Page 63 of Edge of Desperation

Dows is a recluse and, according to Aurora’s research, doesn’t leave home very often. Briggs’ was his best friend his whole life, and when Dows caught a rape charge a few years ago, his career as a cop disintegrated. Briggs stepped in, and charges were dropped, but Dows’ reputation was ruined. He was let go by the force, and from what Thomas was able to find, he was being bankrolled by Briggs.

Thomas and Bennett are in a van in the alley, waiting to grab Dows once Aurora leads him out there. Using her as bait is the part of the plan none of us are on board with. Aurora is going to get close enough to Dows for him to realize it's her. Then, hopefully, he’ll follow her outside where the guys can get him.

The band announces their break, and the dance floor clears. Aurora starts to slide out of the booth, but Hudson grabs her wrist.

“Stop,” Hudson says as he casually points across the club. “Dows slipped something into that woman’s drink at the bar.”

“Which one?” Carver cranes his neck to see.

Hudson jerks his chin. “Red top, black jeans.”

“We need to abort,” I tell them. “Hudson, move in and wait for the opportunity to protect the girl from the scumbag.”

“We’re not leaving,” Aurora snaps. “If Hudson can keep her focus on him, he’ll keep her safe. After we get Dows outta here, alert the bartender that you saw someone put something in her drink.”

Hudson takes off like a jet toward the woman and Dows, leaving me to argue with Aurora while Carver's head bounces back and forth between us, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

“Dows won’t be paying attention to who’s walking around now,” I point out. “His focus will be on the woman he drugged.”

“Then I’ll improvise,” she sasses.

I don’t have a chance to ask her what she means by that when my phone vibrates.

Bennett: We’re getting bored

Me: Ran into an issue

Bennett: Need us?

Me: No, Hudson’s dealing with it. Might have to abort

Bennett: What the fuck is going on in there

I look up from my cell to ask Carver his thoughts on how we should proceed, and see Aurora’s gone.

“Where’d she go?”

Carver points out to the floor, and I twist my neck toward the bar, searching for Aurora. My heart stops beating when I see her stroll closer to Dows.

“Aurora!” I bellow across the room. As soon as I say it, I realize my mistake. I did exactly what she wanted. I duck back into the booth, hoping I’m not seen when heads start to turn in an effort to find the source of the commotion.

That little minx.

Luckily, Carver can keep his eyes on her from his position on the other side of the table. He pulls out his phone and calls Bennett. “Dawn is coming early, but night is following closely,” he says and disconnects.

“We go out the front,” I say.

He slides his cell into his pocket. “Roger that. Here comes Hudson.” Carver jabs his thumb over his shoulder.

Hudson jogs up next to us as we exit the bar. “She never drank it.”

“What?” I ask, rounding the corner of the building.

“The woman,” Hudson explains. “She never took a sip. Dows gave her the creeps, so by the time I got to the bar, shespilledit.”

Carver laughs. “She has good intuition.”

“Yep,” Hudson agrees. “Didn’t have to say a damn word. Turned around and followed you two sorry asses. By the way, what was Aurora thinking?”

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