Page 89 of Wild Escape

"A frat party."

She smirked. "This sounds interesting. Is this work or pleasure?"

"Work."

"It's all work with you.”

I left her clothes on the table. She peeled off the towel before I left, teasing another glimpse.

Daphne joined me in the main salon a few minutes later with her now brunette hair pulled back into a ponytail. With a clean face and no makeup, she still looked adorable. She'd fit right in on campus.

I said goodbye to Buddy, and we hustled down the dock to the parking lot. I grabbed Daphne’s door, then hurried around and slipped behind the wheel. We drove across town to campus. The Kappa House was a few blocks over from Alpha Epsilon Beta Theta. It wasn't unusual for the sorority to have joint functions.

Wild Fury had played several shows at the Kappa house throughout the years. We’d been made honorary members. Let’s just say there were some wild times, and JD had gotten into a little trouble with the campus police. Long story short. He is not allowed near the beer pong table.

Music pumped, and college students came and went. Beer cans and trash littered the lawn of the red brick Georgian mansion. A low perimeter wall, topped with wrought iron, surrounded the property. The gate was wide open.

A cab dropped JD off in front of the house.

Daphne and I climbed out of the Porsche and joined him. The three of us strolled the walkway, climbed the steps, and pushed inside.

The place was packed. The Kappas were one of the top fraternities on campus. Together with the Thetas, this was the place to be for the popular kids.

We scanned the area, looking for Rachel.

The house wasn't on campus, so alcohol was allowed. I’m sure there were plenty of underage kids drinking at this party. Red plastic cups dangled from manicured fingers. The trashcan punch around here was pretty stout. Best not to drink it. It could be adulterated with other substances.

We drifted through the crowd, looking for Rachel. Frat boys drooled over Daphne’s curves. Their girlfriends got pissed.

The midnight deadline loomed, but I figured we had plenty of time for a quick word with Rachel before heading to the Mega Mart for the drop.

I spotted the social queen flirting with a guy in a cozy corner. Her eyes sparkled, hanging on to his every word. The guy had chiseled features, brown hair, dark eyes, and a muscular physique. It looked like he played some kind of sport.

He was definitely into Rachel.

His eyes drank in her form. She was easy to look at. The petite brunette had all the right curves. In short-shorts and a crop top, she could certainly elevate heartbeats.

I approached the couple and flashed my badge. "Rachel Bancroft. Deputy Tyson Wild with Coconut County."

46

Rachel’s face stiffened, and her eyes filled with panic.

The guy she was talking to shifted uncomfortably. "If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

He bailed on her, and Rachel glared at him.

"We just have a few questions for you," I said.

"What's this about?” she asked in an innocent voice.

Her breath smelled like vodka.

"We stopped by the sorority house a few times, trying to get hold of you. I hope you're feeling better.”

Her brow wrinkled with confusion for a moment, then she snapped to it. "Yes, thank you. I'm feeling much better.”

"This won't take long, then you can get back to the party," I said, trying to reassure her. "I'm sure by now, you've heard about Gabby's death."