“Me either.” She smiled.
“And this makes us happy because…”
“This could be how they go through customs, or how they arrange for the guests to arrive at the casino. If we figure this out, we’re a step closer to weaseling our way in.”
“Then I’ll be happy when you figure it out.” I shuffled through the paperwork. “What do we know about their security?”
“Guards, cameras, the works.” She turned back to her list of flight numbers.
I found a picture of the interior of one of the casinos. It was a lavish setup with enough guards to start a small war. Cameras were all well-placed, exits were monitored, and plainclothed guards were placed strategically around the room. Whoever was handling their security knew what they were doing.
“Is there footage from the security cameras inside?” I set the photo down.
“Hm. Ask Kenny. He can help you.” She chewed on the end of her pencil, dismissing me from thought. “Ava, why don’t you look at the guest lists, see if you notice anything.”
“Like what?” Ava picked up a stack of papers.
“Recurring names. Important names. If they’re compiling blackmail material, maybe we can use the same tactic to get in.”
“Okay.” Ava peered down at the pages and sucked in her bottom lip.
“Highlighter, dear?” Mavis pulled a marker out of her laptop case.
“Thanks.” Ava tucked her hair behind her ear and narrowed her eyes at the paper.
I stood up and went to the living room. This was good. Ava was doing something she would feel was useful.
Kenny was sitting on the sofa, his boots up on the table in front of him. He bobbed his head at me when I walked in the room and turned back to the television.
“Mavis said you could get me footage from security cameras inside the casinos.” I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms.
“Sure.” He stood up, his lanky frame bending in sharp angles. “My stuff’s in the car.”
I followed him through the house and out the kitchen. Ava was now in possession of three different highlighters and Mavis was humming to herself. If I didn’t know they were trying to figure out how to break into an underground gambling ring, I would think they were catching up on work or doing a word puzzle.
The black car Mavis had used to save us yesterday was gone and a silver minivan sat in its place. Kenny pulled out the keys from his pocket and hit the unlock button. It beeped twice and he pulled open the back door.
“You should disable the noise.” I watched as he shuffled through bags and tossed around computer parts.
“Huh?” He looked up at me with a disc hanging out of his mouth.
“I said you should disable the noise on the unlock feature.” He took the disc out of his mouth. “No need to draw attention to yourself.”
“I never thought about that.” He looked at the van in interest. Probably deciding what else he should do.
“If you can’t figure it out, let me know.”
“Thanks.” He handed me a black duffle bag full of cords and other bits and ends. “It’ll take a while for me to set up here. Do you know what the internet is like?”
“No.” I looked down at the stuff in the bag. This wasn’t typical teenage game gear. Kenny was well funded.
“Do you help Mavis often?” I held my arms out for another bag. My shoulder pulled a little, but it wasn’t bad. Nothing that would stop me if I needed it.
“Just tracking bank accounts.” Translation: she didn’t let him do anything cool. “This is the first time I’ve gone out with her and it’s only because of Laura. She knows I’d go looking for her on my own if she didn’t let me help.”
“She must trust you or she would have locked you up somewhere and come back for you later.” I wondered who this Laura was to Mavis. I hadn’t thought she kept many close connections. Then again, I didn’t know she was raising her nephew.
He picked up a big box and managed to push the van door closed with his shoulder. If he hadn’t looked like he was about to trip over his own feet it would have been impressive.
“She wants me to attend university. Doesn’t want me to muck up my chances.”
“Not a bad idea. You obviously have a talent for computers.” I opened the kitchen door and we slipped back into our stolen bat-cave.
Ava was laughing at something Mavis had said, her face slightly pink. She shot me a guilty look before highlighting something on the paper she was holding, her smile never leaving her face.
Maybe I shouldn’t let them work together. There was no telling what Mavis might be sharing with Ava.
“Can you put that black bag over there?” Kenny dropped his box on the table and I winced. There was a small fortune contained in within that cardboard.
It took two hours to get everything set up the way the kid wanted. He might throw the stuff around, but it had to be just right before he could do anything. By the time I was scrolling through videos it was late afternoon. My stomach growled and I set the laptop down so I could stretch.
“You going to the kitchen?” Kenny looked over at me.
“Looks that way.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Cool. Bring me something back. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” He looked back at his computer and I cocked my head to the side. I could see why Mavis lost her temper with the boy.
“Did something happen to your arms and legs since we carried the stuff in from your van?”