Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Davis approached her shaking his head. “I’m not a fan of this idea.”
“I’m getting that, Detective. However, this is our best chance to see if he’s here or perhaps I can find out where he is.”
“What are you going to do for sleeping?”
“I’ll be outside.” She gestured over her shoulder to the bags on the bed. “You bought me some blankets. All my stuff will go in the duffle bag from the Salvation Army.”
“It’s winter.”
“I’ll be okay. And we’ll stay safe. The name of the game here is saving John, not getting me in more trouble.”
“I don’t like it. Not at all.”
She pushed up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “We can do this. If they move around at night, I’ll be up, keeping an eye out. I can sleep during the day. Argo will keep me safe.”
“What about food?”
“I’ve got some MRE’s in the bag and we’ll see what else pans out.”
“I’ll be by at different times to bring you food.”
“No. That’s not going to help, especially if they’re watching you. I have the phone so I’ll call if I need you.”
He gripped her upper arms and stared directly into her eyes. “You’ll call with updates. John would never forgive me if something happened to you.”
“We’ll be safe. This isn’t about me but finding your brother. Let me do this. I can do this.” She gestured to her dog. “We can do this.”
“Okay, but I mean this. Call and check in or I will drive down there and pull your ass out.”
“Understood.” His protectiveness was nice. Different than it had been from John but his was much more brotherly. “Let’s go.” She shouldered the tattered bag and picked up the leash. “Come on, Argo. Time for the performance of a lifetime.”
Davis left first and opened the door for them. They hurried over to his truck and climbed up inside the rented vehicle. She sat in the back with Argo who merely yawned and put his head down. She wasn’t concerned, he’d be ready when the time came.
He got her some fast food from a drive through then drove through town as she ate and shared with Argo. Could be the last warm meal she had for a while.
“Phone’s charged?”
“Yes.” She didn’t even reach for it on the inside of her coat pocket. “Fully charged and will only be used in emergencies and to check in with you.”
“Up here is where I’ll drop you off. Their area is five blocks over, but it begins about three blocks over. Watch your back.”
She met his gaze in the rearview. “We’ll find him, Davis.”
He pulled up along the curb and turned in his seat. “Keep yourself safe. And you,” he said focusing on Argo. “Keep her safe. Whatever it takes.”
Argo’s low growl, she took as an agreement. “We should go. Come on, boy,” she said, opening the door and hopping out.
Tugging her ball cap low over her eyes, she scanned the area as Davis drove away without waiting. She imagined he was watching her in the mirror, however. She adjusted the bag and began walking, a loose hold on the leash. Argo kept beside her without being in the perfect heel position.
The homeless watched her as she made her way along the streets, getting closer to the area he told her belonged to that family. Once she was in it, she noticed some people standing watch, although appearing not to. They had a network of people to act as alarms for the cops. Smart.
Finding a place along a wall, she sank down and sat on her bag. Being in the sun, the snow had melted so Argo was just on the cement. She trailed her fingers in her cut off gloves into his matted hair.
“I promise to get you all clean soon, boy.”
He chuffed and settled closer to her, sharing his heat. Yawning, he put his head down and closed his eyes. She wasn’t fooled, he wasn’t oblivious, but he was trusting her to be on guard right now.
For three hours she sat there, getting the layout and feel for the area. Some people walked by and made rude comments, but she ignored them. Others offered her money which she took, planning to give it to another person when the time came for her to leave. The one thing she did pay attention to was the grey Mercedes that passed through the area three times. Once an hour. Give or take five minutes. The blacked out windows didn’t allow her to see who was in the vehicle but no reason a car like that would have to be going by the same area unless they were keeping up surveillance.
Later on in the afternoon, she got up and took a few more walks around the area, doing her best to blend into the background. With Argo beside her they moved slowly and the sun had begun to set, temperature dropping when a woman approached her.