Page 75 of Midnight Creed

On the beach.

What better place to hide out than an empty vacation rental where no one would expect him to be? However, it might be impossible to figure out which one.

Okay, not impossible, but difficult.

Especially since he had obviously switched the Mercedes for another vehicle. Did he suspect they were following him? She didn’t think so. It would be too easy for him to simply toss the GPS tracking device or attached it to an eighteen-wheeler headed across the country. And he hadn’t done that.

No, he was here. And if Alonzo was correct about him having family in the area, it made perfect sense.

As soon as she got to her room, she headed to the balcony and took in the stunning sight: the emerald waters, sugar-white sands. The waves were alive, and the rhythm of them lapping against the shore, had an instant soothing effect.

Before she ordered food and took a shower, she made a phone call. She wanted to hear his voice. Being this close, she needed to hear his voice.

“Hey,” Ryder answered. One word filled with that smile that hitched up at the corner of his lips.

“You’ll never guess where I am.”

“You decided to come down early?”

“Not exactly. Remember, you told me to go get the killer.”

“He’s in Pensacola?”

“Long story, but—yes. We spooked him. He ran. I followed him to Jacksonville. But he didn’t stop until he got here. One of the few things we know is that he’s an investor and executive at a management firm in Miami.”

“Miami? But he’s here in Pensacola?”

“Alonzo thinks he has family here. But his company owns and manages luxury vacation rentals.”

“You think he’s hiding out in one? On Pensacola Beach?”

It surprised her sometimes how much they thought alike. But both of them had been chasing killers in one way or another for too many years.

“Yes. Well, maybe.” Now she sounded like Alonzo. It was just such a long shot.

“You might call Hannah. She knows a couple of people who manage some rentals on the beach. You know their listings overlap. You get credit just for advertising the house on your site.”

“I didn’t think of that.”

“They’d at least be able to go in and tell you which properties are currently being rented. He’d have to be staying in an empty one. In December, I can’t imagine it’s a busy time.”

“You are so smart.”

“I get it from the dogs.”

She laughed. Wanted to add that he was also very humble and not very good at taking a compliment.

“You sound tired,” he told her. “Were you driving all night?”

“Most of it. Had a little detour. You sound tired, too.”

“We spent the night waiting for a flight with some of the dogs from Afghanistan.” He paused, then said, “There were only three on board.”

“When are they sending the others?”

“That’s just it. They’re not. Dr. Avelyn’s still trying to find out what happened. My guess is the Taliban realized the dogs were valuable to us. Maybe they’ll ask for some kind or ransom...or...”

“Or?” Maggie prompted.