Lucia wouldn’t let that happen.
“Maybe something went wrong with the Holmes and White deal and he either can’t access the money or he’s worried he can’t get away with it clean,” Lucia said. If the money was tied up, that made it more likely they could put their hands on it before Anderson did. “Who gave you the lead?”
Cash raised a finger. Of course. Cash had contacts and connections.
“I called Georgiana first thing this morning and got nowhere. I also called a buddy who gave me the info,” Cash said.
“Tell me how to find this underground casino.” Lucia had a few informants in the city that liked to gamble. Perhaps she could lean on them and find out if they knew anything.
“Cash will work his contacts until he secures an invite. Once he’s in, we’ll bankroll him at the casino, but we want a couple of people to go with him as backup.”
Backup, like security detail? Not as fun, but it could still be a great way to catch a break in the case. “What’s my role exactly?” Lucia asked, taking the file folder Benjamin extended to her.
She inwardly groaned when she scanned the mock profile. Lucy Harris, Cash’s floozy girlfriend. It wasn’t the first time she’d played the part of a girlfriend, but it would be the first time she’d played it alongside someone she wanted to sleep with. Keeping emotional control during undercover ops was critical to their success.
Could she and Cash pull this off?
“Is that a deep enough cover?” Lucia asked. She could go under as a fellow gambler.
“Anderson knows Cash went to prison, but they have a history. Cash’s father and Anderson go way, way back. They grew up in the same neighborhood and ran scams from the time they could walk.”
Cash didn’t appear upset by what Benjamin was saying. No hint of the emotion he’d felt the night before showed.
“Cash was also married to Anderson’s estranged daughter.”
Lucia hoped she hid her shock. Cash’s late wife was Anderson’s daughter? Cash’s son was Anderson’s grandson? Why hadn’t he mentioned that to her? It hadn’t been in the file Benjamin had given her earlier.
“If you’re his son-in-law, what’s your relationship now?” Lucia asked Cash.
“My late wife wasn’t part of her father’s life. She didn’t keep me from seeing him, but she made it clear she didn’t want him in her life,” Cash said.
“Does Anderson carry a grudge about that?” Lucia asked.
“I guess we’ll find out,” Cash said.
“Did he help you with the con that landed you in prison?” Lucia asked.
Cash said nothing.
“He doesn’t have to answer that,” Benjamin said.
His silence was an answer. Anderson had been involved but Cash wouldn’t sell him out.
“Maybe Cash can approach him looking for a big score,” Lucia said, not liking the idea of putting Cash close to the fire, but knowing it could work if Cash could take the heat.
Or as long as he could stand the heat and not get burned.
Anderson was smart. He vetted the people he worked with. It wouldn’t take long for Anderson to work his contacts and find out that Cash was working with the FBI. “What will Cash tell Anderson about his release and working with us?”
“A modified truth,” Benjamin said.
“I’ll tell him the pay is lousy and for the right price, I’ll get as dirty as he needs,” Cash said.
Lucia didn’t like it. “It’s dangerous.” She didn’t want their lead to negate the need for proper preparation.
“Worried about me?” Cash asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“You can handle yourself,” Lucia said, worry still nipping at her. At least she would be with Cash as his backup. “Now score us an invitation. I’m in the mood to gamble tonight.”
* * *
Lucia and Cash rifled through the FBI’s costume closet. The outfits were meant to be less cowboys and superheroes and more prostitutes and gangbangers. Lucia found some items that could work for the part she was playing.
“Anderson knows
“Maybe something went wrong with the Holmes and White deal and he either can’t access the money or he’s worried he can’t get away with it clean,” Lucia said. If the money was tied up, that made it more likely they could put their hands on it before Anderson did. “Who gave you the lead?”
Cash raised a finger. Of course. Cash had contacts and connections.
“I called Georgiana first thing this morning and got nowhere. I also called a buddy who gave me the info,” Cash said.
“Tell me how to find this underground casino.” Lucia had a few informants in the city that liked to gamble. Perhaps she could lean on them and find out if they knew anything.
“Cash will work his contacts until he secures an invite. Once he’s in, we’ll bankroll him at the casino, but we want a couple of people to go with him as backup.”
Backup, like security detail? Not as fun, but it could still be a great way to catch a break in the case. “What’s my role exactly?” Lucia asked, taking the file folder Benjamin extended to her.
She inwardly groaned when she scanned the mock profile. Lucy Harris, Cash’s floozy girlfriend. It wasn’t the first time she’d played the part of a girlfriend, but it would be the first time she’d played it alongside someone she wanted to sleep with. Keeping emotional control during undercover ops was critical to their success.
Could she and Cash pull this off?
“Is that a deep enough cover?” Lucia asked. She could go under as a fellow gambler.
“Anderson knows Cash went to prison, but they have a history. Cash’s father and Anderson go way, way back. They grew up in the same neighborhood and ran scams from the time they could walk.”
Cash didn’t appear upset by what Benjamin was saying. No hint of the emotion he’d felt the night before showed.
“Cash was also married to Anderson’s estranged daughter.”
Lucia hoped she hid her shock. Cash’s late wife was Anderson’s daughter? Cash’s son was Anderson’s grandson? Why hadn’t he mentioned that to her? It hadn’t been in the file Benjamin had given her earlier.
“If you’re his son-in-law, what’s your relationship now?” Lucia asked Cash.
“My late wife wasn’t part of her father’s life. She didn’t keep me from seeing him, but she made it clear she didn’t want him in her life,” Cash said.
“Does Anderson carry a grudge about that?” Lucia asked.
“I guess we’ll find out,” Cash said.
“Did he help you with the con that landed you in prison?” Lucia asked.
Cash said nothing.
“He doesn’t have to answer that,” Benjamin said.
His silence was an answer. Anderson had been involved but Cash wouldn’t sell him out.
“Maybe Cash can approach him looking for a big score,” Lucia said, not liking the idea of putting Cash close to the fire, but knowing it could work if Cash could take the heat.
Or as long as he could stand the heat and not get burned.
Anderson was smart. He vetted the people he worked with. It wouldn’t take long for Anderson to work his contacts and find out that Cash was working with the FBI. “What will Cash tell Anderson about his release and working with us?”
“A modified truth,” Benjamin said.
“I’ll tell him the pay is lousy and for the right price, I’ll get as dirty as he needs,” Cash said.
Lucia didn’t like it. “It’s dangerous.” She didn’t want their lead to negate the need for proper preparation.
“Worried about me?” Cash asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“You can handle yourself,” Lucia said, worry still nipping at her. At least she would be with Cash as his backup. “Now score us an invitation. I’m in the mood to gamble tonight.”
* * *
Lucia and Cash rifled through the FBI’s costume closet. The outfits were meant to be less cowboys and superheroes and more prostitutes and gangbangers. Lucia found some items that could work for the part she was playing.
“Anderson knows
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