Running Bear parked beneath a stand of cypress trees, then beeped three times. A heavyset Mexican shuffled out of the dwelling wearing his shirt out of his pants. It was obvious by the bulge in his waist that he had a handgun. He eyed them suspiciously, then broke into a gap-toothed smile when he spotted Mabel. She rolled down her window and greeted him. “Hello, Jorge. Is Mira here?”
Jorge nodded. “I go get her. You stay here.”
When Jorge was gone, Running Bear said, “What are they running here?”
“A high-stakes poker game, ten thousand dollar buy in,” Mabel explained. “I’m told that Mira has been fleecing the regulars for quite a while. She lets them win every once in a while to keep things civil.”
“Smart lady.”
The front door of the house opened. Mira emerged wearing a navy tee-shirt and a sarong. She was a small, delicately-boned Asian-American in her early thirties who Mabel would have considered beautiful if not for the look of distrust stamped on her face. Mabel did not know Mira’s story, and was not sure she wanted to.
Mira came up to Mabel’s side of the pickup, but her eyes were fixed on Running Bear. She crossed her arms, and stared at him like he was a lab specimen. Mabel had seen her do this before. Mira was unpacking the chief’s face, studying the bulges and wrinkles that mirrored his character. She said, “You were a soldier, weren’t you?”
The chief nodded. “Long time ago.”
“But it seems like yesterday,” Mira said.
Again he nodded. “Yes.”
“You like to protect things, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Yet, you also like to hunt. How do you explain the contradiction?”
“It was how I fed myself when I was a boy,” Running Bear said.
“What you got for me?” she said to Mabel.
Mabel handed her the envelope containing the photographs of the seven gaming agents she’d printed off Tony’s computer. “One of these people is stealing slot machine jackpots in Nevada. I was hoping you could figure out which one.”
“You want me to find the thief?”
“Please.”
“Where’s Tony?”
“He’s out in Nevada, trying to catch this guy.”
“Tell him to call me when he comes home.”
“I will, Mira.”
Mira opened the envelope and removed the seven photographs. Paper-clipped to them was a smaller envelope with her fee. She removed the stack of hundred dollar bills and counted the money. Satisfied, she stuffed the bills into the pocket of her sarong, then said, “You got these photographs off the Internet. That makes my job harder. I need to look at them in seclusion. I’ll be back in a little while.”
Mira walked away. Not to the house, but down to the edge of the lake where tiny schools of fish were doing a flawless ballet just above the water’s surface. Stopping, she fitted on a pair of reading glasses, and carefully studied the photographs.
“What was that about?” Running Bear asked.
“She’s got a crush on Tony.”
“I sensed that. She’s half his age.”
“I know. Tony is a magnet for — how should I say it? — problem women. I think it has something to do with him being an ex-policeman.”
“It must make his life difficult. Would you like to have dinner with me?”
“That was some segue, chief.”
Running Bear gestured awkwardly with his hands. “Sorry. It’s been a long time since I asked a woman on a date.”
“Of course I’ll have dinner with you.”
“You will? I mean, that’s wonderful. How about tonight?”
“That would be splendid. Pick me up at seven.”
The chief smiled like he’d just won the lottery. Mabel had no idea where this was going, but she was looking forward to the ride. She glanced down at the lake, and saw Mira slip the photographs back into the envelope, and start walking toward the pickup.
The expression on her face was best described as hostile.
“What’s wrong?” Mabel asked when Mira reached the car.
“These are all cops, aren’t they?” Mira said.
“They’re in law enforcement, yes.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Why do you say that?”
Mira tossed the envelope through the window into Mabel’s lap.
“They’re all thieves,” she said.
Part 3
Jackpot
Chapter 47
McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas had a special area reserved for private planes. It was one of the busiest areas of the airport, with hundreds of private planes and jets landing at all hours of the day and night. Many of these planes had wealthy gamblers coming to town for a few days of fun, and a long line of chauffeur-driven limousines sent by the casinos were parked just outside the gates, waiting to whisk these gamblers away. Governor Smoltz’s private jet landed at seven-thirty in the morning with Valentine, his son, and Bill Higgins on board. As the three men disembarked onto the windy tarmac, Valentine’s cell phone rang. Caller ID said Mabel. He told Gerry and Bill that he’d meet them inside the terminal, and moved into the shade before answering the call.
“How’s it going?” he said by way of greeting.
“I just met with Mira,” Mabel replied. “You’re not going to believe what she told me.”
“Try me.”
“Mira is convinced that all seven GCB agents are involved in a massive conspiracy. Mira said it was apparent from the downturn of the triangularis — that’s the muscle that depresses the corner of the lips — that they were involved. Tony, it was so amazing. The moment she pointed it out to me, I could see it! Their mouths had a distasteful look, like they’d just bitten into a sour piece of fruit.”
Valentine felt something drop in the pit of his stomach. His earlier suspicion that Bill was holding back was taking on new meaning. Something had happened to those seven agents that had turned them into crooks. Their jobs, or something related to their jobs, had pushed them to the dark side.
“I need to run,” he said. “Thanks for doing this.”
“One more thing,” Mabel said. “I looked at these seven agents’ files again. They all report directly to your friend Bill Higgins. It occurred to me that they may not be the only people involved in this conspiracy.”
“Come again?”
“Your friend Bill. I checked him out as well.”
“How did you do that?”
“I pulled up his photograph on my cell phone, and showed it to Mira. It wasn’t a good photo, but Mira was able to read Bill’s face.”
Valentine felt an icy finger run down the length of his spine. Was Bill involved? It was a jump he’d been unwilling to make. He’d known Bill for twenty-five years, and considered him more than just a friend. But it was possible. When it came to money, just about anything was possible.
“And?”
“She said that Bill was filled with dark secrets.”
Valentine found himself nodding. Bill didhave his secrets. He’d been sent away from the Navajo reservation by his parents at an early age, something he’d never gotten over. Valentine guessed there were plenty of things hidden beneath Bill’s calm exterior, and said, “Did she think Bill was involved?”
“Mira said it was possible. She said you should be very careful.”
“Will do. Talk to you later.”
Valentine went inside the terminal and found his garment bag waiting for him in the baggage claim. His son was at the car rental counter, getting them a set of wheels. He tapped Gerry on the shoulder and said, “Where’s Bill?”
“He went outside to make a call. He said the reception was better out there.”