“We don’t know. Lizzie doesn’t really know much about the inner workings of her husband’s job, and she knows zip about Happy Village. She did say that if she had to guess, she would say no, he did not have enemies. No one that we’ve talked to said anything about Cosmo’s having security. Think about it, Maggie. A big guy like Cosmo would scare the hell out of anyone. At least the kind of enemy who does not kill people. We’re talking gangs here. Then there’s Happy Village. Add Zack Meadows, his fellow gaming regulator and coinvestor, who will not call us back, and that’s where we are at the moment.”

“Who’s doing what?”

“The usual drill. Abner drove because of his ear problems with flying. Cyrus made the trip with him. He’s doing what he does best, hacking wherever he can to find out whatever he can. I think he’s hitting some stone walls. Remember, this is Vegas—better security than the White House. It’s Vegas, baby, land of secrets,” Ted said, his tone sour. “Just so you know, they hate reporters out here, especially reporters from back East.”

Maggie hated the word secrets. She wanted—no, she needed—to know everything. That word simply was not in her vocabulary. “Well, we’ll just see about that,” she huffed. “What else?”

“Charles and Fergus set up headquarters in Annie’s penthouse. We’re all staying at Babylon. Dennis booked you a room. Charles called in Avery Snowden. He’s here, I’m told, but I haven’t seen him myself. When I left to pick you up, Jack and Espinosa were up at the penthouse, but I have no clue what they’re doing.”

“That leaves Harry. What is he doing? How did the martial arts trials in Reno go? Did he win?”

“Does the pope pray? Of course he won, and so did his guys. He’s giving his five pals a tour of Vegas. They love gambling. Great guys. Those trials were something else. We were all mesmerized. If I told you those five guys with Harry and Jack leading the pack could take on an army, would you believe me?”

“Well, yeah, Ted. This is Harry and Jack we’re talking about here. What’s not to believe?”

“Okay, we’re here. I’ll drop you off at the front, park, and meet you up at the penthouse. You look tired, Maggie, and it’s getting late your time. Say your hellos and go to bed. Don’t overdo your first day here. We’ll hit the ground running in the morning. You okay with that?”

Maggie was more than okay with it. She said so, to Ted’s relief.