Page 55 of Fury

Tania closed the door, but a large hand planted itself on the surface pushing it back. Her face reddened.

“I don’t think you understand, ma’am. What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t say. And don’t you dare push this door again or I’m going to have to yell for help.”

“Sorry. Look, I’m just eager to find this girl. I mean, this is my first case solo.”

“Okay. Good luck to you. Like I said, I haven’t seen anyone fitting that description.”

“Right, okay.”

Tania swiftly stepped back and firmly shut the door in one move, bolting the chain lock with a shaky hand, her lips parted. She pressed her palms against the door.

I moved to her. “You did good, Tania. Real good,” I whispered, wrapping my arm around her waist. She fell into me, inhaling deeply. I rubbed a hand down her back. “You okay?”

She nodded. “He didn’t look like any police detective. He looked like an underground—”

“Bet he’s from Med,” came Serena’s voice.

Tania and I turned around. Serena stood by the bed. “We can’t stay here much longer.”

Tania grabbed the bottle from my hands and took a swig. “Hold on.” She picked up the room phone and dialed. “Hi, I’m in room 110, and a man was just here, saying he was a police detective looking for a—” Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh, he is a local officer?” She glanced at me as she gnawed on her lip. “Oh, okay, I wasn’t sure. Good to hear. I’m glad I called you then. Thanks.”

Tania put the phone back on the receiver. “He really is a cop. Front desk lady said he’s one of the local boys. She’s known him since he was in diapers.”

Serena let out a deep breath and dropped herself on the edge of the bed.

I took the bottle from Tania and drank. “We got to get a plan together.”

“Aren’t you taking Serena with you to wherever in Nebraska?” Tania asked, taking the bottle from me and passing it to Serena.

“No, I can’t. She’s got to lay low for a while. I was hoping this guy I know here in South Dakota was going to help, but it didn’t work out that way. Can’t trust nobody.”

“You can trust me,” said Tania.

“You’ve been great, Tania. Don’t know what we would’ve done without you. But I can’t get you more involved than you already are.”

She sat up on the bed, leaning on one arm. “Serena could come with me to Chicago. I’m staying with a friend there for a few days, but I’ve got money saved up and have a lead on an apartment, and I’m planning on moving in real soon. Serena could stay with me until things cool down.”

Serena blinked. “Tania, that’s—”

“That’s a real good idea and a real generous offer,” I said. “Tania’s got a point. No one knows we know each other. But you can’t ever tell anybody about us, Tania. Not your ma or your sister or your brother or a boyfriend. Not even your best friend. Nobody. You get that?”

“I can keep a secret. I want you two to be safe. That’s what’s important. Safe and alive.”

Serena put a hand on her arm. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“All right then. Chicago it is. You good with that?” I asked Serena. The thought of her so far away from me twisted my insides, but it was the best solution, and it would be temporary.

Temporary.

“I’m good with that,” she replied quietly.

My beeper went off, and I glanced at it where it lay on the small table by the door. Los Angeles area code. Fuck, Kwik was checking in, and I was supposed to be on my way to that pickup in Sioux City. Luckily, it wasn’t too far from where we were, but I needed to contact Kwik, claim bike problems and get to Sioux City as soon as possible.

I turned the beeper over. “Don’t worry about money, I’ll send you whatever you need. I’ll find ways to keep in touch. You just need to expect it.”

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