Chapter 10

Thoroughly embroiled in losing absolutely all the money they had, Don and Charlie missed dinner in the main dining room. Charlie, whose eyes betrayed every thought that went through his head, no matter how quickly it traveled, was shut out of the poker game early, but he stood with the group behind the table and watched. When his leg got tired, he would limp over to a slot machine, feed it a few more dollars, telling himself to stop. There was no mathematical theory in his favor here at all — none. His losses were small — he couldn't make himself do this very well, he'd rather go lose his money in the gift shop. But he didn't want to leave while Don was still playing. He glanced back over at the table. Don and two others, now. Nobody could out-bluff Don. This was just an interrogation room to him.

Charlie felt a touch on his arm and turned to see Amy.

"He's doing good, right?"

He smiled, led her away. "Yeah, he's kicking butt." They walked into the corridor, away from the noise.

"Did you know it's almost 9?"

His eyes widened. "No wonder I'm hungry. But I want to wait for Don. We'll go to one of the snack bars, or something."

She laughed. "My father played poker. When you told me you guys were playing in the tournament, I was pretty sure you'd be out for the rest of the day. You could still be here for hours. Disembarkation tomorrow morning will be crazy, and I just wanted to get a chance to say goodbye."

Charlie frowned. "It's so crowded, here…"

She giggled. "Not a long goodbye, Charlie, we already did that. I was just passing the casino on my way to meet Lisa, and I thought I'd say it again."

He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "I'm glad you did. I miss you already."

Her eyes clouded a little. "Me, too. Maybe we shouldn't have said we'd wait a week before we see each other again."

He touched her hair. "It's probably a good idea. I mean, we agreed that it was a good idea."

She straightened, smiled again. "It's only a week. Back teaching full-time, it will be hard for you to get everything done, anyway."

"I will do it," he promised, "and as soon as it's done, I'll call you." He sighed a litte. "It's important. It's time to pull myself together, and I want this relationship to get off to a good start."

"I know," she said simply, and her eyes clouded a little again before she grinned impishly at him. "You sure you have my number?"

"I'm sure," he answered. "I have a photographic memory for numbers, but I wrote yours down in three places, anyway."

She laughed and hugged him briefly, tightly. "See you next week," she whispered into his ear.

He watched her walk away, then turned back to the bar and casino, surprised to see Don standing a few steps outside.

"Did you win? I'm sorry, we've just been out here five minutes. I wanted to see you win."

Don smiled. "Haven't won, yet. We're taking a break. Everybody's chowing down on buffalo wings and nachos. Want some — or do you want to go with Amy?"

Charlie came toward him, waited for him to turn back toward the casino. "No, no, she was just saying goodbye again. We're going our separate ways, tonight. I'm starving."

"Leg's okay? This must be pretty boring, standing here watching me play poker."

"Just take 'em out, soon," Charlie said as they pushed through the crowd at the bar toward the food. "I wouldn't mind sitting around the cabin watching the movie on closed-circuit…"

Don grinned at him. "That's the plan. Let 'em get full, and sleepy, hit 'em with my best shot. Works every time."

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They waited in another line, this one in sight of the parking lot at the pier.

"Do you see Dad?"

Don searched the lot, eyes bleary. If docking was at 6 a.m., why did they plan a poker tournament for the night before? He'd finally insisted Charlie go back to the cabin, threatened to quit if he didn't. Their bags had to be in the corridor by midnight, and his brother looked ready to fall asleep standing up. Don hadn't gotten to the room until almost 2, relieved not to see any last-minute red dots. He was glad neither one of them had to work until tomorrow. He smiled grimly. At least he had an extra thousand to show for his hard work.

He stiffened. No Alan. But he recognized the van, the suits standing next to it. He could see Amy looking at Lisa, could tell by her body language that she wasn't happy. She turned and searched the crowd, eyes lighting on him and Charlie. Deliberately, he turned to block Charlie's view, but he was looking down, reading a textbook Don hadn't realized he'd snuck onboard.

The line was moving, and he grabbed Charlie's elbow to encourage him forward. His brother grunted, but didn't look up from his book.

Don looked again at the parking lot. Amy's arms were crossed in front of her, she was allowing one of the agents to stow her luggage in the van. She looked back one more time, then followed Lisa into the van.

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FINIS

A/N: Obviously, another trilogy in the works for you (evil grin)