Vegas, Baby

by Sandra Edwards

  Her first thought was to go all in. But what if Eddie followed her? She didn’t want to leave Eddie penniless. He had to walk away from the tournament with something. He’d promised, on blind faith, to pledge his winnings to her unidentified charity. And once he found out what that charity was, she didn’t want him showing up empty-handed.

  He smiled at her.

  She gave him a wink and smiled back. She looked down at his hole cards and then back up at him again.

  “Would it help if I checked my hole cards again so you could try to sneak a peek?” He’d seen her reaction to the river card. The ace.

  Rio had two aces in the hole. He’d put money on it. That gave her a full house. And she thinks she’s going to win. For a second, he felt sorry for her. No one’s hand could compete once his family of threes were reunited.

  “Are you going to bet or what?” she asked, stone-faced. For the first time, Eddie couldn’t tell what was on her mind.

  He threw in a thousand to chase everyone else away. The winner of this pot had to be him or Rio.

  He was right. Everyone but Rio folded.

  “I’ll see that bet.” She fiddled with her chips. “And I’ll raise you a grand.”

  Eddie slid his wager toward the pot but, at the midway point, he retracted it. “I fold.”

  “What?” Her spirited eyes widened in astonishment.

  “I was bluffing.”

  She studied him with a skeptical gleam in her eyes. “You’re so full of shit. What you got in the hole?”

  The dealer pushed the pot toward Rio. “I’m cashing out.”

  “Me, too,” Eddie said and started to push his hole cards, still face down, toward the dealer.

  Rio slammed her hand over his. “Not so fast, LaCall.”

  “It’s over, Laraquette,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “You won.”

  “Yeah.” She nodded. “And as I recall, you’re obligated to do one thing I say.”

  Eddie’s heart dropped into his gut. She wanted to see his hole cards.

  CHAPTER 35

  EDDIE recognized the location of the party. The newly-constructed building was across the street from the Federal Complex. Out front, a concrete structure loomed as thick as a corridor and as tall as a house. The sides were covered with a tarp, shielding the building’s benefactor.

  The sheer magnitude of the sign’s dimensions and the sight of the cars—mostly limos—lining the sidewalk out front, brought reality home for Eddie. Rio Laraquette was out of his league.

  “You’re dad owns the building beside the precinct?” Eddie asked as the car door opened. He extended his foot out and touched the ground.

  “Well, sort of, but not really.” Rio slid across the seat and took the hand he offered to help her out of the car.

  Eddie’s curiosity urged him to peek under the tarp, but his resolved talked him out of it. Instead, he fidgeted inside the tux, feeling a bit too cramped and cooped up in the formal wear.

  In a surprising move, Rio laced her arm around his as they strolled toward the entrance. A well-dressed man opened the door with a bright smile.

  A brunette wearing a deep-blue gown that complimented her azure eyes approached them. “Ms. Laraquette.” She and Rio exchanged a polite hug.

  “Hello, Theresa,” Rio said. “You look great. I love that dress.”

  “Thank you.” Theresa’s gaze journeyed toward Eddie. “And this must be Mr. LaCall.”

  “Yes, this is Eddie LaCall.” Rio scanned the lobby. “Where is my father?” she asked, diverting the secretary’s attention elsewhere.

  “He’s waiting for you in the office on the left side of the convention room.” Theresa excused herself with a slight nod and backed away.

  They followed the corridor to the left and as they passed each open door leading into the elaborate convention room Eddie took in the sight of the excessive displays of flowers and ice sculptures. The room was, so far, pretty much empty, but duly decked out for the evening’s guests.

  He’d never seen anything like this. In the world he came from, parties like this didn’t happen. As out of place as he felt, this was Rio’s world and for as much as he knew it was useless he wanted to find a way to fit in.

  He followed her as she pushed open a set of double doors and entered the room. He watched her hips shift seductively beneath the snug dress clinging to her body.

  An interior door opened and the sound of James Laraquette’s voice chased the carnal thoughts out of Eddie’s head.

  Her father strode imposingly across the small space. “Rio...” He kissed her cheek and then offered his hand to Eddie. The two men greeted each other as they shared a handshake.

  “Has Rio told you anything about this evening’s events?” James asked Eddie.

  “Only that it’s some kind of mystery that I’m obviously not allowed to know about.” His voice gave away his disappointment.

  “Surprise.” James gave a chuckle. “It’s called a surprise.”

