Under the Stars

“Right.” I meet her cocky glare with my own. “It’s how DollBaby was able to find Esterhaus.”

Her eyes widen, and she’s out of the chair. “I’ve got to go out.”

“I’m going with you.” Lara is right behind her, grabbing her sweater off the chair.

Molly doesn’t even pause. “No, you’re not.”

“It’s after midnight.”

“Which to you feels like 2 a.m.” Molly pulls a black jacket over her shoulders, and snatches a small duffel off the floor. “I have to meet Joshua.”

“I want to see Joshua.” Lara hasn’t stopped moving, and I know she won’t back down. Not after what she learned today.

“Hang on.” I’m on my feet again. “Can we run another search first?”

“I don’t have time.” Molly’s voice is a low exhale, and she’s gone.

Lara is still pulling on her boots, but she stops to tap out a text. “She thinks she’s going to race out that door, but Joshua will tell me where he is.”

Digging in my case, I take out a long-sleeved shirt. “I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’re not.”

I almost laugh. “Between you and Molly, I don’t know who’s more stubborn.”

“If she’s doing what I think, you’ll only attract attention.” Her boots are on, and she’s at the door, but I stride across the room and lift her off her feet.

“Mark!” She yelps, trying to struggle. “Put me down!”

My grip on her is solid, and I deposit her roughly on the bed. “I’m a cop. I know how to blend in.”

“Don’t you need to do more searching?”

“I can’t do it without Molly, and if she’s doing what you think she’s doing, you need me with you.”

We’re out on the street and a gust of wind hits us right in the face. Lara gasps, and I stop at a small souvenir shop and grab a black hoodie.

“Put this on.” She shoves her arms in the sleeves and I zip it up. “You should put the hood on. Or put your hair in a ponytail. Gavin will recognize you.”

“What about you?”

“I’m a lot bigger than I was the last time he saw me.”

Her phone buzzes, and she lifts it. “Josh says he’s at the Pony.”

She starts out, but I catch her arm. “Pony?” My mind races back to the link Molly followed; the one she said was nothing. “Did he say a color?”

“No.” Her fingers move quickly as she texts him back. “I’m asking for the address now.”

“Molly said Gavin is doing the same thing here he did in New Orleans…” I think about the work I did for him, the rooms I guarded.

I try to remember the search terms she used. She said them so quickly, but I remember sex club, exclusive, and teens. She was searching for their next meeting.

“Here’s the address.” She sends it to me, and I pull it up on my map. A quick study, and I’m almost jogging up the sidewalk.

She’s right beside me. “What’s happening?”

“It isn’t what we came here for, but maybe we can end this tonight. If we’re lucky.”