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“I’ve no doubt,” I said.
“We’re members of the same tribe and were friends for decades, so when he decided to go into gambling, he came to me. He knew I was trustworthy, so it only made good business sense.”
“You were a financial backer?” Miguel asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.
“Yes. Originally, we had other interested investors. But, during the project, they backed out when we got the usual pushback from the city council. I knew we could overcome their objections, but they really weren’t cut out for the risk associated with tangling with a miniscule, little city council. You see, most investors like to keep their names out of the paper, and as soon as a few reporters caught on, they were out.”
“Then how did you get the project off the ground?” I asked.
“Well, I was already invested you see. I saw the future profit in partnering with my best friend, so when Benedict asked me to front him all the money for a 51 percent stake in the business, I agreed to it. The investment was a wildly successful venture and after Benedict had returned my initial capital, the casino and card rooms became a fifty-fifty venture. I am a lot wealthier than poor, poor Benedict ever was. He and I grew up together and made our fortunes together.”
“I don’t want to be crass, but I have to ask, did you have family money, or earn it in some other fashion, Mr. Leopard?” Miguel asked.
“Oh, no, in my youth, I was the youngest hedge fund manager on Wall Street.” He chuckled and looked down at his own attire. “I know, I must look different to you now, but when I was working on Wall Street, I was the buttoned up, suit wearing, stick up my ass type.”
Trevor snickered, and Leopard turned to smile at him, patting his knee before glancing back.
“Anyway, while I worked on Wall Street, Benedict asked me to invest his capital. As I said, he trusted me. I’d been at it a long time, so I simply had more money…and your question wasn’t crass at all, Mr. Huerta. You need to know this if it’ll help you find my diamond pin.”
I nodded. “It does, thank you. So, you collect books?”
“Yes. I do. Benedict collected art and I collect books.”
“Just one more question and then I promise I’ll let you and Trevor go,” Miguel said.
Trevor abandoned his phone and turned dreamy eyes on my partner as Mr. Leopard nodded frantically.
“Anything.”
“You said you bought the book and the pin at auction. What can you tell us about that?” I asked.
He nodded furiously, back to bouncing in his seat. “I bought them both at a private auction. Benedict had recently purchased thegorgeousruby at a private auction and said he’d also seen a number of first editions up for bid. When he told me that, I naturally asked him for an introduction to his contact so that I could attend one as well. I’m passionate about my books, the same as he is…was, about his art, you see.”
I nodded. “Thank you,” I said. “Can you tell me the name of your contact for that auction?”
“Certainly. She’s a beautiful woman by the name of Rosina…Rosina Cassanova…lovely woman. I don’t have her number with me, but I will call you with it when I get home.”
I glanced at Miguel, who met my gaze. He cleared his throat and then addressed Leopard. “That’s okay. We already have her name, thank you, Mr. Leopard.”
Leopard smiled. “Oh, good. Lovely woman. Italian, I think. Lovely woman.”
“Well, I think that gives us somewhere to start,” I said, standing up. Miguel also stood. “Let’s go see if Judy has those contracts ready for you.”
“Lovely,” Mr. Leopard said, standing. “Come along, precious. Thank you for being so patient.”
Trevor sighed and stood, turning and practically poking his ass out to make sure Miguel got the invitation, before swaying out of the room. I glanced at Miguel and then back at Mr. Leopard who was watching his boy’s ass.
He turned back to us, wearing a smirk. “What can I say? He’s a total charmer and he’s probably cheating on me, but it doesn’t matter. I tolerate his indiscretions and I shower him with gifts and money every time he gives me that beautiful ass. It works for us both.”
I came around the desk and put my hand on his shoulder. “I know that’s not true at all. You’re a very nice man.”
He covered my hand with his own. “Thank you for saying that.” He smiled at me and then Miguel. “You should come out with us some evening. We go to all the gay clubs. It’s a lot of fun.”
“We’ll do that, Mr. Leopard,” I said.
He got a teasing glint in his eye. “Of course, anytime you’d like to join us for a night of debauchery, we’d love to have you, Mr. Mathis.” He winked, and I just chuckled.
“We’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Leopard,” Miguel said gruffly before we followed our new client to the outer office.