No sign of Lila. Thank fuck.
Oddly, I’m also a little disappointed. Something is undoubtedly wrong with me.
Andrews waves down a passing cocktail server. “Excuse me. Do you know where we can find a dealer named Dana Ross?”
The petite brunette eyes us carefully, glossy red lips pursing. “Who’s asking?”
Unable to prevent a glorious eye roll, I flash my badge. “FBI. We need to ask her a few questions. Don’t worry; she isn’t in trouble.”
Probably.
The server lowers her tray, leans closer, and whispers, “Is this about what happened to her mom?”
Looks like the gossip mill is alive and well at Oak Winds.
“Yep,” I answer.
Honestly, why hide it? It’s no secret that law enforcement is involved.
“Dana’s on baccarat today.” She points across the room with her chin. “She’s the blond at the far table.”
Andrews grins at her, lowering his head in a slight bow. “Thank you, ma’am.”
She flutters her gaze to me, looking me up and down. “Don’t I know you?” Her expression brightens with recognition. “Oh. Now I remember. The lurker from the bar. Welcome back, cutie.” And she winks. “Sorry, but Lila isn’t here.”
Without responding, I thunder toward the baccarat tables.
Suddenly, with the spryness of a man half his age, Andrews catches up in less than two steps. “Care to tell me what that was about?”
“Nope.”
“Interesting language she used. Paints a certain picture.”
“Drop it, Andrews.”
Naturally, he doesn’t drop it. Why start respecting my privacy now and break his perfect streak?
“I knew you came here periodically, but I thought you were pissing away your paycheck. Especially with all that bullshit you spew aboutonly weak men having vices, which I assumedwas projection.” He hums annoyingly. “It’s not gambling, it’s... what did she call it?Lurkingin the bar. In a casino, no less.”
I tune him out.
He stops needling me to whistle, low and slow. When that doesn’t make me crack, he tries again. “I guess you like paying triple the price for your drinks.” He leans close. “I’d like to acknowledge that I’mnotpointing out that alcohol is a vice. For the record.”
“Noted.”
“Didn’t take you for a lush.”
“I’m not a big drinker.”
Growing exasperated, he grumbles, “Then why thehelldo you hang out at a casino bar?”
In accordance with my time-honored tradition, I ignore him and pick up the pace.
The fucker stays lock step with me. “Perhaps you come to see your sister’s best friend. The server just mentioned her name.” He snaps like he’s trying to recall something. “Was it Layla?”
“Lila,” I fire back before I can stop myself.
His grin is so wide I can see it from the corner of my eye. “Ah, yes.Lila. Point her out to me before we leave. I’dloveto talk to her.”
