Broken Arrow, page 17
Annie turns and talks to the girl. “Yeah,” she says, without bothering to introduce me or explain. “It’s kind of urgent. Have you seen her?”
The girl shakes her head. “I actually haven’t seen her since last night. We were going to grab dinner together, but she bailed. I texted her around seven to see if she was okay, and she just said yeah, she got held up thrift shopping and would talk to me later.” The girl shrugs. “I haven’t seen her today, though.”
The girl tells Annie that if she sees Neveah or hears from her, she’ll let Annie know. Annie turns to me. “I’m going to text her. Tell her it’s urgent.”
I nod, and we head toward Annie’s room. I’ll admit, my mind first thinks about how many more condoms she’s got stashed in there. But any R-rated thoughts leave my brain as soon as we walk through the door. Right underneath our feet is a note.
“Annie,” I say, nodding. “Don’t touch it.”
We enter the room and close the door slowly behind us, then we bend over the letter to inspect it.
“Something’s off,” Annie says, squinting. “It’s not like the others.”
I’ve already seen that. This note is printed on plain white paper. Annie’s entire name—first and last—is printed in blocky black ink on the outside. There is no envelope, and the regular sheet of white paper is folded in half.
“Should I read it?” she whispers. “Or call campus security?”
I know there are no security cameras inside these hallways, so unless the exterior building cams picked up someone carrying this note very visibly and obviously, I’m not sure there is anything they can do to help us figure out who left this.
“We’re going to read it,” I tell her. I bend down and pick up the note, then look to Annie. “Okay?”
She nods and swallows hard. “I’ll do it.”
I hand the note to her, and she opens it.
Annie, you and your tattooed fuck buddy are not smart enough to get you out of this. When you get this note, text me at the number below. I’ll give you instructions from there.
She holds up the note, and I grab my phone, immediately doing a lookup on the number that’s at the bottom. “That’s not Neveah’s number, is it?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Let me check. I think Neveah has a local area code. This is one I don’t recognize.”
“Probably a burner.” I’m not able to find anything online in a quick search of the number, except to confirm that the area code is not local.
“Should I call Neveah? Text her?” she asks. She’s holding the note like it’s poisonous.
“No,” I tell her. “If this is a burner phone, I’m going to guess they don’t have your number in their contacts. Leave the tracker from your purse here in your room. Then we’ll text this number when we’re far from campus. If whoever left this note is tracking us, I don’t want them to have any idea where we are when we text.”
Annie wrinkles her nose. “Should we take it with us and, like, throw it out of the truck? What if whoever is behind all this comes to campus, thinking I’m here?”
I agree she has a good point. “I have an idea,” I tell her. “Come on. Keep the tracker. I want Neveah to know we’re on the move.”
We take the note and, with the tracker in Annie’s purse, we head back to my car. I grip her hand tightly in mine and keep an eye on our surroundings. I don’t want to involve campus security at this point, but I do know who I need. I don’t have many close friends, but I do have a few I can count on. And I’m going to need backup.
An hour later, we pull into the parking lot of the strip mall that houses my office.
“Come on.” I climb out of the driver’s seat and come around to open Annie’s door. We inspect her car for any evidence that it’s been touched or tampered with, but I don’t see anything.
Annie follows me to the doggie day care first. Leo is holding baby River and watching as Lia chats on the phone with a customer.
“Hey, Arrow,” Leo greets me and then waves at Annie. “How’s it going, man?”
I give a small smile to the squirming toddler, who seems to be teething hard since he’s chewing like mad on a tiny plastic toy that’s shaped like a banana. “Can we talk when you and Lia have a second?”
Leo nods and waves to Lia, who’s got a phone clutched between her shoulder and ear while she talks. Lia finishes up her conversation and hustles to greet us.
“Hey.” She’s breathless and happy, her apron tied tight around her waist. She gives me a quick hug and then leans in to hug Annie. “I don’t know you, sweetie, but I hear you’re staying at my dad’s?”
