This is Where You Fold by Robert Needham

Author:Robert Needham [Needham, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gutshot Publishing
Published: 2020-05-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Eddie Liddell sat in his office at Jacques Casino HQ, based in the office block above the Nottingham casino. He was short, but extremely broad, and worked out every day. His physique was the thing he was the proudest of, and years of boxing had made him good at taking and throwing a punch. He was Area Manager for the Midlands and covered the biggest casinos in the Jacques portfolio. Eddie practically lived in his office, which was spotless, nevertheless. In pride of place on the wall was a portrait of Alexander Jacques. Today, he was reviewing Saturday morning’s CCTV tapes of the card room at Nottingham. He thought back to the events that had led him to looking at these particular tapes. Ron Jacobs, one of the card-room managers, had turned up to the head office uninvited, and ambushed Eddie whilst he was making his morning espresso.

“Hi Eddie, how’s it going?” Ron asked.

“Yeah, all right… Ron Jacobs, right? What brings you here today?”

“Can I mention something to you … off the record?”

“Of course. Shall we go to my office?”

“Sure.” They walked across the main office to Eddie’s door. The floor was quiet; some monitors were occupied by staff, but the majority were clear. Monday mornings were always quiet for casinos. They walked in and Eddie closed the door. All the glass was frosted, to prevent people from seeing what Eddie was doing.

Eddie sat down in his plush leather office chair and motioned for Ron to sit on the other side of the desk. “What’s troubling you, Ron?”

“I think someone cheated at poker over the weekend. It’s more of a feeling than anything, I can’t really prove it.”

“OK … what makes you think they cheated?”

“As I said, I can’t explain it. The person who came second in our side event seemed a bit… shady. I’m sure he works for the new company that’s building us the tables. He introduced himself as Steve, and when I looked him up on our computer, he’s called Steve Ash. He was the spitting image of the guy who came to replace the playing cards, you know, James Baldwin. Just seems a bit weird that the company name is Baldwin and Ash, y’know.”

Eddie held up his hands. “Whoa, whoa, let’s just wind back a second. What guy who came to replace the cards? Nobody was supposed to be replacing anything this weekend.”

The colour drained from Ron’s face. “A guy came into the casino. He had a briefcase … he had Alexander Jacques’s phone number…”

“Ron, what did you give him?”

“He just wanted the marked cards, no cash or anything.” Ron swallowed. “So, I got them out of the safe, and — Oh my God, I’m so sorry…”

Eddie’s mind was racing. “Didn’t you ask him for ID?” He’d better answer with a yes, otherwise he’s out.

“He told me he’d left it at a coffee shop on his way from London.”

“RON!” Eddie stood up, tipping his office chair over behind him. “We don’t let people gamble their own money without an ID.

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