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  I bite down on my lip because dessert is code for so much more.

  I give a slight nod. “And for the casino. I have a hot tip and I think we need to investigate.”

  The smile glides right off his face. “I’ll investigate. You rack up the winnings at the blackjack table.”

  “Deal.” I give a little shrug.

  Jasper can investigate all he wants. All I need is a quick conversation with Harry Dillinger.

  Something sinister was brewing around Siena, and I won’t rest until I find out what.

  Chapter 13

  The Murphy Hotel and Casino is bustling with bodies, all happy to be out of the icy weather. The temperatures have plummeted, and it’s snowing once again outside.

  Inside, the flashing lights and whir of machines create a cheery cacophony of sight and sound—and perhaps a bit of a seizure-inducing environment, too.

  “Blackjack—best out of three?” I bat my lashes up at Jasper. I’m not entirely sure how I’ve become a card shark diva, but I’m loving my time at the top.

  “With your skill and luck”—Jasper’s chest expands and I swear on all that is holy ten different women just sighed—“I’d rather make it nine. A guy needs a fighting chance.”

  We give a quick look around, only to find the blackjack tables filled to the brim. Same with the craps and poker tables. I’m about to suggest we try our luck at the one-armed bandits when I spot a familiar blonde standing near the bar with that same smarmy-looking man with the prominent scar on his cheek and sharp features.

  “Jasper.” I pull him in close, absentmindedly reaching for his nonexistent tie. He took the remainder of it off in the car. “Remember that man I was telling you about? The one that slipped Mariah the necklace? That’s him, talking to her right now.” I give a slight nod their way and Jasper quickly glances over.

  Mariah and the man share a quick laugh as he brushes her hair off her left shoulder, exposing a long black earring that glitters in the light. Her fingers rise and give it a quick stroke and it swings against her neck like a pendulum. They exchange a few brief words before the man walks off and Mariah finds a seat at the bar.

  “Look at that,” Jasper marvels. “Why don’t you head over to one of these one-armed bandits? I think I want to have a chat with a couple of people.” He dots a kiss to my cheek before stuffing a wad of bills into my hand. “Win big.”

  Jasper takes off before I can protest the wad of cash he’s christened me with. I don’t even add it up before burying it inside my purse. If Jasper is occupied, then I’m on a timer to find Harry Dillinger and have a quick chat of my own.

  I head off for the cashier, hoping they’ll offer up the info without batting a lash, but before I can get two steps, I spot a familiar blonde who’s planted on a stool, mindlessly depositing coin after coin into the mechanical thief in front of her.

  “Macy?” I all but gasp when I spot my saucy sister dressed to the nines, staring blankly into the slot machine.

  She blinks to life and bounces to her feet when she sees me as if she’s just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar—more like money trap.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask as I try to pull her away from the area, but her feet are seemingly screwed into the floor.

  “Would you let go?” She wrestles herself free from me. “I’m a regular here now. It’s what I do. I casino.”

  “You casino? Do you vino, too? Because that’s terrible grammar for a sober person.”

  “Are you nuts?” Her dark brows contort to express her disdain. “I don’t drink and drive. I’m sober or else I’d be in a better mood. Come to think of it, I should Uber out this way so I can really enjoy myself. Good idea, Bizzy. Now scat.” She tries to dive back into her seat and I block her path.

  “This is called gambling. If you’re not careful, you’re going to fritter away all your earnings from Lather and Light.”

  She rolls her eyes at the mention of her business.

  “Bizzy, Lather and Light is a front—for what exactly, I haven’t figured out yet. It makes zero money and zero sense for me to keep it. You know, I only bought it to make our mother happy, and look where that got me? I’ll tell you where—single and desperate to make that machine behind me sing like a dime-delivering diva. Casino life is a much better prospect than a soap and candle shop. I’m actually making a profit here.”

  “Are you putting the profit right back into that machine?”

  She cringes. “Well, duh. How else am I supposed to make more profit?” she snips right in my face and I can’t help but sigh. My sister is far too smart for her britches, but she can be equally as dumb. “Would you stop judging me?”

