If there was ever a more appropriate theme for today’s #1lineWed, I don’t know what it would be. The White Rabbit is my new BFF and I’m going to steal his pocket watch one of these days soon. That said, I did get almost 10K words written this past week. I’ll use tomorrow to catch folks up. Today, it’s about being late. I only have one place in the current WIP where that word is used, and it’s a “throwaway line” but it’s one of the opening scenes so I’ll share a snippet. Quick background: Cash and Chase Barron are twins. Chase found his true love in CONVENIENT COWGIRL BRIDE (October 2016) and he runs the entertainment division of Barron Enterprises–mainly the hotels and casinos. Cash is the black sheep (and man is it a trial to get him redeemed! 😆 ) and he’s in charge of the security division. There’s something hinky going on at the Crown Barron Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. Cash and his people are there to find out what’s going on. So…
***
Cash rubbed his eyes, a dull headache throbbing at the base of his skull from staring at the bank of security monitors. Tucker handed him a cup coffee and a bottle of painkillers. He tossed back a couple of the pills and chased them with the hot, black liquid.
“When did you tumble to their presence?” Cash asked not taking his eyes from the live footage.
“Yesterday when they checked in. That new facial recognition software you had installed worked like a charm. I have the footage if you want to look at it.” Tucker watched the monitors too.
“Just give me the rundown.”
“Max arrived first. Had reservations for a mini-suite under the name Grant Franklin.”
Cash scrubbed at his forehead with the heel of one hand. “And his sons?”
“Alexander and Ajax checked in together. Another mini-suite. Hamilton and Jackson Grant.”
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“No. They’re all here.” Tuck’s voice hardened.
“Great. Go on.”
“Braxton checked in about an hour later. Lincoln Washington. And then Dexter checked in this afternoon. Reservations were for Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Cleveland.”
Cash sat up straight, whipping around to stare at the other man. “Hamilton, Jackson, Grant, Lincoln, Washington, Franklin, and Cleveland. Now they’re just trying to rub our noses in it.” His cousin looked confused so he laid it out. “Those are presidential last names. All of them. Except Franklin. But ol’ Ben’s still on the hundred dollar bill.”
“It’s all about the money.”
“Yeah. Wait. Dexter brought a woman?” Cash pushed out of the chair. “Do you have a picture of her?”
“No. He checked in alone, was up in his room about forty-five minutes, and then left in a cab he caught at the front entrance. He hasn’t been back.”
“You sure of that?” Cash walked to a monitor and tapped it. “That’s Dexter at the roulette table.”
“How the hell—”
Bridger walked up to them and cut his brother off. “We have a gap in the security cameras somewhere. We’ll find it, Tuck. Sorry I’m late for the party, Cash. I was double checking footage.”
“I want eyes on all of the Rowlands. Max is at the high stakes black jack table. Alex walked out about five minutes ago after Dexter tossed him a high-sign. Ajax and Braxton are roaming around on the slot machine floor.” Cash returned to his chair and swiveled it around. “I want our guys on them, Bridger.” He held up a hand to stop Tucker’s rebuttal. “Your security is good. Hell, we hired and trained them, but they look like casino security. My guys won’t.”
Bridger offered a feral grin to Tucker. “Little brother, you pick my guys out, I’ll buy you the biggest steak they have at the Barron House.”
The radio at Cash’s elbow hissed. “I have Target Two in sight. He’s with a woman. Redhead. Black dress. Lobby entrance.”
***
And you know what they say about redheads, right? 😉 Cash is gonna find out!
