Of all the ridiculous things to have stolen, Renzo's team had bumped the wrong truck and ended up with six check stand registers. At least they were new models, with technology I'd never seen before. I wanted them, so I disabled their trackers, removed their serial numbers, and stashed them away in one of the family's warehouses.
By the time we finished, we had a little over an hour before Bones and I had to pick up the girls. As I started up the Hummer, Bones turned to face me, and I knew what was coming.
"We need to do a background check on her," he said.
He was right, but I was enjoying the surprise... the mystery that was Markie Davis. Afraid it would disappear when we pulled her records and learned all her deepest, darkest secrets, I shook my head. "Soon. Let me have tonight, okay?"
I thought he would argue, but he didn't. "Fine."
"Thanks Bones."
"You owe me, asshole."
I chuckled. "Put it on my tab."
We picked up the girls then headed back to the High Roller. Bones made a call, and one of the managers appeared to take us through the service entrance so we could bypass the line. An employee gestured us forward, and then smiled as recognition lit his eyes.
"Mr. Angel!" He stepped forward and offered me his hand. "So good to see you."
I shook it. "Fernando. Good to see you, too."
Fernando's family did lawn maintenance for Father's estate. They were nice people, hard-working, and knew how to keep their mouths shut.
"Pleasure is all mine."
"These are my friends Markie and Ariana, and you know Bones, of course."
He shook their hands as I explained he was a family friend.
"You are some lucky ladies to be out on the town with these two. Stand-up gentlemen you got here. Real nice guys."
Markie smiled at him. "Good to know."
To me, he said, "Mr. Angel, my parents got the floral arrangement you sent for myabuela'sfuneral. Thank you. It meant much to us."
Fernando's grandmother was like a second nonna to me. And although I'd never admit it aloud, she could bake almost as good.
"I was sorry to hear about your loss."
"Yes, she was a wonderful woman."
I started to head toward the pod, but Fernando stopped me. "You get your own," he said before closing the pod and speaking into his radio. The High Roller rotated, bringing another pod to the platform. After unloading the passengers, he ushered us in, instructing us to let Hank at the bar know if we needed anything.
He closed us in the pod and waved goodbye before turning to the next group.
Our pod moved, and an announcer appeared on overhead screens, welcoming us onto the ride. Then he droned on about the city's history as we began our ascent. Bones and Ariana headed for the bar while Markie and I pressed against the glass. She looked out, while I carefully gazed anywhere but down.
"Tell me more about yourself," I said. "What do you like to do when you're not traveling across the world to build wells and help orphans."
"I like to dance."
Intrigued, I leaned closer. "Tell me more. What style of dancing?"
"All of it. Ballroom, ballet, pop, hip-hop." She looked away and her cheeks turned the slightest tint of pink. "Disco."
"Disco?" I asked, forcing down a chuckle.
She shrugged, her blush deepening. "What? I like to get down. I like to boogie."
