Out of the mouth of babes. “That’s true.”
“Where is my daddy?”
“He’s in Atlanta. He’s…sick.”
“Sick like Mom?”
“Uh, no. He…fell and hurt himself.”
“Is he going to get better?”
“I hope so.”
She turned big brown eyes toward Carlotta. “Who’s going to take care of us?”
Carlotta swallowed hard. “I am.”
“We’re going to live with you in Atlanta?”
“Would you like that?”
“I don’t know,” the girl said, looking earnest. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course. Why don’t you tell me about school?”
Carlotta listened to her chatter about her friends and teachers and subjects she liked while looking out for the green car, but she didn’t see it again.
The Eiffel Tower Experience was connected to the Paris hotel on the Strip, over the casino. The tower itself was a half scale model of the world-famous landmark, but since she’d never been to Paris, to Carlotta it was as breathtaking as the real thing. They strolled along the base of the tower with other tourists, eating ice cream and gazing up through the steel structure. Since Priscilla had been many times, Carlotta let her be the tour guide. When she wasn’t conscious of having to be quiet and deferential to her mother, the little girl was gregarious and out-going. Yet when they had to walk through the colorful casino to get to the entrance of the attraction, she shied away from the crush of strangers and the loud clanging of the gambling machines, and reached for Carlotta’s hand.
Carlotta was careful not to make a big deal out of it, but she was shot through with love for the little girl, and angry all over again that their parents had kept the siblings apart.
She purchased tickets to the observation tower in the gift shop, then they rode up a glass elevator forty-six stories to the top. Priscilla led her all around the three hundred sixty-degree tower, pointing out landmarks and eagerly awaiting the regular Bellagio fountain show that ran every thirty minutes. While they waited for the show to begin, they people-watched. Tourists came in every shape and size, and no matter the age, everyone seemed enthralled by the simple act of being higher than everything else around them.
Priscilla pointed to a bride and groom who were walking around the tower deck in full regalia, accepting congratulations from strangers.
“Do you like her dress?” Carlotta asked.
“It’s a little fussy for my tastes,” Priscilla said. “But it suits her.”
Carlotta laughed. “We’re going to get along fine.”
They turned back to reclaim their viewing spot.
And came face to face with Jack Terry and Liz Fischer.
Chapter 19
“COME ON, MAN. Two Snickers bars for one lousy phone call on your cell.” Wes wagged the candy bars in front of the chubby guard. Carlotta’s care package had given him some trading currency.
“That’s against the rules, dude.”
“I need to call my probation officer back in Atlanta and check in. If the Clark County Jail shows up on her caller ID, I’m screwed.”
“She’s gonna find out about your arrest eventually.”
“I’m just trying to buy a little time, that’s all. Who’s gonna know?”
The guy looked all around, then grabbed the candy bars and handed over his phone. “Make it quick.”
Wes punched in the number and waited.
“Atlanta Department of Community Supervision. How may I direct your call?”
“Eldora Jones, please,” he said in his most authoritative voice.
“Who should I say is calling?”
“Wesley Wren. Tell her it’s important.”
A few seconds later, E.’s voice came on the line. “Hey, Wes. How’s Vegas?”
“It’s good,” he said cheerfully. “I told you I’d call to check in, so…I’m calling to check in.”
“Staying out of trouble, I hope?”
“You know it.”
“Good. I hear the weather is nice.”
“Yeah. How’d you hear that?”
“It’s so bizarre. Leonard’s in Vegas, too.”
His stomach fell to his shins. “You don’t say?” He swallowed. “Why didn’t you come with him?”
“It was a last-minute work thing. But maybe we’ll honeymoon there.”
Wes surveyed the dried booger someone had wiped on the cell wall. “Yeah, Vegas is a real romantic place. How long is Leonard staying?”
“He isn’t sure, says he has to stay until the job is done.”
“Bummer,” he muttered.
“Thanks for checking in, Wes. I’ll see you when you get back in town.”