Page 47 of Wildcard's Wager

“Why is the hotel suddenly worried about its employees again?”

I frown at her question as I dismantle it. According to Wildcard and Trouble, they’ve always watched out for their employees. But Bianca is saying otherwise. Did they stop? Is that why people are leaving? I could understand if this was true. People tend not to work in unsafe environments, especially if they have options. Vegas has options.

“Someone harassed you?” I ask. She nods. “Did they hurt you?”

“I didn’t give him the chance.”

“Was it a customer or an employee?”

“Is this a trap? To see if I squeal?”

I jerk back in surprise. “I’m not trying to trap you. Wildcard asked me as a personal favor to find out why people are leaving. He genuinely wants to understand what’s happening. He assured me the club doesn’t let customers harass the staff. That they’ll boot any customer who does. They don’t care who the customer is. Having met Puma and Trouble, I believe they’d do just that. But you’re saying otherwise?”

“He threatened me. Told me if I talked to you, he’d find me and hurt me. That he’d hurt the others.”

Looks like I found the reason.

“A customer or an employee?”

She blinks. “An employee.”

“Can you tell me who?”

“Can you protect me?”

I narrow my eyes. “Oh yeah, I’ll make certain you’re protected. Wildcard and Trouble told me they didn’t tolerate anyone harassing their employees. Customers or employees. So, I know they’ll want to fix this. They were both adamant.”

“They’re bikers,” Bianca said with a shrug. “I’ve seen them kick out customers who bothered the other servers. But this guy works for them. That’s why I told the others not to complain to HR. Chill didn’t believe me when I told her. Said I was lying because she trusted him over me. He’s one of theirs.”

“He’s a biker?”

Bianca nods. “His name is Max.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: WILDCARD

“Think Brigit will find out why we’re losing our staff?” Trouble asks as I follow him into his office.

“I do,” I say without having to think about it. “Might take some time, but I think she’ll dig. She thinks she owes the club because we’re protecting her and we gave her dad a home again.”

“Her dad’s Preacher, right? I remember him. Where did he go?”

“Prison. From what he’s said, I think Squiggy set him up. He got out not too long ago and lived up at Red Rock Canyon. Viper ran into him and invited him to come visit the club.”

“How long ago did he go in?” Trouble asks with a frown.

“Six years ago, why?”

“That fucker Squiggy. He was bragging one night about setting a guy up to go to prison. Claimed he wanted something the guy had and planned on taking it once he was safely in prison.”

“Brigit,” I breathe out in anger. I suspected that was his game. Knowing I was right doesn’t make me feel vindicated. It makes me angry that Squiggy is already dead.

I consider going to my office to get work done and leave Trouble alone, but Brigit calls and asks me to come back to her office. “Did you interview everyone already?”

“No, I will, but we have a problem that needs solving.” I nod for her to continue. She relates what she’s learned. When I shake my head, Bianca backs away. Brigit steps closer to the woman and draws herself up.

“You told me you protect your employees. Was that a lie?”

Her question jolts me. “No, of course it wasn’t. But Max? I know Max. He would hurt no one. She has to be mistaken.”

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