Jackpot

25

Teddy was halfway back to the casino when he sensed someone following him. He wasn’t sure how long he’d had the tail, but he’d likely picked it up shortly after leaving the pawnshop. His gut instinct had told him the story he’d been fed by the old man was nonsense — now he knew he’d been spot-on.

Glancing in a storefront window, he spotted the tail that was a block back. The man didn’t seem to be trying too hard to avoid being seen — either he was an amateur, or he wanted Teddy to know he was there. Teddy slowed his walk, and the tail seemed to speed up. He looked to be getting himself in position to make a move. Teddy didn’t think the man wanted to kill him — not in such a public place — which was a relief because, once again, Teddy found himself without a weapon. Nevertheless, Teddy was on high alert, hoping to turn this into an opportunity. Maybe the tail had information worth knowing about what was really going on.

When the man was just a few feet back, Teddy moved toward a small group of European tourists. Teddy was a legend of disguise, but that didn’t mean he was only good with wigs and makeup. After studying with the world’s greatest actors, mimes, illusionists, and hunters, Teddy was able to see how they contorted their bodies and faces into new shapes and used natural cover to manipulate what was right in front of someone. This knowledge and years of practice in high-stress operations gave Teddy the skills and comfort level to make himself virtually invisible in a public space.

By the time his tail realized Teddy was behind him, Teddy had maneuvered the man off into an alley and quietly disarmed and subdued him.

“We haven’t met yet,” Teddy said, “but I feel like we already know so much about one another.”

The man squirmed quietly but was unable to get out from under Teddy’s grasp.

“This city brings out the dealmaker in me. So, instead of killing you right here and dumping you in one of the many convenient trash bins along this street, I’m going to give you a choice.”

The man continued to squirm, getting harder to control. His grunts and growls were also getting louder through Teddy’s hands.

“I need information and I need it quicker than going from person to person looking for the right piece of the puzzle at the right time. We’re going to go to the casino and play baccarat while you give me the answers I need. No one dies and maybe we even walk away with a few more bucks in our pockets.”

The man didn’t answer in any discernible way, but he continued to struggle. It was getting to the point where Teddy would have had trouble controlling him discreetly. Finally, tired of the whole thing, Teddy slipped one of several small syringes he kept in his coat pocket into his hand and jabbed the man in the leg.

In the taxi back to the casino, Teddy pretended he was trying to keep his drunk friend awake while searching his tail’s pockets. He found the man’s wallet and learned the man’s name was Bing-Wen Jo. Based on what Kevin had told him about Bingo doing Arrow’s dirty work around Macau, Teddy had suspected the man’s identity. But confirmation was always nice. The mild tranquilizer was wearing off and Teddy had Bingo’s arm over his shoulder, stumbling them across the floor as if he were bringing his drunken friend back to their room.

When the tranquilizer had fully worn off, Teddy and Bingo stood at an empty baccarat table with drinks in hand. Bingo had a glassy look in his eyes as he took several slow sips from his drink.

“Let’s get started,” Teddy said.

Bingo nodded.

Teddy wondered if he’d measured the medication properly, because Bingo should have been fully recovered from the dose he’d been given. Had he used the wrong syringe?

“I always wanted to be James Bond,” Teddy said to the dealer, “but it’s harder than it looks.”