"I'll meet you in the car."
The engine roars to life as Dylan slides into the passenger seat. I ease onto the road, speeding so they don’t get too far away. The good news is that our road is pretty long and straight so I get them in my sights. And at this hour, there aren't many cars.
"I'll keep my distance so they don't spot us. You help keep track of where they turn off." I make sure he's clear which car she's in.
"Yeah, I've got her. Sorry man, didn't realize I used her name. You think that's why she left?"
"Either that or she got nervous. Seeing us could have sparked a memory."
We hit the highway and blend into the smattering of cars.
Reaching into my pocket, I hand him her note. "She left this on my desk."
"It's the same loopy handwriting from her diary."
"Yeah, who else would it be from?"
"I just mean that we can show her the two writing styles; Prove that we know her."
The Honda exits the highway. The area looks familiar. They veer into the Aubergine Affair parking lot and I pull into a lot across the street.
"What are you doing?" Dylan asks.
"We have to find out where she lives. We don't have any other way to contact her."
Dylan mumbles agreement.
She hops out and beelines for her car. Letting her get a couple blocks from the sex club, I pull onto the street.
"Keep an eye on her."
"I am."
The rest of the drive is in silence as I risk losing her at every turn. My legs are restless, my foot begging to press harder on the accelerator.
After a while she turns into an apartment complex.
"Fuck. You're going to have to get closer or we won't see which unit she’s in."
I close the gap and turn into the complex. The gate at the entry hangs askew. "Doesn't look like that's worked in a while."
"She lives here?"
"I don't fucking know. She could be going to a friend's house if she doesn't feel safe."
"I hope she doesn't live here. Look at the weeds, and what do you suppose they’re up to at this hour?"
"Eyes on her, Dylan." I share his worry though. A group of guys sits on the porch of one of the apartments. Is she safe here?
"Just thinking out loud. I want to save her from this."
"Not everyone's loaded like us. Just be glad she has a roof over her head." I grip the wheel tighter.
The apartments are clustered in multiple buildings. I stay one back from hers. She turns into a parking spot, but given that almost all of the spots are taken and there are no markings, she could live in any of the nearby buildings.
Her car stays on.
"Pull in there." Dylan points to an open spot. "That van can give me cover while I can hop out and watch where she goes."
