Crooked

by Bronwen John

  “Ever think you should quit while you’re ahead?” Ash asked, looking at her. “You know, you could come up against somebody as good as or even better than you.”

  “Unless my father is on board, that is highly unlikely, and, as he always told me, ‘Faint heart never won a flush.’ Come on, let’s go.”

  “You know, the problem with most business ventures, especially growing up on the estate I did: you were judged by your class.”

  The tour had been a terrible idea, especially aboard this cruise ship, considered Harry Holmes as he looked around the stage. Ezra had long since given up paying his business partner any mind. In fact, he was shuffling a set of cards and talking quietly to his bodyguards who flanked him. He had yet to participate in any part of the tournament, preferring to stay on the outside. The scanty crowd just seemed to feed his general annoyance, and every now and then Ezra’s green eyes would flicker in Harry’s direction, then to the crowd; then he’d sigh as he returned to his game.

  “What a fascinating beginning to your promotional tour.”

  The host was a young man who seemed fascinated by all aspects of Harry’s life, even the boring front that he’d had set up. Initially, he’d feared that the host would have to be replaced; his incessant questioning had made Harry fearful of Interpol. When he’d suggested this to Ezra, the latter had pointed out that paranoia was unnecessary, especially given that his precious book containing all his business dealings was safe in LA.

  “Now, please remember, ladies and gentlemen, that Mr Holmes will be available to watch play in the poker tournament tonight.”

  Harry raised his hand, to muted applause from around the room. He glanced to his right, and smirked. Hughes had had to stay behind in London to keep an eye on his business interests, and to keep his other eye out for that black kid who’d conned Harry. He’d been forced to bring along his left hand, Andreas Paulsen.

  Paulsen was waiting to the side of the stage. The tall, usually calm Swede was twitchy with anticipation.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a rumour that Esther Crook is on board.”

  Neither noticed another man pause in taking a sip from his whisky chaser.

  “Got a young girl asking about her.”

  “Show me.”

  The two men headed to where the tournaments were taking place, although they stood at the balcony overlooking the games. There were three circular poker tables, with several young ladies and young men playing. But while two games looked as if they were being prepared to be settled, at the third table there looked to be an epic match taking place between an older man, two younger men and one young woman. The woman was focused on the game and had no inch of concern on her face.

  “There’s the girl who’s been asking questions,” said Paulsen, pointing out a young black girl calmly watching the affair. “Been asking about Esther Crook.”

  “Find out anything?”

  “She’s with a woman called Darnell Voleur. Only know that she’s a decent player.”

  “She’d cheat at yoga.” Holmes saw the girl smile at the calm poker face of the young woman, who merely sighed and raked in her winnings from this hand. “Is that the woman she’s with?”

  “Yes, that’s Voleur.”

  Green eyes flickered in the light, and a predator-like smile crossed Holmes’s face. “Keep Innocent from the tables. I want to see Miss Crook play.”

  Ash watched as Esther stood to stretch her legs and walked over to where she was standing, flicking her nose, mimicking the similar gesture from The Sting. Her skill had blown everyone away from the table, and most now kept a discreet distance. Ash turned to face Esther, as enthralled as the rest of the spectators by the three professionals as they practised their craft.

  So far her questions about Esther Crook had revealed a begrudging admiration for the young con artist, much distanced from the revulsion she felt for Harry Holmes. She’d delighted herself with her cold reading, making several new friendships along the way that could prove to be handy in the future. She’d learned that Harry considered himself a novelty, and that the cruise was evidence of this. He wanted to be reputable, but the people he yearned to join regarded him with the same contempt as they did hardened criminals. His seminars had been half-booked and it was rumoured that he had paid big to get in and forced several ‘decent’ players out.

  “Anything new learned?” Esther asked quietly, joining her.

  “You’ve made an impression. You have just been invited to dinner with an Australian geologist and her grad student,” Ash snorted, though she saw Esther smirk. “What?”

  “Catch the name?

  “Dr Victoria Jones, and the boy with her is a Russian; Anton Something-or-Other. Why?”

  “You never know when it might prove handy to be friends with a graduate geology student,” Esther said, picking up a glass of water and taking a liberal sip. “Such a nice game.”

  Ash grinned. “So, easy pickings?”

  “Wouldn’t stoop so low,” Esther said, smirking. “Come on, I’ll get you a diet drink of something.”

  “I thought you were on the bourbon?” Ash paused thoughtfully. “Shouldn’t I drink so as not to look out of place?”

  Esther chuckled. “A teenager would definitely look out of place drinking in this kind of place. And I’m not in the habit of breaking the law.”

  Ash nearly choked. “Not in the habit of breaking the law?” she laughed. “You’re a living legend! All those jobs that you’ve helped plan out…”

  “You know I have never been formally charged with any crime?"

  Ash scoffed. “Never?”

  “Not even questioned. My reputation is built on being invisible. Living legends can’t be charged.” Esther offered a smirk. “Now, stop thinking like a mark, and I’m going to teach you a very precious motto.”

  “That being?”

  “‘You can do what you like with the law; bend it, twist it, hide behind it… just don’t break it.’”

