Chapter 49
She peeled off the shirt, confirming my suspicions before she slipped under the covers with me. “I thought you might want me close by during the night. Wouldn’t want me to escape, would you?”
“This is a bad idea.”
“I promise I’ll behave.”
Daphne didn’t know the meaning of the word.
She snuggled close and was hard to resist. But the consummate professional that I am, ahem, I managed to exercise willpower. I’m not quite sure how.
I woke up bright and early the next morning, went through my routine, and grilled up breakfast in the galley. The three of us chowed down on the sky deck, crunching on bacon, hashbrowns, and ham and cheese omelettes.
Afterward, I called the administration office and got Lauren’s class schedule for the day. It's amazing the information people will give out over the phone when they think they’re talking to a cop.
After last night, I wasn't sure we'd find Lauren in class, but a quick call to Isabella told me her cell phone was at Abernathy Hall.
"I pulled cellular history for Rachel and several girls that she communicated with frequently at the time,” Isabella said.
“The night before Cheyenne washed ashore last year, Rachel was on the water with Lauren Whittaker and Kendall McGrath.
I don't know about you, but I find it a little odd that Cheyenne washed ashore the next morning, don't you? "
"I would agree.”
“That, in and of itself, doesn't prove anything, but where there's smoke…"
I thanked her for the information and told her I’d be in touch.
We pulled ourselves together, then headed across the island to campus. College students scurried about as we hustled to Abernathy Hall. We strolled the majestic hallways, then hovered outside the door to Lauren’s class.
Daphne’s burner phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. I handed the device to her. “Answer it.”
She swiped the screen and said in a tentative voice, “Hello?”
“Your picture is all over the news,” Dane said.
Daphne put it on speaker. “What can I say? I’m Internet famous now.”
“Where are you?”
“None of your business.”
“What’s this about a split?”
“I just want to be square with everyone and not have to look over my shoulder.”
“You’re a fugitive on the run. You will always look over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”
“No thanks to you. Dick! I can’t believe you did that to me.”
“What do you want me to say? Sorry? Okay, I’m sorry.”
“You’re a sociopathic loser.”
I glared at Daphne to tone it down. We didn’t want to run him off.
“I appreciate the compliment,” Dane said. “Now, how do I get my money?”
“I’ve already sold the merchandise. I’m willing to give you and Brock your share. Then we walk away even. You can go about your life, and I’ll go about mine.”
“That’s mighty generous of you. I still don’t see why you’d do something like that, considering the way you feel about me.”
“Like I said, I don’t want a beef with anybody. I plan on enjoying the rest of my life without a care in the world in a country without an extradition treaty. Now, I’m happy to take all of it, if that’s what you prefer.”
“We want our share.”
“I’ll text you with a location and a time.”
“Bullshit. I pick the time and the place.”
“You don’t pick anything. I could hop on a plane right now and be gone. This is only happening because of my generosity.”
Dane scoffed. “You’re not gonna text me at this number ‘cause I’m dumping this phone after we end the call. I’m not fucking stupid.”
“That’s debatable.”
“You need to shut your dumb fucking mouth.”
“You know what. I changed my mind. Fuck you.” She hung up the phone. A slight smirk tugged her plump lips.
“You know we’re trying to get them to show up, right?”
“Trust me. I know what I’m doing. If it’s too easy, he’ll get suspicious.”
There was no doubt in my mind that Daphne knew how to manipulate Dane.
He called back a few seconds later.
Daphne answered, “Are you ready to handle this like reasonable adults?”
“I’m going to send you a wallet address. Just send the crypto. We never have to meet or see each other again,” Dane said.
“No crypto. Cash.”
“You got paid $30 million in cash?”
“No, I got paid $15 million in cash because the dagger is stolen.”
“That’s fucking bullshit.”
“That’s the reality of the current marketplace. Split three ways is $5 mil a piece. Take it or leave it.”
After a long beat, Dane sighed. “Where’s the drop?”
“I’ll call you at midnight and give you a location.”
“No. Call Rick. I’m trashing this phone.”
“Done.” Daphne ended the call and smiled. “What do you think? I made him jump through hoops. Gave him a dose of disappointment. He’s too pissed off to think this is a trap.”
I had to give credit where credit was due. “You might be good at this kind of thing.”
With a cocky grin and a proud posture, she said, “I’m not good at this. I’m great at this.”
She gave me back the phone, and I slipped it into my pocket.
We stepped inside the auditorium and stood in the back while the professor gave a lecture from the podium. It was a relatively small class—30 or 40 people tops. Attendance at this time of the morning was scarce.
I spotted Lauren and made my way down the steps to her aisle. I tried not to make too much ruckus as I moved down the row and took a seat next to her.
Lauren looked wrecked, with her hand propping up her head, barely able to keep her eyes open. In her current state, there was really no point in coming to class. I don't think she processed anything the professor said.
She was a good-looking woman, but the bags under her eyes, the puffy circles, and the redness weren’t doing her any favors. She had wavy platinum-blonde hair, wholesome features, and full lips.
"How are you feeling this morning?"
She gave me a dirty look. "Who the fuck are you?"
I lifted my brow with surprise. "You don't remember me from the Kappa party last night?"
Her eyes narrowed, trying to recall the memory. "We didn't, like, hook up or anything, did we? I mean, you're cute and all, but I have a boyfriend.”
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Her face wrinkled. "Who are you?”
I displayed my badge, and her eyes rounded. "Shit. Am I in trouble?”
I shrugged. "Depends on how you want to look at it.”
She cringed. "What did I do?”
The professor cleared his throat, glared at us, and said, "Is there something more interesting than my lecture? If there is, I'd love to hear it."
I held my badge in the air.
"Well, that does seem more interesting. Carry-on, I suppose." He went back to his lecture, but every head in the auditorium had turned and was now looking at us.
I said to Lauren. “Do you want to talk about this outside?”