whom you love dearly.”
“As for dinner...we will probably go down around eight. Since it’s Lisa and Jodie’s last night here, we’ll end up at the bar for one last round before the group disperses. You’re welcome to join us. I’m sure the others will agree.”
“Thank you. I’m glad I won’t have to sit awkwardly by myself.” Natalie waved her hand. “See you around eight, then.” She turned and walked toward the door next to Kylie’s and let herself into her room.
First thing, she checked the disposable cell phone she’d purchased at the airport for any messages from Lance. She’d texted him as soon as she’d pulled it from the plastic packaging so he’d have her number.
Since her eventful walk on the beach, he’d had time to arrive and text her with his bungalow number.
With a couple hours to spare, Natalie figured she might as well check in with the agent.
Slipping a long, flowing skirt over her swimsuit, she plunked a floppy hat onto her head and left her room. Rather than take the elevator, she opted for the stairs, checking the locations of all the security cameras. She wondered if Lance could get into the security system and review footage from the night before last to see if it showed them potential suspects that could have been stalking the young women.
Lance had rented a bungalow on the resort property, giving him a little more privacy than a hotel room. He could set up his equipment and not worry too much about being bothered.
Natalie took a roundabout route, looking for security cameras strategically placed. Outside the hotel, the cameras were directed toward common areas and the hotel itself. The bungalows seemed to be more private.
Strolling along a pebbled concrete path as if she hadn’t a care in the world, Natalie eventually arrived at the correct bungalow with its Do Not Disturb sign hanging on the door handle. A quick glance around assured her she was alone. She knocked softly.
A moment later Lance opened the door. “I was wondering when you’d stop by. I see you’ve already been in the water based on where the tracker located you.” He jerked his head and stepped to the side. “Come in.”
Natalie slipped inside. “Have you hacked into the police data files?”
“I’d love to say yes but, one, I just set up my system. And two, the local authorities’ system isn’t that sophisticated. I’m not even certain they keep data on computers.”
“What about the hotel security system?” Natalie asked.
Lance crossed to the small desk located against one wall. “Working on that now.” He sat in the chair and opened his laptop. On the screen was a map of Cancun, the resort pinpointed by a bold green dot.
“I see you’re keeping up with me.” Natalie was at once reassured and disturbed by being followed so closely. If it weren’t for the nature of the case, she would never have let anyone inject a tracking device beneath her skin. Though she had confidence in her ability to defend herself, she knew her limits. Being drugged or outnumbered could reduce her abilities to nil. In that case, she’d be happy to have Lance track her and provide backup if or when she went missing.
“When you get into the hotel security camera files, check the bar, lobby and restaurants where Melody was to see if there are any suspicious characters paying a little too much attention to her. Royce gave you the picture of Melody, didn’t he?”
“Got it. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”
“I’ll be in the restaurant and bar tonight if you can get into the security system by then.”
“I should be able to pull up the online system. I can keep an eye on you, if you’d like.”
“Whatever.” Natalie shrugged, staring at the green dot on the screen. “You already have me on the tracking system.”
“True.”
“Do one more favor for me, will you?” Natalie asked.
“Shoot.”
“I met a couple of guys on the beach today. Both had tattoos and were well built. Check them out. I’d almost bet they’re military, based on their bearing. They said they only got in today, but that could have been a line. Both hit on me.”
Lance grinned. “If the rest of that swimsuit is as revealing as the top, I don’t blame them.”
Natalie frowned. “Find out who they are and when they arrived. They were certainly big enough to carry off a female with one hand tied behind their backs.”
“Will do.”
“Thanks. I’d better get back so I can be ready in time for dinner. If you find anything, I want to know ASAP.”
Lance saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
With an hour to get ready, Natalie hurried back to her hotel room and hit the shower. Something didn’t feel right about getting dressed up for dinner when her sister could be in some kind of hell, praying for someone to rescue her.
Rinsed and scrubbed free of the sticky salt water, Natalie toweled dry and then ran a blow dryer over hair, pulling the curl out. Applying the flat iron, she erased all the curl and left her hair hanging long down to her waist, the way college girls wore it. Normally, Natalie would have worn her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her hair was long, but only because she was too lazy to go to the hairdresser on a regular basis.
Once she finished her hair, she applied makeup, another ritual she’d avoided over the past two years. With the intention of being the next blonde to be nabbed, she gave herself smoky eyes with a combination of blue and charcoal eye shadow topped with a thin stroke of black eyeliner and mascara.
Satisfied with the result, Natalie dressed in a short, soft blue dress with narrow spaghetti straps. The dress was another one of Melody’s choices. Natalie hadn’t worn it out of sheer modesty. The hem barely covered her bottom, revealing every inch of her long legs. The thin straps and form-fit of the garment meant thong panties and no bra.
Feeling as close to naked as one could be in a dress, Natalie slipped her feet into strappy silver stilettoes. Grabbing the matching silver clutch, she slipped money, her passport and one of the knives inside. At the last minute she flipped the switch on the earbud and stuck it in her left ear.
“Hey, Lance.”
“I’m here, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me sweetheart.”
“You got it, babe.”
Not in the mood to argue, she let his teasing slide. “Anything?”
“Your guys are two of the four who arrived today. I traced them all the way back to the plane they flew in on. Dutton Calloway, Sawyer Houston, Benjamin Raines and Quentin Lovett. Their plane originated from New Orleans. Probably legit.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you want me to dig deeper?”
“Yeah, just in case they’re buyers for the kidnapped women.”
“Got