  “Now, where’s there fun in that?”

  Esther chuckled. “There’s none whatsoever. Just to point something else out whilst you’re brushing up on your observational skills, I’ve had one – singular – bourbon. Not multiples. One. Now, it’s on to the soft drink. Got to have an active mind.” A mist came over her eyes as she looked at the table. “I will love and leave you. I believe my allotted time is over.”

  A crowd gathered around to watch the final two competitors for the quarter-finals play. The man Esther was playing with was Brett Higgins, a young American. The other player had dropped out due to the two’s professionalism and quickness in hand. He now stood to the side of the game, watching just as eagerly as the others.

  Ash watched as Esther fastidiously played the cards, and then Brett Higgins began to deal out the cards for their fifth hand. Unlike the other competitors, who had made small mistakes that turned into large ones, so that Ash could root out their small tells, she could see none.

  “Raise.”

  “Okay, call.”

  There was a sharp intake of breath around the table as the tall American put out his cards.

  “Two pair.”

  Esther let out a small sigh, then threw down her own two cards. Around the room, there was a delighted, astonished laugh as she pulled in the money with a small smile.

  “Three of a kind,” the croupier said with a nod. “I’d like to advise an end to the evening’s events. Games will start at three o’clock tomorrow.”

  “Thank you for the game, Mr Higgins,” Esther said, standing and shaking his hand. “It’s rare I get as good a game as that. My compliments.”

  “Pleasure, Miss…?”

  “Voleur. I hope to play you again soon,” she said softly.

  “If you are so inclined, we could meet again tomorrow for a friendly hand?”

&
nbsp; A tilt of Esther’s head.

  “Winner buys a coffee?”

  “Thank you. Will ten o’clock be agreeable?”

  “Most.”

  “See you then… again, a true pleasure.” She glanced at her winnings and handed approximately £2,000 to the croupier. “Thank you, sir.”

  She walked away, thanking people as they offered her their hearty congratulations. Ash smiled as she stood next to her. Esther raised her finger to indicate silence as she downed a glass of water.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Esther said.

  The two began to walk back to their cabin.

  “You know you’re better than most of them?” Ash asked, walking alongside her mentor.

  Esther gave a nod.

  “Then what’s the issue?” she continued flatly.

  “Someone might be a ringer and surprise me,” Esther said, with a shrug. She flexed her fingers and gave a satisfied sigh. “Come on, I need to rest before tomorrow’s games. I’m going to be early. I’ve offered to be the croupier for the children’s illegal chemin de fer match. Bless their little black hearts.”

  “No more games? How about blackjack?”

  “No, and before you ask, I don’t count cards… just enjoy the game.” Esther smirked as they headed to the lift.

  “Not exactly illegal to do so,” Ash said, as they stepped into the lift and headed towards the state rooms.

  Esther chuckled as the express elevator headed up. “Just frowned upon.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the key card for their room. “Besides, I tend to lose at blackjack. You know, my father, for his sins, has tried to teach me that damned game. He swears he’s going to kill me some day because of my lack of prowess.”

  “You lose?”

  “You don’t tell Eleanor; that jerk will want to play it all the time.” Esther swung open the door and entered into the dark, stepping into the bathroom immediately and closing the door behind her. “Get some shut-eye; we have a good few hours. There’ll probably be a huge announcement.”

  Ash nodded and looked at the beds that had already been made up. She sighed and turned on the lights, then began to pace to her bed, only to be caught around the mouth and jerked back into a hard, male frame.

  “Who the hell are you?!”

  She let out a scream against his hand, and attempted to bite, only to receive a shake.

  “Who are you? Prowling around, asking questions!”

  “Vin, drop her!” Esther’s voice was icy.

  The man didn’t release his hold over Ash’s mouth.

  “Now. She’s a friend of mine.”

  The man looked down at Ash, then grunted and released his grip, throwing her to Esther, who caught her with ease as she stumbled. The man sat in the chair on the balcony, pulling out a bar of chocolate from his pocket and taking a bite. Esther regarded him coldly.

  “Changed your hair.”

  “You’ve not. What’re you doing here?”

  “Had a tip-off and been looking for you for Innocent. He’s set his hound toward this kid here. Sorry, darling; joy of my job.” He directed his blue eyes at Ash, and she continued to keep her distance. “Seems like she’s afraid of me, Est.”

  “Who in their right mind wouldn’t be?”

  “If we were in our right minds, we wouldn’t be in this job, would we? Full stop?”

  Esther flinched at the terminology before guiding Ash to the bed. “Devin is a bounty hunter, Ash.” She sat Ash down on the edge of her bed, but remained standing herself, to eye their guest. “And definitely a full stop I concern myself with.”

  Eight

  “You know this… this… renegade?!”

  “Renegade… Good word. And yes. Vin here is an old friend. Bounty hunter for Ezra Innocent, who normally keeps me informed of his movements.” Esther raised her eyebrows.

  “You play both sides?” Ash asked, looking at the man in disgust.

  “He is also a good friend of my father and has an excellent misdirection in place; for example, if I am in Lyon, he says I’m in Monte Carlo. I am due a trip down the Riviera… perhaps when this con is over.”

