Free Duke City Split by Max Austin

to get my share of that money and put it somewhere until we can filter it into our investment accounts.”
    “I don’t worry about that,” Linda said. “You manage the money just fine.”
    “Never had so much to manage before,” he said. “It’ll take some doing.”
    She leaned close to his ear and whispered, “But no more banks. You’re done with them.”
    “That’s right, baby. I’m done. The rest is just mopping up.”
    “Still dangerous, though,” she said. “A little.”
    Bud shrugged. “The money’s in a safe place. We only have to go back there once, to do the split.”
    “When?”
    “We’ll wait until things cool off. There’s really no hurry now that we’ve got it stashed.”
    “What about that kid?” she said. “From what you said last night, he’s in a hurry to get his share.”
    “Mick’s keeping an eye on him, making sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
    “Good idea.”
    “The kid’s okay,” Bud said. “After we split up the loot, I’ll never see him again.”
    “That’ll be best.”
    “There’s nothing to worry about. Really. We’re right at the finish line.”
    Linda gathered up her purse and briefcase from the counter.
    “I’ve got to get to work,” she said. “Not all of us are old retired guys, lounging around the house in our bathrobes.”
    He laughed and followed her to the door. Gave her a kiss goodbye. Watched her get into her car, then waved as she drove away.
    Bud stood in the doorway a while, looking around the quiet, shady neighborhood. No cars followed Linda away and nobody seemed to be watching the house.
    So far, so good.

Chapter 23
    The FBI agents hadn’t been gone long when Milton Abeyta’s secretary buzzed again and said he had another visitor. Milton sighed. More cops, no doubt, wanting to talk about the bank robbery, as if the theft were the casino’s fault for putting so much attractive money in that branch.
    “Who is it?” he said into the intercom, but Gail didn’t get a chance to answer. Milton’s door swung open and a thin razor blade of a man entered.
    Milton stood up behind his desk, indignant, but caught himself before he complained. The man’s elegant gray suit, his cool sense of control, made Milton hold his tongue.
    “You’re chief of security?” the swarthy visitor said.
    “That’s right.” Milton tried smiling. “Can I help you with something?”
    “We need to talk in private.” Without asking, the black-haired man closed the office door. He crossed to Milton’s desk and sat in the guest chair. He crossed his legs, the lights glinting on his polished black shoes.
    Milton frowned.
    “Maybe we could start with who you are. You just waltz in here—”
    “Vincent Caro. I just flew in from Chicago.”
    Caro raised a dark eyebrow, waiting for Milton to get it. When it sank through, Milton slumped into his leather chair.
    The Tewa tribe had silent partners who’d fronted much of the money used to build the casino/hotel complex. A healthy slice of each month’s profits were shipped to Chicago in repayment. Milton was one of the few tribal members who knew the partners were members of the Vitelli crime family.
    “We don’t get many visitors from Chicago. Such a long distance.”
    “That’s the way we prefer it,” Caro said. “My employers have gone to a great deal of trouble to keep our involvement in your casino a private matter.”
    “Yes, of course. That’s the way it’s got to be. The government regulators—”
    Caro held up a hand to stop him.
    “As long as my employers feel everything on this end is handled properly, youdon’t see us. But when there are problems, they send me.”
    “Problems? I don’t know of any prob—”
    “The robbery? It’s making headlines all across the country.”
    “Oh,” Milton said, trying to smile. “I see. But there’s no reason to worry about that. The robbers hit the bank, not us. We’ll be totally reimbursed for any losses.”
    A pained look crossed Caro’s