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“He’s Mexican. He’s probably hiding in Mexico.”

“Why would you think that?”

Why would I think? Was he serious? Because he’s a Mexican drug lord.“I know he has family there. He mentioned hisabuelato me before.”

“Yes, he has family in Mexico. But there’s no evidence he crossed the border. Without you, there is no case.”

“Without me? I’m here. Without Lonzo there is no case.” I corrected them.

“So you’re not worried he’s coming after you?”

“Ah, no, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m reasonably worried, but I don’t think he’s going to find me. I live with my boyfriend. My name isn’t on his property. I don’t think he will find me in the vast sea of millions of Chicagoans. I pay for almost everything in cash like you guys told me to.”

“We’re happy to hear that you are taking every precaution. But you have to understand whom we’re dealing with. Alonzo Lopez is very dangerous.” Crowley warned.

“I know he is. I know that better than anyone. I’ll be extra careful.”

“So, you don’t want the protection detail.” Jamison huffed.

“No, I don’t want more people to know my whereabouts. I googled Chanel Taylor and found seven women with the name spelled exactly the way I spell it in Illinois. I didn’t show up in the search. I did like you said. I deleted all my social media accounts.” Even my LinkedIn profile.

“That was the best thing to do until he is back in custody.”

“I’m staying hidden. I really believe Lonzo left the country. It would be easier than coming after me.” I was talking too much. I wasn’t a cop, and I was trying to feed them this false narrative. Ineeded to shut the hell up before I said too much. Or worse, said something that would incriminate me and Zand.

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe he left the country. We have a warrant to trace some of his relatives’ phones and maybe he’ll try to contact one of them.”

“I hope so. I would sleep better if he was in custody.”

Jamison looked at me straight on. “Chanel, you have to be careful. Remember, there is footage of someone that looks like Alonzo passing a toll booth into this state.”

“I will. If anything suspicious happens, I will call you guys right away.”

“We’re going back to Minnesota soon. If you feel you’re in danger, call the local authorities.”

“I will.”

“Well, it’s good to see that you’re safe. We will give you an update as soon as we have more info on his whereabouts.”

“Thank you so much.” I just wanted this to be over.

“Do you have any questions for us?”

“No, I think I’m good. I’m still a little shocked that he escaped or disappeared or whatever.”

“We are going to do everything we can to find him.” Crowley ensured me.

I didn’t know what to say. “Until then, I’m going to be careful.”

“Okay, Ms. Taylor, that concludes our interview.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHANEL

As we stepped out of the police station, the chill of the night air enveloped me like a shroud. I pulled my coat tighter around myself, feeling the weight of the day’s events pressing down on me. Lonzo was dead, and I had just endured an incredibly tense interrogation with the detectives. My mind raced with questions, fears, and a desperate need to talk to Morgan. I didn’t know what I wanted to say to her, but I had to come clean about some things going on in my life.

“Zand,” I said as we climbed into his black 1967 Chevy Impala. “I need to go see Morgan. I just, I need to talk to her.”