  “Damn it, Esther! You brought a kid here? And as if I haven’t been trying to direct you away from here?!”

  “Ah, I was wondering why you were here,” Esther confessed. “I take it that you are not here on a pleasure cruise?.”

  “Watched you play, Est. He’ll know who you are and he’s sent his hound dog after this one.” He waved his hand at Ash, who was glaring at him.

  “Couldn’t you persuade Holmes to let Innocent take us both?” Esther asked.

  A tense shake of the head.

  “No?”

  “No. Innocent is only interested in you.” Vin stood up and prowled slowly towards her and put both hands on her shoulders. “Get out of here.”

  “I’m on an ocean liner in the middle of international waters… how am I supposed to?” she asked, shaking her head.

  “Find a way to hide amongst the crew…” He paused and squinted. “You’re running a damned con?”

  “What do you expect me to do? I kept my promise to the letter, until the rainmaker came.”

  “And what about Ezra Innocent? You do know they are partners?”

  Esther continued to look defiantly at him.

  “You know, don’t you? You’re up to no good, you conniving, sly little brat of a fox!”

  Esther smirked. “In the words of my dear father, ‘A fox isn’t sly, just can’t think any slower’.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He cuffed her head playfully. “I’ll settle myself in the bathroom in case Holmes’s goons try anything.” He pointed at the safe. “Your derringer is in there. I managed to get it through security.”

  “Probably as wait staff,” scoffed Ash.

  Vin paused a moment before pacing onwards to the bathroom, grabbing sheets along the way.

  “Waiters and waitresses I hold in higher regard,” said Esther, patting Ash’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Devin there is reliable; I’d place my life in his hands. Anyhow, he was curious more than anything… you and old Vin should get along. He had a rough upbringing.”

  “Esther, shut up. I can still hear you.”

  “Yeah, you old sod,” Esther riposted with a gleeful grin. “Thought she might like to know you’re just overprotective.”

  “Damned right. Get some rest; I have money riding with your old man on you losing to that American, Brett Higgins, tomorrow. You do know he’s beaten near enough everyone here?”

  “And such a young face… ah, well…” Esther suddenly paused. “The old man knows I’m aboard?”

  “Mm-hm, and told me to tell you,” Vin stuck his lathered head around the door, “that if he has to come rescue you from some stupid con he will not be best pleased.”

  “He can be what he likes,” Esther said, frowning. “I intend to enjoy this tournament, like it or not. I’m intending to enjoy my five-card game of stud… hell, might even let the kid think he’s going to win.”

  “Esther, you’re going to lose to that kid on purpose,” Vin said in a knowing tone of voice.

  Esther waved him off and he chuckled, winking at Ash, who smiled despite herself.

  “I guess you’re the only person in the world who’d get insulted if someone called her what she is. A good soul.”

  “Not insulted… embarrassed.” Esther turned to Ash. “Now go to sleep. It won’t be easy, but we have a good watchdog out there.”

  Ash shot Vin another look over her shoulder.

  “Nothing will happen while he’s here. Promise… just don’t drink his coffee.”

  “Don’t see what problem you have with my coffee, Est,” Vin called out.

  “None; makes a fine paint stripper,” Esther retaliated. “But if you should ever meet Ezra Innocent and h
e offers you an out, I make it clear to you here and now, you take it. Regardless.”

  “I thought you didn’t trust him?” Ash asked quietly.

  “He’s a man of his word. Been promising to throttle me for donkey’s years.” Esther smirked. “Always one step ahead. Don’t trust him, but if he offers his word you take it… it’s about self-preservation. I’ve told Vin the same. Thank God he’s not aboard.”

  The card games were simmering down for the evening, apart from a few friendly hands being played. Old-fashioned five-card stud, well after the croupiers had finished. Ezra Innocent was smiling in the low light as he sat, legs outstretched and overlooking the sea with a measured eye, a bottle of bourbon resting to his left with a half-full glass dangling from his loose fingertips. His two bodyguards sat silently to the side, quietly resembling two sheepdogs waiting for their master’s orders.

  He looked at peace with the world. It almost felt a shame to disturb him, Harry thought to himself. Then he thought of Esther Crook, who’d escaped his grasp once, and if he had this man’s backing then he’d get her back into his hold.

  “Ezra,” he said softly.

  Innocent glanced up at the intruder.

  “I have news for you about Esther Crook.”

  “Not one to beat around the bush, Harry,” said the gentleman, returning to gazing at the sea. “Last I heard, she was hiding out in Norway.”

  “She’s on board, travelling under an assumed name,” said a man appearing from behind.

  Holmes spun around to see the man who had come in silently, unseen, to break into their conversation.

  “Just left her now.”

  “Why, Devin, I thought you were protecting your asset. Harry, this is an old friend of mine, and my watchdog, as it was, Devin.”

  “Some watchdog.”

  A raise of the eyebrows from Ezra.

  “I mean, I found her before him.”

  “Devin has been running with the foxes and the hounds, under my instruction,” Ezra said. He tilted his head curiously as the other man plucked the untouched whisky glass up. “Please, have a glass, Vin. Do you know what her scheme is?”