I grab the small box in the back. It’s got my disposable phone, prepaid card, and a little bit of cash. I request a Lyft on the phone before dropping it all into my purse.
Toby meows at me.
I scoff, “I didn’t forget.” Okay, I might have forgotten. I grab a can of cat food and dump it into his dish before I give him one last pet. I wait at the front door until I see the Lyft park four houses down. I slip out the front. It’s hard to be stealthy when you have five locks on your door. When I get done with the last one, I remind myself not to run as I make my way to the car.
“How are you doing tonight?” I greet the driver.
“I’m doing, darling.” The woman turns around and gives me a funny look. I should work on my Southern accent.
I drop into the car and give her a giant smile. “Ready when you are.”
“Right.” She pulls away from the curb. It doesn't take long to get across town to Trevor’s place. He lives in a redone warehouse that’s been turned into condos. They actually look really cool. I never went inside to see them. I didn't want to give him the wrong idea. I thought my home was safer. Turns out I was wrong.
“Can you wait?” I hand her a twenty in cash.
“Yep.”
“Thanks.” I slip from the car. Someone opens the side door of the building. I grab a hold of it and hold it open.
“Thanks,” the girl says. I keep my head down and nod before going in. From the outside I could see that there were no lights on at Trevor’s place but I’m still going to check it out. I’m winded by the time I get to the top floor. I was scared the elevators would be equipped with cameras or something. If I’m going to start tracking killers, I might need to hit the gym.
I tap on his door but nothing. I knock harder before putting my ear up to it. Nothing but silence. I grab the door handle and give a silent prayer to God that it's not locked before I turn it.
“Damn.” It doesn’t budge. I’m not only going to have to hit the gym but learn to pick locks, also. There has to be a YouTube video or something that I can watch, right?
“Can I help you?”
I scream and whirl. “I wasn't doing anything.” I hold my hands up.
“He’s not home.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I told him to take his trash out before he leaves.” She goes to the door across from Trevor’s.
“Is it trash day?” I smell the air. Why is she worried about his trash?
“You’re the trash, dumbass.” She opens her door and slams it behind her.
“Well, that was rude.” I head back down the stairs and out the door. I slow my pace when I see a car roll to a stop a few blocks away. I didn't even think about being followed. Double crap. You think you’ll be good at this until you’re in it. Then you forget everything, and it all goes to shit. I’ll do better next time.
“Thanks,” I say when I get back into the waiting car. I put in another address that’s close to here. It’s the only other place I know that Trevor goes. I think he walks there most nights. “Wait again?” I give her another twenty.
“Yep.” She grabs her phone and starts playing with it. I pull my purse close as I head for the front door of the club. I snag my ID and flash it at the door to get in. The guy doesn't even look at it because his eyes are on my chest. I don’t know if I should be thankful or disgusted. I get in, so at least there's that.
The smell of beer and screech of loud music assault me. There are people everywhere. Couldn’t stir them with a stick. How am I going to find anyone here? I start with the bar, then move around the place slowly. I get knocked into more times than I can count. This was a bad idea.
“Can I ask you something?” I shout up to the man in the black shirt that says security across the chest. He looks down at me. “Can I ask you something?” I try again.
“Can’t hear you.” He points to his ear and motions me to step back with him. I follow him