  “No one is judging. I’m trying to stage an intervention before you end up living in my cottage because you lost your condo.”

  She squints over at me, her heavily mascaraed lashes crouching like spiders. “Is that your way of saying I’m not welcome?”

  A laugh bounces through me. “That’s my way of saying the men you entertain yourself with are not welcome. You can stay in my spare room, but it’s no boys allowed.”

  “No thanks, Mom.” She makes a face at the slot machine she was looking at with such fondness just a minute ago.

  A brunette with a cheeky smile steps between us.

  “Hey, Bizzy!” Molly Dillinger gives a dimpled grin as she slinks an arm around my sister’s shoulder. “How’s it going, Macy? Winning big tonight?”

  My sister glowers at me. “I was until Buzzkill Bizzy showed up. Is there any way we can get her thrown off the premises?”

  Molly belts out a laugh. “My brother is the head of security.” She waves to the main floor, and sure enough I spot him with his hair slicked back and a dark suit on as he watches the vicinity with his hands crossed over his chest. “I’m pretty sure I can pull a few strings. But I happen to like you, Bizzy.” She nods my way. “What brings you to the casino?”

  “My boyfriend’s ego,” I tease. I don’t mind throwing Jasper under the blackjack bus when there’s an investigation in the balance. “I beat him at the tables last week and he demands a do-over. I might just let him win this time.”

  Molly gravels out a husky laugh. “Never let them win, Bizzy. Besides, you’re competitive. If you want to rule any of these tables, you have to be. You make him fight for his victories.” Her features fall flat a moment. The same way I should have made Siena fight for hers. And now she’s dead because of it.

  My lips part as I struggle to come up with anything to say that might spur her thoughts along in that murderous direction.

  Her phone rings and she frowns down at it. “Time to put out another fire. I’m telling you, management can be the pits. Good luck at the tables, Bizzy. You don’t give anyone the win, you hear me?” She looks to my sister. “And don’t let this one boss you around.” She gives a quick wink. “I know all about younger siblings. My brother is notorious for trying to protect me against myself.” But there are some things not even he can protect against.

  She takes off and I groan. Molly is a wealth of knowledge. I should have tried harder to shake something out of her. I turn and spot Harry standing near the back wall.

  “I’ll see you later, Macy,” I say. “Good luck with the slots.”

  “Hey!” she calls out after me. “What happened to protecting me from myself?”

  “Just keep reminding yourself of my no boys allowed rule,” I shout back. That should keep her from turning her bank account upside down.

  Harry Dillinger shares the same dark wavy hair and same happy-go-lucky demeanor as his sister, but I’m sure that’s the way they pay them to behave in this place. A casino might be in its name, but ultimately hospitality is its game.

  I purposefully stride right past him before backtracking.

  “Harry?” I wince as if I wasn’t sure. If I’ve honed any skill over the last few months of conducting my own investigations, it’s my bad acting skills. Nobody is going to nominate me for an Oscar, but I’m f
ine with a nod from the sheriff’s department once the killers are taken off the streets. It’s incomprehensible to me that people can get away with murder—and that’s not going to happen on my watch.

  “Can I help you?” He offers a peaceable smile before taking a step in my direction.

  “Oh, I was just chatting with your sister.” I laugh it off. “We met at the Chadwick mansion for the Bow Wow Rescue House fundraiser. I’m here with my boyfriend.” I twist my lips as I scan the vicinity. “You wouldn’t happen to have a boyfriend lost and found, would you?”

  A deep rumble of a laugh expels from him. “No, we don’t. But you wouldn’t be the first requesting it. And I’m sorry, I don’t remember much from that night.” I’ve spent the last few weeks struggling to forget.

  “I get it.” I make a face. “That was a horrible night. Did you know the deceased?”

