Page 26 of What Happens in Vegas..
I walk over and smile at him as I sit down. His eyes light up and he smiles back. “Hello, again,” I say.
He nods. “Hello.” The game between him and the older man ends quickly and he deals me in. The old man sighs and makes a motion he’s out before he picks up his chips and leaves.
At least now I can talk to him without being overheard. I put in a fifty-dollar chip. “Were you working last night?”
He nods. “I’ve worked every night this week, sir. May I ask why?”
I get a Jack and a five. I tap the table and hit me with another card, a seven. Which puts me over. He takes my chip.
“Did you hear about the cage getting robbed of chips?”
His eyes widen and he looks around. He lowers his voice as we start another round and put another fifty in. “Yes. I can’t believe Carissa would do something like that. It’s so unlike her. She’s such a sweet girl.”
I nod. “Considering she was with me when it happened. I would agree.”
His eyes bug out even more and then he cocks his head to the side. “Now that you say that, I do remember seeing you two kissing on the floor once she was out of her uniform. She didn’t do it?”
“Do you know anyone who doesn’t want her working here anymore? Someone that would try to frame her?” I look around as well, making sure that no other employees are nearby to overhear us. No one and most of the other patrons are on the slots.
He shakes his head. “No. Everyone loves her. She’s easy-going and when she’s in high spirits everyone makes decent tips. People love her.”
We go quiet as a woman comes over to the table. A bottle redhead with it braided behind her head. She smiles at me and leans forward a bit so that her large breasts show off her cleavage. “Welcome to the Bellagio, sir. Can I start you off with a refreshment or somethin’ to eat?” The southern accent in her voice is thick.
I pretend to be checking her out, but I’m mentally comparing her body to the one I saw in the footage. It’s similar, but I need more proof than that. She has her long sleeves pushed up to her elbows, a butterfly is tattooed on her right inner wrist and a heart is on the knuckle of her left middle finger. I try to remember if I saw them on the footage, but I can’t remember its full detail. I’ll need to go over it tonight with Carissa.
“No, thank you.”
I take note that her name is Donna
She frowns and then turns it into a smile. She walks near me and brushes her hand over my shoulder. She leans down and whispers, “Let me know if you need anything else, sugar. I have years more experience over her.”
I lean back from her. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m livid that she would make Carissa sound like that, but keep it in. To make a scene now wouldn’t help Carissa or me as her representation.
Frowning she rolls her eyes. “Whatever.” She walks off to a man on one of the slots.
I look back at Daniel. “What about her? Do her and Carissa get along?”
His blue eyes follow her and he nods. “Yeah, at least they’ve seemed close to me. I don’t care for the woman, she’s a bit too brazen for my tastes, but she and Carissa joke around a lot. Carissa seems to like her, but she seems that way with everyone.”
I glance over my shoulder at her.
Daniel pulls a twenty-one for his hand and I sigh. “I think I’m out now but thank you for your time.”
He nods as he takes my chip. He then leans in closer to me. “Tell Carissa that I didn’t think she did it and I hope that she’ll be able to come back to work.”
I give a nod and stand from the table. “I will. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
I look around. I have at least one lead to talk to Carissa about. We won’t be able to collect her stuff until I can speak to her boss and get access to her belongings. They should be holding them for a week before they got to lost and found anyway. Until then, I can drive her around. I’m technically off until Monday. I won’t have to return to work until then.
* * *
A couple of hours later, I’m working on my computer. Filing paperwork and other things that will need to go into her trial. I’ve tried all afternoon to get a hold of her boss, but he’s not picking up. Neither is anyone else that should be working. How are no superiors available during the day?
My phone chimes with a text.
Carissa:I’m off work and back home safe.
I let out a sigh and text back.
