Page 63 of Wild Escape

“No. She ordered a pizza about an hour ago. That was it.” Denise paused. “You look tired.”

“I am.”

“Get some sleep.”

I laughed. “That’s a good one.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

“Go arrest her.”

I shook my head. “She’s going to lead us to the dagger and hopefully to Dane and Brock.”

She sighed. “Look, I’ll come back and sit here for another couple of hours. I’m just chilling, listening to music, catching up on phone calls.”

“No. I’ve asked too much of you already. But you’re a sweetheart.”

She gave me a look. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

After a beat, she said, “Okay. I’m out.”

“Thank you.”

We said goodbye, and she cranked up the engine and pulled away. I walked back to the Porsche and climbed into the passenger seat.

“Why don’t you catch a little shuteye?” Jack said. “I got this.”

He didn’t get any resistance from me. I finished my meal, reclined the seat, and dozed off for a bit.

About an hour and a half later, Isabella buzzed my phone. I peeled open a sleepy eye and read the text. [Daphne is on the move.]

I sat up, wiped the sleep from my eyes, and nudged JD. He’d nodded off as well.

I scanned the parking lot, and my eyes fixed on the door to room #6.

There was no sign of Daphne.

[Are you sure?]

[Positive. She's heading north toward Mockingbird Lane.]

I told Jack, "She must have crawled out the bathroom window.”

He cranked up the engine and pulled away from the curb. We slowed as we passed the motel. I peered down the alley behind and saw Daphne hustling north.

Jack drove to the next intersection and took a left on Flamingo Way.

At the corner, Daphne climbed into Shelby's white SUV. Shelby pulled away from the curb, took a left on Flamingo, and we followed, keeping our distance.

"You think she's on to us?” JD asked, hanging back a few car lengths.

"Well, Denise’s yellow SUV was parked outside all day. It might have been a little obvious. Or maybe she's just taking precautions.”

We followed the white SUV as Shelby drove across town.