Page 56 of Out of the Shadows

“Did you call Rick?” Rick was a sergeant in the precinct that bordered the 200, where the hotel was located.

“He can’t send anyone, they’re all out on calls, but said he’d come himself if we need him. Wait—shit, he’s coming out the side door.”

“Alone?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll have a conversation with him.”

“Margo—”

“Just stay where you are—I’ll put in my earbuds, you’ll hear everything. Back me up. I’m not as physically threatening as you.”

She stayed in her Jeep blocking Aberdeen’s truck. When he saw her he didn’t think twice. He walked over to her driver’s window and tapped.

She rolled it down a crack. “Yeah?”

“You’re blocking my truck.”

He wore sunglasses and she couldn’t see his eyes, but it was Aberdeen.

“I was looking for you,” Margo said. “You’re Jerry Aberdeen, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know you.”

“I have some questions. Do you have a few minutes?”

He was suspicious and stepped back.

“You’re not a cop.”

“No, I’m not,” she said with a light laugh. “I’m a private investigator, and your truck may have been involved in a hit-and-run on Sunday night.”

“Nope, not me,” he said with a cocky grin. “Sorry. Now move, I have places to go, people to see.”

In her earbuds, Jack said, “Let him go and we’ll follow him.”

She didn’t want to, but it was the smart move.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“Then how did you get the damage to your car?”

“Some asshole backed into me. Look, I really have to go. So move or I’m calling hotel security.”

“Sorry to bother you,” she said, then put her car in Drive and pulled away.

Jack said, “Okay, I’ll tail, you get behind me since he saw your Jeep.”

Margo did as her brother said, driving around the hotel perimeter until she was behind Jack, who was already moving in pursuit.

Jack said, “I’m putting you on a three-way with Rick.”

A few seconds later, Margo heard Rick saying, “I’ll pull him over. Do you know if he’s armed?”

“He has been in prison for assault with a deadly, so assume yes.”