The Money Block Read online

  THE MONEY BLOCK

  A Grifter’s Song Episode 9

  Holly West

  Series Created and Edited

  by Frank Zafiro

  Copyright © 2020 by Holly West

  All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

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  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover design by Zach McCain

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  The Money Block

  About the Author

  Books by the Author

  Preview from the tenth episode of A Grifter’s Song

  The Sound of Breaking Bones by Eric Beetner

  Chapter One

  Mack Foley wasn’t your average meathead. For one thing, he’d earned a bachelor’s degree and it wasn’t in exercise science. He’d majored in business administration with an aim to start his own business and opened the first Foley Fitness Center in 2009. They’d since expanded to five Sacramento-area locations.

  For another thing, he’d never been fat as a kid. How many trainers had he hired with sob stories about their butterball pasts? He had news for them: once a fatty, always a fatty, no matter how many crunches a day they did now. But clients loved their inspirational stories so he made sure his gyms were well-stocked with rehabilitated porkers.

  Mack was one of the lucky ones, though he thought of it more as a birthright than a genetic fluke. He was a solid mesomorph who’d played football in the fall, baseball in the spring, and soccer in the summer, until a knee injury during his senior year mucked up his chances for playing in college. Most men his size would’ve started packing on the pounds once the physical activity stopped, but Mack kept trim with a consistent fitness regimen and little else. By all appearances, he lived a charmed life, eating what he wanted, buying what he wanted, and fucking who he wanted.

  Conveniently, the “who” he wanted to fuck tonight was sitting in the resort’s hot tub.

  Clad in a white terry cloth robe and shearling boots, she’d hurried past him as he strolled through the lounge area. It wasn’t the first time their paths had crossed over the course of his weekend at Evergreen-at-Tahoe, but he’d never found an occasion to speak with her. Now, he paused in the lounge, watching from a distance as she removed her robe. Her simple black bikini showcased her sensational body to perfection. With no make-up and her caramel-highlighted hair twisted into a haphazard top-knot, she was as enticing to Mack as the medium-rare rib eye steak he planned on enjoying later that evening.

  He was about to join her when his cell rang. His soon-to-be-ex-wife, Geena. He was tempted to ignore it, but his eight-year-old son, Maverick, was having trouble in school since they split. He was concerned about the boy.

  He took the call.

  Chapter Two

  Rachel closed her eyes and leaned her head against the hot tub’s tiled edge, eavesdropping on Mack’s conversation without showing obvious interest. She sank beneath the water’s frothy surface, letting it sooth the tension in her neck and shoulders. She’d tied the bikini’s halter too tight and it irritated the back of her neck. She preferred a different style for that reason, but Sam had insisted this black one was the perfect choice.

  The hot tub’s jets made it difficult to hear what Mack was saying, but Arjun’s online research had revealed contentious divorce proceedings. From Mack’s exasperated tone, she guessed he was talking to his wife. Rachel hoped she could work his obvious frustration to her advantage.

  She and Sam had spent what was left of their meager stash staging this con, and it was important that they get it right. Even with a referral from her childhood pal, Mia, Arjun’s technical expertise hadn’t come cheap, and the three-day stay at Lake Tahoe’s most expensive ski resort had further depleted their reserves. She’d attempted to connect with Mack several times during the last few days, but he’d somehow kept out of her reach. They were due to check out tomorrow morning and if they didn’t hook Mack tonight, they’d have to invest in a new approach or find a different mark altogether.

  A petite Asian woman wearing a crisp resort uniform came in carrying a stack of folded towels. She replenished one of the empty shelves then caught Rachel’s eye as she turned to leave the room.

  “I trust you’re enjoying your stay, madam?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Good. Let us know if you need anything.”

  Still on the phone, Mack’s anger intensified. “God damn it, Geena, I asked you to set the meeting for Tuesday. Why the hell did you schedule it for tomorrow?” The resort employee put her finger to her lips in a silent request for quiet. Mack gave her a dirty look but lowered his voice. He listened for a bit, then said, “Whatever. I’ll be there. Tell Mav I love him,” and ended the call.

  Mack strode over to a row of benches and took off his towel, folding it into a neat little bed for his cell phone. Seeing him in the flesh, Rachel was impressed. His photograph hadn’t oversold his good-looks, and it was obvious he kept himself fit. As he eased himself into the hot tub, a look of pleasure flooded his face.

  “It’s almost too hot, isn’t it?” Rachel said, settling in next to one of the jets.

  Mack flashed a cocky grin. “No such thing.”

  “You got me there. This is the best part the day as far as I’m concerned.”

  “You’re not much of a skier?”

  “I hold my own. But I prefer the accouterments of skiing. Aprés ski, that sort of thing. I like to think I earn my reward on the slopes, not that I did much skiing today. I’m here for work and haven’t had much time for playing.”

  “That’s a damned shame. What’s it they say—all work and no play makes…sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

  Rachel chuckled. He was a smooth talker, but then, she knew that going in. “Esme Adams.”

