Drawing Dead

By Tom Sullivan

When Teddy Sergeant met Sid, he had no idea how Sid's "special training" would affect his career as a poker player or private investigator. Preparing for and competing in the World Series of Poker is a major undertaking. Doing so while investigating a murder might be impossible for a lesser man.

The arrest of is his best friend Phil D'Angelo causes Teddy to cut short the training arranged by Sid. It also allows Teddy to meet Fiona Rourke, a beautiful woman and reluctant defense attorney. The one-time playboy is smitten by the lovely Fiona and begins a quest to win her heart, solve the case, and win poker bracelets. His past nemesis Arturo Morales, serving time in Ely prison, orchestrates a different scenario.

Friend and co-conspirator Detective Gil Roberts helps Teddy in his attempt to prove Phil D'Angelo innocent of all charges. Politics and personal ambition provide obstacles to finding the truth. The investigation becomes much more than a simple manslaughter case as it escalates into an international story involving jurisdictions and various law enforcement agencies. Teddy and Fiona continue to develop a relationship as our hero sets his sights on winning the World Series of Poker.

With twists and turns that keep appearing, this story of romance, mystery, intrigue, and courtroom drama will hold the reader's interest and contribute to sleepless nights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tom Sullivan
• Release date: Jan 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9780988816138

Tom Sullivan

Tom Sullivan is the author and illustrator of Out There, I Used to Be a Fish, and Blue vs. Yellow. Growing up he loved to read comic books and watch true crime TV shows, and now he feels lucky to be able to combine those interests in Unsolved Case Files. Tom resides with his family in Boston, MA. You can visit him online at www.thomasgsullivan.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

What do I like? Sinking birdie putts, watching my favorite teams win, red hot sex, and stackin’ chips. Yeah, I’m a poker player, no limit Texas hold-em to be specific, He smiled at the young waitress and waited for her response.

Are you any good? She coyly asked.

I make a decent living at it, not much on tournament poker but I do well in cash games, he smugly answered.

No, I meant the red hot sex, she said and smiled as she slid the bill onto the table.

Check raised, He thought.

Teddy Sergeant needed to get home. If it weren’t for his promise to help his buddy Phil, he would definitely pursue this lovely young woman. Slim but not too thin she displayed just enough cleavage to advertise her willingness. She flirted with him ever since he entered the diner, so Teddy didn’t even need to look at the receipt. He knew there was a telephone number on the back.

This would be what, the third or fourth time Phil needed his help. After his ex-wife caught him cheating and threw him out, that drunk and disorderly last year and the eviction, so this would be four times. Phil didn’t seem to be able to pay his bills, stay out of jail, or stay married for any length of time but he was the closest male friend Teddy knew and always stepped up the few times when Teddy needed help. Besides this was no trivial favor. With no clouds in the sky, the April Texas heat had begun. The brief stop for lunch was just long enough for the inside of the car to become hot. After allowing the car air conditioner to do its work Teddy was gassed up and back on the road. Driving the flat straight highway he let his mind wander to the events of the past few weeks. Sid, the high roller he met in Vegas last month invited him to Bossier City Louisiana to play in a big game. Staked to the buy in Teddy was conscripted to take down a big winner, at least a big winner of Sid’s money and leave the guy flat broke. Much like a blackjack or craps table, poker is played on a layer of felt. When a player is out of chips there is nothing left but the felt. The fish was actually pretty good but not a match for Teddy. It took him 10 hours to bust the guy but in the end Teddy netted a tidy profit of $26,000 after splitting the stack with Sid and the guy was felted. Sid was elated that his nemesis was busted and kept talking about these high rollers in Dallas that would play Teddy for big money. So it was on to big D.

So tell me why you don’t ever play tournaments? asked Sid.

The three hour ride to Dallas would seem longer without this conversation, but he could do without questions about himself. Teddy did like his privacy and Sid’s high pitched voice was annoying. Sid was likely a favorite dodge ball target growing up. His round body and lack of foot speed would make him easy to hit. He was also becoming easy to dislike with the constant questions.

