Page 44 of Jina

Fifteen minutes was a long time to stand around waiting outside the motel. Especially when the perp had put a tracker on their car. “Here’s a better idea. Let’s walk over to the restaurant to get a ride from there.”

“Works for me.” He pocketed his phone, and they quickly set out to cross the overpass of the interstate. It had only been two months ago that she’d helped rescue Roscoe’s pregnant girlfriend, Libby, from a gunman determined to take her and her child out of the picture, permanently. Thankfully, they were able to catch the bad guys before anyone was hurt.

The way she hoped to get this perp in cuffs.

She kept an eye on the exit ramp leading to the Red Mill Motel, but not a single vehicle had headed that way. Thankfully, the rideshare driver showed up right on time.

“You’re going to the Wildflower Motel?” the driver asked.

“Yes, please,” Cole answered.

“I know the Red Mill is booked. There’s a family reunion this upcoming weekend,” the driver explained, clearly the chatty sort. She preferred those who drove in silence. “I’ve taken a few people into town to the local bar.”

“That’s nice.” She managed a smile. “Do you know if the Wildflower has rooms?”

“Dunno,” the guy said with a shrug. Then he caught her gaze in the rearview mirror. “Guess we’ll find out when we get there.”

She glanced at Cole, who surprised her by taking her hand. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll find a place to stay.”

Sweetheart? Had he lost his mind? Then she realized he was playing a part for the driver. Which seemed a bit extreme, since she didn’t see how the perp would know which rideshare they’d taken.

“I’m not worried, darling,” she responded, giving his hand a warning squeeze. “I know we’ll find something.”

Their driver continued talking about the reunion and how nice it was to have more business in this rather remote area. She tuned him out, trying to think of a good place to use for their sting operation.

MPD had a safe house. She wasn’t sure it was available, and it was located in a neighborhood that would make keeping eyes on the property from a distance more difficult. The home they chose needed to be somewhat remote while offering locations for her teammates to lie in wait.

That wasn’t asking too much, was it?

At least she had her computer and could start looking for rental properties that would suit their needs.

They arrived at the Wildflower Motel fifteen minutes later, and the vacancy light was on. Well, part of it anyway, the middle letters were burned out.

“We appreciate your help,” Cole said, releasing her hand to use his phone to pay and tip. “Have a good night.”

“You too!” At least the guy was cheerful as he waved at them before taking off.

They headed inside to find a young adult sitting there, watching movies on her phone. She seemed annoyed to be interrupted. “I suppose you need a room?”

“Do you have two connecting rooms?” Cole asked.

“Nope. But I got a room with two beds, which is kinda the same thing.” The girl eyed them curiously. “Want it or not?”

“We’ll take it.” Jina hadn’t known Cole for long, but after spending the past twenty-four hours with him, she accepted that he was an honorable guy.

He used a credit card to pay. Since they’d used his phone to get there, she didn’t complain. Her phone had likely been used as well as the tracker on the SUV. Without those two items in play, they should be safe.

“Room 5,” the girl said, handing them a keycard. “Checkout time is ten a.m.”

“Thanks,” Cole murmured.

A few minutes later, they were in the room. She dropped her bag on the bed closest to the bathroom, sweeping the room with a critical eye. “Not the worst I’ve seen.”

“You want first dibs on the bathroom?” Cole asked, stifling a yawn.

“Sure.” She grabbed her overnight bag and ducked inside, reminding herself this was not the time to relive their kiss. Especially since she’d never shared a room with a man. Sure, she’d spent hours on a stakeout with her teammates in a car, but this felt different.

Her problem, not his. Cole had been married. He knew how to share personal space.

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