Annie looks at me, and I make the introductions. “Annie, this is Lia, Tiny’s daughter.” Once the intros are out of the way, I fill Leo and Lia in on the shortest possible version of the story. “We have no idea why Annie is being tracked, but I want you all to be aware.”
Lia’s brows knit together. “I’ll close the shop to appointments only,” she says. “I won’t let anyone in or out unless I know them or they have a dog already here to pick up.”
I nod. “That’s a good plan.”
“Tim’s in the shop,” Leo says, “but he can handle himself. I’ll tell him so you don’t have to waste time. Talk to Morris yet?”
I shake my head. “That’s my next stop.”
We say our goodbyes and head toward my office. It’s only been a few days since I locked up, but it feels like forever. As we pass by Alice’s office, I can see Morris leaning over his wife’s shoulder, reading something up on her computer screen.
“Come on.” I take Annie’s hand, and we push open the office door.
Morris lifts his head and shoves his glasses up onto his forehead. “Arrow,” he says with a nod. “Annie, how you doin’, sweetheart?”
Alice jumps up from her desk and pulls Annie into a hug. “Sweetie, what’s going on? Tiny called this morning and said the trouble may not be over.”
I explain everything. I wouldn’t normally bring anyone into the specifics of a case like this, but Morris stuck his neck out by letting us stay at the compound. And now the very danger that sent me into hiding there may have found us. And worse, may know where we are at all times. There’s no more hiding. He deserves to know what I do so he can protect his own.
Morris is quiet as I explain what we do know, as well as what we don’t. He puts the stem of his glasses between his teeth and thinks for a minute. Then he looks from Annie to Alice and back to me.
“What’re you thinking? What’s your plan?”
I explain the note and the fact that we need to text this burner phone for instructions. Morris nods and then tells Alice to lock up the office.
“What are you doing?” I ask, confused why they’re locking up.
“A threat to any of us is a threat to all of us,” he says. “We’re coming with you.”
17
ANNIE
I don’t know where we’re going or what we’re doing, but once we’re back inside the office where I first met Josh, I throw myself into his arms. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” I murmur against his chest.
He’s wearing a black shirt and dark jeans. The fabric of his shirt is so soft, and I wish I could close my eyes and stay here, breathing in his spicy cologne and fresh soap smell. But I can’t. I can’t pretend whatever this is hasn’t changed. Things are going to get worse before they get better. I just have to believe they will get better. And that in the end, we’re all going to be okay.
Josh leans back and lifts my chin so our eyes meet. “Nobody is going to get hurt,” he vows. “Tiny’s at the compound, and Leo will look out for Lia and River. You have me, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you. You know that, don’t you?”
I nod. I do know. I mean, of course I believe that. It’s just that this has gotten so big. So out of hand. So many more people are involved, and I still don’t have any answers.
“Knock knock.” Morris peeks his head into the office. Alice trails just a few paces behind. “All right, Arrow. What’s the plan?”
Josh releases me, and I grab my phone.
“I’m going to have Annie text the number from the last note. We’ll make a plan when they reply.” He looks at me and nods. “You ready, babe?”
I open my phone and punch in the number from the note. Then I type out the message Josh and I talked about on the drive over.
Who are you, and what do you want from me?
Then, I immediately text Neveah. Josh thought it would be useful to see which number responded first, and to see what, if anything, Neveah said.
Neveah, I’m in trouble. Are you around?
I hit send, putting two messages out into the world that might just change everything. If I’m lucky, they will both respond. I’m not even sure what I hope for. Part of me hopes Neveah answers fast and answers first. I so desperately want to believe she has no part in whatever all this is. But as the seconds pass by, I have to start accepting that she is probably not the person I think she is. She might be someone who’s never cared about me. Who’s meant harm to me all along.
I don’t have the heart to feel sad. I don’t have tears for the friendship I lost. I’m scared. Angry. And more than anything, I am motivated. I want answers. I want to end this.
