Page 61 of Double or Nothing
“No, I’m caught up on sleep,” I assure him. “If I’m ready to go, there’s no point in delaying it. We need the extra time between now and Christmas Eve to work out the kinks. When the guys get here, I want to go over everything to keep us all on the same game plan.”
“Sounds good,” he says.
“Here they are now,” I say, hearing Vulcan’s motorcycle coming down the driveway at the same time Kit opens the garage door leading into the kitchen.
I sit them all down and buzz around, handing out plates and dishing up pizza for my guys. I’ve never considered myself as the domestic type, but I’m enjoying taking care of them. Not that serving takeout pizza is quality care. To make up for my lack of cooking skills, I take time to move around the table, rubbing their shoulders and kissing the backs of their necks. Little things to show them I care the same way they showed me.
“Jade mentioned they’re planning to do the first test run tomorrow night,” Seven says, when we’ve finished eating.
“So soon?” Kit asks, surprised. “Wouldn’t it be better to wait a couple of days to recuperate?”
“I’m fine, really,” I say, softly laughing. “I was dead to the world yesterday, but now I’m raring to get this done. I’ve been working towards this for a long time and I’m eager to give it a go.”
“Is anyone off work tomorrow night?” Vulcan glances at me in concern. “Jade needs backup.”
“This isn’t the real deal,” I explain. “We’re only testing to determine how well the camera I’ll be wearing will function. To make sure it can transmit the video back to Eva with the laptop. We won’t be playing for money and will wear disguises, so there’s no need to accompany us.”
Kit leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. “I don’t like the idea of the two of you going into the casinos without someone watching your back. This is risky.”
“No, it isn’t,” I argue. “It’s just a test. That’s all. If you needed to be there, I would ask for your help. We’ll take a cab there and have them drop us off at the front entrance. We’ll be perfectly safe inside the casino.”
Kit doesn’t appear convinced and glances over at Seven. “What are your thoughts on this, Seven? Will they be okay without us since we’re all working?”
“Can’t you reschedule to a time when we’re not working?” Seven asks. “We were supposed to be part of this.”
“You are part of this,” I argue. “I definitely will need all of you onboard for Christmas Eve when we do it for real. All hands on deck that night, and Leroy too. Especially Leroy, since he’s helping us with the security personnel. Besides, is there ever a time when you’re all off? Or even two of you? You work every night, it seems.”
Seven shakes his head. “That rarely happens. Giovanni keeps us busy performing nightly during the busy season. I’m booked every night until Christmas. I’m sure Kit and Vulcan’s schedule is the same. Right?”
They both nod back at him.
“Damn, we should’ve thought this through better,” Vulcan says. “We were all eager to help you and now we’re all saying we have to work. We’re total assholes and are letting you down here.”
“No, you’re not,” I argue. “Stop, okay? This will be simple. You’re overreacting.”
“Nothing about your plan sounded simple to me,” Vulcan says. “When you were explaining it all to us in the basement at Platinum, I felt like my head would explode. Can you break it down in simpler terms for me one more time? Pretend I’m a preschooler.”
I smile at him. “Sure, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Think of it this way. By reverse engineering the slot machine, we were given a window into the future payouts of the slot machine. Now I’m able to understand the machine’s logic, how it generates random numbers and determines the payouts. I’ll use a modified cellphone to communicate with a laptop which will analyze the timing and sequences of the slot machine’s operation. As I’m playing, the concealed cellphone will send info back and forth to the laptop, allowing us to pinpoint the precise moment when to bet or press the button. The laptop will send a signal when the machine will pay out. I’ll hit the button and we’ll make it rain money.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Vulcan says. “And I won’t ask again. Too much math hurts my head.”
Seven is listening intently, following along easily. Kit seems to grasp it too, not that it’s necessary for any of them to understand the technical details.
“Are you satisfied now? Any more questions?”
“Will you text me to keep in touch?” Seven asks. “We’ll be worried until you’re back here safe.”
“Of course. I’ll keep you in the loop.” I give them an encouraging smile. “Please stop worrying about me. Everything will be okay.”
27
JADE
Our first test run…
The yellow taxi’s worn brakes emit a loud screech as we ease to a halt at the archways leading into the artificial Polynesian paradise of the Bora Bora Hotel and Casino. The entrance beckons invitingly, a faux bamboo gate guarded by stone statues with stoic expressions, glowing with a kaleidoscope of colors dancing across their surfaces.
The fleeting scent of gasoline from the taxi mixes with the hot desert air and the scent of the exotic flowers landscaped around the hotel. Distant sounds of laughter and the tantalizing clink of slot machines seep from the hotel’s entrance.
