Chapter 9

The next morning, Christina was sitting on a bench in a park. A solution dangled in the back of her mind. A way out of her troubles. But she didn't see it in herself to pull it off. It was too risky, yet she had to do it; no other options remained. If it worked, her problems were over. And if not; she'd bolt, with or without Toby. This city was not safe anymore.

 I need a plan, and I need a partner. Can't do it on my own.

A little girl stood in front of her. Her fingers grabbed the string of a red balloon, and she hit her with it. Christina stared at her, and the kid hit her again.

"Go away.' She waved her hand.

"No." The child said.

"Cut it out."

"No."

"Scram or I take your balloon and punch a needle into it." Christina wagged her finger.

"Grouch!" She used the worst word in her vocabulary and left.

 ***

Toby was fumbling with the Chevrolet's engine in the garage.

"What are you doing?" Christina stood by the car.

"Its carburetor is dirty. I'm cleaning it." He said, keeping his gaze at the machine.

He's not happy to see me. Probably thinks I want to ask him again to leave with me. 

"How about a new car?" She asked.

"Last time I checked you were running from the loan sharks. Did you strike gold somewhere?" 

"What if I did?"

"Where? In the diner? Or in the backyard? Maybe auntie Jane left us something?" He put down the wrench. 

"As a matter of fact, yes. I've found gold and also jewelry. Lots of it. Wanna hear where?"

"Shoot."

She told him what had happened last night. 

"So that's your gold." He scratched his head. 

"Yep."

"This is getting better and better."

"Things are bad. I know that." She nodded and then tried to sweeten the pot. "But this situation is also offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We can get rich. Never have to work again."

"Or be dead. That way we also don't have to work ever again. I hear it's very peaceful down there." He pointed at the ground.

"Rich beyond imagination. Whatever you want is yours. Anything!" She didn't back down.

"You're changing, and it's a nosedive. I don't like it." He shook his head. 

"You don't like money?"

"Mmmm, well...yes I do," he rubbed his chin with the wrench. "You know what? I need to think about it."

 "Fine, think. But I want to show you something first. Can that car move?"

"Yeah."

They got in the Chevrolet, and Christina drove to an abandoned warehouse, a few blocks away. Planks covered the broken windows and a chain ran through the gate door handles, securing it with a large lock. The place was big enough to host at least a hundred people. 

"So what are we doing here?" Toby asked.

"I have put a lot of thought into it. It's in owning the place, not in gambling itself. If it's your place, other people play, and you win either way. No loss"

"Wow, you finally cracked their code! Haven't you heard the house always wins?" 

"I didn't believe it. I thought all I needed was a lucky break. Now I'm going to open up a casino. What do you think?"

"Here?"

"Yes."

"So it's gonna be your casino!"

"It's been on my mind for a while now. And you can do whatever the hell you want with your cut."

He nodded, and a smile gradually covered his face.

They checked out the warehouse for a while, then got into the car and drove back. She didn't want to open a casino anymore. Not in this city anyway, but she needed to convince him to get on board. No way she could pull off her plan on her own.

"So you're in?" She stopped in front of the house.

He glanced at her.

"Well if yes, we need guns that can't be traced back to us. Can you help with that?" She asked.

"I know a guy, but he is bad news. He'll become a problem." 

"I can handle bad news."

"Not his kind of problem. I don't think so." He shook his head.

"It will be fine."

"Whatever! I'm hungry."

"There is nothing at home, and I have to go to work anyway. Let's eat there." She drove to the diner. 

Toby sat at a table, and she microwaved a couple of pizzas.

"So what's his name?" She put the food on the table.

"His name is Junior, and your boss is looking at me funny."

She glanced at the owner who was talking to a customer. He looked at her, then he turned his face.

She waved her hand. "Forget about him. Can you get us fake IDs?"

"Why?" He put a slice of pizza in his mouth.

"It can come in handy."

 "I see what I can do." He said and chewed at the same time.