  “Very well.” He doesn’t hesitate in answering. “It’s been tough. Siena and I dated. We were pretty serious until I screwed everything up.” Ironically, I did that right up until the bitter end with her. On second thought, it was me trying to keep her from screwing up. Just why in the heck she wouldn’t listen is beyond me. You can’t live your life in the trajectory she was going in and not expect trouble, prison, or death. Given prison or a casket, I’m sure Siena would have voluntarily jumped in the ground. But the thought of doing time never occurred to her. Why would it? Once you get everything handed to you, a person can feel invincible. If I ever have kids, they’re going to have to work for everything they get.

  Wow. Talk about a treasure trove. Now if I can only decipher what he’s talking about, maybe we can get somewhere.

  “You dated?” I press my hand to my chest. “Please don’t be so hard on yourself. Relationships disband all the time. I’m very sorry for your loss. Were you able to at least say a few words to her before—well, you know, she was gone?”

  His nostrils flare as he takes his next breath. “I was. It wasn’t pretty. We had a few words, but that was par for the course for us these last few weeks.”

  “Really? Were the two of you still caught up on the same arguments that caused the split? I mean, if that’s the case, then clearly she still had feelings for you if she cared enough to engage that way.” I’m not quite sure what I said, but surprisingly I think he got the point.

  “Unfortunately, it was an entirely new issue that cropped up fairly recently. Or should I say, it was fairly recently brought to my attention?” Why the heck wouldn’t Winnie say something to me? Everyone knows I’ve always had the most pull with Siena. Not that she listened. She practically forced what happened next.

  I gasp a little as I clutch at my throat. “I’m so sorry. Did it get resolved?” I think I know the answer.

  “No.” He gives a long blink. “It didn’t.” He straightens with his next breath. “But let’s just say Siena took most of it with her. The rest will hopefully work itself out quickly.” Or at least it will once I get ahold of the financials. He nods my way. “It was nice talking to you, Bizzy. I’d better man the floor before I lose something else—my position. Molly’s getting bumped up to regional manager and they’re field-testing her replacement. I need to make a good impression. Good luck finding your boyfriend. Hopefully, he’s winning big for the both of you right now.”

  We say goodbye and I watch as he takes off.

  Financials? I think it’s time I took a peek at the rescue house’s books. I do a quick search for Jasper and find him near the bar still speaking to Mariah. I watch for a moment as she tosses back her hair and licks her lips as she leans in toward him.

  Well, well, if it isn’t Mariah the pariah. Or should I say, piranha?

  Not that I can blame a girl for trying—unless she’s fully aware that the man she’s trying to snag is in a committed relationship. Then I can blame her until the cheating cows come home.

  I make my way over and wrap an arm around Jasper’s waist before giving her a cheery hello.

  “Oh, Bizzy.” Her expression sours as she follows my arm. There goes that prospect for the night.

  Jasper pulls me in a notch. “I was just asking Mariah if she remembered anything strange about that night. Or if she remembered if that friend she just introduced me to was there.”

  “He left before we could ask. He’s an early riser.” Mariah presses her lips tight. There’s no way I’m letting on that Darren was there that night—nor what he was doing. “It’s nice seeing you both. I’ve got to get up early myself. I’m helping Winnie with the fashion show at the inn and we’re doing a run-through tomorrow. I guess I’ll see you soon!” She gives a cheery wave before disappearing into the crowd.

  I wrap both arms around Jasper and bear hard into his steely eyes. “Her friend’s name is Darren and he was there at the Chadwick mansion that night.” I stop shy of lying and telling Jasper that I saw him myself.

  “Bizzy, did you see him?”

  My mouth opens, but the lie isn’t available and I’m glad about it. I don’t ever want to lie to Jasper.

  “Let’s just say I have it on good authority.”

  He glances past me. “This is big. This could be related to the crime ring.”

  “You’re welcome.” I give a cheeky smile. “You ready to lose at the blackjack table? Because I’m in a winning mood.”

  “Let’s get back to best out of three. I’m in a winning mood, too. You up for stopping by my cottage afterwards?”

  A dark laugh brews in my chest. “It sounds as if I win after all.”

  “I was hoping you’d see things that way.”

  Jasper and I head for the tables, but it’s not blackjack that’s on my mind. It’s the financial situation of the Bow Wow Rescue House.

