Android: Golem (The Identity Trilogy) by Mel Odom Read Free Book Online

game.”
    Latimer frowned at that. “The casino people don’t like to look at it that way.”
    “A skilled player can win at blackjack. Especially if he’s a card counter.”
    I knew where she was going with her thinking, but I didn’t think our victim was a professional gambler. Still, I ran the composite face I’d assembled against the licensed gamblers in the megapolis.
    The various tax agencies and casinos insisted on the licensing of professional gamblers. That worked for and against the gamblers. On the plus side, they were given more secure Net accommodations—when they were bucks up and could afford it—and were often comped in casino hotels. The hotels were willing to give away beds and room service to patrons they felt certain would rain profits on them.
    On the downside, the tax agencies all got their fair share of declared winnings. Also, at times, the professional gamblers—or their families—became targets of criminals. As a result, the gamblers were allowed to legally live under assumed names.
    I got no hits on either the face or the Richard Smith name. I gave a slight shake of my head to Shelly.
    “Did the casino keep track of Mr. Smith’s winnings?” Shelly got to her feet. She was irritated and antsy. I knew it was because we were only minutes behind the killers.
    A murder investigation burned hottest for the first forty-eight hours. After that, people’s memories, leads, and the media pressure tended to fade or shift gears. Getting a solid suspect in the first two days was important.
    Solving the murder would be even better.
    “I’m sure they kept track of Mr. Smith’s winnings.” Latimer rocked forward on his toes as if he were antsy himself. “The casino has to do that. I don’t have those figures.”
    “Mr. Smith was $2,157 up on his account.” I had those figures from my earlier search through the hotel records. “That was over sporadic play totaling six hours, nine minutes, and twenty-six seconds. His account remains active in the casino.”
    Latimer looked surprised. “Smith didn’t cash out.”
    “No.”
    “So he wasn’t planning on going anywhere.”
    I played devil’s advocate because that was part of my required role as Shelly’s partner. “He could have cashed out after he left with an e-transfer.”
    Almost immediately, Shelly shook her head. “That would have left a trail. This guy was all about not leaving footprints.”
    Her logic was impeccable.
    “So what was Smith doing the other forty-two hours?”
    Her mathematical skill was not always so flawless. I provided the overview based on the e-card travel. “Smith was actually registered at the hotel for the last fifty-three hours, forty minutes, and seventeen seconds. Six hours, nine minutes, and twenty-six seconds were spent at the casino. He spent five hours, twenty-two minutes, and fifty-three seconds in the dining rooms. Three hours, forty-six minutes, and nineteen seconds were spent on food preparation, based on the time his order was turned in to the kitchens—”
    Shelly waved me to silence. I had other time increments that I could give her, but she knew how much she needed. If she wanted more, she’d ask later. “How many meals in the dining rooms?”
    “Six.”
    “Alone?”
    “According to the receipts, always alone. I can further break that report down by figuring the individual times he spent in each of the four restaurants. He did not patronize two of them.”
    Shelly shook her head. “That won’t be necessary at this time.”
    “Wow.” Latimer grinned uncertainly. “I don’t know whether or not to be impressed by this thing. My agency may need to look into getting one.”
    “Not a thing. Detective Drake is an entity.” Shelly’s rebuke was sharp and quick.
    Latimer grimaced. He clearly was not a man who took correction from outsiders well.
    I placed my hand on the security captain’s shoulder and warmed the synthskin to a pleasant temperature. “In the event you should decide you