Chapter One: The Conmen in Vegas
Tuesday Night
"I want to work again."
Five words. That's what started it, really. Those five, simple words had barely left his lips before two hushed gasps came from beside him. Green eyes flicking to his right side, he saw the two men sitting there, gazing at him with wide, startled eyes. The blonde who had spoken rolled his own eyes and pursed his lips, reaching for the glass on the bar-top in front of him. The ice clicked against the rim of the crystalline glass, the sparkling dark liquid turning a shade of amber in the dim light.
"You're joking - right?" The question came from the man sitting nearest to him, eyebrows curled into a look of disbelief. Though they were sitting, the man was still slightly taller than the blonde. His chestnut brown hair was slicked back against his head, and his dark, pristine suit seemed out of place at the bar. He cleared his throat, fingers toying with his own glass, where the liquid was still filled to the brim. "Please tell me that you're joking, Kendall."
Kendall frowned at the man's condescending tone, pursing his lips as he pondered his response. "Of course I'm not joking, James. Why? Do you think I haven't got it in me anymore?"
The man, James, looked away, shaking his head with a knowing smile on his face. His left arm rested on the bar-top in front of them, fingers curled around his own glass, but he made no move to drink from it as he tapped his fingernails against it. When he didn't respond, Kendall spoke again, his voice scathing, "What?"
"Well, Kendall, the game has changed since you left. It's not as easy as it used to be."
It was the man on James's other side who replied, peering over James's shoulder. His dark brunette hair appeared even darker in the dim light. The three men were sat at the bar, perched in tall stools and facing the black bar-top where they each had an identical drink place in front of them. The bar, as Kendall had heard it, was called The Jewel, with a massive decorative diamond logo plastered on the wall in front of them, where bottles of liquor were lined up for display.
Behind them, the bar connected to a massive ballroom, where glimmering chandeliers hung from the ceiling, bathing the floor below in twinkling, bright light. Amid the chandeliers, stunning neon lights hung from the ceiling above that labeled each section of the room, reading "SLOTS," "CRAPS," and "TABLES."
Directly across from the bar were the slot machines, which glittered and chimed as people crowded around them. The table games such as Craps, Baccarat, and Roulette were obstructed from view by the slot machines, but the signs above labeled their location. Corridors branching off from the ballroom lead to other attractions such as the buffet, the showroom, restrooms, and stairs to the upper floors.
This was the main floor of the Diamond Ring Casino-Resort - owned by none other than James Diamond, who was sat beside Kendall, still gazing at him with an incredulous look. His eyes flicked from Kendall to Logan, waiting for Kendall's response.
"Honestly, Logan," Kendall scoffed, "What do you think I am? Some kind of amateur? I know our… business isn't easy."
"Of course it isn't easy." James murmured, "But it's been over a year since you conned last, and the business has changed. The same old tricks won't work anymore."
And there it was, the admission of the secret business the three men were a part of - con-artistry. It was a tricky, dangerous business, and all three of them knew how quick witted and dedicated someone needed to be in order to swindle money from even the most daft and gullible targets. When Kendall didn't reply, James snorted and reached into his pocket, pulling his cell phone out and placing it on the bar-top.
He opened his photo library, flicking through the many pages of photos until he came to the one he was looking for, laughing to himself as he eyed the people in the photograph. He pushed the phone towards Kendall, "Look at that."
In the picture, James stood in a black tuxedo next to a short, red headed woman. She wore a long, white dress with a lace veil that framed her hair. She leaned against James, who had his arm around her waist. The two of them looked happy and for a moment, one would believe they were happily married. But Kendall knew the truth. "What are you implying?" He asked.
"A few years ago, I would never have had to marry to get what I want. I used to be able to… dine and dash, as I like to call it." James explained, "Now you can't get money from anyone unless you make them fall in love with you."
Kendall studied the picture closer, and realized that the two faces smiling at him were happy for very different reasons. The woman was smiling because she was in love, ready to spend the rest of her life with the man next to her. While the groom was smirking because he knew he'd be rich within a few months.
This was James' game. He would find the richest, most desperate for love people - and reel them in. He'd been conning people for years, gotten away with four spouses, and several million dollars. It wasn't very hard to guess how he'd done it. He was charming, had good looks, and knew how to sway anyone into marrying him. The woman in the photo was very wealthy heiress from a family empire who built their fortune off drilling oil, and controlling most of the country's oil supply. Just a few months before James got to her, she had inherited her family's entire fortune. Not long after, she got married and James walked away three months later with divorce papers and seventy percent of her net worth.
