Chapter 3

A couple of days later her supervisor asked if she could, as a special favour, and of course at double time, work a couple of hours longer tomorrow to help cover for Alison who had left the previous week and had not yet been replaced, rather giving the lie to her supervisors claims that people were queuing up to do her job when she had once more complained about the uniform she was expected to wear. Her boss knew how strapped for cash she was and might have been suspicious if she'd refused so reluctantly she agreed. She told them at dinner that she would be late home that night and they had both said it was OK and that they understood. On arriving at her table however she was informed that Alison had finally been replaced and that she wouldn't need to work late after all. She thought about phoning and letting Jane know but decided to surprise her instead.

Sharon's whole world collapsed as she opened the door to her front room. They were sitting together on the sofa, Jane in Sharon's best satin silk robe the hem having fallen back revealing her thighs that he was touching tenderly, his other arm around her back stroking her through the silky material, his mouth next to her ear whispering the same things to Jane as he had so recently to Sharon. On the table in front of them were 2 almost empty wine glasses, one stained with Sharon's favourite lipstick that Jane had used along with her deep blue eye shadow, she looked to Sharon like a complete slut and Sharon told her so, regretting the hurt her words caused as soon as they passed her lips, but how could her lovely young innocent little girl do such a thing, and with him, who had shagged her almost senseless professing his undying love.

It was at him that she directed the worst of her words and fists, venomous curses ringing in his ears as she threw him out of the house, all the time his grin never faltered.

Sharon returned to the front room and Jane sitting there sobbing softly. Sharon wanted to berate her, tell her how stupid she was but her heart melted and she sat and held her daughter to her, rubbing her back gently until the tears finally dried up. "I'm so sorry, mom. I've ruined everything haven't I?" Jane said through sobs. "He just showed some interest in me and no ones ever done that before I was flattered I really thought he liked me, he said you wouldn't mind me using a little of your makeup and that I looked pretty and then he poured out the wine, I felt so grown up. Oh mom I'm so sorry." The waterworks started again and Sharon cried too, for her daughter and for the fact that he had been a pig just like the rest.

Sharon thought that was the end of it, but 2 nights later he strolled up to her table, bold as brass and signalled for her to start the 'whammy deal'. Sharon just continued to deal normally slowly reducing his stack of chips, trying to decide whether to notify the pit boss. This option however was denied her as he said sotto voce. "Do it or I spill the beans and then go round to your house and screw the arse off your little plain Jane. It won't take long I can have my prick in her before you've even started to remove that muck from your face" Sharon wanted to scream but couldn't because of the overhead microphones. And so he started to win again. Sharon thought that when he got to 2 thousand he'd stop then maybe at 20K but he didn't, and, as his pile increased, more and more spectators gathered round. Sharon could feel the beads of sweat forming on her temples, streaking the panstick base as they slid down her face, as she glanced at the clock and realised she still had 10 minutes left before she was replaced. With the knowledge that he would win 2 out of 3 hands even taking into account the plant that was playing like a complete novice in the final seat he kept increasing the bets. By the time Sharon's replacement dealer appeared he had 150,000 big ones which he scooped up and headed for the cash window to the applause of all the other, mainly unsuccessful, punters.

On her way to the staff rest room Sharon found herself accompanied by 2 bit bosses in their expensive grey suits and earpieces. "Mr McKinley would like a word with you." The suit on the right said and Sharon's heart skipped several beats as she allowed herself to be escorted to the office of the 'Director of Security'.

"Ah come in Sharon, please take a seat." the heavy set but muscular chief greeted her as the door was opened by suit number 2 whilst the other guided Sharon by the elbow into the room and closed the door behind her. Sharon glanced over her shoulder and realised there was no handle on this side.

"I'm sorry that we've never had the chance to meet before." Mr McKinley said in an avuncular way that still made Sharon wish that she never had met him.

"But certain." Mr McKinley continued. "Shall we say anomalies have recently been brought to my attention and I thought you might be able to shed some light on them." Mr McKinley obviously had a sense of timing for no sooner had the words left his lips than the office lights dimmed and Sharon could see the large TV behind Mr McKinley's desk spring to life showing an aerial view of Sharon's blackjack table.

"I know I lost heavily tonight, sir." Sharon started to explain but stopped as the view zoomed in on her hands and slowed allowing even the most stupid person to see how the 'Whammy Deal' worked.

"You see my problem, Sharon" Mr McKinley said still playing the concerned uncle. "The casino, whose security I am entrusted with, lost $150,000 tonight and unfortunately my men were unable to detain your accomplice. So I am left with only one source of recompense. You!"

Sharon tried to explain about her daughter and how that lowlife had threatened to violate her but Mr McKinley was apparently not interested. "I have a reputation to maintain." Mr McKinley said stopping Sharon, who was only too well aware of the 'Doberman's' reputation, in mid track.

"If I can't catch the person with the money my only option is to get it from you. I don't suppose you have that kind of cash on you?" Mr McKinley said thoughtfully, and Sharon let him know his assumption was correct by starting to sob.

"Here." Mr McKinley said passing Sharon a handkerchief. "Can't abide a woman who sobs so easily."

Sharon dabbed her eyes noticing the panstick and mascara smudges on the pure white linen as she said. "I don't have that kind of money anywhere."

"That's too bad." The Doberman replied. "You have a week to find it, if not we shall have to explore other er avenues" He didn't finish the sentence, he didn't need to

Sharon decided there and then that she most certainly didn't want to explore any avenues and especially no alleyways with this man. Mr McKinley pressed a button on his desk and the door was opened by the suit outside.