Vegas Moon

50.

Callie’s holding a gun on me.

We’re in the garage of her condo. Five of the six indoor parking places have cars in them. Only Eva’s spot is empty. It’s quiet as a tomb in here, and musty. As I walk toward her I hear my footsteps echo off the concrete walls and ceiling. She lifts the barrel of her gun slightly, to indicate I’m close enough. I stop twelve feet from her.

“Either shoot me or open the trunk,” I say.

“Show me your hands.”

I do.

She pulls a fillet knife from her handbag and places it on the rear bumper of her car.

“What’s that for?”

“You wanted the device, right?”

“Jesus, Callie.”

She takes a few steps back, then pops the trunk. At first it takes my eyes some time to adjust to what I’m seeing. Because what I see is something I’m not prepared for.

Gwen’s alive.

She’s got a hood over her head, and her wrists and ankles are bound with shipping tape, and she’s obviously unconscious, because she’s not making a sound. But she’s very much alive. I can tell because one of her legs is twitching. As is her head.

I look at Callie. “What’s going on?”

“I couldn’t get in touch with you.”

“So?”

“So after taking one look at her I said, ‘Are you fucking Creed?’”

“And she said?”

“Yes. I love him.”

“She said that?”

“She did.”

“And you spared her?”

“I figured you’d want to say goodbye before I killed her.”

“But now you don’t have to.”

“Of course I do. Or you can, if you prefer.”

“Why?”

“Loose ends, Donovan.”

“She won’t tell.”

“They always tell.”

“She didn’t tell anyone she was working for Carmine Porrello.”

“So?”

I think about it a minute. “I’ll make you a deal.”

“I’m listening.”

“When the cops get here, to ask you about Eva, you’re going to need an alibi.”

“You’re my alibi.”

“I probably shouldn’t be seen with you. In case they have pictures from the airport.”

“Good point.”

“Gwen can be your alibi.”

Callie laughs. “You don’t think that’ll look suspicious?”

“No. Because you and Gwen are going to tell them you were switching partners tonight.”

“Why haven’t we called the police yet?”

“You fell asleep in each other’s arms.”

“She’s pretty hot.”

“Atta girl.”

“You think she’ll go for it?”

“I know she will.”

“You think she can pull it off?”

“She’s the best grifter I’ve ever seen. You should’ve seen her with Lucky’s investors. You wouldn’t believe it.”

“I’m willing to climb into bed with her till the cops come.”

“You can’t have sex with her.”

“What if she’s willing?”

“Then we should all have sex together.”

“You can’t be here, remember?”

“Maybe the cops won’t come,” I say.

“Let’s get her in the elevator,” Callie says. “Wake her up, coach her on what to say, get her naked…”

“You’re worse than me!”

“What can I say? You taught me everything I know.”