LITMIR.BIZ

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she thought it would do any good, she’d run around asking questions and demanding answers. But if there was a chance Melody had been kidnapped in some elaborate scheme to smuggle women into the sex trade, the people she wanted answers from would be highly unlikely to talk about anything to do with the missing college coed.

      No, she’d have to keep her connection with Melody under wraps. Perhaps her blond hair and English accent would help set her up as the next target. The quickest way to find the kidnap victims might be to become one herself.

      On her way through the lobby to the elevator, she made it a point to say hello to the front desk clerk, the bellboys and the concierge. If any one of them was involved in whatever might be going on, she wanted them to consider her as their next target.

      On the way up to her room she noted the camera in the top corner of the elevator car. As she stepped out of the elevator onto her floor, she spotted one of the girls from the beach sliding her card into the door lock and hurried toward her. “I’m so very glad I caught you. I’m Natalia, from the beach.” She held out her hand.

      “Oh, yes. Thank you for saving my friends.” She took Natalie’s hand. “I’m Kylie.”

      “Are Lisa and her friend doing all right?” Natalie asked.

      The pretty blonde smiled and nodded. “Lisa and Jodie are sleeping. Their parents were able to book them on a flight back to the States tomorrow morning. I wish the rest of us could have gotten on board, but the flight was full.”

      “I hope they have a safe flight back. Are you all going to dinner later? My roommate was supposed to come with me on this holiday, but her aunt died and she had to cancel at the last minute. I would love to have someone to eat with.”

      Kylie’s brows rose. “You mean you’re not with the hunky guys?”

      Natalie smiled. “I only wish. They are kind of dreamy, don’t you think?”

      “Oh, yeah.” The younger woman sighed. “They’re just what I imagined finding here. If only things had worked out differently. Since Melody disappeared, none of us can think of anything else. The vacation is ruined and we’re all ready to be home with our families.”

      “I can imagine. Nothing’s worse than losing someone you’re that close to.” Natalie bit down on her tongue to keep from adding “Especially when she’s your only living relative 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

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