Dead Burn by Jennifer Chase

Author:Jennifer Chase [Chase, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JEC Press
Published: 2013-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Saturday 1700 Hours

Not bothering to check in to one of the local motels, Jordan decided that it was best to keep looking for Emily. Time pushed ahead and weaved a trap against him.

The early evening chilled the air. The reality of finding more information kept Jordan vigilant and hopeful as he drove up and down streets in a line search method, just like searching for evidence at a crime scene.

He had rented a standard mid-class car after leaving the airport. It had the usual pungent smell of old cigarettes masked by a putrid floral spray. He tossed everything into the trunk, except for his laptop and cell phone.

The Internet signal bounced around, depending upon if he drove up a hill into a densely wooded area, or into an open parking lot behind a casino. The security icon still showed the necklace to be near South Lake Tahoe within the approximate area of five square miles. It wasn’t quite like a needle in a haystack, but it was still an arduous search.

The greenish yellow blip on the small screen pulsed with life, it knew secrets. The more Jordan watched the tedious blinking, the more it seemed to want to reach out to him.

The familiar chime emanated from the cell phone that there was a missed message. Jordan almost dropped the phone before he could read the number, but to his dismay, it was from one of his security clients confirming an appointment.

Turning into a casino parking lot, he easily found a parking place. It was strategically located where he could walk to several casinos.

The fresh air would improve his mood and energy. The hint of the clean pine smell, a sweet aroma of the woods never drifted far away, and kept the constant atmosphere of the beautiful location within arm’s reach.

Pulling open the back door entrance to a casino and restaurant, Jordan stepped inside. Laughter and falling coins instantly filled the void of the darkened cave. The establishment heavily adorned with dizzying mirrors, nonstop gambling, and a carpet with a repeating, nauseating design reminiscent of a carnival bombarded him.

The jingling change hit plastic containers like clockwork, while the constant beeping, dinging, and applause of various slot machines overpowered one area after another. It boggled the mind and frenzied the equilibrium.

Jordan eyed every pretty, petite fair-haired woman, but none of them was Emily.

Why would Emily be in a casino?

He glanced at his phone again. It repeated the same alert for the necklace. It was close, maybe not in this casino, but nearby.

The process of elimination anchored Jordan’s thoughts and cooled his gut instincts – at least for a few minutes. With all of the energy and thrill of the chase to find Emily and Rick, Jordan felt deep sadness.

Casually walking through the casino, he noticed all eyes focused on picture screens, cards or the dice. Many hoped of hitting it rich and all of their problems would cease. Life precariously worked in mysterious ways – it was rarely what you planned.

A pretty, redheaded cocktail waitress approached Jordan.

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