  Eddie glanced at Rio, her father, and then back at Rio again. He looked spooked, ready to run.

  Not good.

  She’d kept him in the dark long enough. On second thought, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Who was she to mettle in his personal life? It wasn’t like they were friends. He’d come to Vegas under false pretenses. She wasn’t sure their partnership had been designed to last—not that he cared. But he had let her win the poker tournament. That had to count for something. Right?

  “Remember when you said you wanted to find a way to immortalize Olivia?” Not that he deserved what she’d done, but Olivia did.

  “Yeah...” he said with a hint of caution.

  “I was really moved by Olivia’s story, so I went to my father. You know he’s got all this money.” Her tone was full of torment, like she was suddenly rethinking her choices. “Well, I asked him to establish the Olivia LaCall Foundation.”

  Words formed inside Eddie’s mind but faded just before reaching the tip of his tongue. He blinked, trying to process a declaration that made no sense to him. He shook his head when the awareness didn’t come.

  “The foundation is a nonprofit organization.” James spoke up, as if he’d seen Eddie’s inner turmoil. “It will assist families who’ve known tragedy, such as the one your family went through.” James stood silent for a moment, giving Eddie time to process the foundation’s purpose. “You’re free to widen your scope of support as you see fit since the foundation does belong to your family.”

  “What?” Eddie’s high-pitched tone pierced even his ears. Seriously? Rio had started a foundation to honor Olivia? Eddie’s emotions shifted into high gear and he blinked back the tear that was hell-bent on escaping.

  “Eddie…” Rio’s voice was riddled with doubt. “Say something.”

  He looked at her—which probably wasn’t a good idea since the instant his gaze met hers his face tightened and his jaw trembled, leaving him struggling to speak. “You did this for me?”

  “I did.” Her hands unconsciously twisted together.

  “I don’t know what to say.” Eddie swept her into his arms and held her snugly. “You’re such a wonderfully kind and giving person.”

  Rio laid her hands on his chest and pushed away from Eddie, barely noticing her father disappearing into the same inner office that he’d appeared from. She drove her gaze back to Eddie, hoping it was as hard as she desired. “More than you deserve.”

  “I’m sorry.” Torment darkened his usually bright eyes. She got the feeling his remorse was genuine. “Are you ever going to forgive me?”

  “Oh, sure. I can forgive you. But trusting you again...” She gave a slight, inconsequential shrug. “Now that’s another matter.”

  His face drooped into a penitent frown. “Now I know what my mother meant when she used to say too much water has flown under the bridge.” Eddie glanced at Rio, looking helpless. “Ours is kind of flooded, huh?”

  Oh, shit! Rio hadn’t told him yet. “There’s more,” she said,
glancing over his shoulder and seeing the inner office’s door opening.

  “More?” Eddie chuckled. “What more could there be after all this?”

  Rio’s gaze darted past his shoulder. Eddie followed it and stood there, stunned. “Mom?” he uttered, scarcely above a whisper.

  Vivian LaCall strode across the room on the arm of James Laraquette. She looked like a princess.

  Eddie’s legs carried him toward her. “Mom, what are you doing here?” he asked, embracing her.

  “Well, that is my doing,” James spoke up. “I invited your mother to come to Vegas to oversee the foundation. I figured you’d be too busy, solving crimes and all.”

  “You’re moving here?” Eddie’s mouth spread into a happy smile.

  Rio moved toward her father. “Thank you, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek.

  “Have I told you lately—” He draped his arm around her shoulders. “—how proud I am of you?”

  “Of me?” She didn’t feel worthy.

  “You’ve started a wonderful thing here. And it’s going to help a lot of people.” He gave her a little squeeze. “You need to remember why you did it.”

  I did it because I wanted to help Eddie. She tried to tamp down the urge to ridicule that decision. “What’s your point?” she asked, throwing up a tough front.

  “My point is...” he said. “From the moment I met Eddie, nothing—including the secret investigation that brought him here—has mattered quite so much to him as keeping you safe. You were always his number one priority.”

  “So what are you trying to say, Daddy?” She let out a hint of laughter.

  “He’s worthy of your trust.”

  Damn. Rio had always hated that about her father—his ability to read her innermost fears. She and her father had had their issues, but the one thing she could always count on was his sincerity. When he told her something was a fact, she believed it. He’d never steered her wrong yet.

