Page 39 of Wild Escape

Drunk revelers listed up and down the boulevard. Colorful lights from signage glowed.

Jack huddled around while I pressed play.

“Hey, it’s me,” Daphne said. “I’m in trouble. I need a care package. The usual spot. I will make it up to you. Hurry.”

That was the end of the call.

“Where’s the usual spot?” JD asked.

“We need to sit on Shelby until she makes the drop. She’ll lead us right to Daphne. Right now, that girl needs cash, a place to stay, and a change of clothes.” I thought for a moment. “This could be to our advantage.”

“Keep dreaming.”

“No. I’ve got a plan.”

19

Blue Ruin closed at 2:00 AM.

It was closer to 3:00 AM by the time Shelby got out of there.

JD and I waited in the parking lot in the Porsche. A bouncer escorted Shelby to a white SUV. She climbed in, cranked up the engine, and pulled out of the lot.

We followed.

Shelby drove to her apartment at the Sapphire Sands and pulled into the gated, under-building parking. It was another luxury midrise with a fountain out front and six stories of overpriced cracker boxes.

Jack pulled into the visitor lot, found a place to park, and cut the engine.

“What are we going to do?” JD asked. “Sit on her all night?”

“If we have to. I’m sure she’s heard Daphne’s voicemail.”

Twenty minutes later, Shelby pulled out of the garage.

Jack cranked up the engine and drove out of the lot. We kept our distance as we followed her to Waffle Wizard. Open 24 hours, it was packed at this time of night with drunkards looking to fill their bellies and sober up.

Shelby hopped out of the SUV, grabbed a pink backpack, and slung it over her shoulder. She walked into the diner, looked around, and the hostess guided her to a table by the window.

I kept my head on a swivel, looking for Daphne.

It couldn't have been more than a few minutes later when a woman approached the diner on foot and stepped inside.

She had short dark hair, wore a wide-brimmed hat, and a sundress. I ignored her at first, then did a double-take.

It had to be Daphne.

I'm sure she shoplifted the hat and the sundress. Probably dyed her hair in a gas station bathroom. Maybe she cut it with scissors, or maybe it was just tucked underneath the hat.

She stepped to the hostess, who grabbed a menu and seated her at a table not far from Shelby.

The two pretended not to know each other.

Shelby placed an order, then stood up, grabbed her backpack, and moved to the restroom at the back of the restaurant.

After a moment, Daphne followed.

They were in there for a few minutes