Chapter 97

“What is this?”

“Can you believe it? So unfair. I spent months getting in on a high stakes poker game. Weeks of research, learning my competition. This idiot goes into the casino to get free drinks. Plonks six dollars into a slot machine out of boredom? And wins two and a half million dollars.”

“Debbie Tucker, only you would complain about that,” Jeff said. “So…we owe you. Between you and your dad.”

Andy unfolded the check, and his eyebrows went way, way up. He folded it back up and pointed at Scooter. “You can have this when you’ve proven you can handle it.”

Scooter stared at Jeff. “You have money? I mean, I know you have money, I meant…”

“Well, I have money now,” Jeff shot back, a little guilty, “like, money.”

Scooter blinked again. He’d stepped on a jellyfish once when he was ten or so. This was like that: a soft brush and then sudden, searing pain. Only this pain was in his head. “Jeff, you’re a thief and an ex-carnie. How did you win two million dollars?”