Page 12 of Don't Bet On It
“It’s his only move,” Rex confirmed. “He’s going to try to talk everybody into changing their testimony.”
“Nobody is going to do that.” I didn’t know all the players really well, but I knew enough of them to be certain.
“No, they won’t,” Rex agreed. “Ryder still believes he’s important.”
Big and important. Ryder was one of those men. I nodded. “Do you think he’ll go through the motions of trying to disguise himself?”
Rex cocked his head, considering. “Probably not,” he said finally. “He’s too much of a blowhard to bother. That being said, my understanding is that he’s not a fan of prison food and has lost a lot of weight.
“Ruby saw her father about two months ago,” he continued. “She went there to visit him. He made a request, and she thought he might be trying to make amends.” The way his lips twisted told me that hadn’t gone well.
“I take it Ruby didn’t get what she wanted out of that little ordeal.”
“Nope, he’s still a jerk.” Rex sighed. “I do not want him coming here. Everybody is just now getting settled from the last time he was present in their lives.”
“Has he seen Chloe?” I don’t know why I asked. Curiosity got the better of me sometimes.
“He has not, and I intend to keep it that way.”
“So, what’s the plan?”
“Security is being warned. There’s no stopping Ryder from waltzing in here if he’s in the mood, though. We just have to be on the lookout.”
“Well, if I see him, I’ll let you know.”
Rex nodded, his eyes moving back to the man we’d booted from the table. “I’m going to check the cameras to see if I can figure anything out about that guy. Pick a different table when you open again. I kind of want to see what he does.”
“Do you think he’s trying to cheat?”
Rex shrugged and looked in the direction of the other tables. “It’s possible he has somebody over there trying to count cards and sending him signals.” He held out his hands and shrugged. “I haven’t seen a partner for him yet. That doesn’t mean there’s not one out there.”
“Good luck.” It was the only thing I could think to say.
“Thanks, I think I’m going to need it.”
I TOOK MY BREAK IN THE CAFETERIA ANDthen made my way down the employee hallway that led to the casino door. I still had fifteen minutes before I had to be on the floor. My plan was to get a coffee and relax before I started up a new table. I was distracted by two people arguing, however. The female voice drew my attention.
“Listen, Mr. Magoo,” she snapped, “I don’t know who you’re trying to fool, but I know for a fact you’re not supposed to be here.”
Tallulah. An inadvertent smile crossed my lips. She was the only person I knew who could call someone Mr. Magoo and somehow make it cute. I looked over at her, expecting to find another worker. Instead, I saw her facing off with Ryder.
My heart sank. He was here. Rex had been right. To me, it made no sense for Ryder to come back. He’d lost his position and his shares on the board. He literally had no ties to Stone Casino any longer. Apparently, he hadn’t gotten the memo.
“Get out of my way.” Ryder gave Tallulah an impatient shove, and it spurred me to action when she stumbled backward.
“Hey!” I muscled forward and caught her before she could hit the wall.
Surprise registered on her features at the sight of me. “I have it,” she said, her voice dripping with petulance. “I don’t need a white knight rushing in to save me.”
I rolled my eyes. It was so Tallulah to jump to that conclusion. “I wasn’t trying to be a white knight. I was simply making sure he didn’t crack your head against the wall.” I could have left it there, but I didn’t. “Of course, your head is so hard that you might have damaged the wall, so I don’t know what I was worried about.”
She sent me a scathing look. “Sticks and stones.”
I waited, knowing she would have to finish it. She couldn’t leave it hanging there.
“May break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” she added lamely.
I smirked. Then I turned my focus to Ryder, who was trying to ease around us toward the door that led to the casino floor. “You’re not supposed to be here,” I said to him.
