Chapter 13
Belinda didn't answer. She either wasn't home or was hiding out.
A quick call to Isabella told me Belinda’s phone was at Forbidden Fruit.
Jack frowned at the news. "I've got somewhere to be."
"Don't worry,” I said with a grin. “I'll handle it."
“I’m sure you will.”
We left and made our way out to the parking lot. We hopped into the Porsche, and Jack drove to the warehouse district.
The usual band of miscreants loitered out front, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer.
"What are we doing here?" Daphne asked.
"You ever heard of Wild Fury?" JD asked.
"No. What's that?"
"It's my band. You might like it.”
"I'm intrigued. I’d love to hear."
I climbed out of the car and helped Daphne out of the back seat. "Sorry. We have an errand to run.”
I motioned for her to take a seat up front, then I hustled around and climbed behind the wheel after Jack got out of the car.
"Keep it in one piece," he said.
"I'll come back to pick you up," I replied.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
That gave me plenty of leeway.
Jack hustled across the parking lot and exchanged high-fives with the rockers. Daphne had drawn all eyes, and they were still staring at us in the Porsche, asking Jack questions.
I put the car in gear, pulled out of the parking lot, and headed up to Oyster Avenue.
"So where does Dane like to hang out?"
Daphne shrugged.
"Don't give me that. You hung out with the guy for years. You know exactly where he is. You're holding out on me.”
"I'm not holding out on you!"
"The two of you got busted for shoplifting when you were 19. You've been committing crimes with him for long enough to know a lot about the man.”
"I know he's an asshole.”
With the top down, the wind swirled, blowing her long, fiery hair. The amber sun angled toward the horizon, casting a warm glow on her flawless skin.
"I know a couple of places that Dane likes to go to unwind. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stops in and has a drink. You know, like comfort food.”
"Where?"
"Do me a favor, and I'll tell you.”
I gave her the side eye as I drove. "I've already done you a huge favor. Your ass would be sitting in a 6x8 right now if it wasn't for me. And you’re going right back there if you don't start making yourself useful."
"Honey, I can make myself plenty useful," she said in a sultry tone. “Not like you're ever going to find out.”
"My patience is running thin.”
"I'd like to see my mom. I haven't seen her in a while.
It won't take long, 15 minutes. She's in the Serenity Shores nursing home.
She's got nobody else. Nobody to come and visit her.
I just want to check on her and make sure she's okay and that they're not abusing her in that place. You know how these people are. I’ve seen those videos of elderly people getting abused, and it's just sickening.”
I gave her a look. She knew how to tug at the heartstrings. "If you're lying to me, or you try anything funny, I swear to God you're going right back."
She raised her hands innocently. "Why would I screw this deal up?"
"Because $30 million is a lot of money.”
"What good is it if I'm on the run for the rest of my life?”
She had a point. But even with our deal, there was no guarantee she wouldn't do time. It was contingent upon the capture of Dane and Brock. If that didn't happen, she was out of luck.
I found a place to park on Oyster Avenue, helped Daphne out of the car, and escorted her to Forbidden Fruit. A flash of the badge got us inside without a cover. I was no stranger to this place, for professional reasons, of course.
Steamy music pumped, and spotlights slashed the foggy air. Delightful vixens pranced around on stage, spurring lustful desires. Fueled by testosterone and whiskey, men burned through their paychecks as delicious sirens teased and titillated.
I spotted Jacko, leaning against the bar. I escorted Daphne to him.
He was a classic New York kind of guy with dark hair, dark eyes, and a slick suit. He’d escaped the madness of the Big Apple and had been down here running the strip club for years.
With a handshake and a smile, he said, "What brings you in today?" His eyes didn't stay on me long, if at all. He drank in Daphne's form. She fit in around here. "And who is this? I could turn you into a star."
Daphne smirked. "I'm already a star."
In her own way, she was.
"Already in handcuffs. I like it."
"You naughty boy!" she teased.
I cleared my throat and got his attention. "I'm looking for Belinda Baxter.”
"BB," he said, recognizing the name instantly. Jacko scanned the floor, then pointed. "She's right over there.”
BB was a gorgeous blonde with supple endowments who had enraptured a young gentleman. She slithered up and down his body, making his hormones surge.
"What kind of trouble is she in?" Jacko asked.
"As long as she's not aiding a fugitive, she's not in any trouble," I said, then showed him a picture of Brock. "Have you seen this guy around here lately?"
Jacko studied the image carefully. "No. Can't say that I have. Then again, a lot of people come through here.”
"If he comes in, you call me right away.”
Jacko gave me a mock salute. "You got it, boss. Can I get you a drink?"
Daphne replied with an emphatic “Yes!”
I said, "No."
She frowned at me. "Party pooper.”
I thanked Jacko for the information, then escorted Daphne across the club, weaving in between tables. I approached the exotic dancer and interrupted the show. My gold badge glimmered, catching rays of light.
BB's eyes rounded, and her customer looked upset at the interruption. Every second counted when she was on the clock.
"Looking for Brock," I said. "Have you seen him?”
Her eyes found Daphne. She didn't recognize her. "No. I haven't seen him. Not a phone call. Nothing. Isn't he in jail?"
"I take it you don't keep up with the news."
"Hey, buddy, do you mind?" her customer snapped, annoyed.
"She'll make up for lost time," I said to him, then looked at her. "Won't you?”
An exasperated sigh blew from her plump lips. "Don't worry, sugar. I'll take care of you."
He smiled.
I told her that Dane and Brock had escaped.
She looked a little surprised by the news. "Look, Brock and I hooked up a couple of times. That's it. It was fun, but it wasn't earth-shattering.”
"Well, he's in a bit of a pickle right now. If he turns to you for help, I would appreciate a phone call," I said, handing her a card. "If you help him out, that is a crime. You don't want to get on my bad side, do you?"
"Sugar, I got enough troubles. I don't need anymore. I'll call you if I hear from him,” she said with a nod.
I took it with a grain of salt.
I thanked Jacko for his hospitality on the way out. Daphne and I stepped out of the dim club onto the sidewalk. The sun had dipped over the horizon. The boulevard was starting to come alive. Drunk tourists wobbled up and down the sidewalk, hopping from bar to bar.
Daphne and I walked back to the Porsche.
"What do you think? Can we stop by and see my mother?”