Crimson Eve by Brandilyn Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

there over to Pullman, or continued south on 95. But give me credit for telling you this much. Beats looking for her all over Canada.”
    Tony grunted.
    “I expect my money.”
    Yeah, yeah. “You’ll get it. Just keep looking.”
    “Count on it.”
    “Can you search the hotel parking lots in Moscow?”
    “For awhile. The town’s not my jurisdiction, so I can’t be obvious about patrolling the streets. And I’m off at eleven. Have to get home after that. My wife’s nine months pregnant, and she’ll have a fit if I don’t show up on time.”
    “Okay, okay, do what you can. I’m on my way.” Tony pulled a one-handed U-turn in the middle of the street. “How long will it take me to get there from Kanner Lake?”
    “Two hours plus — if you really hoof it.”
    Two hours. Please, Miss Wit, stop in Moscow.
    “Okay. I’m on my way. How do I get there?”
    Roy gave him directions.
    Hope surged. Tony flipped the phone closed and dropped it on the passenger seat. He drove to the nearest intersection, then turned right, pulled toward the south as surely as metal to magnet.

TWELVE
    Behind the Best Western counter a young girl with long blonde hair and flawless skin gazed at Carla as she approached. She wore a pin with her first name — Chrissy . Prickles danced up Carla’s spine. She imagined some friend of Thornby showing Chrissy her photo — “Have you seen this woman?”
    “Looks like you really hurt your foot.” Chrissy gestured toward Carla’s ankle.
    Carla managed a shrug. “I twisted it. Just need to get off it as soon as possible.”
    “I’m so sorry. Let’s get you checked in right away.”
    Carla held onto the counter, weight on her right foot as Chrissy accepted her credit card for processing. Too late Carla remembered she should have hit an ATM for cash. Already she was leaving a trail. What if Thornby could watch her bank accounts? Maybe she should just leave right now —
    Stop it. The transaction wouldn’t go through until tomorrow. By that time she’d be long gone.
    Chrissy looked up. “I assume you’d like a first-floor room.”
    “Please.”
    “Queen bed all right?”
    Anything, just hurry! “Yes. Great.”
    “Nonsmoking?”
    Carla’s fingers pressed harder against the smooth counter. “Yes.”
    Chrissy nodded and checked her computer. Carla struggled to stay calm. The world beyond the entrance was a looming monster at her back. She couldn’t help throwing glances over her shoulder.
    “You worried about your car out there?” Chrissy asked.
    “Oh. I just . . . didn’t want it to be in anyone’s way.”
    “No problem, there’s plenty of room for someone to drive around it.”
    Carla nodded.
    Chrissy slipped a key card into the machine for programming, then handed it to Carla with a smile. “There you go. Probably easier to drive to the next outside door and park.” She pointed in the general direction. “Inside the building, turn right, and your room’s three doors down.”
    Carla managed a tight smile. “Thank you.”
    “Just a sec, I’ll get the door for you.” Chrissy came around the counter and pushed open the glass door, stepping aside so Carla could hobble through. Carla repressed a cringe. She’d wanted to check the area before exiting.
    “Okay. Thanks.”
    She stepped outside, muscles rigid, eyes darting right and left. She saw no one.
    Carla slipped into her car and drove down to the next entrance. There she parked, heart hammering. She slid the diary from under the seat and stuck it in her purse before getting out. Then lifted her red suitcase from the passenger seat and pulled it across the pavement and into the building. At her room she shoved the suitcase and her purse inside, leaving only her car keys and the key card in her hand. How she longed to collapse on the bed, leave her car where it sat. But she didn’t dare.
    Back down the corridor she limped. Stepped outside after checking in all directions and slid into her car.
    She drove back to the