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I shake my head, “No, only Ace and Rip are coming with me. If I get the opportunity, I’ll take him out, and we can get the cleaners in as soon as possible.”
“Sounds good. Keep us updated,” he replies with a relieved smile. I really think that this was bothering them way more than they were letting on, especially since Harley clearly didn’t want them to deal with it and still doesn’t, which is why we are, and they aren’t involved other than to protect Harley.
The others all decide to leave when we do, with strict instructions for us to keep them updated because they know that we’re going to be there for a while. After all, that’s the whole point of a stakeout; it takes a while. I also make sure to promise Harley that I will text her as soon as it’s done and if we don’t manage to get it done tonight, just so she knows what is going on at all and doesn’t feel like she’s being left in limbo, I know that’s what would bother me.
We didn’t think to bring two cars to the compound, so instead, we head back and split off into one of our less conspicuous cars, one that is older and less likely to stand out in the neighborhood that we are going to.
Once I’ve said goodbye to the others and we’re on the way, I say, “You know it might be a good idea for us to get an old beat-up car for situations like this. We might just get away with this one being parked in that neighborhood, but there are no guarantees, and if we had an older one, we’d be even safer.”
Rip nods thoughtfully, “Yeah, you know what you’re right, actually. Fortunately, the thing at the Conspiracy’s place took longer than I thought it would, and we haven’t got long until the sun disappears completely. We’ll make sure we park somewhere where the light isn’t that great, and then we shouldn’t be too noticeable.”
“That’s a good idea,” Ace says and then adds, “Did you tell them to keep an eye on the cameras?”
I nod, looking back at him from the front seat curiously, “Yeah, why?”
“It’s just the messages started not that long ago, and some of that time, they were with us or on jobs. They’ve been at home for a good few days now, and from his past behavior, now is when he’ll escalate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to go up there soon.” Ace explains.
“Should we have just camped out at theirs then?” I ask, biting my lip with worry.
Ace shrugs, “I honestly don’t know. It probably wouldn’t have made much difference, and we do need to get eyes on him. I might be wrong anyway; it’s just a guess really on how I think he would behave based on his past behavior.”
“Okay, well, we’ll stick to the plan for now and just play it by ear. I really hope we can get this guy taken out soon though, for Harley and the guys and so that we can take a few days off as well.” I reply.
“Sounds good to me. I actually want to be lazy and enjoy our house for a while. I missed being home,” Rip adds as we pull up on the same street as the hotel.
It’s not in the best area, but it’s not really bad. Thankfully, because it’s not the best area, there are a few places along the street where the street lights are flickering or have gone out, so we’re actually spoilt for choice when it comes to inconspicuous places. Rip chooses one that gives us a great view of the building, and I immediately start to pull my hair up and put a baseball cap on before I start to get out of the car.
“What are you doing?” Ace asks curiously.
“I’m going to ask the desk clerk if he’s here or has been seen recently,” I explain.
“Isn't that going to raise suspicions?” Rip asks.
“In another place, it might; in this one, simply saying that I’m a private investigator should do the trick, and if not, I can flirt a little,” I explain.
“I’m assuming that you need us to stay here then?” Rip smirks.
“Yeah, private investigators don’t tend to have teams,” I reply and then reach back in my bag and pull out the earpieces that I thought to grab when we went back to the car, “I’ve got these though, so you’ll both be able to hear what’s going on and if something goes wrong you’ll know.”
Taking one off me while Ace takes the other, Rip says, “Good thinking. It’ll put our minds at rest and keep you safe. I know this is new for you.”
I chuckle, “It is, but we’ve done enough work together now that it’s not completely a completely new concept.”
“Good,” Ace replies, “go and do your thing then. We’ve got your back like always.”
“Thanks guys,” I smile and then kiss them both before I hop out of the car.
I can feel their eyes on me as I cross over the street and then walk through the parking lot, and I keep my head lowered slightly so that if any of the security cameras in the area are working, they don’t get a clear view of my face. When I pull open the door, I make sure that I look over the reception area as quickly and as thoroughly as I can; the last thing I need is to be caught unawares.
“Can I help you, missy? Here to meet someone?” the guy perched behind the counter smirks yet somehow manages to look bored as hell at the same time.
“I’m looking for Harrison Garby,” I tell him with a sweet smile. Quickly changing up my plan from private investigator to ditched date, “He told me to meet him here but didn’t tell me his room number.”
I know his room number, Ace managed to find it pretty fucking quickly, but since this guy already seems to think that I’m here to meet someone for a seedy hookup, I may as well use it to my advantage. It’s a hell of a lot less suspicious just to ask for a room number than it is to question whether some random guy is here with no other context.
“I can tell you his room number if you’d like, girly, but it’s not going to do you any good,” he tells me, his eyes leering.
“And why’s that?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.
