Secret Histories 07 - Casino Infernale by Simon R. Green

Author:Simon R. Green
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

Gambling with Your Life

Uniformed staff arrived with stretchers to take away a dozen or so dead bodies. Presumably the official report would read food poisoning, although food attack would be more accurate. The staff had to hold the stretchers up to head height to manoeuvre them past the people still sitting at their tables. Some guests had left the restaurant, if only to change their clothes, but the vast majority had stayed. Some were actually eating the meals that had just tried to kill them. I suppose you have to have a strong stomach to be a gambler. No one looked at the stretchers, or the bodies on them. Presumably, in case such bad luck might rub off. Molly and I ordered lasagne. It seemed the safest thing on the menu. And the excitement had left us with an appetite.

“Just as well no one ordered the dragonburger,” Molly said finally. “That could have got really out of hand.”

“But, what was the point of all that?” I had to ask.

“I think someone just wanted to see whether we could defend ourselves,” said Molly. “And get a look at what kind of protections people had going for them. You saw Jacqueline turn into Hyde. Which was . . . pretty nasty, actually.”

“Do you want to look at the dessert menu?” I said.

“Of course! It’s free!”

“I think I just want to get started on the games,” I said. “You might remember you found poison in our food even before it rose up and attacked us. Which suggests to me two different attackers. I really don’t feel safe here.”

“Of course we’re not safe here,” said Molly. “This is Casino Infernale!”

And that was when the manager finally turned up. Jonathon Scott just came strolling in, as smart and casual and urbane as ever. Apparently entirely unconcerned with what had just happened. He clapped his hands smartly, to draw everyone’s attention.

“The Introductory Games are about to begin,” he said, bestowing an avuncular smile on one and all. “Might I respectfully remind all of you that attendance is mandatory this year for all of our guests who have not attended Casino Infernale previously.”

Everyone rose up from the their tables, sometimes abandoning half-finished meals or desserts, and headed for the exit. Scott stepped quickly back to get out of their way, still smiling his managerial smile. I was ready to go too, but Molly put a hand on my arm to stop me.

“Not yet,” she said. “Frankie isn’t back. I want to hear what he has to say, before we venture into enemy territory.”

I scowled. “I hate going on missions where I haven’t been properly briefed.”

“Only so you can lecture everyone else,” said Molly.

“True,” I said.

“I do know a few things about the Introductory Games,” Molly said carefully. “I mean, a girl does hear things. . . .”

“Go on,” I said, resignedly. “Tell me what you know. And we will discuss how you came to know it later.”

“The opening games are the only ones where money still matters,” said Molly.

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