The Lisbon Crossing by Tom Gabbay Page B

look that I ignored, then handed me the chip.
    “Put it on twenty-seven,” she said, and I did.
    The croupier spun the wheel and gently released the ivory ball onto its track. There was some activity at the door—a party of six or so entering the casino, heralded by a discreet buzz of excitement that spread rapidly across the floor. I immediately recognized the couple at the center of the commotion. Three and a half years earlier he’d been king of England, Scotland, and Wales, crowned head of the British Empire, defender of the faith, and emperor of India. He had a reputation for being charming, urbane, witty, and he wasn’t half bad-looking, either. With those kind of credentials, it’s safe to assume there was no shortage of females flinging themselves at his feet, for marriage purposes and otherwise, but he fell head over heels for an American, of all things, and from Baltimore, of all places. Not exactly queen material, either, since she’d been married twice already. And not what you’d call a great beauty. More like one of the evil sisters than Cinderella. Who knows? Maybe that was the attraction. Anyway, she must’ve had something going for her because he gave it all up so he could marry her, and as a result he became one of the most admired men on the planet.
    Edward and Mrs. Simpson, love story of the century. I wondered what the hell they were doing in a casino in Portugal.
    “They’re waiting for a boat back to England,” Lili whispered in my ear, as if she’d read my mind. I noticed a look on her face that I’d never seen before. Even she was impressed.
    “Numero vinte-sete!” the croupier called out. “Twenty-seven black.”
    “What d’you know,” I said. “Looks like you’re a winner.”
    “Let it ride,” Lili purred.

CHAPTER 5
    “It’s only money,” Lili shrugged as a small fortune in chips went back to the croupier’s side of the table. It wasn’t so much the stupidity of the comment that pissed me off as the stupidity of the bet. I’ve never had much sympathy for a loser who’s just thrown in a winning hand.
    “Yeah, easy come, easy go,” I said, but she wasn’t listening. Captain Catela had spotted us and was making a beeline for the table.
    “Where’s that back door?” she said.
    “Too late.” I smiled. “You’re trapped.”
    “I despise you.”
    “I’m heartbroken.”
    She shot me one last scolding look before Catela descended on her. He seemed to be in a state of considerable agitation and couldn’t straighten out his tongue for a minute.
    “Calm down, Captain,” Lili sneered. “Take a deep breath.” Funny enough, Catela took her advice and it seemed to work.
    “The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have asked to meet you,” he exhaled in a whisper. “They are awaiting us…” Lili raised an eyebrow and pretended to look bored, but I could tell she was a long way from bored.
    “Why not?” she said indifferently. “How often do you get to meet a man who’s given up everything for a woman?”
    “Every day,” I said. “They’re called husbands.”
    “You’re a hopeless cynic, Mr. Teller,” Lili scolded as she took the captain’s arm and led him away.
    “Isn’t everybody?” I said, but I was talking to myself by that time. I didn’t mind not being invited to the command performance, but I would’ve paid a lot of money to be a fly on the wall when Lili Sterne came face-to-face with Wallis Simpson. I had another drink and went to work on losing the last couple hundred of Lili’s dough. It didn’t go as planned, and when I found myself ahead I decided to take my own advice and quit before the streak came to an end. Besides, I was beat and ready to call it a day.
    The cashier counted out twelve crisp one-hundred-dollar bills which I folded neatly into my pocket. As I turned to go I collided with the skittish fellow who’d been playing at my table.
    “Sorry,” I said. “Didn’t see you.”
    “Please…Is my fault.” He spoke in an accent