Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead(Finlay Donovan #2)(77)

“There’s a Holiday Inn Express across the street,” I suggested.

“Apparently my health and safety mean nothing to you.”

Vero shook her head. “We need a motel. Someplace that takes cash, where no one’s likely to remember him.”

“How about this? It’s not far from here.” I held out my phone, revealing a photo of a small single-story structure with a few dozen rooms that opened to a parking lot. There was a liquor store on one side and an adult novelty store on the other.

“Perfect,” Vero said. “Let’s go.”

Cam engrossed himself in videos on his phone, slurping slush through his straw with an annoying degree of force as I navigated the way to the motel. Vero pulled the Charger around back where it wasn’t easily spotted from the road. “I’ll go inside and get the whiz kid a room.” She held out her hand. I dug around in the messenger bag I’d borrowed from her the night before, shoving aside the brunette wig and dredging out my wallet. I slapped a few twenties in her palm and she got out, leaving the car running.

“We agreed you’d take me someplace nice,” Cam said. “This place is a dump.”

“Have you seen your face?” I asked, angling the rearview mirror to look at him. “And when was the last time you bathed? You look like a runaway. If we take you someplace nice, the front desk clerk will call the police. They’re looking for you, by the way.”

This shut him up. He sank lower in his seat, glaring out the window. “Can I ask you something?”

“Maybe.”

“You keep saying her and she. What makes you so sure EasyClean is a chick?”

“Because it’s a women’s forum. You know, for women.”

“It’s also the internet. Anyone can be anyone. Who do you think convinced Derek to send his dick pics in the first place?”

“Wait,” I said, twisting in my seat, “you’re telling me you catfished your own friend into sending nudes, just so you could charge him to clean up the mess?”

“I know, right?” He actually looked proud of himself. “Never assume you know who you’re dealing with online.”

“I don’t have to assume anything. In a few minutes, you’ll have your hotel room and you’re going to tell me everything.”

“You going to get that?” Cam nodded at the ringing cell phone in my lap. Nick’s name flashed on the screen.

I killed the engine and pocketed the key fob. “Stay here,” I told Cam. “I’ll be back in a minute.” I carried my phone around the side of the building before connecting the call. “Nick?”

“Hey, have you heard from Steven?” A police siren whooped twice in the background and Nick leaned on his horn.

The hair stood up on my arms. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“He’s okay. But there was an accident.”

“What kind of accident?”

“A tire blew on his pickup. He managed to run it into a ditch. He hit a tree, but it doesn’t look like there was much damage. Joey and I just came from the site of the wreck. I couldn’t tell much from the tire that blew, but one of the others looked like it might have been slashed.”

Damnit! “Where is he?”

“I was hoping he was with you.”

“I thought you said you had people watching him?”

“I did. But he got angry. Said he didn’t want any cops on his property. Joey was camped out as close to the house as he could get, but Steven must have left from the back. By the time my guys found his truck, he was gone. The tow driver remembered him getting into a van.”

My throat tightened. “What kind of van?”

“We don’t know. The tow driver said he was too busy trying to get the truck out of the ditch to notice. That’s all he remembered. I thought maybe Steven had called you for a ride.”

“No,” I said, pacing, “I haven’t heard from him.”

Nick swore under his breath. “Maybe it was a ride service. Lots of taxis and Ubers use vans. Did the kids make it to Georgia’s?”

“She picked them up this morning.”

“Good.” Some of the tension left his voice. “I’ve got eyes on your place, just in case Steven’s headed that way. Roddy’s to contact me or Joey the second anyone spots him. If you hear from Steven, I want you to call me. Until I know what we’re dealing with, I want you to stay home and keep your doors locked. Joey’s heading back to Steven’s house in case he turns up there. I’m heading to the station to put out a BOLO. I’ll come by your place as soon as I know more. And Finn?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to find him. I promise.” Nick disconnected.

More than anything, I wanted to believe that.

My hands shook as I dialed Steven’s number. It rolled straight to voicemail. “Steven, it’s Finn. Call me as soon as you get this.”

I thumbed off my phone, pacing the alley behind the motel. If EasyClean had abducted Steven, then I had a better shot at finding him myself. As soon as Vero was done paying for the room, I’d make Cam tell me everything he knew.

Vero’s engine rumbled to life. I ran around the building to meet her. The Charger screeched to a halt inches from my knees. Cam’s eyes widened behind the steering wheel. They leapt to his rearview mirror as Vero bolted out of the lobby. Cam cut the wheel hard and hit the gas, tires squealing as he peeled out of the parking lot.