Chapter Eleven

Andre Brousseau stared at the printout his assistant handed him. He couldn't believe the faxed pages that accompanied the grainy picture. The fax was of a high-level clearance report on one of the players in his casino. A fraudulent player, Brousseau realized. The picture was a few years old, but Brousseau had no problem placing the face.

Lee Stinson.

Brousseau slammed the picture on the polished cherry desk in front of him. He let out a string of heated cursed in Cajun. As he sat and debated his next move, his assistant rang his telephone.

"Mr. Brousseau, you're special visitor is here." She announced.

"Show her in." Brousseau snapped.

A moment later, his assistant opened his office door. An attractive brunette walked in. She was dressed in a business suit cut snugly to fit her slender frame. Her blue eyes assessed the room approvingly as she crossed the room to ease herself into the chair in front of Brousseau's desk.

"Is this true?" Brousseau asked waving the faxes in front of her "Is this man really a federal agent?" he demanded.

"It certainly is." The brunette said.

"Who in the hell would send me this?" Brousseau asked. "This is completely unacceptable."

"Why Andre, I sent you that." His visitor said coyly.

"And why would you do that?" Brousseau said with a harsh whisper.

"Because Andre, that man you're looking at is my husband, Lee Stetson." She said. "But that's not all." She reached into her purse and pulled out another stack of photos along with a set of Agency credentials. She handed them to Brousseau and waited for his reaction.

"I don't believe this. This woman, an ordinary housewife, is an Agent?" Brousseau said, surprised.

"That's his wonderful partner, Amanda." Said Leslie, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"Well, my dear, your husband and his conniving partner are about to die. Slowly." Andre promised.

"For the ten million you're paying me, I can play a grief-stricken widow perfectly." Leslie said with a throaty laugh.

"Good." Said Brousseau "Now here's what we're going to do."

Amanda and Lee walked towards Agent Ross's office; each lost in their own thoughts. Lee was happy, happier than he'd been in a long time. He was secure in the knowledge that Amanda was his, and as soon as they wrapped up this case, he planned on spending every minute of every day proving to her how much he loved her. Amanda, on the other hand, was worried about Lee. She had a nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen. She suspected Brousseau would be arranging for a contact soon, as she had been hearing rumors at the casino that large amounts of cash had been taken from the cash rooms to Brousseau's private safe. She was afraid for Lee. Afraid that whatever went down in the investigation, Lee wouldn't have the restraint to handle matters professionally. She knew Lee didn't love Leslie, but that neither did he want to see her hurt or killed. She hoped at the crucial moment, Lee's resolve wouldn't falter. They entered the office and greeted Agent Ross and Billy.

"Good, now that you're here, we can get things started." Agent Ross said.

Lee and Amanda sat down across from Billy and listened as Agent Ross began. Billy gave the team a long look. Something had happened last night, he thought. About time too. He smiled and sat back as Agent Ross outlined the plan.

"What we're going to do is have Amanda wired tonight as she works the high- rollers area. Amanda's heard that there's a large quantity of money stashed in Brousseau's private safe. Casino money. We also know that the Sergei Vlotkin and his men are in town. Big Russian mobsters. Just the kind of people you'd expect in town to move a major amount of money for Brousseau." Agent Ross said.

"And the rest of the team?" Billy asked.

"The Swat team has been positioned all over the casino. The rooftops on each building in all directions are covered. Your Agents have been assigned as bartenders, maintenance men, valets, to cover the exits." Agent Ross said.

"And Lee and I?" Billy asked.

"Billy I've gotten them to assign you to act as security for the high roller tables and their private cash room. You'll be one of the closest eyes and ears to Amanda." Agent Ross explained.

"So where does that leave me?" Lee asked, glancing over at Amanda.

"Lee, we've extended your credit with the casino. You've now got enough credit to play any high roller table. You'll be stationed at Amanda's table. You'll be right there to coordinate any immediate strike should it come to that. Let's just hope it doesn't." Agent Ross said with a dry laugh.

"Agreed." Said Billy. "Amanda, are you ready for this?" he asked.

"Yes sir." Amanda said confidently. "I'm ready to take their money." She said

Everyone laughed at this as they broke up the meeting. As they left, Lee took Amanda's arm and guided her to a private corner of the hall. He gazed at her lovingly as he spoke in low tones.

"Amanda, are you sure you can do this? If anything happened to you I'd.." Lee trailed off.

"Lee I'll be fine." Amanda said, giving him a serious look.

"I just want you to know I'll be watching your every move." Lee replied.

"I know you will." Amanda said and smiled.