“And what would you learn? If it’s a front, they’re not going to let anyone see the real operation.”

“I count cards.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“It’s not a crime, it’s just against casino rules.”

“So you’re thinking if you can get in, flash some cash, show that you’re lucky, they’d invite you to a high-end game.”

“Yes, though I have to find someone else.”

“Hmm. Well, it’s interesting. Maybe. But again, that’s a long-tail game.”

Max said, “What do I need to find? Don’t think like a cop, think like a reporter. The evidence is out there—land transactions generate a ton of paperwork.”

“Yes. And eventually, someone in authority may ask Monroe where he got the money. But the guy is a successful financial planner. He pays his taxes on time. He is married to a lawyer—and I don’t want to spar with a guy who has his own in-house counsel, so to speak. You need to tread carefully. And you could be wrong.”

“I’m not wrong,” she said.

Ryan smiled. “Ever confident.”

“Stanley Grant was gunned down in broad daylight in front of the courthouse because he knew something. He mentioned Harrison Monroe—it was the only substantive thing he gave us. And the guy with the scar. We saw him, he followed us from Monroe’s building.”

Ryan leaned forward. “You didn’t tell me that,” he said, angry. “They don’t know that he didn’t tell you. Going face-to-face with Monroe was dangerous.”

She chose to ignore his comment. “Someone has the evidence. I’m betting I can get Simon to talk.”

“Mitch,” Sean said.

Max resisted rolling her eyes. She and Sean had a serious disagreement about who was more likely to spill information—Victoria’s brother or her ex-husband.

“We’re going to talk about your safety later, Maxine,” Ryan said.

“I’ve talked to hotel security,” Sean said, trying to mediate.

“You shouldn’t let her out of your sight.”

“Do not ever talk about me as if I’m not here,” Max said. “I’m taking precautions, but if they thought I knew the truth they would have already gone after me.”

“You’re asking questions—why can’t you see the obvious?”

“Let’s move on. Do you have anything else for us?” Max said. She didn’t want to be angry with Ryan, but she didn’t need coddling.

It was clear he didn’t want to, but he looked at his notes and a moment later said, “One thing you haven’t explained is how this possible gambling-land scheme led to murder. If Victoria Mills’s company was involved with the land transactions, that doesn’t de facto make her guilty of anything illegal. Money launderers use law-abiding citizens all the time to move money.”