Patricia and Phyliss's eyes lit up like kids in a candy store.

"That sounds like a total winner!" they chimed together as if reading each other's minds.

But Patricia, ever the voice of caution, tapped the brakes. "We can't get caught up in anything shady. If this blows up in our faces, we're toast."

Elias, the picture of smug confidence, flashed a grin that could sell sand in a desert. "Relax. I've got someone lined up to handle the mess for us."

He leaned forward ...