Page 66 of Hard Luck (Blackstone House)

What? Echo was supposed to be on my side.

“Are you kidding? Did Priest get to you?”

“No, I just see the benefits of taking a break.”

“That’s rich, coming from a workaholic.”

“A workaholic who ate breakfast on a terrace overlooking the ocean, then watched two episodes ofThe Big Bang Theorybefore she started work. Oh, and I’m learning to crochet.”

“Crochet? Fucking crochet?”

“It’s relaxing. Do you even have a hobby?”

“Yes.”

“Go on.”

“I like shooting. And going to the gym.”

“That’s work. You’ve been doing it for so long that you can’t even tell the difference.”

Could Echo be right? Maybe therewasa tiny element of truth in her words. Several times, I’d considered taking a trip, but something else always came up. Sniping, spying, a last-minute assassination.

“Why can’t they delay the vacation by a few weeks?”

“Hello? You have a broken leg. Look, Chase and I are down in the Keys this week. Why don’t you come stay? You can help with the cyber side of the investigation by looking over my shoulder and making annoying comments the way you always do.”

“I’d rather stay here.”

There was a case to close. Until yesterday, Ari had been cataloguing the life and times of Shane Wallins, but last night’s revelations from Dylan had turned that lead to ash. Ari wasn’t going to find whoever had hired the asshole by staking out second-rate bars or talking to old acquaintances—he’d probably just logged on to the dark net from hismom’s basement. Anyhow, the ball had bounced into Echo’s court. Hmm. If I was in Florida, I’d have a front-row seat to every twist and turn of the investigation, plus I could stop Chase from wasting her time with massages. And once I knew who to shoot, I could fly right back to Las Vegas.

“C’mon, Chase needs a dive buddy,” Echo said. “He went out with a group from the local scuba school yesterday—one woman slowed things up by taking pictures ofeverything, and three others tried to chase a turtle. Chase said he almost turned off their air, and coming from him, that’s a lot.”

It was. Chase was one of those rare guys who managed to be super nice without getting creepy about it. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave Vegas, but if it came down to a straight-up battle against Priest and Demelza, there would only be one loser. I wasn’t stupid enough to think there could be any other result, especially if the other girls ganged up on me the way Echo had.

And if I had to take a vacay, I’d rather spend time with Echo than anyone else. At least she didn’t talk constantly or insist on visiting local attractions.

“Fine. I’ll book a flight.”

“No, I’ll book the flight. You’re meant to be relaxing, remember?”

“Make it business class.”

I didn’t need to be arrested for stuffing a sock in a small child’s mouth before I made it to Miami.

“That’s a given.”

CHAPTER 22

COLE

Cole wheeled his suitcase along the line for the check-in desk, but his mind was anywhere but on the upcoming trip. Bella had always said their relationship would end, but Cole hadn’t quite believed her, not when things had seemed so good between them. And to do it the way she did… She’d just walked away. Left the diner without a word. At first, he thought she’d gone out to get some air—after all, finding a guy semi-conscious on the bathroom floor would have been a shock for anyone—but then she hadn’t come back. Hadn’t replied to his texts. Hadn’t answered his calls.

A couple of women in the diner had noticed his distress and offered advice, suggested he give her space, and the redhead who’d been in the bathroom with her told Cole not to worry. Said Bella would come around eventually and see what was missing.

But two days later, she was still on radio silence.

He’d even tried going to her apartment, but she hadn’t answered the intercom, and when he tailgated a neighbour inside and knocked on the door, she hadn’t opened it. He’dsat in the hallway and waited until a different neighbour came out and threatened to call the cops if he didn’t leave. The guy had also said he didn’t know anyone named Bella, which was strange, but hadn’t she said she only moved in a month ago?

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