Page 31 of Edge of Ruin (The Edge Trilogy #3)

Chapter Nineteen

Jack

I drove by the highway interchange for the third time, scoping out the parking lots of the budget hotels clustered there, scanning for Vivi’s van. Her shop was locked up, at four p.m. Usually, she stayed there working until dark or later.

I could hardly breathe, I was so shit-scared. And furious at myself, too. I’d gotten so wound up in my own self-pitying bullshit, I’d lost sight of the danger that stalked her.

I should have known that a guy like Rafael would spew Vivi’s location to the four winds. I should have said something to the guy, taken steps, been thinking clearly.

About her. Not myself. Dick-brained asshole.

I pointed my truck back up the hill to Pebble River Heights, where the commercial district and Vivi’s shop were located.

It was still possible that this was just a paranoid freak-out.

But the image of Wilder spitted like a hot dog on a stick jangled my nerves.

Could be the fuckhead had other enemies, of course.

But an enemy like that was rare and special. And felt familiar.

I jerked the truck to a stop in front of Vivi’s store, deciding to make the rounds of all the shops. I got lucky on my eighth stop, at the Bakitchen lunch counter. Myra, the proprietor, gave me a smile.

“Hi, Jack. Coffee?”

“Not now. Quick question, Myra. Do you know where Vivi D’Onofrio is staying?”

“Thought she was staying with you, honey. Had a fight?”

I clenched my jaw. The older woman crossed her arms over her chest.

“Well, she was in here yesterday morning,” Myra conceded, after an uncomfortable moment.

“Asking about an inexpensive place that would let her keep her dog. The only thing I could think of off the top of my head was Evergreen Acres, but it’s such a dive, it should be condemned. I hope she didn’t go there.”

I tensed up, horrified. Evergreen Acres?

I hadn’t even checked that place, it was so unthinkable to me that Vivi could have landed there.

The Acres was an end-of-the-line dump, frequented by bums, drunks, addicts, down-and-outs, prostitutes and their clients.

It was visited often by police cars in the middle of the night. Jesus. Of all places to go.

“Love problems. Well. That would explain why she looked like she was coming down with the flu,” Myra said knowingly. “Come to think of it, you don’t look so hot yourself, honey. Hope you guys work it out.”

I barely heard her words. “Later, Myra,” I said, turning for the door.

“Nice girl, that Vivi. Sweet little shop she’s got. Makes friends fast, too. She sure is popular today. You’re the second one come in asking for her in the last two hours.”

I spun on his heels. “Who? Who was looking for her?”

Myra smiled, archly. “A man. Which is not surprising. She’s a dish. If you’re not careful, some other guy’s going to snatch her right up and?—”

“What guy?” I bellowed. “What does he look like?”

Myra looked affronted. “Do not yell at me, Jack Kendrick!”

My teeth ground. “Sorry, Myra. Please. It’s important.”

Myra grunted. “Well, he was no looker, I’ll tell you that much,” she said, mollified. “Big, heavy guy with squinchy little eyes. He said he’d heard she was opening a shop, and would I tell him where it was.”

“And did you?”

“Of course I told him! She can’t afford to lose any business! She’s just starting out.”

Panic swept up, threatening to engulf me. “Myra, do something for me.” I couldn’t control the shake in my voice. “Call the cops. Send them down to Evergreen Acres.”

“But why?” Myra shouted after me as I ran back to my truck. “What do I tell them?”

I leaped in, started the engine. “Whatever the fuck you want! Just tell them quick!”

The truck surged forward with a roar. The urgency inside me was building so fast, I felt like my chest was going to explode.