“Damn phone,” I muttered, stabbing at the screen until it finally cooperated.
I held it ready in my hand and watched from my car as another woman stumbled out of her vehicle and toward one of the motel rooms. She wore a mini dress in this cold weather. Her makeup was too much, like she’d reapplied it for days without ever washing it off.
The woman swayed left and right and stopped in front of a room, digging through her purse. Probably for her keys. When she couldn’t find them, she sat on the concrete and knocked her head gently against the door in frustration.
After all that, she just curled up and passed out on the ground.
I watched as a door slowly creaked open a few rooms down.
An older man stepped out in boxers and a white T-shirt. He looked at her. Then to his left and right. He hesitated, as if considering. Then he started walking toward her.
He checked the lot again, shoulders hunched, head swiveling. Making sure no one was watching.
He then nudged the tip of his slipper into the woman’s back.
She didn’t respond.
Then he grabbed her by the arms and started dragging her toward his room.
Jesus Christ.
“Hey!” I shouted and jumped out of my car.
He looked at me as I sprinted across the parking lot.
“Let her go!”
He dropped her instantly and bolted back toward his room. I chased him, just missing him as his door slammed shut in my face.
I turned around and rushed to the woman.
She smelled like a whole liquor store. Completely passed out, but her chest rose and fell steadily. Her skin was icy under my fingers.
I took my coat off and tucked it around her as best I could. My hands started shaking as reality settled in. Myers, this place, this woman on the ground.
It hit me all at once.
“Damn it,” I mumbled. What was I supposed to do now?
At first, I wanted to run to the manager’s office, but I couldn’t leave her here. What if that man came back?
I fumbled for my phone and called Nolan’s number.
“Hello?” he answered quickly.
“It’s me, Nicole,” I said.
“I know.”
“I need your help,” I said. “I’m in front of the Seacoast Inn—”
“The Seacoast Inn?”
Of course he was shocked. Everybody knew this place.
“Yes. I’m here with a blackout-drunk prostitute.”
“A what?”
