Jingle of Coins (31 page)

“Good. At least we got to it before Mike’s people did,” Patrick commented as the pre-recorded music began. He and Dozer remained quiet until the voices stopped. When it was over, Patrick switched off the unit and removed the CD. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

Dozer nodded, grim-faced. “Yeah. I’m fucked. My investigation just got a whole lot more complicated.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Glad you could make it,” Beaumont said as Dozer walked into the crowded conference room. He waited for Dozer to take a seat, then pointed to the blueprint taped to one wall.

“I’ve assigned six men from my task group to cover the front and side entrances of the hotel. The six FBI agents who’ve been temporarily assigned to work with us will handle the construction area in the back.” He glanced at Dozer. “You’re with the FBI group.”

Dozer bit back the retort that sprang to his lips. “What’s your position?”

“Rooftop. I’ve got sharp shooters positioned on every building in a two-block radius. Once Hector Peruvador’s chopper lands, there’s no way it’s going to leave. The sharpshooters will disable it as soon as I give the signal.”

“What about the nerve gas?” Dozer asked.

“My undercover agents are already in the building, dressed as service personnel. There’s no way those cylinders will get out on the casino floor. My men have orders to detain anybody who even looks suspicious.” He peered at the group. “Any questions?”

When nobody answered, Beaumont pulled on his jacket. “All right. Let’s roll.”

Emily took the last three stairs in a leap. The moment her feet hit the ground, Glen landed beside her. “Keep running,” he urged as he dragged her down the embankment.

They crashed through the thick undergrowth and ducked into an alley at the back of a nearby hotel. Glen tossed a glance over his shoulder as they turned the corner.

“Do you see them?” Emily asked as she bent over to suck in a lungful of air.

“No, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t right behind us. Keep moving.”

They hurried toward the closest service entrance. Glen rattled the doorknob, but it was locked. They continued checking doors until they found one, featuring a Blue Lion logo, propped open. Cigarette butts littered the ground nearby. “Must be close to the employee lounge,” he surmised as they crept into the building.

“Where we going?”

“This is a vendor’s entrance. Chances are it leads to a kitchen or laundry area.” They turned another corner and Glen held up a hand. “Time for a quick break.” He moved sideways and leaned against the wall.

“Do you see anything?”

“No. Looks like we’re okay—for now.”

The conversation of two employees walking down the hallway startled them, and they ducked behind a nearby cart laden with sheets.

“What do we do now?” Emily asked after the employees disappeared around a corner. “We can’t hide here all day.”

“We’ll stay another few minutes, then make our way to the street. By that time, Stu and his goons should’ve figured out that we’re long gone. We can grab a cab and head for the airport.” He glanced over at her. “What do you think?”

“Sounds good.” She inhaled a quick breath of air and tried to relax her leg muscles. “You think they will have the airport covered already?”

“Probably not yet, but we need to hurry. You ready?”

“No, but I’m going anyway.”

Nobody bothered them as they strolled down the hallway. Glen spotted a cocktail waitress, and they followed her to the casino floor. “I don’t see anybody,” he whispered in Emily’s ear as they stood near the bar. “Let’s make our way out front.”

She nodded, then tilted her head. “There it is again. It must be on the next aisle. Damn it. I know it’s going to pay off. I can tell by the sound. What should we do?”

Glen shoved a wad of hundred dollar bills into her hand. “Go on and play. I’ll draw his attention and lead him out of the casino.”

“What if he catches you?”

“He won’t. I’ll make sure of that.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Meet me at the airport. If I don’t make it by nine, take the next plane and leave without me. I’ll meet you at the hotel we stayed in. Do you remember where it is?”

She clutched at his sleeve. “Yeah. Look, the money’s not worth dying for. Please. Let’s just make a run for it, before Stu sees us.”

He peeled her fingers from his arm. “No. This is our big chance. We need that money. Everything’ll be okay. You’ll see.” He pushed her toward the machines and disappeared into the throng of gamblers.

Emily took a deep breath and moved closer to the double row of Superbucks machines. Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew a hundred dollar bill and stuck it into the bill acceptor. She spun the reels a couple of times, then stiffened when the machine across from her changed pitch.

An older woman in her sixties stood in front of it. “Please, God. Please let her leave before it pays out,” Emily prayed. “I’ll do anything, just let her leave before it hits.” The machine changed pitch for the third time as Emily craned her neck to see how many coins were left in the woman’s bucket. There weren’t any! She cashed out and walked over to the machine next to the old woman. “How you doing?” she asked as the woman reached inside her purse.

“Lousy. This damn machine ate all my money.”

Emily fought hard to contain her excitement. “Yeah,” she agreed. “I know what you mean. The machine I was playing paid out a few coins, but I’m still behind a couple thousand bucks.”

The woman rummaged around her purse for a few moments, then sighed. “Damn,” she said. “I’m out of money. I’ll have to get some more from the credit card machine.” She turned to Emily. “If I were you, I’d find another row to play. This whole row of machines is deader than a doornail. I know because I’ve played them all and got squat.” She smacked the top of the slot machine with the heel of her hand, muttered a few obscenities, and left.

