Death On the Flop by Jackie Chance

somehow even more scary. Frank put a finger to his lips when I tried to talk, then went through methodically and silently, taking a digital camera out of his pocket and recording the scene, extracting an evil looking knife out of his boot to scrape some of the dried blood off the wall and into a plastic evidence bag. He was the cop at work. I certainly didn’t want to mess with him.
    He ordered me to collect my clothes and he headed for the front door. I saw my reflection in the mirror above the Jacuzzi, which was all it took to properly motivate me. I threw all my scattered things in my Burberry and ran to keep up with him as we raced back down the hallway and into the elevator that just happened to be waiting. Frank was a guy like that, even the elevators worked for him. For me, they went on vacation.
    I opened my mouth in the elevator, but he shook his head. I clammed back up. It wasn’t until we were safely back in his room that Frank spoke. “Do you know how much money they spent on building this hotel and casino?”
    I shook my head. “I see the opulence—the crystal sculptures, the precious stone floors—and I wonder but I can’t even begin to imagine. It’s mind boggling.”
    “Okay, if they spent that much on decoration, don’t you think they went all out on the security? There is a lot of money at stake at the tables here every night. Don’t you think they want to protect that?”
    I nodded. Frank continued, “Then it would be feasible to assume that the elevators and all the rooms are bugged.”
    My eyes widened as I looked around. “Then why are we talking in here?” I whispered.
    “I’ve swept the room already, and disconnected all the bugs.”
    “You found some?”
    “Yes, but I expected to. This is a room they give to visiting dignitaries, to the highest of high rollers, to the owner.”
    “You’d think that it would be a penthouse.”
    “Everyone else thinks that too, that’s why it’s in the middle of the hotel instead of the top. Much more difficult to guess and to infiltrate. The doors around it are dummies.”
    “Which are you, the high roller or the dignitary?”
    “Neither.”
    “Okay, then why are you in their suite?”
    “Because the Lanai’s owner owed me a favor.”
    “Who is the Lanai’s owner?”
    “He is a silent partner who is also invisible.”
    “So, why are you here?”
    “Because I owed the owner a favor.”
    I sighed. His face was closed. “You aren’t going to tell me any more than that, are you?”
    “No.”
    “Frank, what is a security expert?”
    “It can be a lot of things, but I would say it is someone whose goal is safety of people, of things, even of time.”
    I shook my head. Frank was speaking in riddles. I wasn’t good at those in the best of times, and being awake for thirty-six hours definitely wasn’t one of them. As I watched the sun rise over The Strip, I felt the last bit of energy drain out of me.
    “I need to go check into another room,” I said, walking to the front door where I’d left my suitcase.
    “No you don’t. It’s too big a risk. You stay here tonight.” Frank looked at my hesitant face in exasperation as he sat down at the desk in front of a laptop computer. “Look, this place is bigger than most houses. The bedrooms are on opposite sides of the floor. There’s even a lock on the door. The best part is, you don’t even have to change to go to bed.”
    I couldn’t help giving that a weary smile. Nodding, I dragged my suitcase into the bedroom. I paused at the door. “Frank?”
    He looked up from his typing.
    “Thank you.”
    “I haven’t done anything you should thank me for yet, Honey Bee.” His crow’s feet crinkled. “But I will before this is all said and done. I will.”

Eight

    I heard Frank talking before I opened my eyes. I tried to roll over and winced, my muscles sore and loose like I’d been beaten by a giant meat tenderizer. Man, I had to get in better shape if this was what riding the