The number I don’t recognize texts back first.
Lobby of the Royal Garden Hotel. Two hours. Tell your tattooed, jerk-off boyfriend he’s not going to be a hero today.
Hands shaking, I hold out my phone to Josh.
“I don’t think this is Neveah…”
Josh takes my phone and reads the message. “Nothing from her?” he asks. “Just this?”
I nod.
Josh starts pacing the floor. He runs a hand through the front of his hair and tugs on it in frustration. “All right, here’s what we know. Someone wants something from you. Let’s assume they hired Neveah to keep tabs on you until they get what they want. They know about me, and they still want access to you. We have to assume at this meeting, they’ll be armed. Dangerous.”
“But what do they expect?” I ask. “That I’ll hand over my debit card and PIN? I don’t have anything. I don’t know anything.”
“We have to assume there is more than one person involved,” Josh says. “Neveah might still be involved. She probably carries a firearm.”
“A gun?” I squeal the word. Suddenly, the room starts to spin. I drop into one of Josh’s office chairs and cover my face with my hands. “A gun,” I mutter. “A fucking gun.”
“Annie.” Josh’s voice is calm as he puts his hands on my shoulders. He stands behind me and squeezes gently. “We’re going to be in the lobby of a crowded, upscale hotel for a reason. They’re not going to try to open fire in a place like that. There are cameras, security.” Josh shakes his head. “To be honest, it doesn’t make any sense. It’s like they want to lure us away from something.”
Morris interrupts then. “Could be they plan an ambush. You may never make it inside the lobby. If they know what you drive, there could be people along the route lying in wait.”
Josh nods. “Yeah, or they could plan on taking us at gunpoint from the scene to a bank, to hold us for ransom. Anything is possible.”
“Ransom…” The word echoes in my ears, and I blurt out a violent laugh. “I can’t believe any of this. Who the hell is this, and what do they want?”
“Only one way to find out.” Morris paces the office, looking from me to Alice. “Bait and switch.”
Josh looks confused, but it’s Alice who asks what he means.
Morris nods at his wife. “You put on a pair of sunglasses, at a distance, you’re a dead ringer for Annie.” He chuckles and scrubs a hand through his hair. “I’m no pretty boy, and these grays won’t fool anybody who knows Arrow. But what we can do is send Alice in place of Annie. Arrow stays close to Alice to convince this fuckwad she’s Annie. Meanwhile, I’m in the shadows with eyes on my old lady.”
Alice looks at me. “It’s a good plan. Josh will be with me the entire time, and Morris will be close by. Whoever wants to get close to you might reveal themselves. By the time they realize I’m not you, Morris will have the guy on his knees.”
“If I don’t get to them first.” Josh’s arms are crossed, and his jaw is set. “If it’s Neveah, Annie, are you going to be able to call the cops on your friend?”
I look down at my phone. There’s still no response from Neveah.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I won’t hesitate.” If she is the one behind this—or if she’s involved at all, of course. I want this nightmare to end.
Josh starts rummaging through his desk drawers. “I’m going to want Annie to have eyes on Alice the entire time,” he says. “If there is someone you recognize in that lobby—anyone, I don’t care who it is—you say the word.”
I can’t believe this is happening.
Morris pulls his cell phone out of his pocket. “I’m going to make some calls. If I’m going to send my wife into the line of fire, I want more than your scrawny ass on my back.”
Josh nods, but he’s busy unlocking a drawer and pulling out equipment like we’re in some kind of spy movie. I can’t believe this is happening. A week ago, my biggest worry was that I had no idea what kind of artist I wanted to be. Now, I’m in the middle of some kind of shakedown?
I walk around Josh’s desk and grab his arm. “Josh, wait.” I shake my head, a sick feeling rising in the back of my throat. “Maybe we should go to the police. Bring them this latest note and show them the text from the burner phone. It can’t possibly be safe to do this alone.”