I can make more money per hour playing cash games than tournaments. Playing three days to get into the money doesn’t make much sense to me. Unless you make a final table your hourly rate isn’t all that great. I have played in the World Series of Poker, and cashed but I didn’t make as much per hour as I do in cash games, so I tend to avoid the tourney scene.

He was trying to be cordial but it was becoming difficult. The truth was he in no way wanted to be in a position to answer to someone else. He enjoyed the independence of being his own man.

What if I were to stake you? Sid was becoming a pain and Teddy wanted no part of any partnership with this guy.

I don’t need a partner and splitting profits just cuts into my hourly rate, replied Teddy with a bit of irritation in his voice.

Not if you won.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is today to win the main event? That’s what you’re talking about isn’t it? Not just some bracelet event. You think I can win the whole freaking main event.

I know you can, Sid was saying this like it was fact not just his opinion.

And just how do you know that I can survive a field of thousands, many who make a better living than I do playing poker?

I can make it happen, Sid snorted.

Who do you think you are anyway, God? Teddy was really irritated now.

As a matter of fact….. Sid’s words hung in the air and seemed to echo inside Teddy’s head. How did he get involved with this kook?

You telling me a short, fat, balding Jew from New Jersey is God? Are you seriously trying to convince me you’re God? He was laughing now. He wasn’t sure where Sid was from but his accent was certainly east coast. He might not have been Jewish but he definitely was short, bald and thirty five pounds overweight. Sid composed and calm replied, Do you recall when Frank was all in and hit the flush on the turn and you were down to only 10 outs to hit your full house? I changed the river card for you. I have skills!

So just how did you do that? surprised that he asked. It was as if some other person’s words were coming from his mouth. He wanted to let this guy out at the next gas station and hook it to Vegas, but he remembered the hand well. It was one of a very few where he made a bad read. He thought the guy was running a bluff and bet his three jacks were the best hand even though the board showed three clubs. Hitting the second queen giving him a full house meant Teddy made a wrong play at the right time.

There is an exit with a diner coming in 2.6 miles and I’ll show you. If you’re not convinced you can leave me there, Sid was authoritative now. His voice became lower and more soothing. He may not have convinced Teddy but Teddy knew he decidedly convinced himself.

At the diner Sid ordered food for them both, absolutely nailing Teddy’s’ craving for a cheeseburger with no mayo, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, and just a dab of mustard. He then took out a deck of cards and spread them face down on the table.

Say you are holding a king high heart flush draw after the turn and you’re putting your opponent on a flush draw as well, let’s say he’s got queen high. He’s a tight player and if he thought you held the nuts he might lay it down. What dream card would you want on the river?

The ace of hearts; it gives me the nuts and he feels better about his queen high knowing I bet without the ace. Yeah, that would be the dream card, He was responding as if there might be merit to any of this.

Sid calmly picked a card from the center of the pile and turned over the ace of hearts. He looked skeptically as Sid turned it face down in the middle of the table put a salt shaker on it and took the pile and began shuffling.

You might think that is some parlor trick that I set up so as to convince you, so let’s do something a bit more difficult, Sid was now on a roll and his prattle resembled a magician.

Leaving the card beneath the salt shaker he dealt out 9 hands 2 cards down just as it would be in a tournament. Teddy looked at his hole cards, King and ten of hearts. Sid exposed the hand closest to him and showed the queen and jack of hearts. He then proceeded to burn a card and dealt the flop, 7 and 4 of hearts with the jack of spades. Another burn card and the queen of clubs hit the turn.

Still doubting me? Sid asked.

He burned a card and then reached half way into the deck and plucked out a card and placed it on the top of the deck.

If your dream card isn’t where we want it, we just move it, Sid was on a roll.

He again verified to Teddy that the ace of hearts laid face down in the center of the table where the pot would be, left it face down and said,

Why don’t YOU turn that river card? Teddy picked up the deck and exposed the ace of hearts as the next card. The river card; the dream card. He immediately reached for the card in the center of the table turning it face up. It was the ace of diamonds.

That’s a great trick, Sid. Are you going to show me how you did it? Sid paused for a moment, scowled at him and said You are a tough one but you’ll be a believer soon.

