Page 65 of Durango

“I’ll have some food delivered. Hopefully, Trip finds information soon. Then we’ll figure out what to do next.”

“Thank you,” Willow says.

“What is a Trip?” Samantha asks.

“Not what, who,” I say. I explain who he is to us.

“Sounds like a great guy to have in your corner,” Samantha says as she grabs her computer from the table. “Well, since it looks like I’ll likely be fired, I think I’m going to look for new jobs. In the other room.” She turns and walks toward the bedrooms.

“Fired? Did she not get time off approved to help you?” he asks.

“No, it’s a long story involving an asshole at her job.”

Durango yawns.

“Jetlag?” I ask.

He nods. “That and I didn’t get much sleep the last couple of days. Hey, why don’t we just relax and watch movies today?”

“Sounds good to me. Do you have to go to work?”

“Nope, I’ve been instructed to rest today.”

I’m thankful she agreed to the movie plan because I fell asleep during the first movie and didn’t wake up until lunch. That’s when I realized I never had any food delivered, as I promised.

I stand and stretch. “I’m going to run to the deli down the street and grab us something to eat.”

“Oh, that sounds good.”

“Do you mind asking your friend what she wants for lunch?”

Willow jumps up. “Sure,” she says as she’s halfway down the hall.

By the time I have my shoes on, she returns. “She asked for a club sandwich.”

That’s easy, that’s what I order. “And you?”

“I’ll have the same.”

I grin. “Easy order. I’ll be right back.”

I head out, locking the door behind me. I scan the area but don’t see anything out of the ordinary.

The walk is pleasant because the sun is out and it’s a warm summer day. But my mind is racing with everything I learned this morning.

Whatever she’s doing with therapy seems to be working because the Willow I used to know is coming through. But I’m concerned about it, too, because, in the past, she was never reckless. Breaking into her ex’s house and stealing those videos seems pretty damned reckless. I want to protect her, but I worry she’ll do something else that will put her in even more danger. But maybe Samantha was the real instigator here. I haven’t had enough of a chance to get to know her.

A lot can happen in ten years, and clearly, Willow has been through a lot. Maybe she’s changed more than I realized. I’m thankful she opened up to me before I left on my last assignment. I hate this Tyler for what he put her through. And I want nothing more than to share his video with the police once I know who I’m dealing with.

The deli is busy, but the wait isn’t too long. On the walk back to my house, Trip calls.

“Hey, what’s up?” I answer.

“Ran a report on the guy you asked about. His record is clean. He’s involved in his family business and has great credit.” It’s odd he’d call when nothing came up. “But his family, on the other hand, that’s another story.”

I stop walking since I’m only a block away from the house. “What do you mean?”

“Well, the family business is more of an enterprise with multiple companies comprising it. The only illegal activity I found involves his uncle. He’s doing time for securities fraud, among many other charges.”

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