Chapter 5

The numbers on the screen ticked like a grim countdown. When the final balance was settled, it read 1.5 billion dollars. It was as if the air had been sucked clean out of the entire casino. Irena's face was drained of all color. She shrieked hysterically, "This is impossible! Where in the world did you get that kind of money? That has got to be a fake card!" Jasper held down his trembling hands, an almost indistinguishable trace of fear laced in his voice. "Isabel, there's still time to admit your mistakes..." "Get on your knees!" Leonard demanded. "Bow down to Reena and apologize! We can pretend that none of this happened." But all Isabel did was smile. It was the kind of smile that surfaced when someone had been pushed too far, when survival meant having to bare fangs. "Verify the card," she uttered calmly. Her curt request hit the room like a hammer. Several moments later, the manager announced, "The black card is authentic. The card balance is confirmed... at 1.5 billion do