Page 70 of Strip Search

Jackie handed it to me as if she was afraid I would tear it up. Scanning it, I pointed out a name. “Parker Templeton, producer.”

She let out a shaky breath.

“We found Parker. If Lisa bolts, we'll be right behind her. But I don't think she will. She's got the guy. She's got the show. Where else is she going to go?”

“Is there a problem?” the flight attendant called from the portable stairs leading up to the plane. “We need to be wheels up in five.”

“On our way,” I said.

“I shouldn't,” she said.

“You should. It's one day.”

“I should be there for her opening night.”

“No. She knows you’re in Nevada. If she wanted you there, she would have called.”

“Do you think she's going to go full nude and she's embarrassed? Maybe that's why she didn't call.”

I stared at the flyer again. “Nope, they're serving alcohol. Two-drink minimum.”

“That sounds familiar.”

“Wine only. From Carson City Wineries.”

“The owner lied to us.”

Miles shrugged. “She might not have known. Maybe Lisa worked there to find out how to get a good price out of her or was hoping for an employee discount.”

“That would explain why she didn't know who Parker was. He couldn't very well admit he’d sent in a spy.” Jackie rubbed her forehead.

I put my arm around her and hustled her toward the plane. “We'll come back tomorrow.”

“This is getting really expensive, this back and forth. I should save the money and just stay here. It's not like I'm going to leave New York to become a showgirl.”

Her words hit me hard, but I didn't let her see it. I needed her to get into the plane. “That's beside the point. You wanted to know if you could do it. This could be your only chance.”

Jackie sucked in a deep breath. “You're right.”

I let out the sigh I was holding as she entered the plane and strapped in.

“You'll come with me tomorrow, right?” she asked as we taxied down the runway.

“No,” I said. “I've got a bar to run.”

“Oh,” she said in a small voice and turned to the window.

I didn't give a shit about her selfish bitch of a sister and I had no desire to see Jackie and Lisa get into it. A part of me wanted to go for moral support and to soothe any hurt thatLisa could cause. But I needed to start distancing myself instead of deluding myself. Jackie wasn't going to leave her family or New York. Certainly not for a guy who owned a titty bar or a small part in an off-strip casino show. Who was I kidding? Jackie could dance on Broadway and fulfill her dream. I was just a vacation fling. Vacation flings didn't get involved in messy family situations.

I looked over at Jackie to see if she wanted to talk more. But her eyes were closed.

I guessed that was for the best.

Chapter Eighteen

Jackie Mitchell

I sat on my bed in the Wynn trying not to hyperventilate. My audition was still several hours away. My mind was going a mile a minute. I was worried that Lisa was going to slip away and disappear. I was hurt that Miles wasn't going to go back to Carson City with me tomorrow. Although I didn't really blame him. I had taken enough of his time with the wild goose chase Lisa had led us all on.

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