Nick smiled. He wasn’t about to admit he’d downed no more than two beers in the past three weeks. And if Zack got wind of that much, there’d be hell to pay. “You got it, bro.”

“I guess the place does okay, right? I mean, it’s popular and all.”

“Does okay.”

“Must be plenty of sexy ladies dropping in, looking for action.”

The neighborhood bar ran more to blue-collar workers and families, but Nick played along. “The place is lousy with them. It’s pick and choose.”

Cash laughed appreciatively even as he blew his last ball. “Want to go doubles?”

“Why not?” Nick dug in his pocket for more tokens. “So what’s going on with the gang?”

“The usual. T.J.’s old man kicked him out, so he’s bunking with me. Jerk snores like a jackhammer.”

“Man, don’t I know it. I put up with him a couple of nights last summer.”

“Couple of the Hombres crossed over to our turf. We handled them.”

Nick knew that meant fists, maybe chains and bottles. Occasionally blades. It was odd, he thought, but all that seemed so distant to him, distant and useless. “Yeah, well…” was all he could think of to say.

“Some people never learn, you know. Got a cigarette? I’m tapped.”

“Yeah, top pocket.” Nick racked up another ten thousand points while Cash lit up.

“Hey, I got a connection at this strip joint downtown. Could get you in.”

“Yeah?” Nick answered absently as he sent the ball bouncing.

“Sure. I’d like to make that other business up to you. Maybe I’ll drop by one night and we’ll hang out.”

“Forget it.”

“No, man, really. I’ll spring for the brew, too. Don’t tell me slippery LeBeck can’t slip out.”

“I can get out when I want. Just walk out the kitchen.”

“Around the back?”

“Yeah. Zack’s usually tied up at the bar until three. Two on Sundays. I can get around Rio when I want to, or take the fire escape.”

“You got a place upstairs?”

“Mmm… Your ball.”

When they switched positions, Cash continued to question him, making it casual. The cash went in a safe in the office. Business usually peaked by one on Wednesdays. There were three ways in. The front door, the back, and through the upstairs apartment.

By the time Nick had trounced him three games in a row, Cash had all he needed. He made his excuses and wandered out to meet with Reece.

He didn’t feel good about conning Nick. But he was a Cobra.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Zack stepped out of the shower, grateful the endless afternoon was over. He didn’t mind paperwork. Or at least he didn’t hate it. Well, the truth was, he hated it, but accepted that it was a necessary evil.