The following morning her father was silent and moody. He barely spoke to her over breakfast. When they had finished their morning meal, he excused himself and said that he had business to attend to and that he had to go to the bank. He implied that he was giving her time to think things over, even that she might go ahead and find Tony if she desired. It was an unusual tactic on his part but she bade him goodbye as cheerfully as possible and watched him leave. Maybe I'm imagining things, she thought. He was upset about last night, of course, but he often had business to attend to – especially at the bank. She dismissed his surliness of the previous night from her mind, resolved to win back his favor as soon as possible and wandered idly about the hotel half-looking for Tony.
Victor Redgrave stood impatiently in line at the bank. The line was long and it was stuffy despite the air-conditioning. He held two checks in his hand, both for four-thousand dollars and endorsed by Judy Redgrave – his daughter's real name. The checks were from the Lucky Nuggett Hotel in Las Vegas. He smiled, despite his anger and the stuffiness of the building. Judy always endorsed her checks and then he deposited them. She never asked how much money she had and trusted her father implicitly. She had no reason not to. Daddy paid the bills, the ten percent to Gil Turner and bought her whatever she needed. Daddy was generous. Naturally, she assumed that the money was hers or theirs and it didn't matter. She had never asked to see any bank books or inquired into financial matters.
Actually she should have, especially now that she was sixteen and her earnings had increased. Victor had often spoken of investments and preparing for her future. But he had not prepared for her future at all. He had, for a long time now, been preparing exclusively for the future of Victor Redgrave.
He finally reached the head of the line and, smiling pleasantly, signed his signature beneath that of Judy Redgrave. Then the entire amount was deposited to the account of Victor Redgrave as it had always been. He had plenty of cash in his pocket and certainly enough to cover any pin money. Sherry might require. He had the usual credit cards, too, to cover whatever unexpected expenses might arise.
He exited and walked down the casino-lined street with the lake and trees in the distance. Well, he thought, it looked as though the time had just about arrived. He didn't for a minute think that his daughter would run away with Tony Agnello and bring an end to her career and the inflow of money. No, her interest in the young man – in any young man for that matter – was inevitable. He had planned on such an eventuality for a long time now. He guessed that she was good for at least two years more of a sexual relationship with him, even though she would undoubtedly find some way to fuck Tony Agnello, but it would not be a permanent thing.
There would be other Tony Agnellos then and, alas, finally a marriage or some such alliance which would exclude Daddy. By that time, though, it would not matter. He would give her a little money – not much – and leave the country. He had learned to prefer love making with young girls – Sherry had taught him that – and so once she had excluded him from her love life and taken a husband he would leave the country, find himself another such lovely young thing and live his life out in luxury.
He walked briskly now, inhaling deeply and enjoying the warm morning. Yes, he thought, he was rather partial to Switzerland, but then France might be nice. The Riviera. Yes. On the other hand, he found young Scandinavian girls very delectable. The weather was harsh there but if the girl were worth it. He dismissed the thought from his mind. What was he worried about? With all the money he would have they could travel anywhere in the world together. Yes, it was unfortunate, but phase one of Sherry's departure had occurred. He would have to be a might more thrifty in the next few years – possibly even deposit some money abroad or under other names. Things would work out however and, above all, he would have to control his jealousy. He would have to share Sherry from time to time and that was that. No use crying over rivals who would appear on the sexual horizon from time to time. Be realistic, Victor, he told himself; he straightened his shoulders and forced himself to enjoy the dear mountain air.
Sherry was surprised to find Tony up so early. Somehow she imagined him fucking beautiful young girls the whole night through. But there he was, playing a dollar at a time at the twenty-one table. And all by himself! He wore street clothes, not the bright shirts he wore on stage, and sandals without sock. He sat there looking slightly bored as the dealer dealt out the cards onto the green felt of the table.
She ambled up, stood there quietly watching him as he lost several hands, then nudged him. He looked up and smiled. "Hi, good morning, cowgirl," he said. "I listened to you. I like the way you sing."