I have to dig deeper when her hacked system gives me the boot repeatedly, but even after using two of my best programs, I still can’t find anything. She’s destroyed her entire system. The rejections make me sad and proud at the same time. I would’ve done the exact same thing if I were on the verge of getting caught. Covering her tracks now doesn’t keep them from using the information they had that warranted her door getting kicked in.
My fingers tap on the top of my desk as my computer continues to find information that I need. Waiting is the most frustrating part, but it’s always been a part of the deal. Now that Whitney may be in danger, the wait may literally kill me.
Chapter 20
Whitney
The cabbie isn’t impressed with the angry snarling cat in my backpack. I can tell from the look of disgust on his face each time Simon makes his presence known, but at least he doesn’t kick me out of his car. I tip him what I can before climbing out, but truthfully, I never have much cash on me. Most of my purchases are made online or through apps, and as easy as it makes it for people to track someone, it’s how the world goes these days. Cash on delivery is a thing of the past, not that I have much experience with it.
The airport seemed like a good idea, and the hustle and bustle of travelers swarming all around me does help calm my fears, but I’m only here because this is what is expected of me, and airport security systems are harder to crack than most. I make a transaction at the ATM, pulling out my predetermined six-hundred-dollar max and cursing online money-saving gurus for talking me into it. It won’t get me far, but my plans to leave St. Louis without a paper trail won’t happen tonight.
After calming Simon in the bathroom, I make my way to the ticket counter, using my credit card to purchase a one-way ticket to New York.
Then without hesitation, I walk right out of the airport and slide into the back of a waiting cab.
After a very difficult conversation with a cab driver that didn’t understand English very well, I find myself dropped off in front of a motel that is fit for a damn horror movie. If Jones doesn’t show up to murder me, I’m certain some creepy dude with an obsession over his mother and decades of childhood trauma will.
The nice lady at the counter who hands over the room key with a nice smile after I paid cash for the night doesn’t settle my nerves at all. From the sparkle in her eyes, I have no doubt she’s going to pocket the cash and not log the room as occupied.
The room is surprisingly clean, but the soft scent of Pine Sol floating in the air does nothing to loosen the tension in my shoulders. I know looks can be deceiving, and even though my life is on the line, I’d rather not die with a positive STD test. Refusing to take a shower, I even draw my hands back before touching the towels hanging from the bar in the bathroom, opting instead to use an old t-shirt I packed to move the clunky chair from in front of the window to block the door. I’m stuck in this room even if someone breaks in to hurt me, so my proactiveness doesn’t help much. I’ll hear the scrape of the feet if someone tries to muscle their way in, and as I sit on the bed with regret, I’m left wondering if hearing them coming is worse than a surprise attack.
I look at the watch on my wrist, a cheap digital thing I thankfully remembered before leaving my apartment.
“Seven and a half hours,” I tell Simon who isn’t as concerned about germs and is resting peacefully on the chair in front of the door. He calmed down almost immediately after I pulled him out of the backpack.
My Apple watch was dropped in the stairwell, and I also left behind my computer and laptop. Other than the transactions at the airport, I’m pretty certain I’ve left no other traces, and those crumbs were purposeful. Hopefully by the time Jones discovers that I wasn’t actually on the flight manifest to New York, I’ll have cash in hand and I’ll be in the wind.
I itch to call Sarah, but Jones knew what I discovered within minutes of finding it. I have no doubt he was the one coming off the elevator just as I made my escape. The sheer closeness of the timing makes tingles wash over my skin. Rubbing at my arms, I grow even more frightened for my friend. If Jones was able to track my keystrokes, then he knows all about Wren and Sarah. I can only pray that he’s more focused on finding me than wasting energy on going after those two.
Jesus. Have I compromised everything?
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, making my nose sting in the process as I think about everything I have to give up. My best friend. The man who just tonight told me he wants thoughts of happiness, marriage, and a future in my head. Both of them gone. I’d never compromise their safety, and I’m a fool for thinking I could have a normal life. So much for going straight with my computer work. I should’ve stuck with graphic design like my parents think I do. The money wasn’t great, and it was beyond difficult working with people who had no clue what they wanted and were quick to let you know the vision you drew up from their descriptions didn’t match what they needed, but it was honest work.
I thought what I was doing for Stephen Jones
