Free A Taste For Danger by K.K. Sterling Page B

That is her contact. Then she places a bet on the roulette wheel. The numbers she bets are the time set to meet.”
    “Wow. I get it. So that way everything is spontaneous. Except the place they meet for the drop. They would know that and we don’t.”
    “That is correct.”
    “Eddie, you know what you did is considered wrong, don’t you? And against the law?”
    “Yes, but as with my reconsideration of the company versus my books I weighed the degrees of wrongness. Cheryl’s degree of wrongness is far greater than mine.”
    He couldn’t argue with the kid’s logic. He just had to figure out what to do.
    “Do you know when she’s going to Atlantic City?”
    “This weekend.”
    “Shit.”
    “I’ve been told that it is not appropriate to use cuss words in a corporate environment.”
    “You are correct, Eddie. I am breaking some rules of etiquette right now.”
    “I won’t tell anyone.”
    “Yes, well we are both going to keep this entire conversation between ourselves, okay? At least until I figure out what to do.”
    “I have already planned the next logical step. You only have to do it.”
    “You—”
    “A rental car reserved in my name is waiting for us.”
    “Us? Eddie, this has been very helpful but you can’t—”
    “I am the one that found out the information. It’s only fair that I get to go too. Besides, I’m also the only one that understands Chinese.”
    Eddie had him there.
    “I guess that would have been my plan. To tail her and find out where the drop is and catch her red-handed.” Jack still mulled everything over. This was a lot to take in all at once.
    “I made reservations for three rooms at the hotel next door, which is Caesars, so there will be limited chance that Ms. Wong will see us, yet we will be just a walkway away.”
    “I have to admit that’s smart—wait—three rooms?”
    “Cindy will come with us.”
    “Cindy? Why would you involve her? She might not even want to know about this.”
    “Cindy is head of H.R. She has also been with the company many years. You are an outsider. I am not respected enough to listen to. Cindy must act as a witness. She will also know all the rules Cheryl is breaking.”
    Jack gave up. His watch said 5:00. He had to decide fast. Go or no go. After a pause and a Hail Mary, Jack spoke. “Follow me to Cindy’s office.” He raised his finger up towards Eddie. “And don’t speak until I say so. Got it?”
    “Got it.”
    The halls looked deserted. At 5:00 on a Friday the company appeared desolate. True to her work ethic, Cindy still sat at her computer, typing away. Jack knocked on the wall inside her door.
    “Jack! To what do I owe this pleasure?”
    “Got any plans this weekend?”
    “Jack, I don’t think it’s a good idea for—”
    Jack interrupted her. “Because if you don’t, there’s a secret mission we’d like to take you on.” Hidden behind the wall, Eddie giggled.
    “Secret—wait, we?”
    Jack stepped aside and Eddie came into full view.
    “Eddie!” Cindy smiled. “What are you doing here?”
    “Helping Mr. Heart solve a case.”
    “Oh, Eddie...” started Cindy.
    Jack interrupted again. “No, it’s true. Are you game for a little adventure? Like going to Atlantic City on the spur of the moment to’—he stepped inside the office and motioned for Eddie to do the same, then he closed the door—’to catch a crook?”
    As she sat baffled, Jack explained everything while Eddie interrupted every so often when Jack recited a detail incorrectly. At the end Jack said, “So there you have it.” Jack waved his hand at Eddie and himself. “Two charming fellows desire your company.”
    Cindy thought for a minute. “Eddie, are you sure you’re comfortable traveling to another city and staying around strangers?”
    “It’s an adventure!”
    “That it is,” Cindy acknowledged.
    “Plus you two will be there,” continued Eddie.
    “Well, then I guess I have no choice. I’m in.” Cindy looked simultaneously