Dead Man's Hand by Steven Meehan Page A

have some of his own men posing here as players. 
And now his men had targets to go after.  This was masterful, while he
appeased the spoiled millionaires he also managed to mark the preferred order
of their exit.  But before I could think about anything else, Bella broke
my concentration.
    “Marcus, are
you there?”  Bella asked gently as she waved her hand in front of
me.  When I looked back at her, her face was very intense and irritated,
“I’m beginning to feel unappreciated here, Marcus.  I mean we’ve had quite
the conversation but as soon as Dempsey walks in I’m forgotten.”
    She threw her
hand up against her forehead and formed a very playful pout with her
mouth.  It looked good on her, but before I could defend myself she
elaborated.  “Not only that but you also went on to say that I was beauty
incarnate.  I mean with flattery that thick, shouldn’t I rank higher on
your list?”
    Based on her
reactions, it was pretty clear that she didn’t care for the man.  And I
got the feeling that there was a reason behind it.   But what could
these two have in common?   She was a professional card player and he
was the head of a sophisticated criminal empire.  What was the
connection between them?   She obviously knew he was going to be
here so why did she come if she didn’t care for the host?  But there
was no way I was going to ask her about that, no way.  I valued my life
too much to so willingly commit suicide.  And she was right about one
thing, I had grown obsessed with the man since she said he would be here.
    Now I was letting his
reputation fuel my own terror.  Fear was something to be harnessed, but
terror was fear that was simply allowed to flourish.  I could accept fear
of something, after all fear would keep me alive by ensuring that I kept my
wits about me.  But all terror would do was run me into an early
grave.  Bella had done just enough to help me transform the rolling terror
into manageable fear.
    Averting my eyes from
Dempsey I apologetically looked at Bella as I answered.  “I’m sorry Bella
that was rude of me.”  I took in a deep breath and realized just how much
I had honestly enjoyed our brief time together.  This was one friendship
that I would want to continue past the current moment.  So I did the only
thing I could think of and that was groveling, though somehow I managed to keep
my dignity.  “I do hope you will forgive the infraction.  I’ll try
not to let it happen again.”
    “You’re acting like
you’ve never seen him before.”  She asked.
    With a shrug I answered
with as much of the truth as I dared.  “I don’t keep up with current
events outside of my influence.  It’s easier on my body.”
    With a laugh she shook
her head, “Every time I think I have a handle on you, you do something or say
something that just throws what I have come up with out the window.”
    “Yes, I’m good at
that.”  I offered quickly.  But after a moment of silence curiosity
won out over reason.  And I returned her question.  “How many times
have you meet Dempsey?”
    “More times than you
have.”  She replied with forced casualness.
    Something about that
forced cheer got under my skin so, ignoring my little mental warning bell, I
decided to do a bit more digging.  I knew I was going to have to be more
than a little obtuse, hopefully she would be forgiving of that as well. 
“So this isn’t your first time then?”
    As I watched her I had
trouble gauging the reaction.  From our conversation I knew she thought me
intelligent or at least she respected my intelligence.  Now that I had
asked such an obviously dumb question, I could see doubt trickling through her
mind.  But at the same time she had seen me entrap Patrick with a few
simple words.  I could see the two warring thoughts battling in her eyes.
    Eventually she warily
answered my question, “This is only the second time.”
     “How did you do?”
    “Well enough that I came
back