Page 79 of Twice
“No.”
“No?”
“I said no!”
“Neither do I!” she screamed and flung the frying panacross the room. It clanged off the wall. We stood there staring in opposite directions, hearing only the sound of each other’s angry breathing. We both knew we weren’t talking about lamb chops.
“This is ridiculous,” I finally mumbled.
“Maybe we should separate for a while,” she said.
“Maybe we should,” I said back.
Nassau
LaPorta escorted Gianna Rule to a large hotel ballroom, the kind where convention groups hold their breakfasts. It was empty save for a few round tables, and the detective motioned his suspect to sit down. He went to close the door when he spotted Sampson running down the hallway, holding a large iPad.
“These just came through,” he said, panting.
He handed the iPad to LaPorta, who grinned. Finally. The full security camera footage from Alfie’s time at the roulette table.
“Let’s see how she reacts to this,” LaPorta said.
They approached the table where Gianna was busy texting on her phone and shaking her head. Why wasn’t her assistant answering? She needed to tell the magazine folks she was delayed, although she didn’t want to say why. She didn’tknowwhy.
“All right,” LaPorta said, pulling out a chair. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Gianna studied the man, who appeared to be in his early fifties. American. Mustached. A tad overweight. He wore a tan button-down shirt and a forest-green tie but had no badge or uniform, unlike the police officer standing behind him.
“My name is Detective LaPorta,” he began.
“OK...” Gianna said slowly.
“I work for the casino.”
“I’ve never been there.”
“Do you want to tell me about the wire transfer?”
“What wire transfer?”
“The two million dollars.”
Her eyes widened. “Two million dollars? I don’t have two million dollars to send anyone!”
“It was sent toyou.”
“To me?” She laughed. “I don’t think so.”
“I do.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
She pushed back in her chair.
“Honestly, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