The same had happened with his other three unlucky spouses. Two socialites with more money than they knew how to spend, and a British superstar who lost his entire life savings to James' charm. The man had bought more wedding rings than most people ever will, and had a lawyer who could convince a judge that a mouse was a rabbit if he put his mind to it.
Kendall also knew along with James' redeeming qualities, he had a few weaknesses. He was far too confident, for one thing. He'd missed a chance with an actual princess from Austria by putting off the wedding too long - and several million dollars with her. Not that James would ever admit that he'd failed - he would just say that he wasn't interested in the fortune of royalty anyway. Leave the old money with the aristocrats, he'd say, so he could have the satisfaction of passing them up on the "world's riches" statistics when the census came around.
James was an impressive con man, he had to admit, but he definitely wasn't the best.
"You don't think I'll be able to do it, do you?" Kendall challenged him.
The taller man leaned back against his stool, eyes drifting towards the ballroom behind them, taking in the view of his casino. "This place is the product of years of hard work, Kendall. Years of swindling rich suckers out of their money - which is very difficult, mind you - and the business isn't for the faint of heart. Let's not forget why you quit in the first place. You know as well as the rest of us that the business changes rapidly, and it'll take a lot of work to catch up."
"Kendall, I'm trying to help you, not insult you." James pressed, taking his phone back and sliding it back into his pocket. "It's tough work. You initially took a break because you were intimidated by the competition - why do you want to come back now?"
Gaping in disbelief, Kendall narrowed his eyes, "What? I took a break because I wanted to focus on hockey."
"Sure, sure." James brushed him off, finally bringing the glass to his lips to take a long drink. "Listen, Ken, I have more faith in you than most people would give me credit for, but you'll need to do some catching up. Besides, this town is only big enough for one great… entrepreneur."
"Are you saying that you're the greatest con-man in Vegas?" Kendall scoffed, arching one brow, "I find that hard to believe."
Logan cleared his throat and spoke up before James could rebuke, "I hate to agree with him, but he's right - about the business changing. People are getting smarter and more protective over their money. It's a hard game." Kendall rolled his eyes, but Logan continued, "Although, James is wrong. His method is a bit amateur. And he's definitely not the best in this town."
"Excuse me?!" James exclaimed, his eyes wide and hurt, "Have you ever tried being married four times? It's tough work! It takes skill - and I certainly wouldn't call it amateur."
Logan snorted, "Marrying for money is the oldest trick in the book. It takes brains to trick people into giving you money without stealing their heart first."
And that was Logan's game. Although the three of them were very intelligent, Logan was definitely the smartest of the trio. He would spend countless hours analyzing his clients, discovering everything about them, figuring out their weaknesses, how to exploit their money, and create a carefully thought out strategy that would usually end him up with millions of dollars in his pockets. Not only could Logan create genius cons, but he could personify any character he chose to be. In the years that Kendall and James had known him, he'd effectively portrayed a politician, doctor, record producer, tech mogul, billionaire investor - practically anything he wanted to be.
There was one particular con that had proved Logan to be formidable competition to both James and Kendall - the McFaulken family. Logan's target had originally been Tyler McFaulken, a popular senator who was always in the media for flaunting his money every chance he got. Before Logan got to him, McFaulken had three mansions and several vacation homes all over the country, a private jet, a yacht, and even starred in a reality show featuring him, his wife, and his five daughters.
It was when a massive news story came out about McFaulken's mother being ill that Logan really saw his chance. He approached McFaulken, armed with several references, three college degrees, a medical degree, a license to practice, hundreds of residency hours, and a charming smile. He was so convincing, McFaulken dropped the doctors who he'd trusted for years to put his mother in Logan's care. It wasn't a complete hoax, after all, Logan did have a medical doctorate - he had his own interests and hobbies apart from conning. Becoming a doctor was his original career path, until he discovered the wonders of being a con-artist. Now that he lived this life, he could be a doctor and make tons of money - more than other doctors, anyway.
Logan cared for McFaulken's mother for weeks, prolonging her death and charging the senator tenfold in medical expenses, until the old woman finally kicked the bucket. By the time of her funeral, the senator was broke and Logan was millions of dollars richer. Thanks to one of the best lawyers money could afford, the media never heard a squeak about Logan's con, and the senator had been silenced with a gag order against ever bringing attention to it.
Kendall had to admit he was impressed by Logan's success in the field - but that didn't mean he was the best.