  James maneuvered Rio toward Eddie and his mother. They exchanged introductions and pleasantries until James said, “Well, shall we?” He offered his arm to Vivian. “We’ve got a crowd out there waiting for us.”

  “By all means,” Rio said, lacing her arm around Eddie’s. “Let’s lighten their wallets considerably for them tonight.”

  “Is this the illusive charity you were speaking of for our poker winnings?” Eddie asked Rio as they followed James and Vivian out into the convention room.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “My father has seeded the foundation with a one million dollar endowment.”

  “Holy crap!” Eddie managed to contain the shock to just above a whisper. “A million bucks?”

  “Believe me,” she said. “Once the foundation opens, we’ll need all the money we can get our hands on.” She smiled and perused the crowd, mentally taking note of who was in attendance. Rio knew which guests had the loosest pockets and she had every intention of targeting them relentlessly.

  “We?” Eddie said with a measure of hope.

  “Freudian slip. Sorry. This thing belongs to you and your mom.”

  “You founded it. You’ll always be part of it.”

  Rio spotted the gang from the FVC Unit huddled in a corner. She elbowed Eddie. “There’s everybody from work. Let’s go say hi.”

  “LaCall, Laraquette,” Gabe said as they approached. “It’s nice to see you both this evening.” He gave Rio a smile, one she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was his easygoing smile; the one that had made her feel safe as a kid.

  “Love that dress, Victoria,” Rio said, as the guys huddled together a few feet away.

  “Thanks.” Her tone wasn’t overpowered by confidence. “I wasn’t sure if it was formal enough.”

  “Not to worry,” Rio said. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Have you heard?” Victoria’s eyes brightened as if she had a secret to tell.

  “What?”

  “Mr. Dalton has offered me the recently vacated position in the department.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” Rio nodded. “You’re a perfect fit.”

  “Rio...” Digger rushed up from behind. “I have to talk to you now.”

  “Hey, Dig.” Rio studied Digger’s face. She knew that look. It was one her friend donned only when she was worried. “What’s up?” she asked, trying to calm the anxiety creeping up her back.

  Digger surveyed the room’s expanse. She let out a soft sigh and settled her worried gaze back on Rio. She looked toward the floor at Rio’s feet.

  “Something wrong?” Rio asked, more worried than before. What was she looking for?

  “You’re not going up on stage, are you?”

  “No. Not that I’m aware.”

  “Don’t.”

  “Why?” Rio asked again. “What going on?”

  “I can’t shake this feeling that you’ll be in danger of falling before the night’s over.” Digger shook her head as a perplexed look furrowed her brow.

  “Michelle...!” Chris snuck past Rio and grabbed Digger’s hand. “What a lovely surprise,” he said and kissed the tops of her fingers.

  “Chris...” Digger plastered on her sexy smile. “Charmed as usual.”

  “I need to talk to you.” Dickie King latched onto Rio’s upper arm and guided her off to the side. “Where’s your boyfriend?”

  Rio sucked in a deep breath. The teasing was getting old. “I give. Where?” she said evasively, determined not to play this game anymore.

  Eddie looked at them, said something to Paul and Victoria before stepping away from them and heading toward Rio and Dickie. “Please tell me you got something for me?” he asked of Dickie.

  “Man, do I ever!” Dickie laughed. “Your hunch that Atkins’s conversations with his visitors might have been taped were right. The thing is, your boy Switzer assumed his meetings with Atkins wouldn’t be taped. And we all know what happens when we assume....” Pride beamed from every pore of Dickie’s being.

  “Seriously?” Eddie asked. “Switzer was my leak? Go figure.”

  “Well, I guess this means your work here is done,” Rio said, curious to see how Eddie would respond.

  She could see it, the beginning of some snappy comeback forming behind those mischievous coffee-colored eyes of Eddie’s. But as he looked at her, a sad smile tipped the corners of his mouth. “Laraquette, are you ever going to be open to the idea of trusting me again?”

  “When I’m ready,” she said. “You’ll know it.”

  Victoria tugged at her arm. “Hey, Rio. Where’s the little girl’s room?”

  “Come on,” Rio said. “I’ll show you.”

  Eddie watched them go and for the first time in a long time he didn’t worry about what dangers might lurk around the corner as she disappeared from view.

  * * *

  James Laraquette climbed the few steps leading up to a podium and welcomed the room full of guests, “I’d like to thank you all for accepting our invitation to attend this evening’s event, commemorating a project planned by my daughter, Rio and her partner, Eddie LaCall.”

