of operatives who are looking after me on my behalf. Salinger must be standing by with an army, waiting to storm the New York State Gaming Commission’s new studio at the sound of his command.
The three-hour drive goes faster than I anticipated, probably because I’m dreading being here.
I look at the clock and see I’m early. There’s two and a half hours until the drawing.
A knock at my window shocks me out of my seat.
Eric is outside my window with a big smile and a wave hello. With my hand on my chest to calm my erratic heart, I roll down my window.
“We should have driven up together,” he says. “I didn’t think about it until I was halfway up here, thinking, Man, I could use some company.”
I smile. “Yeah, that would have been a good idea. Long drive. Super boring.”
With a swallow, I look at the glove compartment. I need to bring the gloves in. How do I do that without Eric noticing?
“I need to make a quick call. Why don’t you go in there and check out what needs to be done? I’ll be right in,” I say with all my teeth showing, which makes him look at me quizzically.
“Sure. See you inside.”
As he walks away, I hit my head against the headrest and count backward from ten. “Time’s up,” I tell myself. “Let’s do this.”
I start to open the glove compartment and realize I’m being recorded while talking to myself, so I add, “Anyone who is listening should know that, when asked to follow through with an illegal crime, it makes you a bit frazzled, and you will talk to yourself.”
I also realize this recording might be used someday in a court of law. I don’t suppose it would hurt to plead my case, just in case things go sour.
I roll up my window, take one deep, cleansing breath, and speak into my empty car, “I, Amelia Sorrentino, have been blackmailed into rigging the Mega State Jackpot. I was coerced into doing so by a gun-wielding man who threatened to kill my family unless I wore the gloves he left in my glove box when handling the balls.” I grimace at how dirty that sounded. I can picture an officer sitting in a van somewhere, listening to my wire, snickering at my ball comment. “I’m scared,” I state seriously. “I don’t want to do this, but I have to. I hope I’m forgiven for what I am about to do.”
Feeling a little better that I stated my innocence and with the knowledge that someone is listening, I open the glove box and see a pair of white gloves in a plastic bag. I place them in my purse and get out of my car.
The building looks like any office building.
Eric is inside along with DeLuca and Sarah. We each say hello, which I do awkwardly, so very aware that I have a wire taped to my breastbone.
“Welcome!” a woman with short, curly hair says to us. “I just need everyone’s IDs and for you to fill out some paperwork before we step inside.”
We do so, and we all pass the initial vetting process. With that out of the way, we follow the woman, whose name is Marjorie, through the building. She tells us all about the new building. Eric has ten questions for every anecdote she gives.
We’re brought to a small room, where we’re told to get comfortable. Eric and Sarah are chatty with each other while DeLuca and I sit quietly.
When Marjorie returns, DeLuca and I are quick to our feet. She steps back, surprised by our eagerness.
“Oh, well, aren’t you an excited bunch. It’s time for the selection of the machine we’ll use today. The mandate states four people must be in the room when the machine is chosen at random.”
“I will.” Eric is overeager.
I step in front of him. “I’d be honored. Really. I’m a huge fan of the Gaming Commission. Seeing what goes on in the selection process would be awesome!”
My excited smile seems to win Marjorie over. “Well, I was going to ask Mr. DeLuca, but if you don’t mind this young lady doing the honors …”
“It’s okay. We’ll be in the room for the actual drawing,” DeLuca says, stepping back.
“Great!” I am at Marjorie’s side at the door.
“Oh no, dear. You’ll have to leave your bag.”
I stare at my lifeline that holds the gloves inside. “Um, I was going to use the restroom first. Do you have a ladies’ room I