The dealer grinned as he dealt Joe a queen of diamonds. No, we dont. And, maam, if you run into that particular guy again, turn around and run the other way.
A flutter of excitement rippled through Jane, tinged with apprehension. She darted a look at Joe. He fingered the edge of his card and tried to look more interested in the game than the conversation.
She couldnt be quite so nonchalant about their first lead all day. So you know the guy Im talking about? Does he ever come here to the Painted Pony?
If its the guy Im thinking about, he still runs those games now and then, but he hasnt been welcome in any legitimate casino in town in years.
Joe laid the back of his hand against Janes cheek. Baby, youre not going to drag me off to some shell game just so you can take a trip down memory lane, are you?
She pouted. You promised for better or for worse.
Joe shook his head at the dealer. Women.
Do you know the guys name? Or even where we could find him? Jane asked, ignoring Joes exaggerated sigh.
His name is Dugan. Harold or Hal or something like that. The dealer lowered his voice as a couple of men in suits passed. Theres this poker palace down on Pridemore called the Lady Luck. Supposedly just a bar, but everybody knows therere backroom games going on for the patrons no longer welcome in the casinos. Dugans a regular.
Gee, thanks, Joe drawled.
Hard to say no to a lovely lady, the dealer said with a shrug and a wink at Jane. He laid another card on Joes hand. A three of clubs.
Joe grinned. Ill stay.
The dealers smile was halfhearted. He dealt himself a queen, which put him over twenty-one. A winner again. He pushed the chips toward Joe. Another hand?
Actually, I promised my wife we wouldnt spend all day in the casinos. But thank you very much for the games. Joe rose, pocketing most of the chips but leaving a generous tip for the dealer.
Thanks on behalf of the employees, the dealer said with a nod. Hope you enjoy your stay in Reno.
Joe tucked his arm around Janes waist and guided her toward the cashiers booth to cash in his chips. Youre quite the little storyteller, arent you? he murmured, his lips brushing the tip of her ear. A spark of pure electricity zigzagged through her at the light touch.
Got us the information we were looking for, she replied softly.
If its the same guy, Joe warned.
The cashier took the chips and started handing Joe cash. Jane watched her count out the bills, her eyes widening with surprise. He had won over $3,000 at the blackjack table.
I get the feeling youve gambled before, she murmured as they stepped into the midday sunlight outside the casino and started west toward their motel.
He gave her a considering look, dropping his arm from her waist. He faced forward, quickening his pace. I dont make a habit of it.
Jane hurried to stay in step. Took guts to double down with the dealer holding ten.
He glanced at her. How would you know?
She stumbled to a halt, considering the question. I have no idea.
He paused and looked back at her, a little frown creasing his brow. He released a soft sigh and motioned with his head. Come on. Lets get back to the hotel. I could use a rest before we go looking for your con man.
She caught up with him, putting her hand on his arm. Im sorry-Im pushing you too hard.
He looked faintly horrified by the notion. Im fine. But we havent had a lot of sleep in the past few days.
She couldnt hold back a soft chuckle. Well, it helps to sell our newlywed cover story.
He slanted a look at her, his lips curved with a half grin that made her heart skip a beat.
The Admiral Arms Motel was a couple of blocks off the strip, within walking distance of several of the towns casinos. It hadnt been exactly cheap, and theyd taken one of the last rooms available, but the room had been clean, with a pair of double beds. Theyd even managed a few hours of uninterrupted sleep before rising early to start their tour of the casinos in search of information.
Of course, the easiest way to find out who she really was would have been to head for the Reno Police Department, let them take her fingerprints and check them against their records. But she couldnt risk it. What if she was wanted for more than being a con mans shill?
She hadnt told Joe everything about her dream, only the memory of the con man and the certainty that she had known him here in Reno, although the more she thought about it, the sillier she felt about being so reticent. He already suspected her of complicity in his brothers murder. What was fraud compared to that?
Joe grabbed the phone book as soon as they got back to the room, sitting on the edge of the bed to thumb through the listings. Well, what do you know? Theres no Lady Luck listed in the phone book.
Jane sat across from him on the other bed. She picked up the phone, drawing a small frown from Joe. She dialed the number for the front desk.
A woman picked up. Admiral Arms Motel.
Im trying to find a particular establishment in the phone book and Im having no luck. A business associate asked me to meet him there later this evening. Its a tavern called the Lady Luck, on Pridemore, but Im not familiar with that part of town. Have you ever heard of the place?
