he said to no one in particular. "He probably already had his bags packed."
"That suggests a lot of things," I said. "Like he didn't even try to pretend it wasn't him in Sophie's room, and he's content to pursue a life on the run."
"You think anything different?"
"I think he screwed up and panicked. He knows he was seen fleeing her room. Now it's a case of how fast he can get away with enough dough to support a life on the run." I thought about it for a moment. "He either passed the coin on to whomever hired him and got paid, or he still has it with him and possibly plans to double-cross them."
"Whoever hired him won’t take that well," said Delgado. "He runs, he puts a price on his head."
"So he runs faster," said Solomon. The light changed and Solomon sailed through the intersection.
My phone rang and I answered it, hopeful of good news. "He wasn't in the truck," said Garrett.
"Are you sure?" I asked, even though I knew he was.
"Positive. The truck came off the road and landed in a ditch. When Highway Patrol pulled the driver out, they found a scrawny kid. He claimed some dude tossed him the keys about three blocks from the hospital and told him to enjoy it."
"Let me guess. The dude looked just like Zach."
"Yep. He knew we were onto him so he sent us on a wild goose chase."
"Austen says Sophie has a car she keeps in the garage," I told him. "Perhaps he took that."
"I'll look into it. To get from the hospital to their house takes time, which means he's most likely still in the area. Where are you?"
"We're going to Sky Outdoors. Zach might have headed there. Even if he didn't, I think one of the women there knows something, as long as we can reach her in time."
"Huh," said Garrett. "We're turning back. We'll meet you there."
We pulled into the outdoor center parking lot only minutes after Maddox and found him waiting with Farid. "This is nice," I said, punching the agent on the arm.
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," said Farid. "Maddox called me and said to meet you all here. It seems we're taking down a master criminal who's been on the run for years."
"If we can find him," I pointed out.
"I don't see any sign of a Mercedes," said Maddox, "nor the truck."
"You won't. The truck was found along the highway with some kid driving it," said Solomon. "Zach gave him the keys."
"Smart of Zach. Send everyone one way and go the opposite direction."
"I don't see a car that looks like Sophie's either," I said, looking around the lot. A sporty car like hers would have stood out amongst the trucks, compacts, and two large minivans.
"What's the layout of this place?" asked Solomon.
"There's a chalet over there that serves as the reception and meeting area," I said, pointing to the path I took before, "and then a bunch of paths and clearings with various obstacles and platforms for climbing and rappelling."
"We should go to the chalet first," said Maddox. "I don't want to walk miles into the woods; plus, it's too easy for Zach to hide amongst the trees."
"This way," I said, taking off, the men following me.
"You've met the woman with the tattoo before?" asked Solomon.
"A couple of times."
"We shouldn't all go in at once in case we spook her. You go in first and speak to her. Find out if she’s seen Zach or has plans to meet with him."
"Where will you be?"
"Outside. I'll see if there's an employee area and check it out."
"I'll come in with you," said Maddox.
"Me too," said Farid.
"And you?" I asked Delgado.
"I'll take a look around," said Delgado. "No point in us all going in. She might relate better to you as a woman."
"And to us as law enforcement," said Maddox.
"Let me talk to her before you flash your badges," I said as we reached the doors. We stepped back when a small crowd of teenagers bustled out, their helmets and climbing gear on. One of the girls loudly complained about her nails and an adult chastised her while holding the door for us. The group sulked away, quickly lost behind a thicket.
Nobody manned the desk so I walked over and rapped my knuckles on it as Maddox and Farid fanned out to the sides. They waited where they couldn't be seen at the side of the storeroom.
Vanessa emerged from the storeroom. "The last group just