He turns to face me, looking flustered for just a second. Then he puts down everything he’s gathered from his desk and pulls me into his arms. “Annie,” he says. “If we go to the police, they won’t be able to mobilize any kind of presence in two hours. Not with this note. There is no demand, no threat of bodily harm. The person doing this knows what they are doing. They didn’t demand money. I’ve been chasing down bad guys for a while. There is nothing in this text or that note that would justify a police response.” He meets my eyes, and I know from the intensity there that he’s worried. Concerned. Maybe even scared. “This is on me. I’m the person you’ve entrusted to help you. And I’m going to make sure nothing happens to you or Alice or anyone else. But you’ve got to work with me, and you’ve got to trust me. Do you, Annie? Do you trust me?”
I look up at the man I didn’t know existed a week ago. Six months ago, I didn’t know Neveah. So much has changed so fast in my life. But I believe in my heart that of all the crazy shit that’s happened, the one thing I can put my faith in is Josh.
“I trust you,” I whisper. I close my eyes and squeeze him one long, last time. Then I release him and lift my chin. “Tell me the plan.”
The Royal Garden Hotel is absolutely beautiful. An upscale boutique hotel, it has a white stucco exterior with thick red Spanish tiles on the roof. It’s a small hotel with a U-shaped drive and a glistening fountain up front. Valets in matching golf shirts greet guests as they pull into the drive and park their cars, unload luggage, or offer assistance to visitors to the small tearoom that’s open to the public. Morris and I park on the street two blocks away and walk toward the valets.
I’ve changed into a dress that I bought from a discount store near the strip mall and a pair of sandals. I’ve got a large sun hat on to cover my hair which is styled in a bun underneath. The brim of the hat is wide and covers the wireless earpiece I’m using to communicate with Josh.
“We’re here,” I say. There is no clicking sound or anything. Just Josh’s gentle voice in my ear.
“Look for me. Northwest corner of the lobby, table closest to the door, babe,” he says. “Alice and I are both seated. She’s facing me, and I’m facing the exit.”
I’m wearing sunglasses and holding Morris’s arm like he’s my date. In the crook of my elbow, I’m carrying the purse with the tracking device we found. We figured if the device was not in the same place I was, whoever was keeping tabs on me might figure out this was a setup. As we walk up to the valets, I literally feel like every eye is on me. I feel exposed, even though I’m in the shadow of a hulking tattooed man whose wife is filling in for me.
It’s terrifying and strange, and I have never, ever felt this kind of danger. I immediately wish Josh would get out of this business. How many times has he done something like this? Putting himself in actual physical danger? The fact that someone in this hotel could be armed and ready to hurt me… I feel slightly dizzy with panic.
Morris turns to me and steadies me with a hand. “You’ve got this, darlin’. I’m right here.” His eyes crinkle at me when he smiles, and a little bit of my heart melts. I’ve never had friends like this. Friends who would put themselves and those they love in harm’s way. These bikers are a lot more like the guys on TV than they initially let on. Caring, sexy, fearless. I try to gather my strength as Morris leads me toward the valets.
“Afternoon,” he says politely. “We were hoping the tearoom has space for two.”
One of the valets grins and holds open the door. “Of course, sir. You can check with the hostess. The tearoom is straight through the lobby.”
We walk through the doors, and the first person I see is Tiny. He’s wearing a plain short-sleeved black shirt, and he’s never looked as big as he does in the elegant, sun-drenched lobby. I’m glad I’m wearing sunglasses so he can’t see my eyes follow him. Tiny doesn’t look up even as Morris and I pass. He’s reading a newspaper, and for a second my stomach sinks.
Who are we fooling, playing this spy game? Tiny reading a paper sticks out like a sore thumb. If anyone had been keeping an eye on the compound, they would recognize him.
“Let’s just keep walking, sweetheart.” Morris’s voice is low and calm. He claps a hand over my hand that is now digging my nails into the crook of his elbow. “You’re doing great.”
