Eloy was grateful for the foresight to throw his tent, sleeping bag, and a cooler into his Jeep. He’d originally thought that if the cops were coming after him, he could camp his way across the country or possibly Mexico.
But now, his plan was to cause Chloe to OD in a homeless encampment. Mixed amongst the crazies, and druggies, it might be days before her body was discovered. And anyone who saw him ‘helping’ her to her tent wouldn’t give him a second glance.
He’d sent her for change at the motel desk, so she’d be on camera alive and well just in case the cops tracked them there.
He had a headache from thinking so hard about how to undo this mess and rid himself of the pretty girl. Of course, he realized the inn had cameras in the hallway, but the entire time he was there, he was careful to keep a hat on and his head down. Once he’d left Chloe’s body in the tent, the clothes he currently wore would be left for the homeless to find. But first, they had to get there.
He had the Jeep running when she reappeared and got inside. She handed him the five and ten-dollar bills he’d requested.
“Don’t worry about breakfast. I need to go home now.”
“We’ve gotta meet a guy. He’s going to be part of our alibi.”
“What?”
“I’m paying him to say that he saw us at the beach at the time of the boost at the department store.”
“Who is he?”
He looked at her. “It’s best if you don’t know all the details.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed south. At the next major intersection, he turned east. “We’ll meet with him and give him half of his money.”
Eloy’s heart raced because he was making this part up on the fly. He just needed a reason to get her situated in the tent.
“Why can’t you take me home first?”
“Because he needs to see you in case the police show him a photo of you.”
“This is crazy.”
“Do you want to go to prison, Chloe?”
“Of course not. But I didn’t do anything!”
“Really? Wasn’t it you who went to the store and drew me a map of where the expensive items were?” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. She opened her mouth, then closed it.
“What? What were you going to say?”
“Nothing,” she spat out.
You’re doing the right thing, Eloy. The sooner you disappear the bitch, the better. She’s gonna turn on you.