This would be a good test of their story, which they hadn’t had too long to perfect, but it was a simple cover story.
“It’s new. Just a few months,” Fay said as she continued to stir her drink, the ice clanking against the glass. “Up until yesterday, we weren’t really telling anyone. We wanted to see if we had legs.”
Walker couldn’t help it. His gaze lowered and he smiled.
She poked his shoulder and shook her head. “You know how I feel about being ogled.”
“It’s hard not to when you’ve got legs that look like that.” Walker didn’t want to come off like a sexist pig, but he did want to sound like a boyfriend who admired his girlfriend in every way.
“I knew I should have worn jeans,” she mumbled.
He reached under the table and squeezed her knee, making sure he didn’t grab too high up her thigh. “You’re beautiful in anything.”
“Flattery will get you places.” She smiled.
Walker nearly fell off the stool. Not so much over her comment, but how her gaze caught his and the way her eyes twinkled. He almost believed he had half a chance.
If he were so inclined.
And if they were two different people in a different time and place, he’d be more than inclined.
“Young love. It’s the best.” Albert raised his beer. “You two remind me of Sparrow and Stone. You’re so cute it’s disgusting.”
“We’ll work on it.” She rested her hand on the back of Walker’s chair.
“I take it the two of you are helping my daughter out with the Levi Jetson missing person’s case?” Albert asked. “And you’re here checking out the Craig-Pete connection?”
Walker arched a brow.
Albert shrugged. “There are a lot of people who still think I’m a criminal, so my daughter sometimes uses me in shady situations. This is one of those times since Craig Mantel is one of those idiots who believes I’m connected.”
“How well do you know Craig?” Walker asked.
“Well enough to know he’s not the kind of man you want to owe money to, but not the kind of man who would kidnap someone’s kid.” Albert took a long slow draw from his beer just as a waiter came and placed three small plates and a set of napkins and silverware around the table.
“What about his crew?” Fay asked.
“Anything’s possible, but why would they do that? It’s not like they’re going to be able to squeeze more money—”
“That is only if Pete is in debt to Craig,” Fay said. “Just because the two have been seen together doesn’t mean Pete owes Craig anything. For all we know, Pete is working for Craig.”
“Craig has been known to allow certain people to pay off debt by doing favors, so I’d believe that if Pete had something of value,” Albert said. “I just haven’t been able to figure out what on God’s green earth Pete could bring to the table.”
“Sparrow mentioned there hasn’t been a ransom note or any contact with a kidnapper and the parents are adamant the boy would not run away.” Fay leaned back, giving a second waiter room to place an incredibly large platter in front of her. She rubbed her hands together and dove in as if she were experiencing her last supper.
“The text messages between the kid and his dad about arrival time were pretty specific.” The smell of sizzling meat and melting cheese over corn chips was too much for Walker to resist. He dug in. “Not to mention the last known location of his kid’s cell phone. He was definitely heading in this direction. One would think if he wanted to make himself scarce, he’d at least go down the opposite path.”
“I have to agree on that one,” Fay said. “So, what’s the connection with the loan shark?”
“If I believed in coincidences, I’d say there might not be one,” Walker added. “But since I don’t, I’d say there is one, somewhere; we just have to find it.” He waved a chip in the air. “And let’s not rule out what brought us here in the first place. It could be as simple as Pete owes Craig something and until Pete does whatever that is, he’s going to make sure—”
“Nope. I don’t buy it,” Albert said. “Pete’s the one who reported his boy missing.”
“Because he had to.” Fay paused, stuffing her face for a brief moment. “Rosie had been calling, looking for Levi. If he didn’t report him when he didn’t show up, Rosie would have and it would have made him look like a real shit father. What we need is a list of newcomers to Craig’s crew and anyone on the inside who might have a beef with the boss.”
“I can help you with that,” Albert said. “Craig runs a pretty tight ship, and his people are loyal because he’s a good boss. I kind of have to give him respect for how he treats his people. But that’s not to say he doesn’t have enemies, because he does. Just not usually from within.”
“Crazy question.” Walker pushed his plate aside. He was going to get fat hanging around Fay. “Did Sparrow ask you to come hang out at the casino and keep an eye on Pete?”
“No.” Albert shook his head. “She wants me here looking for Craig and his people. She wants me to account for who comes, what they do, who they talk to, and when they go.”
“Can you give us the same report?” Fay asked.
“Sparrow already instructed me to do so, which is why I was a little surprised to see you both here today.”
Fay smiled that killer grin that made him forget this was all pretend. She leaned into him and draped her arm over his shoulder. “Besides wanting to get a visual and check things out for myself, this is our idea of a date.”
Albert tossed his head back and laughed. “Practical and romantic all wrapped in one. I like it.” He hopped off the bar stool. “Craig just walked in. While it’s never a big deal for me to socialize with anyone from the Brotherhood Protectors, if we want me to get intel, I should put some space between us.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Walker said. “You know where I live.”
“See you around.” Albert took his beer and disappeared into the maze of people.
“He’s an interesting character and so different from his daughter,” Fay said.
“They are both good people.” Walker’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. “Shit.”
“What is it?” Fay leaned over his shoulder.
He showed her the text from Lee, indicating he’d arrived in Fool’s Gold and was hoping he’d be able to crash at his place.
“You can’t say no,” Fay said in a soft voice. “That would look bad.”
“I know.” Walker let out a long breath as he responded. “Maybe I should have him meet us here first. That might help soften the blow.”
“Meeting in public is a good idea. That way we won’t kill each other.”
* * *