  He drew a bit closer and extended his hand. “Mack Foley.” She returned his firm handshake. “Good to meet you, Esme. What’s this work that keeps you so busy you can’t take time out for a run or two?”

  They’d crafted Esme’s identity based on Arjun’s discoveries. Mack’s dating history showed he gravitated toward career women. Case-in-point, his wife, a former fitness model whose shared ownership of Foley Fitness made his working life hell. It also made him a good mark. When Arjun hacked a private messaging app and learned Mack was tired of Geena’s constant interference and looking for an infusion of cash to buy her out, they all knew they’d found their man.

  Rachel cast a surreptitious eye over Mack’s shoulder and cued Sam, who’d been loitering in the lounge area. At her signal, he came outside.

  “I run a ride sharing company in New York,” Rachel told Mack. “I’m here on a road trip, selling our ICO. What do you do?”

  Sam made short work of disrobing and said whooeee as he lowered himself into the hot tub. Mack gave him the side eye but kept his focus on Rachel. “Ever heard of Foley Fitness?” Rachel shook her head. “No, I guess you wouldn’t have, being from New York. I own a chain of gyms in the Sacramento area, but I’m looking to expand to San Francisco next year.”

  “No shit,” Sam said. “I thought you looked famil
iar. I’ve seen the ads for your gyms. Keep telling myself I need to check ’em out.”

  “We’re always happy to have new members,” Mack said.

  “I’m Liam White, by the way. I’ll tell ’em I know you, maybe I can get a good deal.”

  Mack offered him a condescending smile. “I’m sure something can be worked out.”

  “So, I heard you say you’re here selling an ICO,” Sam said, turning to Rachel. “What’s it for?”

  “My company’s name is Yella,” she said. “We’re an Uber competitor but with yellow cabs. Specifically, New York yellow cabs. Our app is in beta but we expect to launch any day now.”

  “I’ve read about Yella,” Sam said. “First transportation connector to utilize cryptocurrency, right? Wise move.”

  “You’re familiar with cryptocurrency?” Rachel asked.

  “I’m no expert, but I did all right in the Viper ICO in 2017.”

  Mack’s expression betrayed his ignorance on the subject, which was the way they wanted it. “Crypto is definitely becoming more mainstream,” Rachel said, “but most people I meet haven’t actually invested in it.”

  “It’s the future,” Sam said. “You’re using Bitcoin, right?”

  “Ethereum. We like its infrastructure better.”

  Sam looked from Rachel to Mack and grinned. “How about that? You never know who you might meet in a day, do you?”

  Chapter Three

  “I don’t know whether to thank you or punch you,” Mack said as the waiter placed their martinis on the pressed white tablecloth. “That was some masterful cock-blocking you did.”

  Liam White laughed. “You mean Esme? I guess she is pretty hot. I was just pumped to meet her. I’ve been hearing great things about Yella.”

  Mack took a sip of his drink. “Yeah, well, I was pumped about something else.”

  “Why thank me then?”

  “This Yellabux thing. You think it’s a good opportunity?”

  “I do. I’m giving serious consideration to investing.”

  Mack stared across the table at Liam. He could think of only one word to describe the man: Average. Average build, average face, average personality. The sort of guy he could pass a hundred times on the street and never notice. If Mack had laid a bet on how he’d seen this night playing out, he would’ve lost a bundle because Liam was not the dinner companion he’d envisioned. But when the hot tub talk turned to cryptocurrency and Esme’s business, Mack found himself at a loss. He didn’t want to admit ignorance and Esme soon begged off, saying she was tired and had a long travel day ahead of her tomorrow. Despite his disappointment, Mack was legitimately interested in learning more about Yella and Liam seemed to know all about it. Mack invited him to dinner, figuring he might as well get something out of the evening.

  Mack took the skewer of olives out of his drink and set it next to the glass. He should’ve specified a lemon twist. “You mentioned—what’d you call it? Viper?”

  “I’m surprised you never heard of it,” Liam said. He pulled a silver Zippo lighter from his jacket pocket and started fiddling with it. “It’s one of the most high-profile cryptocurrencies out there.”

  “How much are we talking about?”

  “Put it this way, when I bought Viper, it was selling at thirty cents on the dollar. At its peak, it was worth a hundred and forty. Investing in their ICO was the best decision I ever made, but the buzz on Yellabux is that it could be even bigger.”

  Mack liked the sound of that. “An ICO is like an IPO, right?”

  “It’s an initial coin offering, yes. Yella aims to shake up the ride-sharing industry in New York by linking yellow cabs via an app. Customers pay with virtual tokens called Yellabux, Yella’s cryptocurrency. Early investors will buy in at a low price before the app is released and then when Yella hits big—and the projection is that it will—and Yellabux are in demand, we’ll make a killing.”

  “So, you’re essentially investing in virtual tokens for one app?”

  “It’s much more than that. Yellabux has the potential to become a valuable cryptocurrency on its own. And Yella’s starting with yellow cabs, but their long-range plan is to partner with other ride share apps and other modes of transportation. These tokens are the first of their kind. Yellabux will become the norm and their competitors will be playing catch up.”