Okay, let’s say you are God. Why me? What makes you pick me to win the World Series of Poker main event?

Sid sat back, took a deep breath and responded.

I’m tired of Satan getting his way and you have a moral compass that can be counted on. You have your flaws but you’ll do the right thing when you need to.

Teddy was in full laugh mode now barely able to blurt out, So the World Series of Poker is really just a contest of good vs. evil, some religious crusade or something? Come on Sid, what, you run out of meds?

Sid smiled and stood. I suppose you’ll need a bit more convincing. I have some work to do but I’ll meet you in Dallas. You have a room reserved at the Gaylord resort, near the airport. After you check in I’ll meet you in the lobby. He watched as Sid put a twenty on the table turned and walked off toward the restrooms. Teddy muttered to himself "what have I gotten myself into".

When fifteen minutes passed with no Sid in sight, Teddy checked the restroom. No Sid. After 20 minutes of walking around the parking area, and still no Sid, he left the diner and resumed his trip to Dallas. There was something about this fellow that aggravated him yet intrigued him as well. His questions were often challenging and as ridiculous as his story seemed he made good on every promise thus far. He was torn between driving straight to Las Vegas or stopping at the Gaylord to see if Sid would show up. If the guy was willing to spring for a room why not sleep in comfort.

* * *

Chapter Two

Phil awoke and looked around the room. He suffered alcohol induced blackouts before and often needed to guess how he got to bed and where it was he slept. This was nothing new and waking up next to a naked woman was also a fairly familiar early morning occurrence.

So why did this seem different?

Standing naked beside the bed, Phil scanned the bedroom for his clothes. He looked under the bed, in the bathroom and searched the entire apartment. Where the hell were his clothes? He tried to remember the events from the previous night but it was all a blur. He couldn’t remember where he picked up this girl, how they got to her place or what happened next. He wasn’t even sure it was her place. His head was pounding and his body hurt all over. Finally he realized he would have to wake the young lady and seek her help in piecing together the past few hours. As gently as he could he prodded her naked body. No response, and cool to the touch. He grabbed her arm and turned her from face down to expose her large breasts. She was extremely attractive, a natural blond with big blue eyes a thin waist and great legs. Through his bloodshot eyes he was able to notice the red mark across her neck. He checked for a pulse as his sweat glands began to secrete at an advanced rate. He realized the girl was dead.

Was it natural causes? There was no blood. The red mark. Strangled? With what? Who? Could he have done this? Rough sex wasn’t his thing, no. He could never hurt this pretty young thing. She was actually younger and better looking than most of his late night dates. Definitely not. Not Phil D’Angelo. He was no killer.

* * *

Karin endured the past twenty two hours on airplanes and taxi cabs and was looking forward to twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep. Why the agency couldn’t find a private plane or corporate hop for her was just adding to her anger. At least the flight from Bangkok to New York was in first class, but she’d flown coach from JFK to Vegas. There were way too many frequent flyers in America using points to upgrade. She regretted not paying the premium for a first class seat. She tipped the cabbie and lugged her bag up the flight of stairs to her apartment. There was a day when cabbies were chivalrous and would tote young models bags anywhere. Those days were gone. Hoping her roommate would be gone or slept elsewhere last night; Karin put the key in and unlocked the door. If Joelle were asleep she didn’t want to wake her and have to recount the entire photo shoot. Joelle was no longer able to get the good modeling gigs ever since she opted for that atrocious breast augmentation procedure.

What was she thinking?

Quietly she carried the bag into her room. As an afterthought she peaked into Joelle’s’ room and saw the man. He was sitting naked on the side of Joelle’s’ bed.

What was he doing? Was he crying?

Suddenly Phil turned and saw the young girl at the bedroom door. Panic and fear overtook him as he rose to his full height and exposed himself to the dead girl’s roommate. With slurred speech and teary eyes he blurted I didn’t do it!

Didn’t do what? Karin asked as she drank in his naked body.

I can’t find my clothes. If someone took them doesn’t that prove I didn’t do it? Phil pleaded.

