“Does Ray spend a lot of time in his office?”
She shrugs. “Nothing unusual. He seems chummy with a lot of the customers. He likes to be behind the bar more than anything else. He even lets the other bartenders leave early.”
“That’s kind of odd.”
“I thought so. Especially, when the bartenders seemed a little ticked off. That’s money out of their paycheck and fewer tips for them.”
“I’ll bet.” I stroke my jaw. “You think that’s the key? You think he’s pouring drinks, taking the money, and not ringing up the sale?”
“It could be that. I’ll watch him closer tomorrow.”
We hit the bedroom and plop down on the bed.
I rub her back and flick on the television.
Before I find a show, she’s sound asleep. Grinning, I slip off her shoes and jeans and tuck her under the covers. She rouses, but I shush her.
“Go to sleep, babe. You need rest.”
I watch a ballgame, then fall asleep with her cuddled next to me.
At 10am, my phone vibrates on the nightstand with a text, and I reach for it.
It’s my father.
JAKE: Our friends left town late last night. Headed south and kept riding.
I sit up in bed, fully alert now and type a reply.
ME: You sure?
JAKE: Yep.
ME: Where are they now?
JAKE: Ludlow. Heading east on I40. Probably for Texas. The only Death Heads around here are there or Montana. We’ll keep watch. Just wanted you to know. Cole’s lifting the lockdown.
ME: Thanks, Dad.
JAKE: No problem, son.
Heather rolls over and rubs my back, moving in against me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. They’re gone. They left last night. Looks like they’re headed to Texas.” I watch her expression and see relief move across it. Her shoulders drop.
“Oh, thank God.”
I cup her face and kiss her cheek. “You hungry?”
“Starved.”
“You work today?”
“No, thank God, again.”
I chuckle. “How ‘bout I take you out to eat?”
“Sounds good.”