There was a brief pause before the clerk answered. Ive heard of it. Im sorry, I dont know the phone number, but we do have city maps available for sale at the front desk if youd like to pick one up. It will show you where Pridemore Avenue is.
Thank you. Ill do that. Jane hung up.
No luck?
Well, it exists. And its on Pridemore Avenue, I think. And going by the tone of her voice, the desk clerk thinks Im nuts even to consider going there. She pushed her fingers through her hair, scraping it back from her face. Im hungry. Are you hungry?
A little.
She pushed off the bed. Give me a ten and Ill run down the strip to one of the burger joints for us.
He stood, as well. Ill come with you.
Dont be silly. You rest. Ill be back in a flash.
Youre not going anywhere without me.
She stared at him in growing dismay. You mean you dont trust me to go anywhere without you.
He shook his head. I mean I dont like the idea of you out there by yourself with someone gunning for us. Were safer together.
He was right, she knew, but she wasnt sure he was telling her the whole truth, either. Clearly, he didnt trust her, and who could blame him? A woman with a hidden past, a dangerous present and an uncertain future? She wasnt even sure she trusted herself. What if her past came rushing back to her while she was out there alone? What would she remember? What might she do?
She nodded finally, conceding his point. Okay. Youre right. Together it is.
She followed him out of the motel room.
JOE AND Jane bought a couple of burgers and shared an order of fries at one of the fast-food joints not far from the motel. At midday, the temperature was nearing seventy degrees, warm enough for Jane to suggest they eat their meal at one of the outdoor tables.
Have you ever been to Reno before? Jane asked Joe.
He shook his head. Some buddies and I took a trip to Vegas once, during spring holiday, but not Reno.
I think I like Idaho better. Closer to the mountains.
He finished his hamburger and wadded up the paper wrapper, spinning it between his fingers on the concrete table in front of him. I went to college in Texas, he said, smiling at the memory of his four years in College Station. Hot as hell from March until October, and flat as a pancake. I missed the Rockies.
I wonder how long I lived here in Reno. Her green-eyed gaze swept over the street scene in front of the hamburger joint as if seeking something familiar.
What do you remember? Besides just being here, I mean, he added when she turned to look at him.
Not much, she admitted. A street scene. The black-haired man playing three-card monte.
What makes you think this man can tell you anything about yourself?
She sighed, bending a thin French fry between her restless fingers. Im pretty sure I worked for him.
The confession shouldnt have surprised him. God knew hed thought much worse things of her. But her soft admission made his heart sink. Worked for him how?
In one memory I had, I picked a mans pocket on his cue. Her gaze skittered away from his, her face flushed. And in a later dream, I was talking a mark into a shell game the man was running.
How do you know these memories are real?
She plucked at the bun of her half-eaten hamburger. I guess I wasnt sure. Not until we talked to that blackjack dealer and he knew the man I was describing.
Do you know how old you were then?
I dont even know how old I am now. She looked up suddenly, an eager light in her eyes. Do you?
Im not sure, he admitted. You told me you were twenty-five when we first met. That was almost a year ago. But I dont know-
You dont know if I was telling the truth, she finished for him. She looked down at her sandwich for a moment, then folded it in its wrapping paper and stuck it back in the paper bag where theyd put their trash. Why dont we head back to the motel and get a little rest?
He caught her hand, stilling her movements as she started to stand. It probably wasnt a lie, he told her. Youre probably twenty-six.
But you dont know, she said sadly. You dont know that anything I told you was the truth, do you?
He couldnt deny it.
She slipped her hand away from his, picked up the bag of trash and put it in the nearest trash bin. He had to hurry to catch up with her, falling into stride as she reached the sidewalk. Do you want me to lie to you and tell you I think everything you said was the truth, even what I know were lies?
She halted, turning to look at him, her eyes narrowed against the bright sun. No. Of course not. Im not angry at you. Im angry at myself. Or whoever it was I used to be. She sighed, pressing her fingertips to her forehead as if trying to rub away a headache.
He touched her arm, making her look at him. Lets just go back to the motel and rest a little while. A nap will do us both some good.
She didnt move, even as he gestured for her to join him in resuming their walk back to the motel. He stopped after a couple of steps and turned back to her.
Do you still think I killed your brother? she asked.
The question caught him by surprise. Hed had exclusive, private access to her for a couple of days now, and the subject of his brothers murder had barely come up in all that time.