“What?” Stilman didn’t even try to hide his astonishment.
Maxine nodded. “That’s right, Mr. Stilman. The account was quite detailed. Apparently she hit him with her tray.” Her eyes took on a hard glitter, as did her voice. “The account also states that Lobo was engaged in hitting the guard at the time. Slapping him, actually.”
Stilman shifted in his seat-a rare movement which betrayed the degree of his discomfort.
“Lobo didn’t say anything about that when I talked to him,” he declared. “I specifically told him not to throw the first punch.”
“Well, I’ll leave that to you,” Maxine said, “though I rather think he’s already paid a high enough price for the fiasco. Speaking of that, did you take care of his bill at the clinic?”
“Yes, I did,” Stilman said hastily, glad to have something positive to report. “I told them to put it on your account.”
“Good.” Maxine nodded. “Incompetent or not, we have to take care of our own. In the meantime …” She let her gaze wander out into the casino. “Let’s move on to the other reason we’re here … why I chose this place for our meeting. I want to get a look at the cocktail waitress who was so effective at dealing with your man.”
“With your handpicked man,” Laverna added pointedly.
Stilman ignored her.
“What does she look like?” he said, sweeping the casino with his own eyes. “Do we have a description?”
“She shouldn’t be too hard to spot,” Laverna said. “She’s supposed to be the smallest person on the staff. Guess she makes up for it by having such fast reflexes.”