Being naked proves you didn’t sleep with Joelle? Karin was as confused as the man with the sculpted body and incoherent speech.

Joelle? That was her name? That’s such a pretty name, Phil was sobbing now and Karin was beginning to realize Joelle was not stirring at all. She should be wide awake by now.

Is Joelle OK? Karin began to walk to the bed concerned for her friend.

I think she’s dead, Phil said in a matter-of-fact voice free of the previous emotion. I woke up and found her like this. I didn’t do it. You have to believe me. Phil was pleading as he took a step towards Karin.

Keys still in her hand, Karin quickly found the small canister on the key ring and sprayed the liquid at Phil sending a stream of mace into his right eye.

Stay away from me you, you pervert. Karin cried as she rushed to Joelle and bent down and put her ear to Joelle’s’ mouth.

She’s not breathing. What did you do?

I told you I didn’t do anything. Phil was holding his hands against his eye.

Why did you mace me?

I thought you were coming to kill me too. Can you put some clothes on? Sobbing uncontrollably Karin began CPR, or at least what she thought was CPR.

Whoever did this took my clothes. I didn’t hurt her and I won’t hurt you.

Phil found his way to the bathroom and began splashing water in his mace stung eye. Seeing a robe hanging from the door with his one good eye he tried to put it on. The former football player was too large for the thin models’ robe and immediately the seam to one arm split loose. Karin retrieved her cell phone and a kitchen knife and confronted Phil as he walked back into the bedroom.

First you kill my friend and now you’ve ruined my robe, yelled Karin.

I didn’t kill Joelle and you told me to put some clothes on. Say, where are you from? I love that accent, Phil smoothly asked.

I’m from Sweden, and now I’m calling the police, Karin said with authority.

From the phone, 911 what is your emergency?

My roommate is dead and I’ve got her killer here. Send the police, Karin was carefully enunciating aware that some people have difficulty with her accent. Phil knocked the knife from her hand and grabbed the phone.

I didn’t do it. He pleaded with the 911 operator.

Make sure you tell the police someone stole my clothes.

Karin still with the mace dangling from her pinkie aimed it at Phil. The liquid hit Phil in his good eye rendering him totally blind. He dropped the phone and screamed in pain. Karin dove to the floor retrieving the kitchen knife and stretched to reach for the phone. Phil stumbled, bumped his foot on the dresser and fell face down on the now prone Karin.

Get off me. screamed Karin.

Not until the cops come, replied Phil, a blocking tight end on his football team in high school was known for his ability to get in other peoples way. Not very agile and certainly not a candidate for Mensa, he was blessed with a Chippendale’s body and a work ethic to keep himself in shape.

So, what’s your name? Phil asked as he held her arms, preventing her from using the knife or the mace.

Karin, K A R I N, it’s a Swedish name that means pure. What is your name?

I’m Phil. P H I L. I don’t know what it means, but I’m Italian. What do you do?

I’m an actress slash model. I just came home from a photo shoot. How do or rather did you know Joelle?

I’m really not sure, answered Phil. We must have gotten wasted together last night. I don’t remember much. Where would she have been last night? Do you know?

Karin was laboring to breathe beneath the full weight of Phil’s’ body.

If she was working she would have been at the Palomino club. She dances there.

Yeah that could be where I met her, I usually don’t spend that kind of money but I was with some guys who have money to burn. At least I think I was, Phil still with no recollection but it fit the bachelor party lifestyle.

Do you know of anyone who would want to do this to her? To kill Joelle?

No. Are you sure you didn’t do it? Karin may have traveled the world but if one were to Google the word naïve, her facebook page would top the list of links.

Yeah, I’m sure. Did she have an ex-boyfriend? Maybe someone who would be jealous if they saw her with me?

No, I don’t think so.

I wish Teddy were here. He’d know what to do.

Who’s Teddy?

My best friend. He used to be a Private Investigator. He’d find some clues or something. He’s the smartest guy I ever met. He could figure out what happened.

You really didn’t hurt Joelle?

No, I told you: So you’re an actress; movies and stuff? Anything I might have seen?

