At first, the dirty old man just watched her, but then he looked toward the walkway and smiled. “Okay, but make sure you turn in all the keys when you leave.” He walked over to the key rack, taking a second to locate the peg numbered 12. When he turned back around, he grinned. “Tell your boyfriend he can thank me later.”
The operative’s stomach turned, but she tried to maintain a pleasant expression as she took the key. “Yeah, I’ll let him know,” she mumbled, turning back toward the room. She hated that this was taking so long, that it was so hard to confirm. She just wanted to make SOS successful. She wanted to be the best.
The operative stopped. No. This was about more than just her. Riley needed to learn that he couldn’t dangle Megan along, and Megan needed to learn how to be a loyal friend. They couldn’t just cheat with each other. They needed to be taught a lesson.
When she got to the room, the operative leaned her ear against the door and listened. She was disappointed to hear talking and not moaning. She couldn’t complete her mission until they sealed the deal. But she could hardly break in with both suspects so alert. She chewed on the side of her lip and began to think. Then she smiled.
With purpose, the operative marched forward to the nearest fire alarm, glancing around once to make sure no one could see her. When she was certain the coast was clear, she slipped her fingers around the little white handle…and yanked it down.
Sirens filled the air, and the operative moved quickly toward her car, ready to grab her camera. Seeing Riley and Megan run out in their underwear (or less) would be all the proof she needed, especially given their location.
The operative ran across the lot, her boots crunching on the gravel. She slipped into the front seat of her car, grabbing her zoom lens and aiming it at the red door just in time.
Within seconds, the door swung open, and Riley popped his head out to look around. The operative clicked off a few pictures, stopping only when Riley opened the door the rest of the way. He was fully dressed. Behind him, Megan walked out, looking confused. And she was dressed too. As a maid (a real one).
“Shit,” the operative mumbled, lowering her camera. This was where Megan worked, not a steamy late-night rendezvous. Megan and Riley headed toward the glass window of the office, apparently intending to ask about the alarm.
That was the operative’s cue to get the hell out of there. Once again, she didn’t have proof. And now it was really starting to piss her off.
CHAPTER NINE
AS I GLANCED AROUND THE BOOKSTORE PARKING lot for Mary’s car, I pulled my pink phone from my jeans pocket, hesitating only as I remembered that Aiden didn’t own a cell. It had never really bothered me when we were dating, but then again, we’d been attached at the hip. Or lips. Whichever was closer.
I got to my car and sped away from the store, my mind twisting around the situation. Mary Rudick? What was she doing in town, and why would she come here without calling me? Something was suspicious about that. I’d need to consult the squad.
Call me ASAP!! I sent out a multiple text to Leona, Kira, and Izzie. Nearly five minutes went by without an answer. Dang it! Where were they?
I tossed my phone onto the seat, pressing a little harder on the accelerator as I climbed the hills toward my house. My insides turned with uneasiness, all stemming from my experience at the bookstore. And that was terrible. It used to be a safe place.
When I pulled into my driveway, the headlights illuminated the wood siding on my house. My parents still weren’t home. For a second, I thought about the break-in and how I’d be vulnerable alone. But then I pictured Mary Rudick and how she had bolted out of that store. What did it mean? I couldn’t waste time sitting in my car, scared. I needed to get to the bottom of this.
As soon as I got inside, I locked the door and dialed up Kira. She didn’t answer, and I remembered that she was meeting Joel for dinner. Hm. I didn’t want to involve too many Kittens. This was top-secret stuff.
I decided to try Leona, only her line went directly to voice mail. I hung up without leaving a message and began to pace my living room. Izzie’s mother told me that she was out with her “good-fornothing” boyfriend, and Aiden’s dorm voice mail was too full to take messages. I felt lost. Completely alone.
I collapsed on the couch and flipped channels, spotting an ad for a psychic hotline. “Secrets exposed.” I wondered if Madame Corrine would be able to tell me the identity of the copy-Kitten. Well, it was worth a shot. I was just about to dial her number for the free trial when my phone vibrated in my hand.
It was an unfamiliar number. “Hello?”
“Hey, Tess. It’s Joel. Sorry to call you so late. I—”
“Joel? How did you get my number?” I clicked off the TV and sank back into the sofa cushions. I was just happy to have someone to talk to.
“Oh…I, um, I got it from Kira’s phone earlier.”
I furrowed my brow. “You’re not still with her?”
“No.” He exhaled. “She said she was tired and that she’d grabbed something to eat with Leona earlier.”
“Rude,” I said, before I caught myself. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“No worries,” Joel said, his voice quiet. “You’re right.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Actually, Tessa. I was wondering if you were up for giving advice? You have…a unique outlook on life.” He chuckled and I wasn’t sure if he was complimenting me but decided he was too nice for veiled insults.
“Thanks, it’s sweet of you to say.” I sat up, my bare feet pressing against the floor. “But is everything all right?”
Joel let out a sad laugh. “I don’t think so,” he said.
My lips pouted. He sounded so melancholy. “Hey,” I said. “My parents are late getting home, and I haven’t had anything to eat. If you want to come by, I can order a pizza or something. I have a coupon.” Truth was, right about now, I could use a friend too.
“That sounds perfect,” he said, sounding relieved. “And thrifty! See you soon.”
After the pepperoni (his half) and pineapple (my half) pizza arrived, Joel and I ate at the coffee table while watching some super-lame documentary on the solar system. It was sort of funny, considering the earlier mix-up about outer space he and Kira had had. But when I pointed it out, he didn’t seem to get the humor.
“Ugh,” I said, sinking to the floor and leaning my back against the couch. “I’m so full.”