He chuckled, started to pull her close for a kiss, then stopped, his hand on her shoulder. “Well, well … sometimes things just fall neatly into place.”

“What?”

“Drink your champagne, my love, and smile.” He turned her gently, keeping his arm around her as they wandered toward the roulette table. “Now look over there, to the woman Gumm is speaking with. The redhead by the staircase.”

“I see her.” Mel leaned her head against Sebastian’s shoulder. “Five-five, a hundred and ten, light complexion. Twenty-eight, maybe thirty years old.”

“Her name’s Linda—or it is now. It was Susan when she checked into the motel with David.”

“She’s—” Mel nearly took a step forward before she stopped herself. “What’s she doing here?”

“Sleeping with Gumm, I imagine. Waiting for the next job.”

“We have to find out how much they know. How close they are to the top.” Grimly she finished off the champagne. “You work your way, I’ll work mine.”

“Agreed.”

When Mel saw that Linda was heading for the ladies’ lounge, she shoved her empty glass into Sebastian’s hand. “Hold this.”

“Of course, darling,” he murmured to her retreating back.

Mel bided her time, sitting at one of the curvy dressing tables, freshening her lipstick, powdering her nose. When Linda sat at the table next to hers, she began the process all over again.

“Shoot,” Mel said in disgust, examining her fingers. “I chipped a nail.”

Linda sent her a sympathetic glance. “Don’t you hate that?”

“I’ll say, especially since I just had them done this morning. I have the worst luck with them.” She searched through her bag for the nail file she knew wasn’t there. “Your nails are gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” The redhead held up a hand to examine. “I have a marvelous manicurist.”

“Do you?” Mel shifted and crossed her legs. “I wonder … My husband and I just moved here from Seattle. I really need to find the right beautician, health club, that sort of thing.”

“You can’t do better than right here at the hotel for either. Nonguest membership fees for the health club are a bit pricey, but believe me, it’s well worth it.” She fluffed at her luxuriant mane. “And the beauty shop is top-notch.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll look into it.”

“Just tell them Linda sent you, Linda Glass.”

“I will,” Mel said as she rose. “Thanks a lot.”

“No problem.” Linda slicked on lip gloss. If the woman joined the club, she thought, she’d get a nice commission. Business was business.

*  *  *

A few hours later, Mel was flopped on her stomach in the center of the bed, making a list. She wore a baggy pajama top, her favored lounging choice, and had already disarranged her sleek coiffure into tousled spikes with restless fingers.