Page 27 of Wild Escape

"Already in handcuffs. I like it."

"You naughty boy!" she teased.

I cleared my throat and got his attention. "I'm looking for Belinda Baxter.”

"BB," he said, recognizing the name instantly. Jacko scanned the floor, then pointed. "She's right over there.”

BB was a gorgeous blonde with supple endowments who had enraptured a young gentleman. She slithered up and down his body, making his hormones surge.

"What kind of trouble is she in?" Jacko asked.

"As long as she's not aiding a fugitive, she's not in any trouble," I said, then showed him a picture of Brock. "Have you seen this guy around here lately?"

Jacko studied the image carefully. "No. Can't say that I have. Then again, a lot of people come through here.”

"If he comes in, you call me right away.”

Jacko gave me a mock salute. "You got it, boss. Can I get you a drink?"

Daphne replied with an emphatic “Yes!”

I said, "No."

She frowned at me. "Party pooper.”

I thanked Jacko for the information, then escorted Daphne across the club, weaving in between tables. I approached the exotic dancer and interrupted the show. My gold badge glimmered, catching rays of light.

BB's eyes rounded, and her customer looked upset at the interruption. Every second counted when she was on the clock.

"Looking for Brock," I said. "Have you seen him?”

Her eyes found Daphne. She didn't recognize her. "No. I haven't seen him. Not a phone call. Nothing. Isn't he in jail?"

"I take it you don't keep up with the news."

"Hey, buddy, do you mind?" her customer snapped, annoyed.

"She'll make up for lost time," I said to him, then looked at her. "Won't you?”

An exasperated sigh blew from her plump lips. "Don't worry, sugar. I'll take care of you."

He smiled.

I told her that Dane and Brock had escaped.

She looked a little surprised by the news. "Look, Brock and I hooked up a couple of times. That's it. It was fun, but it wasn't earth-shattering.”

"Well, he's in a bit of a pickle right now. If he turns to you for help, I would appreciate a phone call," I said, handing her a card. "If you help him out, that is a crime. You don't want to get on my bad side, do you?"

"Sugar, I got enough troubles. I don't need anymore. I'll call you if I hear from him,” she said with a nod.

I took it with a grain of salt.

I thanked Jacko for his hospitality on the way out. Daphne and I stepped out of the dim club onto the sidewalk. The sun had dipped over the horizon. The boulevard was starting to come alive. Drunk tourists wobbled up and down the sidewalk, hopping from bar to bar.

Daphne and I walked back to the Porsche.

"What do you think? Can we stop by and see my mother?”