Valdemar holds my gaze. “You see where this is going. This is the part where Fortunato didn’t give two shits about what he was doing.”
My mind races at the thought of people leaving the casino with their inhibitions lowered, what stupid decisions they might make, the reckless things they might do all because AdolpheFortunato wanted to line his already bulging pockets. How vulnerable would they be when they couldn’t decide if a situation was dangerous or not? How many would accept lifts from strangers, would take someone home who they didn’t trust? How many would have their money stolen from them if they couldn’t recognise a bad situation? How many would be attacked or violated because the alarm bell in their heads wasn’t blaring at the first sign of danger?
As I contemplate the various implications, dust particles swarm within a shard of light that splits through the air from the barred window.
“How does this fit in with the night you shot Ed?” Although I’m intrigued and alarmed by all this, I haven’t forgotten why I’m here.
His eyes glaze over, and his face drops as if the memory is pulling on his skin.
“We couldn’t sit back while Fortunato was drugging people, but we were smart enough to know we couldn’t just walk through the front door of his casino and tell him to stop being a bad boy. We knew it would take time and planning.
“The night of the shooting was only phase one. We were to go in and get a location on Adolphe Fortunato.” Valdemar straightens in his seat.
“The Raven Hands have always stayed clear of Adolphe Fortunato and him of us—a mutual agreement that has gone back years—so when Jupiter and I entered the casino that night, we were met with the assumption that we were there to kick back and enjoy ourselves. Thanks to Ed, we knew when Fortunato would be at the casino, so once we had the go-ahead, Jupiter and I arrived with Jacinta and her friend Ada. Ada knew nothing of the plan, as we needed her reactions to be genuine, but Jacinta knew and played her part.
“Ed told us that the drinks were being spiked at the bar near the roulette tables by a tall, lanky bartender named Bobby, and that the beverage of choice that night was whisky.
“I ordered the drinks: a Manhattan for Ada, a craft beer each for Jupiter and myself, and a whisky for Jacinta.”
“You made Jacinta take the spiked drink?” I jump in, shocked by this.
“She didn’t drink it. We knew where all the cameras were and which staff on the floor were watching the people who’d taken the spiked drinks, so as soon as we were in position, Jupiter pressed himself up to Jacinta, blocking the view of the cameras and prying eyes, the whisky held low in her hand, and he kissed her. As he did, he slipped a wad of tissue into the glass and soaked up the liquid. They’d practised it a thousand times, so when it came to the real thing, it was seamless.
“We gave it ten minutes before Jacinta started to perform. She’d trained as an actress when she left school but never pursued the career—why, I don’t know, because she was so fucking believable.”
As much as I try, I can’t help but get lost in the art of his words, the way he paints the picture. I feel like I’m in the casino, amongst the gamblers, watching the events unfold.
“We were by the roulette table when she started to shake, just her hand at first, then up her arm. She kept licking her lips as if her mouth was drying out, and she started to twitch.”
“You pretended she’d had an allergic reaction to the drug?” I ask.
Valdemar nods. “Jupiter was the first to notice and asked her what was wrong. Ada dashed over to Jacinta, her reaction completely genuine. Jacinta’s eyes rolled in her head as someone shouted to get her a chair.
“The game had stopped at the table, and one of the croupiers came over to see what was going on. Jupiter played the panickedboyfriend while I took charge, getting Jacinta to lie on the floor as I told Jupiter to call an ambulance. His hands shook as he dialled and faked the call.
“Ed had told us what happens when there’s a medical emergency on the floor. The staff carry the casualty off to a private function room as quickly as possible, as no one wants to see someone potentially die in the middle of the casino—it’s bad for business. Management is also notified. And, of course, Adolphe Fortunato when he’s on the premises.”
Valdemar pauses for a second, as if getting his bearings, before continuing. “Ed arrived, announcing that he was a first aider, and a middle-aged man joined him, one of Fortunato’s more senior employees, who we guessed had been tailing Jacinta since she ordered her drink. His name badge read Julius.
“Ed shouted for us to move back and give him some room. Jacinta was on the floor, a gurgling sound coming from her throat coupled with erratic breathing. There was a second when I thought she wasn’t acting at all.
“Julius pushed his way through and knelt next to Ed, who was trying to put Jacinta in the recovery position. Julius told him they needed to get Jacinta to the medical room, this being the private function room.
“Ed scooped Jacinta up, not wanting Julius to touch her and possibly become suspicious. Julius argued that the rest of us needed to stay on the floor, but Jupiter was like a man possessed and said she wasn’t being taken anywhere without him. I followed, telling Ada to wait for the ambulance she believed was en route.
“We reached the function room. Ed went in first, carrying Jacinta, and Julius was behind him, then Jupiter and me.”
Valdemar’s head drops, his eyes searching for something on the empty table before he returns his gaze to me.
“And that’s when the whole fucking thing went wrong.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The visitors’room shrinks, and I feel it as if I’m there in the casino, the dread that comes when the tables have turned, when you think you’re in control, and then suddenly, you’re not.
“And that’s when the whole fucking thing went wrong.”
Valdemar takes a minute before he continues, the thread of the tale momentarily dropped.