  Now if I could only get a look at those books.

  I beat Jasper twice and he wins fair and square the third time. We head back to his place and play another game entirely. We both win big with that one.

  Chapter 14

  The Country Cottage Inn is the nerve center for the employees of the Bow Wow Rescue House. People have been running in and out of the ballroom all afternoon. Jordy and Grady have helped arrange the tables and chairs while Sherlock and Fish go through one wardrobe change after the other. Lucy figures it will be a great way to set up a structure of which pets should go first while dressed in her adorable costumes.

  Sherlock glowers my way, wearing a sparkling pink tutu.

  Don’t even think of taking a picture, Bizzy, he growls it out as Fish gives his frilly dress a playful swipe.

  I rather like this colorful side of you. Fish meows as she rubs her face against his chest. I’m guessing Georgie would empty the kitchen of bacon if she could see you now. You’re wearing one of her favorite colors.

  Pink? Sherlock tips his head to the side as he asks.

  Fish lets out a yodeling meow. Humiliation.

  Sherlock barks right at my wily cat while Fish wisely makes a run for it.

  Grady puts down a chair just shy of me before wiping down his brow.

  “Who knew the inn could double as a gym?” He steps over. “You don’t pay me enough, Bizzy.” He’s teasing, but he’s also right.

  “Well, you are up for a raise,” I say and Nessa quickly scuttles this way at the prospect of more money.

  “Don’t forget me.” She pulls her coffee-colored hair up into a ponytail with a twist of her wrists. “If Grady gets a raise, so do I. We’ve been working here for the exact same amount of time, and we do the exact same job.”

  I give a little shrug. “Maybe you need a raise, too. We’ll tackle it after the doggie fashion show.” I know for a fact they both have a review coming up, and I was going to give them a big boost. They’re worth it. I don’t know how I would run the inn without them.

  Winnie steps into the room and Grady’s chest expands. Cool. I’m getting the raise I deserve. Now let’s see if I can score a dinner date with the woman I’ve had my eye on this last week.

  “I’d better get to the front,”
I say, waving my phone. I always leave my number when there’s no one manning the front in the event there’s an emergency. “Grady? Why don’t you ask Winnie if she needs any help getting the rest of her things from the van out front?”

  “Sure thing.” Grady gets right on it and so do I as I make my way to the front desk. I just hope I didn’t encourage Grady to date a killer.

  Speaking of homicides, I groan at the sight before me.

  Camila stands near the entrance talking to Leo and it looks as if it’s getting a little animated.

  I wonder what that’s about?

  Leo? I’m at the counter, I say. What’s with the wicked witch darkening my door— before I can finish the thought I gasp out loud and my phone slips right out of my fingers.

  Striding in behind them are the two men from the Metaphysical Research Department. R.C. Kellogg, the taller of the two, says something to them and instinctively Camila’s hand rises to her throat.

  Leo nods and walks right past them as he heads this way. But my eyes don’t leave Camila and those two G-men looking for a supernatural good time. One points his finger out the door as the other one attempts to take her by the elbow. Camila shrieks and shakes her head, and the men relent as she stalks off toward the café without so much of a thought my way. The men wait a few seconds before following after her.

  “Why do I sense trouble?” I hiss over at him.

  “No trouble.” Leo’s dark gaze is still set in the direction they left in. “More like justice.”

  “Speak fast, Granger, because none of this makes sense. And let me preempt whatever it is you’re about to try to convince me of with the fact that dragging Camila into our lives further was a very bad idea.”

  “I didn’t drag Camila.” A dark smile flickers on his lips. “She’s the thorn in our side—your side to be exact, remember?”

  “Duly noted.”

  Leo leans in with a dangerous look in his eyes. “I didn’t drag Camila in. I dragged the MRD.”

  “What?” I squawk so loud half the people in the lobby turn this way. “Everything’s fine,” I sing. “Just a bit of good news.” Not. I glower over at him. “Spit out whatever lunacy you have to say. I need to know exactly how angry I need to be.”