Red Roses in Las Vegas Read Online Free PDF Page A

dragged Ian out while my parents stared after us, looking slightly worried. They seemed to assume that Nanna would be fine, despite being a murder suspect, but I was the troublesome one because of my dubious dating preferences.
    “You know you have to help Nanna,” Ian said as I drove south along the Vegas freeway. “You’re a private investigator. You need to investigate this mess. Prove she’s innocent, and all that.”
    I focused on the road and slid over to a different lane. “That’s not going to happen.”
    “Why not? She’s your nanna. You need to help her.”
    “I’m helping her by not getting involved. The lawyer can do his job, and this’ll blow over soon. It’s not like she’s a big suspect. She’s a sweet little old lady and the cops’ll find their man, soon enough.”
    “But you’re an investigator. You’re meant to investigate.”
    “I’ll just make things worse if I get involved now.”
    Ian ranted on about helping family and saving the day, but I stuck to my guns. I didn’t want to annoy the detectives by poking my nose in, and I needed to let them do their jobs.
    A few hours later, I was in The Treasury, stepping in behind a blackjack table. I clapped my hands out, indicating that I wasn’t holding any chips or cards, and started to deal. The warmth of the casino surrounded me like a security blanket. This was a world away from Nanna’s troubles, and it was my home for the next eight hours. Security cameras blinked away on the ceiling and strobe lights and sirens went off every now and then, indicating a big winner at the progressive slot machines. Players chattered, cocktail waitresses hovered around, and casino security watched from a distance.
    I allowed myself to drift into my zombie-like dealer state, as I dealt cards, calculated pay outs and made friendly conversation with the players. I didn’t need to concentrate completely unless there was a player being a complete jerk at the tables, and I used this opportunity to ponder my life and wonder idly about who might’ve killed Adam Bitzer.
    On my first break, I checked my messages and found a text from Ian: You really shud help Nanna.
    I texted back. No need. Cops’ll find the real killer easily. This’ll blow over soon.
    I was wrong, of course.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    The next morning, I was sleeping off my late shift when my phone rang.
    “Tiffany,” said Nanna, sounding serious, “I need your help.”
    The sleepiness slid off me immediately. My eyes opened wider, and I pushed myself up into a sitting position. “What’s going on?”
    I’d come home to my tiny, off-Strip condo just a few hours ago, and had fallen asleep within minutes. But now I was bright-eyed and alert as I listened to Nanna.
    She said, “They arrested me yesterday evening, after you left. But Rupert let my lawyer come along and bail me out immediately.”
    I let it sink in for a minute. “They arrested you?”
    “Yes, they think I killed Adam Bitzer.”
    “That’s crazy!” Nanna was silent on the other end of the line, and I said, “Why would they think that?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “And you’re out on bail now?”
    “Yes, my lawyer bailed me out straight away. But he might not be able to do that, next time.”
    Her voice sounded small and far away, and I said, “There won’t be a next time.” My voice sounded harsher than I’d intended, so I took a deep breath. “Why?”
    “Rupert said he was really sorry, but I’m the chief suspect. No alibi, motive, and apparently anyone can get a gun. They searched the house.”
    “Did they find anything?”
    “No, but your mother’s been vacuuming since the moment they left.”
    I smiled for a moment.
    Nanna continued. “My lawyer says to plead self-defense.”
    “He sounds like an idiot.”
    “No. He says they’ve got no other suspects, that’s why I’m it.”
    I believed that. I expected Rupert – Elwood – would be too scared of his aunt to arrest Nanna otherwise.
    “I’ll see