Page 51 of Wildcard's Wager

“How does that work? Is there a computer where they log in when they arrive?”

“Any computer will take their employee id and log it. But we can find out which one she used. I’ll call Spark and get him searching. He can grab the image off the security feed.”

“Are you calling the cops?” I ask.

Chill shakes her head. “No. Not yet. I don’t think we have the complete story.”

“How about I talk to the other girls Walt harassed? Might learn more.” I offer.

“Good idea. I’m going downstairs. It’s almost time for Walt to show up. Viper, you coming, or do you want to stay and help Brigit?”

“I’ll stay. I can help convince the girls that Max isn’t the bad guy they think he is,” Viper says, punching her brother on the arm as he rolls his eyes.

I go through the stack of employee files Trouble gave me and call up the next one. Tanya is a blackjack dealer who I catch on a break. When she knocks on the door, Viper opens it and lets the girl come in. She’s vastly different from Bianca, with short blonde hair, pale skin, and big brown eyes. Although she has a forceful personality and it shows the minute she sees Max.

“What the hell? I’m out of here.” She turns to the door, but Viper stands in her way.

“Wait, this isn’t Max. Well, yes, it is Max, but it isn’t the Max who harassed you. In fact, that guy isn’t Max. His name is Walt.” Viper rushes through the explanation. Her explanation seemsto cause confusion instead of comfort from the look on Tanya’s face.

“What?”

“I didn’t explain it right…” Viper looks at me.

“We spoke with Bianca. She told us why she turned in her notice and why others have as well. She mentioned a man named Max who made threats against her. He told her he was a member of the Demon Dawgs. He isn’t. However, this Max is. But he’s rarely at the casino. Bianca confirmed that this wasn’t the same man, even though they look similar.”

Tanya glares at me, but turns to look at Max, who is standing a few feet away. Close enough for her to see him, but far enough away so as not to intimidate her. I see it when she realizes the truth.

“That isn’t the same man. You could be twins.”

Viper chuckles. “They’re not. We are. Look, I’m an Enforcer with the Demon Dawgs. Max is my twin brother, and he’s a prospect. We learned that there is a man working here who looks like Max and is pretending to be him. His name is Walt. We understand that he’s been harassing women. Bianca admitted that the only reason she’s leaving is to get away from him. We’re searching for Walt and we will find him. We’re hoping you and the others will stay once we do.”

“If that’s true, then yes, I want to stay. But he scares me. I’d seen him around the casino, but he didn’t talk to me until a week ago. He said he was with the club and that he could help me move up. I’m a blackjack dealer and I love it. Told him no thanks. He didn’t like it. He said that women don’t say no to bikers and that I should get used to doing as I’m told.”

Max and Viper frown at each other. “That’s not true. I mean, maybe for other clubs. But not the Demon Dawgs. Did you believe him?”

“No. I know Trouble and Dice. They’ve both sat at my table. I considered talking to them, but then Bianca said she talked with the HR lady, Pamela. Pamela told Bianca that things were changing. I figured that was my cue to leave.”

“Okay, thanks Tanya. We don’t want to keep you any longer. I hope you stay on,” I say to her. She nods and turns toward the door.

“That’s two down. Five more to go.”

We repeat the process five more times. Their stories are the same, so we learn very little more, but we convinced all of them to stay on. I also speak to the sole male who is leaving, only to discover that he’s moving across the country to be with his girl. As he leaves, Bianca shows up. She’s out of breath when she enters the room. Almost as if she ran up the stairs.

“I caught you, good. I was talking to some of the other servers and they reminded me of something. Max, the fake Max, talked to other girls who worked here. They quit, too. I can get some names if you want to call them. I knew two, casually. Ingrid Bolger and Jasmine Lee.”

I look up their names and find the girls, but both are listed as currently employed.

“You said they quit?”

“I think so. I haven’t seen either of them for several weeks. They were the two who warned me about Max.”

“Thanks, Bianca. Here’s my number. If you think of any other employees who fake Max approached. Call me.” She takes the scrap of paper with my number, waves and leaves us.

Viper looks at me. “What?”

“Both women show as being employed by the casino. I checked and they both usually check in at the same time as Max. They’re getting paychecks sent directly to the bank.”

“Let me guess. The same one as Walt and Pamela?”

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