7:00 p.m.

Half the day I spent convincing security that Dexter was a key eyewitness in a serial murder investigation. Granted, not the finest moment of my career, but with Levaughn backing my story, they bought it. How, I had no idea. All right, there might’ve been some good ol’ fashion begging on my part, heartfelt wailing from Nadine, and sexual innuendos from Lolli. In the end, we all deserved Academy awards for our performances. They banished us to the top floor with empty rooms on either side. And, lucky me, security insisted the four of us stayed in the same suite.

I could almost hear my sex life withering away. The only plus was, at least now we had separate bedrooms. Still. Did I really want to ride Levaughn like a horse in last place with Nadine and Lolli on the other side of the wall?

To make matters worse, while detained in the security office my cell phone alerted. The hacker had connected to the same cell tower, and there was no way for me to triangulate the signal. Hence, why my day hadn’t improved by the time evening rolled around.

Once we settled into our new luxury suite I gestured for Lolli, and by extension Mr. Chatterbox, to join me in the other room for a private chat. Had to admit, now that Dexter couldn’t get my ass thrown in the street with fines up the yin-yang, his vocalizations cracked me up. Never in my life had I seen a cat with so much personality. Apart from my own of course.

“Gimme one sec, Lolli.” I darted to the archway, separating the office from the living room, and jabbed my chin at Levaughn. “Hey, who’s takin’ care of Berkley and Katie McGuire?”

“Christopher.”

“Seriously? Let’s hope he doesn’t find them attractive.”

“Hey,” Nadine admonished. “That’s my fiancé you’re talkin’ about.”

“After all he’s done you’re still gonna marry him?”

“There’s two sides to every story. I should hear him out is all I’m sayin’.”

“So, beatin’ the shit outta him is off the table, then?”

“For now.” She winked. “But that could change.”

“Atta girl.” I stuck out my fist for her to bump it, and…she missed. Why do I even try to up her cool factor?

Back with Lolli, I wasn’t sure how to go about getting her to agree to the plan. “First, how ya doin’? You feelin’ safer now?”

“Yes. Thanks a bunch. All of you have been so nice, especially after the incident with Dexter. I probably should have warned you that he’s a bit talkative.”

A bit? I let it go. “So, I came up with a way to give you back your life.”

“Really? That’s amazing. How?”

“Here’s the thing. I need you to drive your car.”

As if struck by a live electrical wire, her whole body stiffened. “You want to use me as bait?”

“Bait is such an ugly word. What I’m proposing is different. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

“With me meaning, in the vehicle?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then how?”

“What I mean is, I’ll have complete control of your cellular network. I promise he won’t be able to hack his way in. Worse case, Levaughn flips on the cell jammer and blocks access, but before he does, I need to triangulate the signal. The only reason I mention this is because you might need to keep driving while I do it.”

“Let me see if I’ve got this straight. You want me to let a psychopath…excuse me, invite this psychopath back into my life in the off chance he’s stupid enough to let you triangulate his signal. Is that about right?”

“Well, when you say it like that…”

“How else could I say it? That is what you’re asking, is it not?”

She’s not a stupid woman, I’ll give her that. “Look. You can either live your life, constantly checking over your shoulder, or you can help me stop him. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. Your choice.”

“Levaughn will definitely have a cell jammer?”

“Yup. HNT dropped it off this morning.”

“HNT?”

“Sorry. Hostage Negotiation Teams. They have a device the size of suitcase that puts what they call a ‘cone of silence’ in an area to kill cell signals inside a house in order to prevent a hostage taker’s cell from sending or receiving. If things get too hairy, I’ll signal him to flip the switch. Boom. Done. You’ll regain control of the car.”

If only I’d thought of this plan sooner, Levaughn might not have suffered so long. Course, if I had, I wouldn’t’ve gotten the cell tower information. Which, even Tex agreed, became the only way to locate Reaper’s lair.

Lolli slapped her knees and rose. “I’m in. Let’s catch this bastard.”

“Hell yeah.”

From the archway, Nadine’s jazz hand shot above her head. “Woot!”

Levaughn came around the corner with his sexy-as-hell swagger, and my mouth watered in anticipation. “What are we celebrating?”

“Huh?” I shook the fantasy from my mind. “Right. Lolli said she’d do it. We better get ready.”

“Wait.” Confusion rolled over Nadine’s face. “What’re we doin’?”

“Catchin’ the hacker. What’d you think we were all excited about?”

“I dunno. Going out to eat, maybe. I’ve been reading the brochures. We’re surrounded by five-star restaurants.” Head drooped, her chest caved, shoulders rolled forward. “Joke’s on me, I guess.”

“Nay, don’t be like that. The only reason I didn’t tell you about the plan is because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Refusing to face me, Nadine stared at the carpet. “You’re not just sayin’ that to make me feel better?”

“Not at all. After all these years, you should know me better than that. Do I ever blow smoke up anyone’s ass?”

A giggle. “I guess not.”

“Wanna know what I think? Treat yourself to one of those fancy restaurants. I’ll even pay.”

“What, by myself?”

“Umm, well, yeah. The three of us need to bounce. We’ve got work to do. But Dexter will be here when you get back.”

“Oh.” The head hung a second time.

Isolating my best friend. Could I sink any lower? “Okay, fine. You can come.”

Without warning, she threw her arms around my neck and squeezed like a boa killed its prey. Again with the hugging. I peeled her off me. “No drama, though. Promise me.”

She raised two fingers to shoulder-level. “Scout’s honor.”

I had no doubt this decision would either kill Lolli or get us thrown behind bars. Maybe both.