That evening as Viv swam laps in her pool, she had time to think. Even I have trouble holding my own with a man who has so much charisma. I feel like a yo-yo, up one minute, down the next.
After she'd gotten home and realized her feelings, she'd called Rex. "Just so you know, I am not your rescue squad," she told him firmly. "You don't have to let women cling to you like that. It's inappropriate and frankly beneath you."
Even her go-to, swimming laps, did not diminish her concern. And the realization that her annoyance with Rex wasn't nearly as intense as her annoyance with herself. It started with the girl at the laundry and her asking about him. And then when she'd seen that woman clinging to him at the casino, well she'd just had it. I don't want to be his babysitter. He has to stick up for himself.
Viv patted the pool water off of her face. Her eyes took in the cooler, which was filled with IPAs. Sutton and Rex were coming over later to talk about their investigation. She wanted to be prepared.
Sitting in her chair, she leaned back, stretching her legs in front of her body.
When Rex arrived, Viv offered him a beer with a smile. He sat down, took a swig, and then tucked the bottle under his chair. "So Sutton reminded me that Joey Baker gambles nearly every day of the week. The same time, late afternoon."
"That's what Beverly told me," Viv said.
His face looked grim. "I don't know if I believe Joey's on a cruise. So I did my own surveillance to see if he was hanging out at the blackjack table, and that's when Darcy found me."
"That explains it. You were looking for Joey?" Even Viv had to admit that sounded reasonable.
Rex nodded. "And then this evening before I came over, I called the number on the card from my pocket. The game is at ten o'clock tonight. I've got a couple more hours and then I'm heading over to Frank's house."
Viv felt her heart rise to her throat. "And where does Frank Salucci live exactly?"
"Two doors down on the left." He reached under his chair to retrieve his beer. Then he tipped his bottle toward her with a grin.
Viv couldn't believe her ears. "Do you mean to tell me that the big-time real estate investor and HOA president lives on our street?"
"Yep. Apparently he's got model number three. Like yours. Only I figure there's no catio on the back. I bet ol’ Frank built himself a state-of-the-art poker room, no cameras or microphones. Clean swept and ready for action.
"And you know what else I figure?" He leaned toward her with a satisfied smirk on his face. "I figure Joey Baker may show up for the game. And then I can call the cops and get him arrested."
Viv sighed. "If the cops get Joey, I'll feel obligated to give the money back. That was the only stipulation, that the police would not be involved."
"That's true," Rex admitted. "I'd like you to keep the dough. But this poker game may be the only way to lure Baker out of hiding."
"Assuming he's not on a cruise," Viv added.