Page 110 of Morally Gray Daddies

“And then you did. You told him who I am.”

“In the very broadest, very loosest sense of the word. I provided an old alias, and some vague references to some of your past work, things of that nature. He was quite thankful, and now he owes me. Surely you can see the benefit to that?”

“Wonderful,” I answered with a sigh. “So glad I could help you establish a rapport with the guy you just screwed over.”

“I do appreciate it. Oh, and by the way,” he continued, “I should point out he has a description of the vehicle you’re driving. His security cameras caught that, too. Just FYI.”

“I took the normal precautions.” Which I had. The SUV itself was fairly nondescript, a model of which there were tens of thousands on the road. Plus, I’d swapped plates at a brief stop we’d made before leaving the Valley to head up the pass.

“I’d expect no less. You’ve a… six-hour head start on him? I’m sure you have the situation well in hand.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied blithely, ignoring my tone of sarcasm.

I glanced toward the cinderblock building with the restrooms. I expected Aubrey to step out at any moment, and as soon as she did, I wanted to be back on the road. Which reminded me…

“I need the location of a safe house on or close by Highway 395. Something before Reno.”

“Hmm.” The line went quiet except for the faint taktaktak of Colbie tapping at a keyboard. “Well… you could continue north and turn yourself over to the Marines at the Mountain Warfare Training Center at Pickle Meadows. I could make arrangements to have you met there.”

“Very funny.” Asshole.

“It was just a thought. Give me a moment.”

I listened as he tapped away some more, until he said, “Ah. Here we are. There’s a large home about fifteen miles off your current highway, just south of Bishop. It’s owned by a team of contractors we sometimes utilize. They appear to currently be away on an op. I could reach out to see if they’d be willing to grant access.”

“It’s on private land?”

“Yes. A secured property.”

Perfect. “If you would, please.”

“Of course.”

“And if you’re going to tell him where I’m headed”—Colbie would know exactly who I was referring to—“at least do me the courtesy and let me know, so I can be prepared.”

“I wouldn’t dream of keeping you in the dark.”

“I’m sure.”

The call went quiet for a moment before he continued. “There, I’ve sent an inquiry. I’ll text you once I’ve heard back and have further information.”

“Excellent.”

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Aubrey had stepped out of the restroom and was now standing by the ‘Points of Interest’ information board, peering at it. Even with the distance between us, I could see the redness of her cheeks, a puffiness around her eyes.

She’d been crying.

“Well,” Colbie’s voice interrupted my train of thought, “I suppose I should let you go. As always, you did an exemplary job, Ric. I appreciate your attention to detail and follow-through. Payment in full for your services has been rendered.”

“Thank you,” I managed to reply, though my attention was focused on Aubrey.

“Nice touch, by the way.”

“What?”

“Using the other girl.”

---