Page 64 of Wild Sentinel

We left the warehouse and hopped into the Ferrari.

“I wonder if they got any information out of her?" JD said.

"It wouldn’t be hard to inject a lethal amount of fentanyl or some other substance into her arm. In a place like this, nobody would pay attention. They certainly wouldn’t call the cops.”

Jack scoffed. “They don’t even seem to care.”

By the time we left the warehouse, the revelers had cleared out. We drove back toward the hills. I texted Isabella and asked her to track incoming calls to Autumn’s phone. At this hour, I didn’t expect to hear back right away.

If Autumn had been in touch with Brooke recently, those calls would lead us to her.

37

By the time we got back to Scarlett's house, the sun had crested the horizon. The warm amber glow cast its rays over the Southland. With a little haze in the air, it gave La La Land a soft, dreamy quality. That magic sunshine that only happens in Southern California.

Jack punched in the code at the gate, and we pulled up the driveway and parked behind the Macan. We slipped inside the house, trying to be quiet about it. At this hour, Vincent was back on duty.

We’d missed our check-in at the hotel. There was no point now. We’d just stay in the guest room. I grabbed my overnight bag from my suitcase, brushed my teeth, then crawled into bed. Still amped up after the evening's events, it was hard to get to sleep. But I needed rest. This wasn't over yet.

I had just dozed off when Isabella called. I grabbed the phone from the nightstand and swiped the screen. I scratched out, "What did you find?"

"You sound terrible."

"It's been a long night.”

"Autumn had been in contact with a prepaid cellular that pings the tower from public places in Yucca Flats—a coffee shop, a yoga studio, a few other places. Whoever is using the phone is smart. It stays off the grid most of the time. It doesn't pop up at a hotel or an apartment complex.”

"That has to be Brooke," I said. "If you found her, the people who killed Autumn will find her, too. There's no telling what Autumn told them before they killed her."

“Are you sure she was killed?”

“She did not OD. She sounded lucid and scared when I talked to her.”

"I'll keep you posted and let you know if Brooke’s phone pops up on the grid again. You should get to Yucca Flats as soon as possible.”

"I’m on it.”

I pulled myself out of bed after I ended the call. It felt like I’d just closed my eyes, but it had been two hours.

Not enough sleep, but it would have to do for now.

I stepped down the hall and rousted JD out of bed and told him we’d be hitting the road.

After I took a shower and dressed, I made breakfast, trying not to make too much noise. The house was quiet except for Vincent walking the perimeter. We chatted a bit while I grilled ham and cheese omelettes. "You want anything?"

"No, thank you. I'm good," he replied.

Jack joined us in the kitchen a moment later with wild hair and sleepy eyes.

I made bacon and hash browns to go with the eggs. We washed it down with fresh coffee, fueling up for the drive. I told Jack I’d take the first shift. He could get some sleep on the way.

It was about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Yucca Flats.

The feds had confiscated our sidearms. Evidence from the crime scene, even though they hadn’t been discharged. Fortunately, we had back-ups, but the last thing I needed to do was get involved in another shooting.

We collected ourselves, turned off our cell phones and took burners, then loaded into the Macan. Jack reclined his seat and promptly fell asleep.

We were just in time to hit morning traffic. I took the 10 out of town heading east to the desert. I sipped on coffee, staring into the morning sun, trying to keep myself awake. I listened to a podcast on the drive.