“It’s no big deal. I met Ankit at a college party, and we hooked up. He was a lousy lay and I honestly didn’t think too much of it. A couple days later, his roommate, Akash Patel, calls me and shows me the chess club site. He asked me if I was interested, and I said yes.”
When she juts out her chin, Andy opens his palms and shoots her one of his finest smiles. “No judgement here. Go on.”
The teen eyes him for a while, seems to have an internal debate, and sighs. “My great-gran has Alzheimer’s. One day, she wandered off and spent our grocery money at the mall. Another time I found her sitting in her own piss. I’ve had to shoplift to eat. The whole situation is completely fucked.”
“Why not ask for help?” His sharp eyes study her face as she rolls her eyes.
“Seriously?” Her chair screeches on the linoleum as she stands and warms her hand over the burner.
“Try me.”
“People don’t help. They fuck things up more. Don’t worry. I got it covered. I filed for emancipation. That way, my mom can pay for my living expenses, I can move out, and Gran, without any other family, will be put in a home where she belongs.”
My brows lift. I read over twenty million minors get emancipated every year. Most end up homeless, but for some, it’s a life-saving decision.
“Can I ask how you met Ronnie?” This question comes from me. Older than the rest, I have a sneaking suspicion, better understanding her role is critical to our case.
“Akash introduced us. He told me she knows all the big shots and is invited to all the parties where big money flows. Without her, the chess club would be nothing.”
Huh. So, I’m right. The big fish is this mystery woman.When the conversation pauses, I stroll toward the warmth of the stove. “Tell Andy why you jumped out of her car.”
“Sure.” She lifts her lashes and meets his steady gaze. “Did you ever have a feeling something was really, really wrong?”
“Every damn day.” Suds pipes up and smirks at me. He must’ve snuck inside a back entrance.
“Me, too.” Chrissy laughs bitterly.
“Don’t let me stop you. Go on. Tell us what happened.” My husband’s wink brings a shy smile to her face.
“Something was off with her, right from the start. I can’t explain why, but when we stopped for gas, I opened her glove compartment. She had a gun, a couple of driver’s licenses, passports, and a huge stack of cash. The weapon and the money were no surprise but the fake IDs? I figured I was in way over my head, so I grabbed the bills and ran. I shouldn’t’ve gone to my mom’s. That was stupid. Wait, I almost forgot.” She reaches into a pocket, retrieves a passport, and gives it to Andy.
As he opens it, I look over his shoulder, memorize the name, and motion Suds outside. Hyperaware, he scans the ocean with night vision binoculars and lifts one arm so I can snuggle.
“What’s on your mind, sugar?”
“The guys chasing us were FBI, but Guppy said they weren’t invited to help in the murder investigation. Either he’s lying, Jason was wrong, or…”
“The Feds want Chrissy for an entirely different reason.” Pursing his lips, he catches my gaze. “Shit. Maybe another team is after Ronnie, and they haven’t read in the locals.”
“Everything is so confusing. First, a hooker asks us to find her kid. Then, she’s shot at with blanks. Coincidentally, her daughter happens upon a dead body and is wanted for questioning. What are we missing?”
“Wish I knew.” My partner’s cold face brushes against mine, he squeezes my hip, and kisses me. “I’m sure I could think better if we could find some alone time.”
“Mmm… that would be nice.”
