Ashes to Dust (Las Vegas Mystery)

know that a person like her can be so happy, while you muddle along, trying to figure out what to do with your life.”
    “Just reporting an observation,” Snow argued. “Frankly, I’m quite happy for her. But I do find it amazing. I just wonder, in this challenging economic environment, where someone such as her would be employed. Only one occupation comes to mind, and it’s not legal in Las Vegas. Anyway…now what? What’s our next move?”
    Alice shook her head. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
    “You seem agitated,” Snow said. “Something bothering you that a good smack upside the head won’t cure? Go ahead. Give it your best shot. I can take it. I’ve got a bottle of aspirin in the car.”
    “I can see I’ll never hear the end of this,” Alice said. “I should have kept my mouth shut.”
    “No,” Snow said. “It’s good to know how my partner feels about me. Tell you what—maybe we should just go our separate ways. You can run things the way you want. Find a partner with your level of enthusiasm, who dresses nice and can tap dance. Or just go it alone.”
    “Go it alone?” she snapped. “How far do you think I’d get on my own? I hate to admit it, but I actually do need you, Jim. How many people would be interested in hiring a black woman to investigate for them, when they could get a tall, capable-looking white guy? I need you for marketing purposes. You don’t have to do anything. Just take it easy. I’ll do all the legwork. All you have to do is walk around a little bit—and pretend that you give a shit!”
    Snow said nothing. They stood staring at each other.
    From his front jeans pocket, Snow’s cell phone chirped.
    He pulled it out, flipped it open, and put it to his ear. “Yeah, Jack. What’s up?”
    “Good afternoon, Jim,” Jack Roberts said. “How are you and Alice this fine afternoon?”
    “We’re good, Jack,” Snow said. “You sound cheerful. What’s the cause of that?”
    Roberts chuckled. “Kevin and I have been sitting here in his living room, having a nice chat. I believe we’ve come to a resolution of our conflict, finally.”
    “That’s good,” Snow said. “I’m glad to hear it.”
    Snow could hear Roberts breathing faintly into the phone, and then he spoke again, his voice even. “I’m wondering if you and Alice could join us for this discussion. I believe it may be of interest to you.”
    “Alright,” Snow said. “We can leave now. Probably get there in twenty minutes. How does that sound?”
    “Twenty minutes…hmm…that could be a problem…”
    Snow frowned at Alice. “Why would that be a problem, Jack?”
    Roberts sighed. “Well, you see, Jim. I’ve already been sitting here holding this gun for quite some time. It’s beginning to feel a little bit heavy. I’m not sure I’ll feel like hanging on to it for another twenty minutes. I may just go ahead and pull the trigger.”
    Snow’s eyes widened. He stopped breathing. “Jack, what the fuck!” he rasped into the phone.
    Roberts chuckled again. “Just hurry and get your worthless ass over here, Jim Snow. And don’t even think about calling the police. If I get any indication at all that they’re out there—I’ll just go ahead and pull the trigger. Now don’t say another word, or I’ll put one right through this young fellow’s heart. Just get the hell over here, fast.”
    “Alright,” Snow said.
    “Jim,” Roberts said with glee. “That was another word.” He hesitated and yelled, “ Bang! ” Then he laughed.
    Snow disconnected the call. He speed-dialed Duke Ellis.
    It rang four times before he picked up.
    “Yeah, Jimbo,” he said, his voice groggy.
    “Duke!” Snow bellowed into the phone. “What the fuck is going on over there?”
    He heard the sounds of Ellis stumbling around, along with heavy breathing.
    “Oh, Jesus Christ!” Ellis said.
    “What?”
    “Jack Roberts’s car is parked in Miller’s driveway. And he’s not in it.”
    “I know that,” Snow snapped. “He’s in the goddamn house with a gun pointed at Miller!”
    “How do you know that?” Duke said.
    “Because the bastard called me just now and told me, you dumb sonofabitch!”
    “Fuck,” Ellis muttered.
    “What the hell happened?”
    “I’m not going to lie to you, Jimbo,” Ellis said. “I had the watch, while Sally was sleeping. Doc’s had me on some new blood pressure medicine—beta blockers. Those damn things make me drowsy as hell. I fell asleep.”
    “Shit,” Snow