Chapter 18
The handcuffs dangled from the steering wheel of the Porsche.
Daphne was long gone.
I clenched my fists and grumbled a few obscenities.
The rotor blades of Tango One thumped overhead, searching for the fugitive. A squad car pulled into the parking lot, lights flashing.
I hustled across the lot to talk to the deputies. I told them what happened and asked them to search the area after giving them a description of the scumbag.
I neglected to say anything about Daphne. I would never hear the end of it from the sheriff. I was determined to get her back before anybody knew she was gone.
That wasn’t exactly the proper protocol.
Maybe I was being a little too optimistic about getting her back.
After the officers left, I searched for Daphne’s social media profile. It's amazing how much information you can glean about a person from what they post.
Daphne hadn’t made a recent post for obvious reasons.
Prior to her arrest, there were plenty of photos of her and a friend out having drinks, wearing skimpy bikinis on the beach, enjoying the good life on a yacht.
Her friend Shelby was tagged in the photos.
Shelby was an attractive woman with raven hair that kissed her mid-back and enough curves to be dangerous.
I searched Shelby's information through the online portal and got her address. She had a prior DUI, and her occupation at the time was listed as a bartender at Turtles.
I called Isabella. "I'm in a bit of a situation."
"Now what did you do?"
I gave her the details.
"Good Lord, Tyson. Now you're searching for three fugitives?"
"You know me, I like a challenge. I need you to find out everything you can about Daphne O’Connor.” I asked her to track and monitor Shelby’s phone. “I’m pretty sure that Daphne will try to call her at some point.”
Isabella’s fingers tapped the keys. A few moments later, she said, “Shelby’s phone is at Blue Ruin right now. I’ll monitor the incoming calls and let you know if anything suspicious turns up.”
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
“You better find that girl, and pronto.”
"Trust me. I intend to." I thanked her for the information and ended the call.
I climbed into the Porsche and headed up to Oyster Avenue to find Shelby.
Jack texted along the way. [Where the hell are you?]
[There's been a bit of a situation.]
[What kind of situation. Is my car in one piece?]
[The car is fine. I need to run an errand.]
[How long is that going to take?]
[I don't know.]
[What's the issue?]
[Not in writing.]
[Can you handle this issue on your own, or do you need backup?]
[It's a little late for backup.]
[I'm going to take the guys to dinner. We'll catch a cab. Hit me back when you finish your errand.]
I found a place to park on a side street, hurried to Oyster Avenue, and weaved through the horde of drunk tourists.
Blue Ruin was a chill bar with cozy couches and dim alcoves.
Plenty of places to get lost in conversation.
There was a stage that was home to bands, cabaret acts, and the occasional comedian.
I stepped inside and made my way to the bar.
Shelby slang drinks to thirsty twenty-somethings.
I squeezed up to the counter and flashed my badge. It took a moment to get her attention. She was pretty slammed.
“What can I do for you?”
“You’re friends with Daphne, right?”
“Yeah, so?”
“You seen her recently?”
“Last I heard, she was in jail.”
“Well, she’s unsupervised at the moment.”
Shelby lifted an amused eyebrow. “She escaped?”
“She’ll try to make contact with you. When she does, you’ll call me.”
She scoffed. “She’s not going to contact me.”
“You two are best friends.”
“I’ve hung out with her a few times.”
“Lying to me is not a way to start off our friendship.”
"I’ve got customers to get back to," Shelby said.
"If you help her out, you're going to jail. She's a fugitive from the law."
The crowd of revelers grew restless, screaming for drinks.
"If I hear anything from her, I'll let you know," she said in an insincere tone.
I dug into my pocket and gave her a card.
She took it, slid it into her pocket, then went back to serving drinks.
I texted JD and told him to meet me at Blue Ruin, then found a dim corner to chill out in where I could keep an eye on the bar.
Something told me it was going to be a long night.
I explained the predicament to JD when he arrived about 20 minutes later.
He groaned and shook his head. “Daniels is going to have your ass. You really screwed the pooch on this one.”
“We’ll find her,” I assured, staying optimistic.
“You better hope so. Anyone else she might turn to?”
I shrugged. “Who knows? Seems like Shelby’s the most likely.”
We hung out in the bar, keeping tabs on the bartender. I kept my head on a swivel, looking for Daphne. I wouldn’t be surprised if she came to the bar, but it was risky.
Apparently, Daphne was willing to take the risk.
Isabella texted me close to midnight. [Shelby got a call from a pay phone in Blue Ruin. It went to voicemail. I’ll send you a recording of the message.]
I told JD to keep an eye on Shelby and sprang from my seat. I weaved through the crowd toward the restrooms. A lone payphone mounted to the wall had seen better days. Remnants of a bygone era. There were a few left in town.
Daphne was nowhere to be found.
I hustled to the back exit and pushed open the door. I scanned the parking lot, looking for the vixen, but she was a ghost.
I stepped back inside.
A guy near the payphone had a girl against the wall, making out.
I interrupted. “Hey, you see a redhead make a call from this phone?”
With an annoyed look, he said, “I’ve been a little preoccupied.”
He went back to the girl’s lips. I didn’t blame him. She was cute.
Another text came through from Isabella with an MP3 file.
It was loud in the club. I made my way back to JD, and we walked outside to listen to the message on the sidewalk.
Drunk revelers listed up and down the boulevard. Colorful lights from signage glowed.
Jack huddled around while I pressed play.
“Hey, it’s me,” Daphne said. “I’m in trouble. I need a care package. The usual spot. I will make it up to you. Hurry.”
That was the end of the call.
“Where’s the usual spot?” JD asked.
“We need to sit on Shelby until she makes the drop. She’ll lead us right to Daphne. Right now, that girl needs cash, a place to stay, and a change of clothes.” I thought for a moment. “This could be to our advantage.”
“Keep dreaming.”
“No. I’ve got a plan.”