Rossi's Gamble by Paul W. Papa

Author:Paul W. Papa [Papa, Paul W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Noir, .ISBNincl
ISBN: 9781953482006
Publisher: STACGroup llc
Published: 2020-08-24T05:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

AFTER THE MORNING shower and shave, I gave Virginia a ring. It was Sunday, after all, and she was off, so I was hoping we might be able to make a morning of it—eggs, coffee, the works. Besides, I had a shiny new sax to show her. I let it ring several times, but there was no answer, so I retrieved the card Preston had given me last night from the inside pocket of my jacket and looked at the name: John Bentley Gaming Enforcement Agent. The chances of him being in his office on a Sunday were slim to none, but it didn’t stop me from picking up the phone and giving the number to PBX.

After a couple of rings, a male voice came on the line. “This is John,” the voice said.

“John Bentley?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. “Who am I speaking with?”

“Name’s Rossi,” I said. “I’m surprised to find you at work.”

He chuckled. “I’m surprised myself,” he admitted, “but I have a deposition tomorrow morning and I needed to do a bit of preparation. How can I help you, Mr. Rosey?”

“Rossi,” I corrected. “I was wondering if you’d have some time to meet. I have a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Can you give me more details?” he asked.

“I could, but I’d prefer to do that in person. I hate to bother you on a Sunday, but it’s time-sensitive.”

“Sure it can’t wait until Monday?” he asked. “I don’t really want to be here any longer than I have to.”

Bentley agreed to meet me in an hour at his downtown office if I promised to make it quick. I tried Virginia’s number a second time with the same results, before donning my lid and heading for the casino to check on our whale. I looked in all the pits, but the man was nowhere to be found. It was becoming a day full of surprises. Virginia wasn’t home, Bentley was in his office on a Sunday, and now the whale was MIA. I went over to the pit boss to inquire as to Dorsey’s whereabouts and was told he hadn’t been there all morning. In fact, no one had seen him since last night.

Perhaps he was a late sleeper. Or perhaps Lizzie’s activities of the night before had caused another row. Who knew?

I didn’t have time to find out. I had an appointment to keep, so I headed to Gaming Control downtown. The Gaming Control Board was under the jurisdiction of the Nevada Tax Commission. It was officially established to provide regulations for the licensing and operation of casinos and other gambling joints. Its main job, however, was to curtail the undesirable elements that came as a package deal with vices like gambling. I’m not sure they were doing such a bang-up job. What I did know was that they were as welcome as an egg in a meatball. I was taking a chance going there, but I couldn’t see any other option.

I found Bentley sitting behind a gray metal desk in an office with his name painted on the door.

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