Page 17 of Sam's Salvation
She nodded once, even though she had no intention of doing so. They’d have to pick her up unconscious from the street before she’d come back.
Seven
Audra hobbled into the lobby from the ED, discharge papers in hand. Her leg hurt; so did her head. She was grateful it was still dark out. The sun was likely to split her skull in two. But she was free. After the doctor left, the nurse had unhooked her from all the medical equipment and found her some clothes to wear. The baggy sweatpants and oversize t-shirt didn’t fit the greatest, but they were clean and she was covered.
Outside the ED doors, Audra glanced back and forth, looking for a taxi. A man holding a sign caught her attention. The name “Carter” was scrawled over it in bold, black lettering. She was quick to turn away. Getting into the car Dee sent was not the plan.
“Ms. Carter?”
“Dammit!” she growled through clenched teeth. Dee must have sent a picture too. She turned back and pasted a polite smile on her face. “Hello.”
“Hi. I’m Kevin. My car’s over here.” He gestured to a black sedan about ten feet behind him.
Audra nodded and walked forward. He held the door for her, and she lowered herself onto the seat.
The driver got in, then turned to look at her. “The car hire notes say to take you to the airport. Is that correct?”
Oh, bless him for asking! Now she could alter her destination. And Dee was on something if she thought Audra could get on a plane right away. She had her Apple Wallet identification on her and that was it. It was possible her boss would charter a private aircraft, but Audra would still need a passport when she entered the U.K.. “No. I need to clean up and get a change of clothes before I get on a plane. Could you take me to the Venetian, please?” It was far enough from Liam’s main operating territory she felt safe walking around long enough to get something to wear.
“Of course.” He started the car.
Audra sank into the leather upholstery and closed her eyes. Lulled by the motion of the car, she dozed off.
“We’re here.”
The driver’s voice jolted her awake, and she sat up. “Sorry.”
“No worries, miss. Would you like me to wait?”
“No, thank you. I’ll catch an Uber or a taxi to the airport.” She reached for the door handle. “And I’m sorry, but I don’t have any money on me to leave you a tip.”
He smiled. “That’s all right. It’s been taken care of.”
Well, at least Dee hadn’t slacked on the hire car. “Great.” She pushed the door open. “Have a good day.” Wincing against the pain in her hip, she got out. Without a backward glance, she went inside.
Keeping her head down, she wandered into the resort’s mall and entered the first reasonably priced store she saw. With a tight smile for the salesperson, she plucked a lavender t-shirt off the rack with the resort’s logo. They had some soft lounge shorts, too, so she grabbed a pair of those in gray. Audra topped her haul with a dark gray ball cap.
The young woman manning the register eyed her with skepticism. “You okay?”
“Fine.” Audra took her phone from her baggy sweats’ pocket. “Do you take Apple Pay?” She prayed they did, because her wallet was locked in her condo.
“We do.”
“Great.” She gave the woman a tight smile. Her leg ached, and she needed to sit. She also needed a bottle of water. Her mouth felt like she’d gone out into the desert and ate it.
Still giving her a look that told Audra she looked as bad as she felt, the woman rang up her items. Audra paid and selected the cash back option, getting enough to book a room with cash, then thanked her and left. Moving as fast as her hip would let her, she headed for the Venetian’s check-in desk.
Audra paused in front of a mirrored window and tried to tame her hair before she approached the desk. She was sure they were used to all kinds of people, but she’d prefer not to be too memorable. All she had was her digital ID—her real one—and she’d rather they not remember her name.
“Ugh, I’m a mess.” She sighed and smoothed her hair once more. “I guess that’ll have to do.” Sighing, she turned and headed for the desk.
A man smiled at her as she approached. “Hello. How may I assist you?”
Audra stretched her lips into a smile and hoped it didn’t look too garish. “I’d like a room, please. Just for tonight.” What was left of it.
“Certainly. We’re past our normal check-in window, though, and the next check-in time isn’t until three o’clock. There’s an additional fee if you’d like to check-in early.”
“I guess I’ll hang out in the casino or wander until then.” She had no intention of ever stepping foot in the room, so it didn’t matter, and she’d rather not pay the resort’s early check-in fee.