  The waiter returned to take their orders. Mack hadn’t had a chance to look at the menu, but he knew what he wanted anyway. “You good?” he asked Liam. Liam nodded and recited his order while Mack perused the wine list. After Liam finished, Mack closed the folder. “I’ll have the twenty-two-ounce rib eye, medium rare, a baked potato, and the brussels sprouts. And bring us a bottle of the Silver Oak cab.”

  Liam was typing something into his phone while Mack ordered. After the waiter left, he passed it over to Mack. “Take a look at this,” he said. “Esme Adams’ presentation to investors is on YouTube. It might answer some of your questions.”

  Mack pressed play. Esme, outfitted in an impeccably tailored business suit, stood on a stage with a large video screen behind her. She’d looked amazing in the bikini, but seeing those long legs wrapped in the fitted skirt, a pair of black Louboutins on her feet, was downright erotic. Why the hell hadn’t he let Esme explain the business to him over martinis and steak instead of Liam-the-Wet-Blanket? Geena always said his pride was stupid and for once he was inclined to agree.

  As he watched Esme stride from one side of the stage the other, he thought about this opportunity. Geena was set to get half of Foley Fitness in the divorce. It was bad enough he had to share custody of Mav with her, but sharing the business too was all sorts of bullshit. He’d built it himself, from the ground up. The only thing she’d ever done was shake her ass and act as their spokesperson in the early days, even if she liked to play the big boss lady now. He’d been looking for a way to make some quick cash so he could buy her out and Yellabux seemed like it might be the answer.

  And if it bought him a little more face time with Esme Adams, so much the better.

  Chapter Four

  Rachel was already in bed when Sam returned to their condo smelling of garlic mashed potatoes and whisky. She got a whiff of him when he swooped in to snuggle and a wave of nausea overtook her.

  He drew back. “What is it?”

  “Did you brush your teeth?”

  “Of course I did.”

  “I can still smell the booze on your breath.”

  “That’s never bothered you before.”

  Rachel sat up. The queasiness was going away, but she still didn’t trust herself not to throw up. She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then asked, “How’d it go?”

  “Mack says he’s ‘pumped.’ But not necessarily for Yellabux. I showed him the promo video and all he could talk about was how hot you are.”

  It wasn’t the first time a mark had reacted to her that way. Depending on who their target was, it was sometimes the goal. “You think we got him?”

  Sam picked up the Zippo lighter he’d set on the nightstand and twirled it in his fingers. “He’s a lot less impulsive than I thought he’d be. Based on his investment history and the circumstances, I thought he’d jump right in. But when I left him, he said it might not be the right time, that he needed to focus on expanding his own company. We’ll see.”

  Damn it, Rachel thought. The Yellabux scam was Sam’s idea, and not for the first time, she wondered how she’d let him talk her into it. Six months ago, he’d read an article about cryptocurrency that left him fascinated. To Sam, it was like trading in unicorns, but he saw its potential, not as cryptocurrency, but as real, honest-to-goodness cash in the form of a con—the only legal tender he was interested in. When Mia set them up with Arjun, who had the access and the background knowledge to flesh out the plan, Sam had been eager to dive in.

  Rachel wasn’t so sure. She understood the technology better than he did, but that meant she also understood the effort
it would take to make the scam believable. Undaunted, Sam contacted Arjun, who conveniently had some gambling debts he needed to clear. Leave it to Mia to find a way to come into that information. But Arjun turned out to be a genius. In ten days, he set up a website, programmed a dummy app, and wrote a script for the fake promotional video Sam filmed, with Rachel playing CEO.

  “We knew from the start this might be a tough sell,” Rachel said. That was an understatement. Her frustration made her want to lash out, but she didn’t want to start an argument, especially not after the way things almost fell apart in San Francisco. “I’ll call Arjun in the morning and tell him to start looking for a new mark.”

  “Maybe hold off a day or two. Give Mack some time to think it over.”

  “There’s no harm in getting someone else on the line in case Mack falls through.” As soon as she said it, she regretted her impatient tone. But she couldn’t help herself. Why didn’t Sam grasp the seriousness of their situation? “Given the cost, we never should’ve tried this in the first place.”

  It was Sam’s turn to play defense. “Jesus, Rachel, this again? I thought we agreed that this was a chance worth taking. Whatever happened to ‘we’re in this together?’”

  She took another deep breath. He was right. The reason their partnership worked was their belief in each other and in their relationship. She’d agreed to this con because she knew they’d make it work, one way or another. She trusted Mia’s recommendation, and Sam’s germ of an idea. But lately, she was losing faith in everything, including herself. She wasn’t accustomed to feeling so insecure.

  “I didn’t mean to snap,” Rachel said. “I know everything’s in place and if Mack Foley doesn’t bite, someone else will.”

  Sam began massaging her shoulders. “It’s understandable you’re anxious. I am, too. But let’s not take it out on each other.” He kneaded the spot at the base of her neck where she held her stress. “Lean back and picture us sipping margaritas on the beach.”