"Oh, so you think that you, Logan Mitchell, are the best con-man in this city?" James replied, tilting his head to the side.
"If you're judging by house and bank size - then yes, I'm the best. And it's Doctor Logan Mitchell." Logan shot back.
James crossed his arms, looking unconvinced. "Excuse me? I own a casino, Logan. Just because I don't live in a mansion and have tons of spare change doesn't mean you're better. This casino is ranked as the best in America, I'll have you know. It rakes in millions of dollars a year - and I have staff to pay."
Logan rolled his eyes, but downed his drink without a reply, looking unimpressed. Kendall was glancing from man to man, an amused look on his face as he watched their argument. Clearing his throat to grab their attention, he leaned back in his chair and began, "I think you're both impressive in the field, but definitely not the best."
"Then who is the best, Kendall?" James growled, narrowing his eyes.
"I am."
Logan and James both burst out in laughter, and Logan had to lean against the counter to steady himself as laughter wracked his body. "You're kidding, right?" Logan asked between laughs.
"Listen." Kendall leaned over the bar-top, looking so serious that the two men stifled their laughter. "I know I took a break from conning, but before I stopped I had more successful cons and more money than the two of you combined. If it weren't for me, you two wouldn't even be in this business. James, if I hadn't been your advisor seven years ago when you first moved to this city, you wouldn't have ever made a dime. Logan, if I hadn't invested in your studies, you wouldn't have all the fancy degrees and licenses that you do now."
The two men exchanged a glance, and James spoke before the darker brunette could, "Just because you helped us years ago and you'd been in the business twice as long as us before you quit doesn't mean you automatically have claim to the title. We've grown, Kendall. We have our own methods now."
"Are you kidding-"
Kendall never had the chance to finish his rebuke, because at that moment the bartender sauntered towards them. He had short blonde hair, a red shirt with the casino's logo on the front, and a dish rag slung over his shoulder. He narrowed his eyes knowingly as he stood on the other side of the bar, where he placed his hands on the black marble and tapped his fingers.
"Yes, Max?" James asked, his voice tense with annoyance at being interrupted.
"Sorry to disturb your conversation, but I've got some news for you boys." The man, Max, replied, pursing his lips as he leaned against the bar. He reached for a bottle of gin under the counter and used it to fill all three of their drinks to the brim. "I heard there's a new one in town."
Kendall's eyes widened at Max's words. Exchanging a glance with James and Logan, Kendall raised his eyebrows in interest. "Who?"
"Carlos Garcia."
It was James to replied, a look of confusion drawn across his features. "Who?"
"You boys know of Platinum Edition Studios?" Max asked, stepping away from the bar to reach for a glass on the shelf behind him. The bottles of liquor chimed at the movement as Max took a glass, filling it with the same bottle of gin that he'd used for the other men.
"Uh, yeah." Logan responded, as if it were the most obvious question in the world. "They practically own every production company in the western US. It's hard to find a single film, show, or album without their logo on it."
"Well, Omar Garcia, the owner of the 'Studios died last week. His son, Carlos, just inherited the whole company - everything." Max explained, taking a drink from his glass and coughing before continuing, "He's just moved to Vegas to assume his dad's role as CEO, and he's here. Now."
The three men looked at each other in surprise. Carlos was now one of the richest men in the country. James's eyes were glittering with interest, and Logan looked as if the cogs in his brain were already working to create the perfect scheme. Kendall's brain was whirring as well, but not just about the thrill of the con. He had another idea. Leaning across the table towards Max, he asked, "Where is he now?
"Check your six."
The three of them turned in their seats to peer into the ballroom behind them. At first, all they could see were the sea of slot machines and people crowding around them, but a flash of light at the other end of the room caught Kendall's eye. As the ground sloped upward towards the massive front doors, he could see a man standing, flanked by two taller men he could only assume were bodyguards. He wore a red button-down shirt with a black overcoat, though he was too far away for Kendall to be able to tell if they were designer clothes. The man was facing a group of people who were holding cameras, flashing repeatedly as they took photos of the man.
"That's him?" James asked, looking excited as he watched the man walk away from the cameras, who were held back by casino staff from following him. The man was followed by his bodyguards, and disappeared into the crowd of people who seemed not to notice his appearance.