Emily slid onto her chair and fed in the maximum number of coins. “Please, God, please let it pay off,” she prayed. She patted the side of the machine for luck and hit the 'spin' button. Nothing happened. She added in more coins, but still no jackpot.

Had she been wrong? Surely not. She decided to keep going. Five spins later, the machine changed pitch again, but this time it sounded different.

Emily decided to try the silver handle located on the side of the slot machine instead of pressing the ‘spin’ button. Maybe that would change her luck. “Come on, mama,” she called out as she stood up to pull the lever.

The wheels spun around and around. The first reel locked into place, and a jackpot symbol lined up. The second and third wheels continued to spin, and she closed her eyes and crossed her fingers. Would it hit? Would she and Glen finally have enough money to quit this crazy scheme?

“All right,” she said. She sighed and cast one last look over her shoulder as she started toward him, then jerked back. It...couldn’t...be! But it was—the third reel had lined up, and it was a jackpot symbol! Suddenly, her slot machine screamed out a loud tune. Bells and whistles started ringing, and the lights on top of her machine flashed and spun.

“Oh my God,” Emily screamed. “Oh my God.” She jumped up and down and slipped out of Stu’s grasp. “I did it! I won! I won the Superbucks jackpot! I can’t believe it! I really won!” she screamed over and over again. The machine continued to blare out a loud tune. Spectators crowded around her, patting her shoulder. Tears streamed down Emily’s face. “I won. I won,” she called to the two security guards coming toward her. “I’m over here.” She waved her arms in the air. “Here I am. I won. I won. Hurry.”

The guards arrived, and she jumped up and down and pointed to the jackpot symbols lined up on the payout line. “Look,” she cried out. “I did it. I won. I won!”

They smiled and congratulated her. More patrons crowded around, forcing Stu into the background. Several additional guards arrived, along with members of the casino’s management. One of them handed her a tissue to dry her tears. Emily gladly accepted their congratulations and stood for pictures in front of the machine.

Stu waited across the aisle, frowning. She flashed him a smile and linked her arm through the casino manager’s as he led her away from the machine. Stu narrowed his eyes and pounded a fist into his open palm.

Emily tried to hide the fear that sat like a sour lump in her stomach as she followed the casino manager to the payout window. “How much do you want in cash?” he asked.

She paused to make a few mental calculations. “I’ll take seventy-five thousand dollars,” she replied, after a few minutes. “Big bills. You can wire transfer the rest. I’ll give you the particulars for my bank.”

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll get the documentation ready,” he murmured.

“Is there someplace I can make a private call?” Emily asked when she spotted Stu moving toward them. She patted the manager’s arm and grinned. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell my husband the good news.”

“There’s a phone in the conference room you can use.”

“Thank you.” She waited until the door closed and, with hands that shook, fished Dozer’s card out of her pocket and dialed his number.

“Stop whatever you’re doing and go straight to the security chief’s office. You’ll be safe there. I’ll send somebody to pick you up later.”

“There’s been an accident,” Stu said, reaching out to grab her elbow. “Glen’s hurt. He might not make it.” He tightened his grip. “I’ve got a car waiting.”

“Your paperwork’s almost ready,” the manager announced. “It’ll only take a few minutes for you to sign everything.”

Emily stared at Stu, then swung her glance back to the manager. “Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

“I’ll wait in the hallway while you sign the papers,” Stu murmured as the manager placed several forms on the conference table.

Emily considered asking for help, but changed her mind when she realized that Stu might kill them both. There was no sense risking the manager’s life just because she was in trouble. She sighed deeply, realizing that for now, she had no other choice than to go along with Stu.

The manager handed her a pen and patted her hand. “I’m sure he’ll be all right. There’s two signatures line on each page,” he said. “You’ll have to sign all the pages.”

She scribbled her name on the pages, then nudged them onto the floor. “Sorry, I’ll get them,” she murmured as she crouched down. Once she ducked under the table, she grabbed Glen’s cell phone out of her pocket and punched in Dozer’s number. “How many pages were there?” she asked to cover Dozer’s voice.

“Eight. Did you find them?”

She slid the phone back into her pants and wiped her sweaty palms. “Yeah, I’ve got them.”

“I’ll get your money,” the manager announced as she handed over the signed pages. He returned a few moments later and counted out seventy-five thousand dollars. “Would you like a guard to escort you to your car?”

“Yes, please,” Emily replied, stuffing the money into zippered pockets.

“Ready?” Stu asked as Emily stepped into the hallway. “The car’s out front.”

The manager signaled for an armed security guard. “Escort Ms. Sane to her car.” He shook Emily’s hand one last time. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“One false move and Glen’s a dead man,” Stu whispered as Emily slid onto the front passenger seat. He slammed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.

As soon as the door closed, Emily swiveled in her seat. Glen was in the back, wedged between two of Stu’s men. His face was a sea of bruises, and blood dribbled down from his left eye. “Are you all right?” she asked, fighting the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

“Shut up, bitch,” Stu said as he climbed behind the wheel. The automatic door locks clicked into place.

“Why are you doing this?” Emily asked. “I’ve already told you everything I know about Kate’s death.” Her stomach roiled, and she struggled to keep from throwing up.

“Yeah, right. And your being here in Reno is simply a coincidence.”