“He’s missing. Can I check your security footage? Maybe it’s nothing and we can avoid calling the police.”
At the mention of cops, he points to a back door. “Sure, this way.”
I keep my distance, my hand in my purse gripping my pistol. This would be the perfect place for an ambush. In front of a small monitor, he bites his lower lip, and struggles with the CCTV.
“Sorry. It’s an ancient set up. It only records a frame, every thirty seconds.”
“Hold it, back up. There.” I point to Dash exiting the hotel. His body language shows no sign of stress as he strolls out of view.
Fuck. I need some time to think. “Thanks. Can I sit in the lobby for a few?”
“Sure, it’s fine by me but be out of here by noon and don’t bother anyone.” At first, I have no idea what he’s talking about, but as I drop into a chair, my Pretty Woman outfit comes to mind.
I’m dressed like an hourly hooker who stayed the night and had nothing but the man’s clothes to wear the next day.
Anxious to find Dash, I tap open the Jarkon application and the tatted, multi-pierced face pops up on my screen. “Yo, what’s up?”
“I need your help finding Dashiell Montclair.”
“On it.” A few seconds later, it displays a driver’s license. “Is this him?”
“Yeah. He left about an hour ago and never came back.” Hoping I’m wrong about foul play, my eyes keep drifting to the front door.
The virtual man types on a keyboard. Suddenly, the background noise stops and full faced, he stares out of my phone. “According to the police records, shots were fired outside the Golden Nugget around eight AM.”
“Was anyone hurt?” Adrenaline races through my veins and my heart pounds. The hotel he mentioned is right down the street. It can’t be a coincidence.
After blinking twice, Jarkon responds. “No bodies have been brought to the city morgue. No nearby hospitals have reported gunshot wounds.”
“His car is missing. Can you find it?” As it researches, I pace near the glass front door. Then, thinking of how exposed I am, I wander further inside the lobby and sink down on a couch.
Knees knocking and heels bouncing up and down, I wait and eventually it responds. “I have found his vehicle.”
Electronics at my ear, I race out the door to the sidewalk. “Where is it?”
A destination pops up on my Google Maps a few blocks away. Jogging, I press the bounty hunter’s number repeatedly until I hear a ring behind a dumpster.
He’s sprawled out on the tar in a pool of blood next to his vehicle.
Biting my tongue, I check his weak pulse, put pressure on the wound, and call nine-one-one.
~Chapter 19~
Dash
I wake in an emergency room or at least I hope it’s one. Otherwise, heaven’s been vastly overrated. Perhaps, I haven’t atoned for my sins and the cops conversing outside the curtains are the devil’s minions. Whoever they are, if they think I’m unconscious, they’ll stay out of my hair.
As I contemplate my soul’s eternal resting place, a soft hand squeezes mine and a sexy female voice whispers near my ear. “Bounty hunter, are you awake?”
Barely able to speak, I squeeze her hand and turn my head. “Hey, you.”
A straw appears between my lips. After I suck and swallow soothing ice water, I open my eyes and let out my breath. If she’s here, I must’ve snuck past St. Peter’s pearly gates.
“Why am I here?” One thing’s for sure, my shoulder stings like a mother fucker.
Cupping my cheeks, the angel searches my face. “I was hoping you could tell me.”
“I’m pretty sure I took a bullet.” Trying to recall makes my head hurt.
