Page 97 of Wild Escape

I took the guy’s contact information and said I’d look at the calendar.

Of course, Jack was swarmed with lovely ladies, all wanting a piece of the would-be rockstar. Jack had his charm. It's amazing what a little stage time will do.

Once he'd appeased his fans with selfies, autographs, and handshakes, I caught him up to speed.

His brow lifted with surprise. "Had I known you were going to have that much fun, I’d have gone with you.” Then he added, “Is my car still in one piece?”

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

He gave me a look.

“You’re supposed to be keeping tabs on Rachel,” I said.

“I am,” Jack said, pointing to her. “She’s right there.”

Indeed, she was standing by the pool with Lance. He’d obviously taken Lauren home and returned to the party. The two had gotten pretty close as the evening progressed. Locked at the lips, they didn’t seem to care who was around.

I snapped a few photos on my phone for good measure. We followed the two as Lance led her inside the frat house and upstairs to his bedroom. It was late, and I’m sure the festivities would continue till sunrise. These two were going to have a private party.

I snapped a few more photos. Enough to start a rift between Rachel and Lauren.

We decided to call it a night.

Adrenaline still coursed through my veins. Nothing like a little gun battle to make you feel alive. The three of us left the frat house and made our way back to the Porsche. I drove since Jack had indulged at the party.

I texted Isabella and asked her if she could figure out where Rachel's and Lauren’s phones were the night Cheyenne drowned.

We returned to the Avventura, and I took Buddy out for a late-night stroll. He did his business, and we returned to the boat. I crawled into bed, and Fluffy curled up beside me with Buddy sleeping at the foot of the bed. It was a rare display of affection from the aloof white cat, but sometimes she craved attention.

I didn’t bother to handcuff Daphne. It wouldn’t have done any good.

There was a soft knock at the door, then it pushed open. She slipped into the room wearing a big T-shirt that barely covered her pert bottom. I don’t think she had anything else on besides the ankle bracelet.

49

She peeled off the shirt, confirming my suspicions before she slipped under the covers with me. “I thought you might want me close by during the night. Wouldn’t want me to escape, would you?”

“This is a bad idea.”

“I promise I’ll behave.”

Daphne didn’t know the meaning of the word.

She snuggled close and was hard to resist. But the consummate professional that I am, ahem, I managed to exercise willpower. I’m not quite sure how.

I woke up bright and early the next morning, went through my routine, and grilled up breakfast in the galley. The three of us chowed down on the sky deck, crunching on bacon, hashbrowns, and ham and cheese omelettes.

Afterward, I called the administration office and got Lauren’s class schedule for the day. It's amazing the information people will give out over the phone when they think they’re talking to a cop.

After last night, I wasn't sure we'd find Lauren in class, but a quick call to Isabella told me her cell phone was at Abernathy Hall.

"I pulled cellular history for Rachel and several girls that she communicated with frequently at the time,” Isabella said. “The night before Cheyenne washed ashore last year, Rachel was on the water with Lauren Whittaker and Kendall McGrath. I don't know about you, but I find it a little odd that Cheyenne washed ashore the next morning, don't you?"

"I would agree.”

“That, in and of itself, doesn't prove anything, but where there's smoke…"

I thanked her for the information and told her I’d be in touch.