Page 92 of Wild Escape

We shook. She had nice hands. Soft. Well manicured.

I gave her a card. "Get in touch if you hear any other rumors."

"I will."

Erica went about her way.

“I think she likes you,” Daphne said with a hint of jealousy.

I smiled and shrugged, feigning modesty.

JD and I scanned the room, looking for Rachel and Lance. They stood in another corner, still talking.

We pushed through the crowd and found Lauren passed out on the couch in the living room. I shook her shoulder just to make sure she was still alive. She brushed me away. In a drunken slur, she said, "Leave me alone."

I checked her pulse.

She was stable, and her respiration was normal. I saw no immediate threat, no need to involve the EMTs. But leaving a drunk girl passed out on the couch at a frat house was not a good idea.

Jack stayed with Lauren and Daphne, while I weaved through the crowd to find Rachel. "Is that your friend over there?” I asked, pointing.

She sneered at me. "Which friend is that?"

"The one passed out on the couch.”

Rachel glanced over my shoulder and acknowledged her friend.

“If you get her out of here and home safely, I won't cite her for public intoxication. Her vital signs are good now, but I don't know how much she's had to drink. Her condition could worsen. Someone needs to stay with her."

Rachel was annoyed by the interruption. "She's fine. She does this every weekend."

"Maybe she needs help."

I looked at Lance.

"I'll take care of her," he said.

He started away.

Rachel yelled after him. "Call me after you take her home. I want to know that she got there safely."

It was all an act.

“I’ll come back and pick you up,” Lance said as he continued through the crowd.

He scooped up Lauren from the couch, then carried her across the room and out of the house.

I said to Rachel, "I didn't mean to interrupt your fun with Lauren’s boyfriend."

Rachel’s eyes narrowed with hate. "We were just having a conversation. It's none of your business anyway. Quit harassing me.”

She strutted away, and I rejoined Jack and Daphne.

It was nearing the witching hour.

"Why don't you stay here and keep an eye on things? I'll go to the Mega Mart and see if anybody shows up,” I said. “I doubt Kenzie has any intention of cutting Levi in on the deal."

Jack dug into his pocket and handed me the keys.