The Rain City Hustle (Danny Logan Mystery Book 6) by M.D. Grayson

Author:M.D. Grayson [Grayson, M.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cedar Coast Press
Published: 2022-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Emerald Downs

“Your usual box, gentlemen?” The host smiled as he greeted Billy Thorne and Nigel at the entrance of the Turf Club at the Emerald Downs racetrack in Auburn.

It was Saturday afternoon, and the large room was beginning to get busy—the first race of the day was scheduled to start at two p.m., thirty minutes away.

“What’s up, Carlos?” Billy said. “How ya doin’?”

“Excellent, Mr. Thorne, excellent.” Carlos nodded toward the seats below. “We’ve got your normal booth reserved for you, of course. And they tell me there’s an excellent card today. Hopefully, the afternoon will be muy rentable for you, no?”

Billy gave him a blank look.

“Muy rentable,” Carlos explained. “Very profitable.”

“Huh.” Billy rolled his eyes as Nigel chuckled. “That’d be different.”

Carlos continued, unphased. “Si, I’ve got a good feeling for you today, Mr. Thorne. Many good things today. Here are today’s racing forms.” He handed each man a copy.

“Thanks.” Billy turned and gazed through the panoramic windows. Ominous-looking low-hanging clouds drifted slowly from south to north. “How’s the track?”

Carlos winced. “Aye, the track. Well, as you know, it rained last night—hard. I’m afraid the track—well, she’s gonna be sloppy for sure.”

Billy gave a quick smile. “Good. I like sloppy tracks. Poor bastards in the back look like they’ve been mud wrestling when they finish.”

Carlos nodded, saying nothing. After a second, he added, “So, if you gentlemen are ready? I can take you now.”

“Lead on.”

From its entrance at the back, the Turf Club slopes downward like a movie theater to the towering wall of glass on the east side, where the stunning Cascade Mountains serve as a panoramic backdrop. The entire track was visible as Carlos led the men to their seats—starting gate, back stretch, even the distant barns beyond the far turn.

Carlos had nearly reached their table when Billy abruptly stopped. A woman was sitting alone, two booths removed from his reserved seats. She was lost in thought, leaning back in her seat and chewing intently on the end of a pen while she studied a racing form. The striking woman wore a wide gray hat with a sharply contrasting aqua ribbon over a sleeveless plain white sundress. Her hair was dark and shoulder-length, and her eyes were a deep azure blue. She had a stunning and colorful full-sleeve jungle tattoo on her left arm and a small Celtic weave on her right.

Billy stared for several moments until Nigel poked him, saying, “Uh, Billy?”

Trance broken, Billy beckoned to Carlos. “I think I’d like to change our seats today, Carlos,” he whispered. “How about we sit at that one this afternoon?” He nodded discreetly toward the empty booth next to the woman.

Carlos looked at the woman, then he turned back to Billy and smiled. “Certainly, Mr. Thorne.”

* * * *

Danny and Johnny stood inside the club, at the top of the room near the pari-mutuel betting machines. They appeared to be huddled in conversation, comparing racing tickets, absorbed in a heavy discussion about wagering. In reality, the two were looking past their tickets and carefully watching Billy as he approached Toni.

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