Hocus Croakus Read Online Free PDF Page B

there’s Bill at one of the craps tables. I’m going to see how he’s doing.”
    â€œHe’s studying,” Judith said. “That’s part of his system.”
    But Joe didn’t hear his wife finish speaking. He was already hurrying over to the busy craps table. Sure enough, Bill was standing just behind the players, hands in pockets, a look of deep concentration on his face.
    Judith started back to the quarter slots. But she’d gone so far afield that she was confused. She seemed to be in the Summer section. There were quarter slots there, too, including a large rectangular platform with a sleek red Corvette displayed above the machines. “Who Needs a Jet?” the banner on the car read. “Win This ’Vette!” Judith smiled at the handsome car, whichfeatured a blond mannequin seated behind the wheel, her wig blown by an unseen fan.
    Judith was tempted to try for the car. Joe’s beloved MG was forty years old, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to get parts for it. The MG was also red. But for now, she had to find Renie.
    It took over five minutes to get back to the Spring section. Sure enough, Renie was at the same machine, engrossed in the spin of the barrels.
    â€œYour soda’s right here,” she said without looking up. “This is the darnedest machine. I keep getting three chickens and three lambs, but I never get the barns. That’s the big payoff. Still, I’ve got enough credits to keep me going.”
    Judith sat down and took a sip from her glass of diet 7-UP. “You never told me about the cabin.”
    â€œOh.” Renie frowned as the machine showed a lamb, a pig, and a bale of hay. “They’re about to pour the foundation.”
    â€œThey were going to do that three weeks ago,” Judith pointed out.
    â€œArmbuster or whatever his name is said there was still snow on the ground then.” Renie smiled slightly as she got another trio of chickens. “What is he, a brother or a cousin of the contractor who’s working on the B&B?”
    â€œA brother-in-law,” Judith replied. “His name is Dale Armstrong. The B&B contractor is Bart Bednarik.”
    â€œI knew that,” Renie said, pausing to drink some Pepsi. “Did you find Joe?”
    â€œYes.” Judith explained about the long-ago connection between Joe and Pancho.
    â€œDoes that mean,” Renie asked, “we’ll have to see the Great Mandolini with our mothers?”
    â€œThey may not want to go,” Judith said. “Anyway, I’m looking forward to it.”
    Renie tapped her chin. “It would also mean I could skip the social hour that officially opens the conference. Okay, we’ll do it. Was Joe winning at blackjack?”
    â€œI didn’t get a chance to ask,” Judith admitted. “But he seemed upbeat. We saw Bill studying craps.”
    â€œGood, good.” Renie turned her attention back to the slot machine. “Aha! Three bales of hay. That’s twenty bucks.”
    â€œMaybe I should try this,” Judith allowed. “But frankly, it makes me tense.”
    â€œDon’t be silly.” Renie waved a hand to take in all of her surroundings. “This is a wonderland of opportunity. All things are possible. It’s complete escapism from the rest of the world. Wrap yourself up in the excitement, the suspense, the drama, the wonder of What-If-I-Win-a-Million-Bucks? Why did you come here, if not to—” Renie stopped, pricking up her ears. “Did you hear that announcement?”
    Judith shook her head. “They make announcements all the time. I don’t see how anybody hears anything with all the noise.”
    â€œI thought it was a page for Judith Flynn,” Renie said, still listening.
    â€œReally?” Judith made a face. “Could it be Mother?”
    â€œYou know she doesn’t like the phone. Unless she keeled over and my mother is trying to reach