  The crowd responded with oohs and ahs as James paused for a moment and glanced down at Eddie, wondering where Rio was.

  Eddie responded with a slight tilt of the head and a brief shrug as he mouthed the word, bathroom.

  * * *

  “So what are these rumors I hear?” Inside the ladies room, Victoria’s voice filtered through the air, making conversation while taking care of business.

  “Rumors?” Rio asked from inside a bathroom stall.

  “I heard you and Eddie are dating.” Victoria said, putting extra emphasis on the final word.

  “Where’d you hear a thing like that?” Rio asked, just as the toilet in the stall next to her flushed.

  She got no response from Victoria, thinking maybe she hadn’t heard her over the toilet. “Is that the rumor floating around the Department?” She tried to ignore the anxiety prickling at her nerves. It didn’t make sense that Vicki wasn’t answering her.


  Still, no response as the racket from the noisy toilet subsided. She thought she heard the door bang shut.

  “Vicki?” she called out softly, rising and adjusting her clothing.

  Nothing.

  Rio used her foot to flush the toilet and then opened the stall door. Angst pounded the blood through her veins as she stared into the eyes of the one person she thought she’d never have to see again.

  The shimmer of blue steel gleamed in Rio’s peripheral vision. The gun’s barrel was sitting against Victoria’s head. A spasm of fright tightened in Rio’s throat. She had to get Vicki out of there before she ended up becoming another casualty in this lunatic’s rage.

  “I’m the one you want.” Rio kept her tone even. “Leave her alone and I’ll willingly do whatever you want.”

  * * *

  If James Laraquette expected his friends and colleagues to part with some serious cash, he had to give them ample reason to do it. Recalling the LaCall family’s tragedy should do the job. “It is, however, with a heavy heart,” he said in a regretful tone, “that we present this project to you.” He sucked in a deep breath and looked at Vivian, fearing that reliving the nightmare might be too much for her. She nodded, as if she’d read his mind. James continued on, “Twenty-six years ago eight-year-old Olivia LaCall left home for school one morning and never returned…alive.” A silence fell over the crowd. “She’d been abducted by a monster disguised as a man with a long history of criminal activity. Why had such a man—who today would be deemed a horrid threat to society—why was he allowed to slip through the cracks of justice and end the life of this innocent little girl?” A fiery rage burned James Laraquette’s eyes. He ignored it. “The monster’s identity was never discovered. According to profilers, he most likely developed a pattern of random pursuits in search of his next victim. Unfortunately, life for Olivia’s family drudged on in agony. No one came to their rescue as they tried to deal with this unimaginable tragedy.” James took a moment’s pause, trying to wipe out the images forming in his mind that placed him in John LaCall’s shoes. Imagining Rio in Olivia’s position was not a place he wanted to go. “Olivia’s father John was unable to deal with the guilt of not being there to save his daughter. Less than a year later he took his own life.” James’s gaze fell upon Vivian again, the mounting pressure of his own tears distorted the view. “Suppose there had been a facility that supported victims’ families. A facility that offered counseling and many other services that families need after the unspeakable happens.” Finally, James wiped the moisture from his eyes. “For those of you who know me well, you know that once I get behind a cause, I do it on a grand scale.” The little rumble of laughter that echoed across the room didn’t quite fit the overall mood. “When my daughter Rio came to me with this idea, I soon began to ponder that perhaps a victims’ support facility was only half of a great idea. Of course we want to be there for the victims’ families, but we also own the responsibility of prevention. To make such a facility truly useful, in addition to a victims’ support division we also need a counsel of great legal minds to challenge the holes in the legal system that allows criminals to fall through the cracks.” James scanned the room. By the looks on the attendees’ faces, he already had a number of them on the hook—but he wanted to snag them all. “If such a facility had been in existence twenty-six years ago...is it possible that little Olivia’s life could have been spared? Is it possible that perhaps a father would not have left an already-grieving mother and son with a bigger burden of loss?” James lowered his head, offering a moment of respect. When he looked back up, he felt empty. He’d always believed that he knew loss, having been abandoned by two wives. But his hardship was nothing compared to what the LaCalls had experienced. James half-turned to the enormous curtain hanging behind him and giving a wave to the man off to the side of the stage. “I’d like to direct your attention toward the screen…”The curtain began to ease open.