Only commercials so far; if I want to do the actress stuff I’d need to move back to LA. Vegas is a good spot for modeling though. Lots of jobs for attractive girls, you know, to fraternize with the high rollers.

Tell me about Joelle, said Phil.

Joelle used to model like me but she didn’t like to fly, so she got a boob job and started dancing instead. Can you let me get up? You’re very heavy and I can barely breathe.

Phil kept his hands on her arms pinning her down but straddled her backside with most of his weight on his knees.

Is that better? He asked.

Much, she replied. Joelle didn’t usually let patrons take her home. You must be a real charming fellow.

I do okay, Phil smugly responded as the doorbell rang. That must be the cops.

What do we do now? asked Karin.

You let go of the mace and knife and I’ll let you answer the door, said Phil.

Karin always trusted her judgment about people. She was wrong as often as she was right but once she made a decision she stood by her initial opinion. It was at this moment she believed Phil was innocent of any wrong doing.

Maam, are the police there now? a voice from the phone asked.

I think so, Karin spoke, realizing the 911 operator heard their entire conversation. Karin answered the door as Phil sat up clutching the knife and mace. He was on the floor with his back against the wall. The robe was open in the front exposing his privates to all who cared to see.

My roommate is in the back bedroom and your suspect is in there too. But I think he might be telling the truth. He says he didn’t kill her because someone stole his clothes.

Step outside Maam, The shorter policeman said, We’ll handle it from here.

Guns drawn and crouched the two cops entered the bedroom to see a puffy eyed Phil in all his splendor clutching both mace and knife.

Drop the knife, shouted the short cop.

They stole my clothes, cried Phil as he let go of knife and mace. That proves I didn’t do it.

The tall officer reached down and picked up the phone as the shorter one kicked the knife and mace away from Phil. Officer Brown and Sterling are on the scene, operator, we’re clear.

We’re going to need the forensic folks down here, Officer Brown said into his shoulder.

We’ve got a DB and a likely one eight seven.

Carl, get a jump suit from the cruiser. I don’t want to look at this guys’ pecker any longer than I have to, said officer Sterling.

* * *

Carl Brown thought he’d heard just about every alibi and explanation possible during his twelve years on LVMPD duty, but someone claiming innocence because he was naked was a first. The guy didn’t appear to be dangerous and his partner was in control so after confirming Joelle was dead he left to search the cruiser for clothing. Ben Sterling kept his gun aimed at Phil until his partner returned with an orange prison jumpsuit and Karin at his side.

Put this on, Brown instructed as he tossed the jumpsuit to Phil.

I may need some help, Phil replied. I can’t see very well.

I maced him, interjected Karin. I wasn’t sure if he was dangerous.

Karin stepped towards Phil eager to help but Officer Brown grabbed her arm.

Stay where you are, Brown barked as Ben Sterling holstered his gun and put each of Phil’s’ legs in the jumpsuit.

You can do the rest, Sterling said. Handcuffed and bleary eyed, Phil was shoved in the rear seat of the cruiser.

* * *

Chapter Three

Teddy, after driving for hours, remembering the old saying, the sun has riz and the sun has set and we ain’t out of Texas yet. Well New Mexico seemed to be large as well. Normally he would have enjoyed a long drive in his new car. He purchased it with the winnings taken from Sid and others in Vegas a month earlier. A new Cadillac CTS. He was getting tired and while he wanted to get home tonight and sleep in his own bed, he needed some shuteye. Seeing a sign for a rest area up ahead he exited I40 and pulled into the roadside stop. After a quick visit to the restroom he sat back in his car, closed his eyes and immediately began to recall the events of his last few days.

As promised, Sid was waiting for him at the Gaylord in Grapevine Texas a suburb of Dallas. They shook hands and proceeded to the bar for some refreshments. Teddy wondered how Sid managed to arrive before him but didn’t ask. He assumed the guy would simply say he has skills.

So are you rested or do you want a nap before dinner?

I’d like to take a shower and then kick back with my feet up for awhile. What time do you want to meet for dinner? Are we eating here or going out?

I have a suite here and we’ll have dinner in the room. We’ll need some privacy. I’ll call you in two hours. Is that enough time to recharge?

