Enjoying the luxurious suite, they slept late, then ordered room service for a breakfast of coffee, eggs Benedict, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, which they enjoyed in front of the windows overlooking the Bellagio fountains. The sun was well up by the time Skye dressed for the day in khaki cargo pants and a pair of sneakers, a white tank, and white jeans jacket.

She glanced over at Edge, who wore jeans and a light blue, short-sleeved button-down. He tossed a navy blue windbreaker over the back of a chair to cover the shoulder holster he planned to wear when they went out.

Cross was right, Skye thought. Petrov was a dangerous enemy and not to be underestimated. Edge would be armed with his Beretta, while Skye carried her little .380 semiauto in her purse.

They were ready to prowl the shops, have lunch at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel and Casino, maybe gamble a little, whatever it took to pass the time until Petrov called.

Or didn’t.

Edge grabbed his windbreaker just as Skye’s cell phone rang. Worry rushed through her as she recognized Conn’s number. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Good news.”

“Really? I could use some.” She flicked a glance at Edge, who’d moved a little closer. “It’s Conn.” She put the phone on speaker.

“The good news is the police arrested Klaus Mahler last night. He and a guy named Webb Rankin.”

“Wow, that is good news. According to Callie, Webb Rankin was Sarah’s supposed husband. He was one of the men who had killed her. I’m glad they caught him.”

“Callie’s safe,” Conn said, “but even so, she and Lila are going to stay with me a little longer. Both of them are anxious to get back to work, so they’ll be looking for jobs. Apparently, Lila has some experience as a bookkeeper. Callie’s looking for a job in a restaurant. She’s decided to go back to community college in the spring, pick up where she left off, maybe even continue, get her bachelor’s degree.”

“That’s great.”

“They want to share an apartment as soon as they have enough money.”

“Tell Callie I’ll loan her first and last month’s rent and whatever else she needs. She can pay me back once she’s settled.”

“Okay, I’ll tell her.”

“Thanks for everything, Conn. You went way above and beyond. I know Callie and Lila appreciate it.”

“Actually, it was kind of fun having some female company again.”

Skye felt a twinge of regret. Conn still missed his ex-fiancée. Rebecca was never right for him, which she had finally figured out and Conn had reluctantly accepted. But living by himself in a house that size had to be lonely.

The call ended, and Skye tucked the phone into her purse.