Anxiety was getting the best of her, and Janet paced as she watched the clock. Gail only worked until three p.m. that day, and she had Cliff’s Jeep. They were foolish not to have thought that through. With Cliff’s face aired on the news last night, it was just a matter of time before somebody would call the police tip line, give Cliff’s name, and the cops would realize that the blue Sienna wasn’t his vehicle.
Later that night, they would have to drop off the Jeep at Cliff’s home—unseen—then rent another van.
Janet began searching the free sites that gave possible matches, phone numbers, and addresses of any name typed into the website’s search bar. She found two Cliff Howards listed in Chicago—one in a shitty neighborhood and one in Old Town. She assumed the second address belonged to Cliff. They would rent a different vehicle, drive by to check the home’s layout, and return that night.
The creak of the door made Janet turn—Gail was home. Janet breathed in relief.
Gail’s eyes locked with her mother’s as she closed the door behind her. “What’s with the look?” She hung her purse on the chairback and took a seat.
“I’m just relieved you’re home. What if the police are searching for that Jeep? It isn’t like it blends in with other vehicles.”
“How would they connect Cliff to the Jeep?”
“He was a dog, honey. Remember, that’s why he was left with other dogs. Do you think you were the only woman who went out with him? Somebody probably called the tip line already.”
“Mmm… you might be right. So now we have to ditch the Jeep just as I was starting to like it.”
Janet shook her head. “I know, but it’s too risky. We’ll take it to Cliff’s house late tonight and leave it in the driveway.”
“Okay, then I better get another rental set up that can be delivered here. We’ll use your fake ID again since that works like a charm.”
“Sorry.” Janet stared at the table.
“For what, Mom?”
“For needing to do this.”
Gail patted Janet’s arm. “We both needed to do it. For our sanity.”