Chapter 43
“Son of a bitch!” Paige grumbled when she accessed the hiding spot for the data drive.
I deflated with an exhale. “You hid it in a fake rock!?”
She had placed the fake rock in the shrubs that bordered the parking lot at the Coral Cottage. The synthetic rock with a hidden chamber, typically used for hiding spare keys, was empty.
“I didn’t want to keep it on me or in the room,” she said, distraught. Her face tightened. “Somebody must have seen me.” Rage boiled as a potential suspect flashed in her brain. “That bastard!”
“Who?”
“Silas.”
“Who’s Silas?”
“Don’t ask.”
I gave her a look that demanded an explanation.
After a frustrated, soul-draining exhale, she said, “Former colleague.”
“Ex-boyfriend?”
“Mistake.”
I glanced around and spotted a hotel security camera aimed at the lot.
Jack and Paige followed me to the hotel lobby. I flashed my badge at the counter and told the clerk I needed access to the footage.
A look of worry wrinkled her face. "Has there been another break-in?"
"No. I just need to identify a suspect."
She breathed a little easier. "We had a rash of smash-and-grabs recently. I tell people not to leave their purses or valuables on the seat, but people forget. They get sidetracked. They think it's only going to be for a minute, but sometimes that's all it takes."
She invited me to step around the counter, and I joined her at her desk.
With a few taps of the keys, she pulled up the security feeds.
There were several cameras around the property, and we zoomed in on the parking lot.
Jack and Paige hovered nearby, watching the footage.
The clerk didn't have to scroll back too far.
Paige pointed to the screen. "That's him!”
We watched the suspect pick up the fake rock, take the data drive from the compartment, then toss the rock aside.
I asked the clerk to export the clip and send it to my phone.
She did.
I took a screenshot of the man's face, then sent it to Isabella for more information. [I need to find this guy. His name is Silas.]
I thanked the clerk, and we stepped out of the office.
Paige dialed her former colleague’s number and put the call on speakerphone, so we all could hear.
"Well, look who it is?" Silas said when he answered. "To what do I owe the pleasure?”
"Cut the shit!" Paige snarled.
"Oooh, someone's feisty.”
That only enraged her further. The muscles in her jaw flexed, and the veins in her forehead throbbed. Her cheeks reddened. "I'm only feisty because you stole something of mine."
"I didn't steal anything.”
"Bullshit. I’ve got security footage that says otherwise.”
"I just happened to find something under a rock in a public place. You should pick your hiding spots with more caution."
"I want it back.”
"I'll be happy to give it back, provided you can come up with my fee.”
"Silas!" she said in a calm, but threatening voice.
"I don't make the rules.”
"Tonya's life is at stake! I need that drive. It's the only way I can get her back.”
"I'm sorry to hear that. I always liked Tonya, but I've already offered the drive to a prospective buyer.”
Paige clenched her teeth. "Who are you selling it to?”
"That's none of your business. I can tell you, however, the fee is quite large. Once I have a deal, I never go back on my word. But… if you were to make me a sizable offer that I couldn't refuse, I might consider it.”
"What are we talking?”
Silas threw out a number. A ridiculous number. “Plus other things.”
"Go fuck yourself."
"I guess Tonya is going to die. So sad," Silas said, devoid of emotion.
"Silas, I swear to God, when I find you…"
He laughed. "What are you going to do?”
Paige growled with frustration.
"I enjoyed the chat," Silas said. "It's been nice catching up."
He ended the call.
"Silas!"
"He sounds like a real nice guy," Jack said. "You’ve got great taste in men."
She sneered at him.
Speaking of great taste… My phone buzzed with a call from Catalina. I stared at the screen for a moment before answering the call. "Hey," I said, trying to sound neutral.
"I've been thinking about you.”
"I’ve been thinking about you, too,” I said, a hint of my suspicion slipping through.
"Good things, I hope.”
"You wouldn't happen to know Dr. Latham, would you?"