"Yes." Max responded, causing the men to turn back around to face him. "From what I've heard, he's single, naive, and not the brightest bulb in the box. His father even hired advisors before his death to make sure his son didn't make any dumb mistakes when he inherited the company." With that, Max padded away towards a few people who had sat down at the end of the bar, waiting for him to make their drinks. It didn't take a genius to know that by "dumb mistakes," Max meant "be conned out of his money".
"Dibs." James blurted out before the other two could respond as soon as Max left.
"What?!" Logan protested, "You can't call dibs on a grown man! He's free game, James."
"Uh, yes I can call dibs." James rolled his eyes.
Logan scoffed, "Why? Are you afraid we'll get him before you?"
"Absolutely not!"
"That's it." Kendall said, loud enough to be heard by his arguing friends.
"What?" James and Logan said at the same time, turning to look at the blonde with identical expressions of confusion.
"That's it," Kendall repeated, turning to face them with an excited glint in his eye, "Each of us thinks that we're the best in the city. This is our chance to prove ourselves."
"And what do you want us to do?" James narrowed his eyes, "You can't just walk up to someone we know nothing about and expect the con to go well."
"Are you scared?" Kendall teased, feeling his heart race at the aspect of conning again. It had been some time since he'd been in the field, and he felt it calling to him. This was what he'd been waiting for - something to add thrill to his life again. "We could make it a competition - to see who can get to him first."
"A competition?" Logan echoed, looking mildly interested. He exchanged a glance with James, whose eyes had widened with anticipation. "What kind of competition?"
Kendall placed both hands on the bar-top with a bit more force than he intended, earning a weird glance from the people at the far end. Clearing his throat, he spoke, "We each think we're the best. James, you said it yourself, this town is only big enough for one great con artist. Maybe you're right."
"What are you saying?" James queried, his brows furrowed.
"This competition will decide who is the best. Whoever can con Carlos Garcia first will earn the title - and the city." When he saw his friends' confused looks, Kendall went on, "Whoever wins gets to stay in the city. The losers have to leave and find a new place to go."
"What?!" James and Logan asked in unison, their shocked expressions both trained on Kendall, looking at him as if he'd just grown wings. "Are you insane? We live here!"
"Are you scared?" Kendall repeated, "Are you afraid you'll lose?"
"Of course not!" James protested as Logan exclaimed, "No way!"
Kendall shook his head, laughing in spite of his excitement. "Well, this competition has to be a competition. We need to set a deadline."
"He leaves for London Saturday morning."
The three men looked up to see that Max had come back, and was facing the three of them with a smug look on his face. He was holding his empty glass in his hand, rubbing it dry with the dish rag he'd previously had over his shoulder. "He's going to be travelling to London for his father's funeral on Saturday. I have no idea when he'll be back."
"Saturday?" James protested, "That's in four days!"
Max shrugged, but didn't say anything in response.
"That's it then." Kendall muttered, "Four days to win."
Logan and James looked at him in disbelief. They were silent for a few moments before Logan finally broke the silence, "Kendall, even I know that four days is a an absurd amount of time for a con."
"I guess you'll have to try harder then. I thought you were the best Logan." Kendall shot back, his lips pulled back into a smirk.
"You know what? Fine." Logan conceded, frowning and turning away from the other two.
"Really?" Kendall seemed surprised to have won that easily, but turned to James, who still looked surprised. "What about you? Do you agree on four days?"
James sighed, running his hands through his brunette hair. He looked over his shoulder to gaze at the crowd of people, but Carlos had disappeared. James knew that there was nothing he could do to change Kendall's mind, and he had to admit, he liked the idea of a challenge. Anyway, he could do this in four days. Of course he could. He was the best con artist in Vegas - no, the whole damn country. Of course he could do it. "Easy." James conceded, meeting Kendall's eyes with a look of sheer determination.
"Good."
"How much?" Logan asked, looking up from his drink with a scowl.
"What?"
"How much do we need to get from him by Saturday to win?"
Kendall looked thoughtful, leaning back into his chair and pursing his lips. He watched as James and Logan exchanged an annoyed glance as they waited for him to decide, and dramatically sighed before responding, "Fifty thousand."
"Is that all?" James asked sarcastically.
Ignoring him, Kendall glanced at each of them, a glint of determination in his green eyes as he waited for them to agree to the competition. "Four days to get fifty thousand dollars from Carlos Garcia. The winner gets to stay, the losers have to leave town."
"Fine." Logan murmured.
"Fine." James said as he took another sip from his drink, ice clinking against the glass.
That's how it all started. The decision to begin the competition that would change their lives - even if they didn't know it at the time. They had four days to perform the perfect con.