That should be fine.

After finishing their drinks Sid signed for the tab and they left. Teddy went straight to his room while Sid walked into the spacious indoor courtyard. After unpacking his clothes he stripped down and stepped into the shower. The hot water felt good on his tired body. He felt relaxed almost immediately and began to play poker hands in his head. He often thought about poker when he showered but this was a bit different. Normally luck plays a major role in any poker game, and it’s especially true in Texas hold-em. A good player will always have an edge over an amateur but there is no guarantee. The best players in the world can read strength or weakness and still lose when a donkey hits a two outer on the river. Sid was suggesting he could eliminate luck from the equation. That he could assure Teddy would always have the luck factor on his side. If that were possible he would be unbeatable. After toweling off he laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. The phone startled him. He wasn’t asleep but rather so deep in thought he didn’t realize the time.

Hello, Teddy answered on the third ring.

Did I wake you? Sid asked in his east coast voice.

No, I’m awake.

Good, there is a key to the suite in your check-in package. Come up whenever you’re ready. Dinner won’t be for another hour or so, but we’ll have some time to chat, Sid was all business.

He was pretty sure Sid wasn’t any divine creature, but if he wasn’t God he sure possessed Gods’ money. This place was amazing. It was kind of like the ambiance of Vegas without the slots ringing in your ears. He could get used to this lifestyle. When he opened the door to the suite he was surprised to see two other men sitting with Sid. The suite included a balcony overlooking a lake and a large sitting room with overstuffed chairs and a couch. Sid stood and the other two fellows followed his lead.

Let me introduce you to your new friends. This is Chief Blue Feather. He is the head of the Beothuk tribe. Many think the tribe to be extinct, but while only a few, they are very much alive. He is 92 years old and has counseled me for years. This youngster is Raj Patel. He is only 42 but has the wisdom of a much older man. Together they will help us prepare for the World Series of Poker. The talent these men possess has never before been applied to poker so we are entering uncharted waters in a sense. Please give them your full attention and learn from them the secrets that will allow you to achieve our objective, Sid was in full oration mode now.

Chief Blue Feather, perhaps you can tell our young friend how you can help him, Sid extended his hand and pointed towards the chair where the Chief sat. He then offered Teddy the chair he’d been sitting in, directly across from Chief Blue Feather. Sid and Raj rose and went into another room. The Chief was very tall and extremely thin. His gray hair was long and tied into a ponytail and his ruddy complexion and tanned face indicated years of being outside in the sun. The wrinkles in his face were many and like the rings of a tree confirmed his long life.

Sid has told me of your quest, and while I don’t normally approve the use of the tribal talents used for commercial purposes he has assured me they will be only used for a good cause. Is that true? Will you agree to only use the talents you learn here for good purposes? His raspy voice was very quiet but his words were easily understood.

I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that, but I have no intent of doing anything that might be considered evil. I’m not a bad person and I try to do what is morally right. I’m not sure any of this is legal. Does that matter? Teddy was rambling.

Do you know what is right and what is wrong? Sid tells me you are a moral man that you are always doing the right thing. Is that true? asked the Chief.

He stared at the older man and wondered if he should be excited over the prospect of winning more money than he could imagine or should his skeptic nature question this whole encounter. If any of this could actually be for real it would be like winning a lottery over and over. He kept waiting for the hook that comes with every con. When these characters would ask for seed money or his bank account number. After studying the old man’s face Teddy chose his words carefully.

I can’t say I’ve never made a mistake or treated someone badly, but I don’t think I have done so on purpose. I’d like to believe I’ve always strived to do the right thing, He felt like he was being interrogated by a judge or DA.

Sid also tells me if you see what others see you will prevail at this contest you are about to enter, and that will allow you to do great things. Is this true? The Chief was reading Teddy now.

If that means seeing everyone else’s hole cards, sure, that’s a huge advantage. I’ll know if I’m beat or ahead, He wondered if such a talent was possible.

But that still doesn’t guarantee anything. The cards still have to behave.

"I am not concerned with how it helps you only that it does.