the name of Derek. A phone call was placed and Derek soon joined them in the office. He was more than willing to assist.
    The lease agreement indicated the names were Petya Globenko and Styopa Ghukov. Their occupation said that they were retired schoolteachers. They had each provided Russian passport numbers for identification. The penthouse suite came with two free underground parking stalls, but the Russians indicated they did not have a car.
    â€œTaxis,” commented Laura. “Makes our job easier.”
    â€œUntil you turn a corner and suddenly see three taxis in front of you and have to play the old shell game,” replied Jack.
    â€œThey usually use a limo service,” said Derek. “From what I’ve seen, they’re big tippers. I presume they’re dopers?”
    â€œWe’re not sure,” said Jack. “We were just given their names and told they were bad guys worth looking into. At this point we don’t know anything about them yet.”
    â€œThey speak perfect English,” said Derek. “Petya goes by the name Peter. He’s tall, thin, and has short grey hair and a moustache. Styopa is short, chubby, and has a shaved head. They always pay on time and with cash. Guess I don’t need to tell ya, their place costs a bundle to rent. They fit the profile of dopers.”
    â€œI’ll never keep their names straight,” mumbled Laura, before trying to repeat them in her head.
    â€œHow about Moustache Pete and the Fat Man?” suggested Jack.
    â€œThat’s easier,” she replied.
    â€œDo you know who they associate with, or if they have many visitors?” asked Jack.
    â€œNot that I’ve really noticed ... but come to think of it,” replied Derek, reaching for a journal on the desk and flipping through some pages. “The building has a party room,” he muttered, gesturing to a room with double doors just across the foyer. “They came to me about a week ago ... yes, here it is. They booked the room for tonight. The party starts at nine o’clock.”
    â€œYou free tonight?” asked Jack, looking at Laura.
    â€œYou bet,” she replied.
    â€œThey’re allowed to come in early to set up,” said Derek, “but are required to have everyone out no later than two. The room holds fifty people easy. There is also an apartmentdirectly above this office that you can rent for a day or two if you have company arriving. It’s right beside the elevators. They booked it also and said it might be used if any of their party guests drink too much.”
    â€œWe would really like to see who attends the party,” said Jack.
    â€œIf you like, you could sit in here tonight and watch,” suggested Derek. “Whoever comes to the front door will have a key if they’re a tenant. If not, they will have to be buzzed in, either from an apartment or from the party room. If you’re in here watching you’ll be able to see who goes to the party and who is probably just visiting other tenants. We turn off the lights and close the blinds in here at night so nobody would know you were in here. You want a key?”
    Jack smiled, held out his hand, and Derek gave him a key to the main entrance of the apartment and a separate key to the office.
    â€œThe office one, I would prefer it if you leave it on the desk tonight when you’re done. As far as the key to the