Lionel was as good as his word. Exactly ten minutes later, he led Jack and Cyrus to his car. He grinned at the expression on Jack’s face. “If I told you what this baby could do on the open road, you would pass out cold. Everything under the hood is brand-new. Took me and the boys over a year to finish it. We left the outside looking as it does on purpose, so no one would steal it. So far, we’ve been lucky. Mr. Lomax, however, insists we hide it when we bring it here. Said the optics are not good as far as advertising the place goes. He does have a point, I guess. When we’re here, we can use the Jeep, and there are three golf carts. He doesn’t like that Mr. Cricket gave me a set of keys to all of them. I wish I could figure him out. By the way, where am I taking you, Mr. Emery?”

“To the underground garage at the Luxor. I sent Dennis a text to wait for me there. I appreciate the ride. You’re right about that engine. Purrs like the proverbial kitten.”

Jack leaned back and closed his eyes. He knew Lionel wanted to pick his brain, but even if he was willing to share, there was nothing worth picking inside his head. He felt as if he were surrounded by brick walls with no exit anywhere in sight. He hated these moments, because he felt he wasn’t doing something. What that something was, of course, he had no idea. That, by definition, is what makes it one of those moments.

Jack was jarred from his thoughts when Lionel said, “We’re here, Mr. Emery. I’m going to drop you off here on the side. Just walk to the left, go down the ramp, and scoot under the bar. Cyrus won’t have a problem. Call me if you need me to do something for you. Just remember, we don’t go on duty till seven o’clock. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but since you’re one of the good guys, I will. Bessie Love checks in with me to let me know what’s going on. Usually, she texts me twice a day. Even if she has nothing to report, which is pretty much the case every day.”

“Okay, and thanks again for the ride. I’ll be in touch, Lionel. I’m going to make it my business to go out to the hospital at some point. I’ll send you a text on what the doctors tell me.”

“Thanks. Good luck.”