Cyn gave a very unladylike snort. “Kid, you don't know your momma very well.” She chugged the last of her coffee, swung her long legs around and stood. “So, where can I find Jamie?"
Kelli stood up. “She's not with Jamie."
Cyn gave Kelli a hard look. “Where is she?"
The girl bit her lip, then gave Cyn a lopsided smile. “She's in L.A."
Chapter Ten
"Damn.” Cyn sat back down, shaking her head.
"Yeah, pretty weird, huh?"
"Not the word that comes to mind, no. How?"
"She's been planning it for a while. You know, getting money together and shit. She's got a fake ID that puts her over eighteen so she can get on an airplane alone. Couple of weeks she won't even need that anymore."
"Why L.A.?"
Kelly shrugged. “Why not? It's kind of like Texas, right?"
"Not really."
"Well, but, I mean it's sunny and everything, and everyone knows people are pretty laid back out there, so she figured it'd be easier to, you know, get a job, get a place."
"Did Jamie go with her?"
"Nah, they had a big fight about it. He wanted her to stay here, but Liz was totally set on getting out of Texas. I mean this is the state that gave her to Jabril in the first place, so why would she trust ‘em now?"
"Why didn't Jamie want to go with her?"
"His mom. He checks in on her once in awhile, and he's got a little sister who lives with his aunt. I think he feels responsible."
"So Liz is alone out there. Can you get in touch with her?"
"She checks this web site we use, but...” Her voice trailed off and her gaze skittered away uneasily.
"But?"
"I haven't heard from her. I mean it's only been a few days so far, but she left a message the first day and I haven't heard anything since then."
"Perfect. Good planning.” Cyn rubbed tired eyes, trying not to snap at Kelli, trying not to imagine all the things that could happen to a seventeen-year-old girl on her own in L.A. “All right, listen—” She stopped as her phone rang, then frowned at the display. It was a local number, and not one she knew. On the other hand, it definitely wasn't the vampires calling. She flipped the phone open. “Leighton."
"Ms. Leighton, Ramona Hewitt here. Can we meet?"
Cyn's eyes widened in surprise. That didn't take long. “Sure,” she said to Hewitt. “Name the time and place, preferably before dark."
Hewitt made a wordless sound of agreement. “Where are you staying?"
"Four Seasons."
"Well, well. Fine. They've got a lobby bar. You can buy a public servant a well-earned drink."
"What time?"
"Let's make it four-thirty. The sun sets early this time of year."
"I'll be there,” Cyn agreed. Hewitt hung up without saying good-bye, so Cyn snapped the phone shut and turned back to Kelli. “Where was I?"