Shit. Pepper spray. That’s all I need tonight. Grant froze, his hands where she could see them. “I’m not trying to rob you. I swear.”

Her eyes darted back and forth frantically, but they were alone in the parking lot. She tilted her body to bring the pepper spray closer to his face, her eyes narrowing. “I saw you tonight. In the casino. Not drinking and not gambling. Why are you following me?”

“I’m looking for Richard.”

She didn’t move, her finger still on the spray tab. “He wasn’t working tonight.”

“Not working on a Saturday night? That doesn’t make sense.”

She gave him a haughty look. “He’s the owner. He can work when he likes.”

The owner? he thought, irritated. Could have mentioned that, Wesley. But at least this was helpful information. “When will he be working again?”

“Not until Wednesday. Why?”

“I want to talk to him.” Grant drew a breath, wishing he had his brother’s talent for effortlessly spinning tales. “I’m in town for the week for a convention and I heard he has an exclusive poker game going. I wanted to get an invite.”

She shook her head. “All of our games are played in the open, right on the floor. Nothing special, nothing exclusive.”

But her eyes had flickered, just a little. She knew, all right.

“I have several friends who’ve played,” he tried again, but he could hear his own desperation. “They say it’s a high-stakes game. Just what I’m looking for. They all said to ask for Richard.”

“Sorry, can’t help you. Can you go away now? I’d like to go home and I’m not putting this pepper spray down until you’re a block away.”

Grant’s jaw tightened. “I suppose I have no choice. You say Richard will be back on Wednesday?”

“That’s right. Now leave or I’ll scream for the cops.”

He wanted to tell her to go ahead, but because he wasn’t sure what Wes was doing, he backed away, his hands still up. “I’m leaving. Relax, lady.”

She glared at him until he was out of her visual range and he watched as she unlocked her car with shaking hands.

At least he knew which Richard he was looking for. He’d go back to Wes’s penthouse apartment, get online, then figure out the last name of the man who owned the Lady of the River casino. And where that man lived.

Hang on, Wesley. I’m here, looking for you. Just . . . be all right, okay?

But he had a sinking feeling that he was already too late.

Cincinnati, Ohio
Sunday, March 17, 9:30 a.m.