“I wouldn’t mind lying down for a while,” Lucas said. “But I don’t know if I’ll get any sleep “
“Try,” said Andre. “Meditate or something. All we can do now is wait, anyway. Something’s bound to break. And I don’t need you tired when it does.”
“Okay, you’ve got a point.” said Lucas, lying back on the bed. “I’ll try to get some rest. Hut I’d feel a lot better if I knew what Delaney was doing.”
Moments later, he was fast asleep. Andre sat down in a chair and put her feet up, holding the laser pistol in her lap. She kept close watch on the windows and the door. Something wasn’t right She had the nagging thought that if she could just back off a bit and look at it a certain way, she’d see it.
She sighed. “Come on. Finn.” she whispered, softly, so as not to disturb Lucas. “Where are you?”
“Dealer takes two,” said Finn Delaney, dealing himself two cards. “It’s your bet, mister.”
“Well, let’s see if we can’t make this interesting,” said Stone, putting down his bet.
“Feelin’ sure of yourself, are ya?” said Delaney.
The gambler smiled. “Confidence is half the game.”
“Luck is the other half,” said Finn. “I’ll see you and I’ll raise you ten.”
“Too rich for me,” said one of the players, folding.
“I’m out,” said another.
“Luck, is it? I thought it was skill,” said Stone, his eyes twinkling. He matched Finn’s bet. “Call.”
“Three of a kind,” said Finn, putting down three eights.
“Sorry, Mister,” said Stone. putting down his cards. “Three ladies.” He reached for the pot.
“And two aces make a full house.” said Delaney, putting down his last two cards.
“Son of a bitch.” said Stone.
“Whoo-eee!” said one of the other men, clapping Delaney on the back. “That’s the way to play ’em!”
“Drinks on me. gents.” said Finn, gathering up the pot.
“Looks like it’s your lucky night. cowboy,” Stone said. He gathered up the cards. “Tell you what. I’ll cut you for that pot you just won. Double or nothing.”
“No, not me.” said Finn, with a smile. “I might believe in the luck of the Irish, but not enough to push it.”
Stone smiled. “Suit yourself. We’ll have to play again sometime. Give me a chance to get some of that money back. Unless you’re just passing through.”
“No, I think I’ll stick around a bit.” said Finn, as the others got up from the table. “You go on and get
your drinks, boys, and tell the bartender I’ll take care of it,” he said.
“Thanks, mister.”
“Where you from, cowboy?” the gambler asked.
“Oh, all over,” Delaney replied, “guess I’m what you’d call a drifter. I never seem to stay in any one place too long. What about yourself?”
“Boston,” said the gambler.
“Boston? Is that right?”
“Ever been there’?”