Splitting up again, they took different directions, moving swiftly up and down the snowy, icy sidewalks. Every once in a while, they’d peek inside a bar or shop, hoping to catch him. While they searched the streets, Sor, Garr, and Matt went back to his hotel to wait in the lobby.
“Oh, hi,” said the desk clerk. “Did you find your friend?”
“Not yet. Have you seen him?” asked Matt.
“He came back about ten minutes ago. I haven’t seen him leave,” she said.
The three men ran toward the elevators and disappeared. Just as the elevator went up, the second elevator opened, and Archie stepped off.
“Oh, Mr. Bell! Your friends just went up to find you,” she said, smiling.
“Don’t tell them,” he laughed. “This is an old college trick we play on one another. So far, I’m winning, and I love to win.”
She didn’t say anything as he left, placing his key on the counter. When he walked out the door, she turned toward the televisions playing in the lobby. That’s when she knew this wasn’t a game.
“Watch the desk,” she said to her co-worker, racing toward the elevators. On the twelfth floor, she spotted the three men coming out of the other man’s room. “Sirs?”
“Uh, yeah,” said Garr, starting to give an explanation. She raised her hand.
“Save it. I know who that man was now. He just left. He said it was a game you guys played. I caught a glimpse of his photo on the television.”
“Which way did he go?” asked Garr, running toward the elevators.
“I don’t know. He threw his bags in his car and took off.”
“Everyone read?” asked Sor, tapping his earpiece. “The goose has flown the nest. He knows we’re onto him.”
In the lobby, the men were waiting to decide what to do next.
“I think we stop chasing this rabbit and get home,” said Jonas. “At least there, I can be sure that Khloe is where she’s supposed to be.”
“I happen to agree,” said Carl. “Tanner? Have the jets here as quick as possible. We’ll turn the cars in and get home. Do not, under any circumstances, let Khloe leave the property.”
“Roger that. Luke has her off-duty and not working. She’s not happy, but she understands.”
“Good. We’ll be home soon. And when we are, we’re going to set a trap for this asshole that he won’t soon forget.”
Archie was surprised that he wasn’t pulled over for speeding out of Nashville. Apparently, the cops had other things to worry about, which suited him just fine. He took the highway south to Tuscaloosa, where he decided to stop for the night.
Worried that his car would be recognized, he traded the car in for a small pickup truck, all in cash. The redneck running the lot probably thought he’d made his year. It was all helping Archie. With a new vehicle, he would be much harder to find.
Knowing they could be watching the higher-end hotels, he lowered his standards just slightly, staying in a large chain hotel. Finding himself famished once again, he ventured out to a small diner, hoping to remain out of sight.
“Hi there,” smiled the young girl, bringing a menu and a glass of water. “Ain’t seen you around here before.”
“No, definitely not,” he grinned. “Just passing through.”
“On business?” she asked.
“That’s right. I’m a lawyer, and I’m headed to New Orleans to handle a case,” he smiled.
“Oh, a lawyer! Are you one of them big fancy lawyers that have all the commercials on television? You know, the ones that have earned millions?” she asked hopefully.
“That’s me,” he smiled.
“How exciting. Nothing exciting happens around here. Boring as all get out. What’ll it be?” she asked, nodding at the menu.
“I’ll do the burger, well done, cheddar cheese.”
