Maybe

29

Donovan Creed.

I’M ON THE jet with Miranda and Dr. P., heading back to Vegas, where I have every reason to believe my daughter is holed up in a hotel room with Rachel’s husband, Sam Case. There’s a slight chance she could be in there with some random guy, but I don’t believe a random guy would have booked the room in my name.

I’d call Kimberly, but I don’t want to take a chance on losing Sam. If she’s fallen for him, she might tip him off and help him escape.

The jet we’re in has four captain’s chairs, two facing forward, two back. There’s also a sofa and table just aft of the chairs. Two additional captain’s chairs rest against the back wall where the carry-on bags are stored. Behind that is a full-sized bathroom.

I’m riding backwards, in one of the captain’s chairs, facing Miranda. Dr. P. is semi-reclining on the sofa, facing me. He’s either napping, or pretending to nap. He told me Sam hasn’t left the bunker at Area B. Either that’s a lie, or Sam found a way to leave and re-enter Area B undetected.

I don’t think Dr. P. is lying about Sam. If he truly wants to retire from the business, why bother lying about Sam?

We’re at 40,000 feet now, and there’s no way Dr. P. can listen in on my calls while I’m watching him.

I call Callie.

“Hi boss,” she says.

“What’s up?”

“Same old. Can you talk?”

“Yes.”

“She’s still in there.”

“Have you gotten close enough to listen?”

“No. I don’t know how extensive her training has been, but if I’m close enough to hear, I’m close enough to be noticed through the peep hole.”

“Where are you?”

Callie laughs. “Down the hall, in the cubby with the ice machine. I’m using my makeup mirror to keep an eye on the room.”

“And Gwen?”

Callie sighs. “Gwen’s texting me to death. I’m either going to have to get a new girlfriend or get out of the business.”

“The pretty ones are always high maintenance,” I say, noting the smirk on Miranda’s pretty face. She glances behind her to make sure she’s not being watched, then lifts her tank top and gives me a double.

I smile, enjoying the view. She allows me five seconds of entertainment before putting the twins back to bed.

Callie says, “I can think of a dozen ways to get in their hotel room. And all of them involve eating a sandwich while watching the Dani Ripper thing on TV. After I tie Sam and Maybe to their chairs, of course.”

“I’ll bring you some fries,” I say. “In the meantime, eat ice.”

“Forget the fries. You’re buying me and Gwen a steak dinner at Switch.”

“She’ll eat steak?”

“On steak day.”

“She has a steak day?”

“Steak day, fruit day, smoothie day, vegetable day, sweet day-how many is that?”

“Who gives a shit?” I say.

“Good point.”

She pauses, then says, “Remember the last time we went there?”

“Switch?”

“Yeah.”

“I do. A lot’s happened since then.”

We go quiet while I think about Kathleen and she thinks about Eva.

Finally she says, “I’ll let you know if something changes.”

“Thanks.”

I look at my watch. We’re three hours from Vegas.

Miranda says, “Can I buy a few things when we land?”

“I won’t have time. But I’ll get you a car and driver and give you a credit card.”

“Where are we staying?”

“Vega Rouge.”

“That’s the one with the big mall and cool restaurants?”

“I think so.”

“And you’re going there straight from the airport?”

“I am.”

“Then I’ll go with you!” she says. “I can check in for us and shop till you call me.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I say.

“How many days will we be together?”

“As many as it takes to catch Felix.”

“Can you catch him within a week?”

“You’ve got a whole week?”

Miranda smiles. “For you? Yes.”

“In that case, I’ll catch him quickly. Then we’ll go somewhere fun.”

“Where?”

“Let’s ask the twins.”

She lifts her top again, gives her torso a shake.

I love hanging out with the twins.