The Getaway God (Sandman Slim 6)

“Shouldn’t you be out looking for someone?”

“I have a team on it.”

“Ready?” says Mason.

“What are we playing?”

“Simple draw poker. You can handle that, can’t you?”

“You don’t have anything to bet.”

“We have the whole world to bet.”

“If I win you’ll tell me about Candy.”

“Everything. Deal.”

I deal out five cards, each facedown. I get two threes, a queen of diamonds, a ten of clubs, and an ace of hearts.

Mason nods at his cards to Julie.

“Would you hold my cards up for me, dear?”

“Don’t call me that again. I’m Marshal Sola.”

“Would you hold my cards for me, Marshal Sola?”

She does it.

“Higher, please.”

She raises the cards a little.

“Thank you.”

I set my cards down and pick up the deck.

“How many do you want?”

“Four,” he says.

“What’s wrong with you? That’s how a six-­year-­old plays.”

“I’d like four.”

I deal him out four facedown. He points to the card he wants to keep. Julie lays down the others and picks up the new cards.

“Dealer takes two.”

I get an ace of diamonds and a two of spades.

“We’re not betting, so I guess we just show our cards.”

“Yours first,” says Mason.

I lay down two pairs, threes, and aces.

Julie puts down Mason’s hand. He has a three, a six, a four, a ten, and a jack. None of the suits match.