He was a millionaire many times over with accounts in the Caymans that law enforcement couldn’t touch. He had the financial clout to order Leroy’s early release from prison and put out a hit on Vic’s son. Waters had to be the one who’d picked Quarls to launder money through this casino.
Vic had traced some fraud problems to Quarls and eventually made the arrest. The whole shady business with Jamison Lowell and the big sums of money in his bank account sent up a red flag. That kind of money came from drugs or gambling. Vic was prompted to take a look at the tapes pulled from the casino.
Yesterday, he and Kit had identified Jamison among the gamblers, and everything clicked into place. With Quarls taken out, Waters had picked another corruptible goon who carried out orders to play against Jamison. Once the district school administrator, who had a gambling addiction, was losing money, it was easy to blackmail him into setting up the kidnapping.
As soon as Jamison wasn’t needed, they sent him to Colorado, where he was eliminated on the freeway near Vail. With the scent of coming victory in the air, a fresh surge of adrenaline filled Vic’s body. He entered the casino and headed straight to the cage for chips. He pulled out his player’s card linked to the hotel where he was staying in Luckenbach.
“Five thousand.”
Once he had what he needed, he headed for the Mini Baccarat table. Earlier in the day, he and Kit had gone over the architectural drawings of the casino. Vic memorized every part of it for exits and rooms not open to the public. No expense had been spared to make it the most loaded casino in Texas.
All of it at the taxpayers’ expense, with little of the proceeds benefitting the Indian nation.
The bulk of the money lined the pockets of the fat cats like Waters who believed they were untouchable and above the law. Eliminating a seven-year-old boy meant nothing to them. But Leroy hadn’t finished the job. Claire had been the one who’d found Jeremy in time, thwarting Waters’s plan to get even with Vic for the arrest. Now the tables had turned, and this was personal for him.
Despite the smoke, the place was well ventilated and attracted a cross section of people of every age and social class, many of whom were from out of state, judging by the license plates. Many people preferred a casino here in Texas to the ones in Las Vegas.
Vic joined the fast moving Mini Baccarat table and won fairly consistently for the next two hours. The house edge of 1.6 percent still allowed for him to build some earnings. When an African-American man, probably in his late twenties and wearing a tux, came by and whispered something to the dealer, Vic realized he’d been flagged. It was time to buy more chips at the cage.
“Three thousand.”
After he moved on to the blackjack table, he knew he was being watched—which was the point. A half hour later, the same man came around again because Vic was steadily winning. This time he struck up a conversation with him.
“We haven’t seen you in here before.”
“Some friends in New Mexico told me to come and check out this place. It’s a good set up, but I was hoping for some action.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is Eskaminzim. My people are thinking of putting up a casino near the Texas–New Mexico border. I’m visiting several casinos for ideas.” Vic knew that Waters was alwa
ys looking for another Indian tribe that wanted to build a casino. They were his cash cows.
“If you’ll come with me to the back room, I’ll introduce you to Mr. Ruban, the manager. He’ll want to buy you a drink.”
“No drinking while I’m on business.”
“As you wish. Follow me.”
Vic was led into another gaming room with two tables. One was empty, the other surrounded by some serious gamblers playing poker, some no doubt losing their shirts. A thin man of maybe forty came down the stairs in a tuxedo. He looked as if he could be Cuban with his three-inch-high El Yonki haircut.
“Mr. Ruban? This gentleman is taking a look at our casino in the hope of building one along the New Mexico border. He doesn’t drink during business.”
“Is that right? Thank you, Jori.”
“Yes, sir.”
After he disappeared Mr. Ruban told Vic to sit down at the empty table, but Vic preferred to remain standing. He stood two inches taller than the other man.
Ruban’s speculative gaze swept over him. “You did well at our establishment so far this evening.”
“I am pleased.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I want to meet the person overseeing the casino.”
“You can talk to me.”