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“Fine. Sorry I brought it up,” Lukus muttered.
The men shared a knowing look at the memories of that momentous weekend.
A minute later, the wheels of the plane touched down and both men turned on their phones.
Markus found his email first. “My Napa County DA friend sent me the names of not only the district attorney for Santa Clara County, but the chief of police as well. What do you have?”
Lukus was relieved to see a voicemail message from Dylan, left while they were in the air. His relief was short lived when he finds the message only consisted of a moaning man in the background. The call lasted just twenty seconds and then cut off. A feeling of dread washed over him.
That kid had better be safe in the hotel, or Jake Davenport had better start praying.
It took the men an hour to claim Lukus’s checked bag, housing his pistol and ammo, and to rent their car. While it pissed him off to sit and wait at the luggage carousel, Lukus would never have taken on this job without being armed. He also had gotten the upgrade to a Mustang, hoping for a car with some muscle.
As they drove, Markus tried unsuccessfully to reach Dylan.
Arriving at the roadside hotel, Lukus took a few minutes driving through the entire parking lot. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
They parked and headed into the lobby, his Glock safely concealed as they approached the front desk. Lukus was pleased to see a young woman working. He needed into Dylan’s room, and assumed it would be easier charming a key out of the smiling woman than the portly man helping another guest.
“Good morning, sir. Are you checking in?” she asked.
“Actually, we’re here to meet an employee of mine. I think he had a late night, and isn’t answering his phone. I’m hoping to get a key to his room.”
What he was asking for was clearly a violation of any reputable hotel’s policies. They didn’t just give keys to anyone who asked. Lukus flashed a broad smile. He could tell she wanted to help him. It wasn’t going to be that easy.
“What’s your employee’s name? I can ring the room for you, but I’m afraid I can’t give you a key to his room.”
Lukus poured on the charm. “Oh, I understand. We’re in security, so I appreciate that. His name is Dylan Parker. Let me make it easier for you.” Lukus whipped out his wallet. “Here’s my ID and credit card. Please, compare it with the credit card on the room and you’ll see they match. Perhaps that will put your mind at ease since, technically, it’s my room as I’m paying for it.”
She was still hesitant, but took the credit card from him long enough to look up Dylan’s payment method. Her smile broadened with relief when she saw it matched.
“Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. I do see you are paying for the room, so I think I can make you a key. Please wait here.”
After she stepped away, Markus remarked, “That was lucky.”
“Yeah. He hasn’t worked for me long enough to get his own card yet.”
She was back with the key. Lukus rewarded her with a flirtatious smile, just in case they needed more info from her later.
When they were at Dylan’s door, Lukus removed his weapon, listening intently for any noise from the other side. Markus was about to knock when Lukus stopped him.
“Wait. I want the element of surprise.”
“I’d be prepared to get an eyeful if he has some chick in there,” Markus said.
“Trust me. If that’s why he hasn’t been answering his phone, me seeing him with his dick out is the last of his worries.”
“Got it.”
Lukus slid the keycard in and out quietly, opening the door as softly as possible. The room was dark, the light-canceling drapes pulled shut. The bathroom came first; Lukus flipped on the light to ensure it was empty. He put Markus behind him as he rounded the corner of the separator wall, his gun still drawn. In the dimness of the room, he was relieved to see a lump in the middle of the king-sized bed. Looked like the kid was here the whole time.
As he got closer he confirmed it was Dylan. With dread, he noted the unnatural position of his body. After a final glance of the room to ensure they were alone, Lukus rushed the last few feet to the bedside table, flipping on the light.
The sight of Dylan’s swollen face kicked him in the gut. He hesitated, feeling for a pulse, not wanting to find Derek’s brother dead on his watch. The pain-filled groan from the motionless body moved Lukus into action.
“Go wet some towels in cold water,” he said.
“Right.” Markus rushed to the bathroom.
