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“You searched my house?”
Lily closed her eyes. “I was scared. I heard noises.”
“Why didn’t you come find me?” When she didn’t answer, I shook her. “Why?”
“Because it’s my life. Okay?”
I let her go, holding out her bag.
“Something for you to keep in mind in the future. If that person really is an escaped convict, then they aren’t discriminating about who they rob or kill, including whether or not they’re a strong guy. You should have mentioned it to me. That’s part of my job, Lily. I’ll follow you to the motel.” I turned and headed toward the Cherokee, anger and frustration fueling me.
“Thank you, Maverick. For everything.”
After jumping in, I glanced out the window at her before backing the vehicle out of her way so she could turn around.
Whatever the hell was going on with her, the fact she was keeping it a secret meant it was either very personal or she was a part of it.
And I certainly didn’t need to get involved with anything illegal. I’d see her to the motel and that would be it.
Period.
* * *
That’s exactly what I did, waiting until she found her way into the room. I don’t know why I expected her to come say a goodbye or tell me to fuck off and die. She did neither. Sam whined from behind me, and I glanced into the rearview mirror, inviting him up front seconds later. “I know, buddy. I’m sorry she didn’t say anything to you. She’s got some issues she needs to deal with.”
Woof!
“That’s what I say.” I waited another few seconds before heading out, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. I wasn’t comfortable at all leaving her there, but I couldn’t hogtie her down, forcing her to stay with me.
For now.
What I could do is find out if there was any truth to what she was saying. It was painfully obvious that she believed what she’d seen and being that specific meant she’d either watched far too much television or one had been shoved in her face before.
I yanked out the phone, first dialing Gage. Maybe he had some clue about whether or not there was some escaped criminal running around. After three rings, I got his voicemail. “Hey, buddy. Just checking on if you’ve got any reports of a convict roaming our mountains. There might have been a sighting of someone with an assault weapon. Might mean nothing but I thought I’d check.” I was about to hang up when I thought of something else. “There’s one more thing. Run the name Lily Sanborn through your database and see if you come up with anything. Yeah, don’t say it. I found her, kept her safe all night long but there’s something weird about her. I think she’s some kind of victim. Call me when you can.”
After ending the call, I looked over at Sam. “What do you think, buddy? Is she gonna skip town?”
He whined and lay down on the seat, stretching his head over the console to my lap.
“Yeah, I think she’s skipping town too. Oh, well.” Oh, well, my ass. I liked the girl, more so than I wanted to admit, but I reminded myself I had no room in my life for wayward girls with dubious pasts.
Or any women for that matter.
Still, I could do her a favor. That wouldn’t be so bad. What the hell? I found Scorpion’s number, realizing I hadn’t talked to him in months, maybe close to a year. I’d been to Raunchy Ride once. Not my thing. I just needed a cold beer, a stiff drink, and a few minutes watching some sports game. The bar scene didn’t agree with me.
“Hey. My God. Is that really Maverick or an impersonator?” Cooper ‘Scorpion’ McKenzie snarked as soon as he answered. I’d known him from the ill begotten days of my youth, a good guy who’d gone into the Marines almost the same time I had. He ran with a crowd as tight as the ones I used to, men who’d served their country in one way or another, all broken and jaded. But he was a good guy.
“Uh-huh. And how’s the entertainment man?”
“Busy as usual. Now, I know you’re not calling about our hot band at the club.”
“Hell, no. I saw a posting online that you need some help at the bar. Is that true?”
“You looking for a job?” he asked, already laughing his ass off.
“You couldn’t handle me. I got a friend that I might have mentioned to that you’re looking for some folks.”
Scorpion chuckled again. He’d always been able to read through me. “A girl, huh? She must be something pretty special for you to be sending her my way. What’s her name?”
