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She eyed me suspiciously before looking up and down the hallway as if to make sure I was alone. Who she thought could possibly be with me would remain a mystery.
I took that moment to look her over. A little sleep rumpled, but otherwise clear-eyed and present, but I still asked. “How’re you feeling this morning?”
She sighed. “I’ve just woken up and need to get ready for my appointment at the salon.”
That tracked. Tuesday was her preferred salon day, and if she were guiding the conversation where she wanted it to go rather than answering my questions, then, well… that also tracked.
“That sounds good. Would you like to get lunch afterward?”
“Young lady, I don’t love having conversations across doorways like this, especially first thing in the morning. I have a busy day ahead, and you should too.”
The words were sharp but also tired enough to remind me not to be too upset by the brush-off. She’d had a rough night last night, and it was not the time for answers. Assuming that time—or any answers—even existed.
“Yes, ma’am. Say hello to the ladies at the salon for me.”
She shut and locked the door with a crisp click before I’d even finished my goodbye.
I shuffled to the elevator bay and pushed the call button, the weight of the last twelve hours slumping my shoulders.
I tried to visualize something good. Something better.
The short gust of air that was produced by the opening of the elevator doors sparked some inspiration. I spent the entire elevator ride leaning against the mirrored walls with my eyes closed, imagining myself on the deck of a cruise ship in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and working alongside Cody where the sun would warm my skin, the breeze would cool me down, and no one would use my name.
Because they didn’t know it.
A make-believe of total anonymity.
And blissful ignorance.
A vision that was wholly washed away by a tidal wave of guilt by the time the elevators reached the lobby.
I wouldn’t abandon Grandmother, even if no one else had thought twice about doing the same to me.
19
VINH
According to our unofficial family astrologist, Liem, it was my nature as a Scorpio to crave open water.
There was strong evidence to back up his claim. I’d lived on or near one shore or another my entire life. Our childhood home in Eufaula sat right on the lake, and my condo in Gulf Shores was right on the Gulf. And as of last night, I lived on the water in a little fifty-foot houseboat that Paul had clearly taken good care of over the years.
I’d hung around Fortuna’s lobby for a bit last night—discreetly out of sight—to make sure Bree and Jackass got Miss Barb to the elevators without trouble. Once they were safely enroute to the seventh floor, I seriously considered going back into the casino and tracking down Jackass’s father, Terry, and sharing my opinion of his handling of the situation.
And of the supposed security here.
But I knew that once I got started, I wouldn’t hold back. And then I’d likely earn a ban from Fortuna.
And that would’ve made some plans I had for later this week difficult.
Instead, I’d driven to the nearest grocery store to stock the boat’s fridge and small pantry and picked up some things for the main Lott household too. After dropping those off—quickly and quietly when I realized all three inhabitants were asleep—I drove back over the twin bridges to my new home on the water.
After things in the boat were in order, I lay on the deck in a sleeping bag and mentally traced the barely visible constellations of the October sky that were fighting against the lights and marquees from the casinos and hotels of the Coast.
Despite a night filled with dreams of whirring reels, flashing lights, and slate-gray eyes, I woke up with a clear mind and purpose.
It was time to face some demons, and this houseboat was the perfect place for it.
It started with a text.
