Page 34 of Every Which Way

“Let’s go.” Kenna got out. “Bring your cash, Ramon.”

He spoke over the roof of the car, closing the door. “Pretty sure it’s your cash.”

Maizie got out, grinning like she just got everything she wanted. Kenna let go of a long sigh. “You know, things don’t always go smoothly or simply. It can turn out one of a hundred different ways. We might succeed, and we might fail. You have to prepare yourself.”

Maizie glanced over as they crossed the parking lot. “I know you’ve found victims who didn’t survive.”

“Sometimes, I’m too late, and sometimes, there was nothing I could’ve done.”

“What about people you’ve never found?” She seemed nervous now.

“It’s part of the job. You don’t win every time.”

Ramon turned back at the entrance. “I want copies of those case files. The ones you couldn’t solve. I wanna take a look.” He hauled the door open and went inside. “What’s up, my man?” Ramon sauntered up to the front desk.

“Good morning.” The guy had a middle eastern accent. His hair was cut short, and his dark beard was thick but threaded with silver. “How can I help you?”

“Gotta room for me?” Ramon bellied up to the counter. “Need somewhere to stay a coupla days.”

Kenna and Maizie hung back by the door. The office had a counter with a window that slid back, separating him from the lobby, that was big enough it might hold eight people max. Through an open doorway on the side, she could see a hallway with a couple of side rooms and an exit door at the end with a window in the middle, letting light in through the opaque glass. A woman came out of one room, wearing a long black dress draping from her shoulders and a black hijab that covered her hair but left her entire face visible. She had applied her makeup with precision, noticeable but simple.

Kenna crossed to the end of the hall. “Hi.”

The woman shot her a guarded look.

Kenna indicated Maizie. “Is it okay if she uses your restroom back here? We’ve been driving for a few hours, and she needs to…freshen up. If you know what I mean.”

“Oh. Of course.” She waved at the first door on Kenna’s right. “It’s in there.”

“Thank you.”

The woman nodded. “You are welcome.”

Maizie slipped past Kenna into the hall, and Kenna turned to lean against the frame, blocking the view back here. From this angle, it didn’t seem like the guy could see behind her. Maizie would have a chance to look around a little, and if Ramon distracted the guy long enough, she might be able to get into the computer.

Hopefully, she could remotely access it from the bathroom, though.

Kenna’s phone buzzed with a text from Maizie.

Get me the Wi-Fi password.

Kenna smiled because it was such a thoroughly teenage thing to say. She found the guest Wi-Fi displayed on a sign on the far side of the room and sent it to Maizie. Adrielle had messaged her about going shopping today, which meant they had changed their flights, and now she wasn’t sure when they would leave.

The last thing Kenna wanted was for either of them to get caught up in this. She’d rather they were on their way back to California right now but wasn’t going to order them. Maybe Jax could convince them.

“Thanks, my man.” Ramon stepped back and glanced at her. “Your turn, ma’am.” As if they hadn’t come in together at the same time. “I’ve gotta use the restroom.”

“It’s occupied.”

“Well, I’ve got togo.”

“Go in the room you just booked.”

“It’s on the second floor.”

The desk employee stepped out from behind his counter, into the lobby. “Everyone, be peaceful. This is not a place to argue.”

Kenna heard the door behind her and turned to see Maizie step out. The teen swung her backpack on her shoulders, and her expression shifted to something Kenna had never seen before—a look of teenage disgust that nearly caught her by surprise.

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