| |
Red Lion Inn & Suites, outside Denver
CROWLEY AND ROSE slipped into a McDonald’s and changed back into their regular outfits once they were a good distance from the zoo, but they kept the disguises in case they needed another incognito exit.
“I’m really not sure how incognito we were back there,” Rose said with a laugh.
“True, but we didn’t look like us.” Crowley looked at the menus above the busy serving area. “This stuff is barely food, but I’m hungry. Let’s take a moment.”
They ordered burgers and fries, and tall cups of over-processed post-mix cola, and sat at a corner table. They had their back to the wall and could see both entrances to the restaurant. Crowley was pleased to have a chance to rest and eat, to catch their breath, but they needed more than a few minutes. Fatigue dragged on him again. Rose put on a brave face, but she had to be as tired as he was. As he ate, he poked around on his phone and found a simple but suitable looking motel about ten miles from the Denver city center.
When they’d finished their meals, they hailed a cab and had him drive them out to the Red Lion Inn & Suites. It was a brick building in two-tone orange and white brick. It had a restaurant, good-sized, clean rooms, gym and pool. Way more than they needed. But it felt entirely anonymous and that helped to ease Crowley’s anxieties.
“I think maybe we should get a shared room,” he said. At Rose’s raised eyebrow, he added. “If these people are after us, especially given how easily they killed that guy at the airport, I don’t like the idea of us separating.”
“Fair enough,” Rose said. “Let’s get a twin.”
Crowley pursed his lips. He wanted to push, to suggest a queen bed, but knew it would be foolish. He booked the room and they locked the door behind them.
“I need a shower,” Rose said, and headed straight to the bathroom.
When she emerged, fully dressed again, she slumped down on her bed, stared at the ceiling. “So what now?”
Crowley had been thinking about that. “I wish we knew what Lily learned from that canopic jar she stole.”
“Or what she plans to bargain for with it.”
Crowley hadn’t thought of that. “Interesting. You think she’s trying to set up a trade for something else? This Anubis Key maybe?”
Rose shrugged into her pillow. “No idea, but maybe. Or perhaps the jar itself is a clue about the Key.” She glanced at Crowley, her eyes heavy with concern. “Honestly, it’s our only clue, right?”
“I guess so.”
She sat up, pulled her knees into her chest and hugged them. “Maybe we should go back to the airport and poke around.”
Crowley considered that. “I think there’s certainly more to be learned there,” he said eventually. “It’s just too bizarre a place and we barely scratched the surface.”
“I think it’s what’s under the surface that matters.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. But I’d rather avoid the place unless we have hard evidence Lily’s there. Or some better idea about what to look for. Where to look.”
Rose sighed. She took her phone out and began searching through websites.
Crowley moved to sit beside her. “What are you looking for?”
“Seeing if there are any images of that stolen canopic jar, but there aren’t. No mention even of the theft that I can find.” She searched again, different terms. “And there’s not even any information about that particular part of the museum’s display. It’s too specific, I suppose.”
Crowley fished out his phone. “I wonder if Cameron can hack the museum’s computer system and search for information on it.”
Rose looked up, eyes bright. “That’s a good idea! Museums keep inventories and detailed records. If he can hack those it’ll be great.”
Crowley dialed the number. “Let’s see.”
As the phone rang, Crowley had a sudden lurch of guilt that he hadn’t even thought to check the time difference. He glanced out the window at the darkening sky, tried to do some quick mental arithmetic, but Cameron answered.
“Jake! You must be psychic, I was just about to call you.”
“Ah, not too late?” Crowley was relieved.
“Nah, man. I’ve never been one to go to bed early, you know that. What do you need?”
“What were you just about to call for?”
Cameron laughed. “You first. How much are you going to abuse my good will this time?”
Crowley grinned. He missed his old mate. How long, he wondered, before Cameron wouldn’t be able to help himself and had to come out into the field again. Crowley wondered if his pal’s leg would be up for it. He was still guilty at effectively getting the poor man shot last time. “I was wondering if you could hack the records of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We need the notes on a particular exhibit.”
“No problemo. I can probably do that. Give me the details.”
Crowley told Cameron as much as he could about the display and the collection of canopic jars. Rose threw in extra information that he relayed and added that one jar had been stolen and that might be in the records too. Rapid tapping stuttered over the line as Cameron typed up the notes as they were related.
“Okay,” he said, when Crowley ran out of details to share. “You’ll have to leave that one with me.”
“And what do you have for me?” Crowley asked.
“I’ve finally hacked into ‘Iris Brown’s’ credit account. She’s covered a lot of territory in a short period of time.”
Crowley grinned. “He’s got your sister’s credit card details,” he said to Rose’s questioning expression. “Go on, Cam, I’m putting you on speaker.” He tapped the button and Cameron’s voice came through, tinny, but loud.
“Five days ago, she was in Denver, as you already know.”
“What specific purchases here?” Crowley asked.
Cameron named a rental car agency at the airport, a restaurant, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. “None of that is particularly helpful I imagine, given what you just told me. Seems you’re ahead of this stuff.”
“We are. So where did she go next?”
“There’s a string of petrol and food purchases south along the interstate highway system, through New Mexico and into Arizona.”
Crowley and Rose exchanged a confused glance. “Where could that be leading?”
“The last purchase being at a place called Dragoon,” Cameron said. “That’s in Arizona, and happened three days ago.”
Crowley frowned. “Where the hell is Dragoon, Arizona?”
“Near Tucson.”
“That doesn’t really help, mate. I’m as English as you are and not looking at a map.”
Cameron laughed. “You ever heard of Tombstone? Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp, Johnny Ringo, and Doc Holliday?”
“Sure, I’ve seen the movie. Isn’t that near the Mexican border?”
“Sure is. And it appears to be in the middle of nowhere.”
“Why would Lily go there?” Crowley wondered aloud.
Rose shook her head, shrugged. “Hardly seems in keeping with the theme of things so far.”
“And it beats the hell out of me,” Cameron said. “But the good news is, her next stop is much more interesting.”
“That right?” Crowley said. “So where are we going next?”
He could hear the amusement in Cameron’s voice. “Vegas, baby!”