Layla relaxed a little convinced there was no attack coming.
Mercedes handed her part of a menu for a Mexican restaurant holding it with a napkin.
“Roswell New Mexico?” Denise asked.
“Turn it over. That is where she was. The menu is from a restaurant you need to go to for a good dinner and more,” Mercedes smiled.
“Thank you.”
“I work out of a pool that is sent many places to clean. I knew something important was coming into my life,” Mercedes said.
“I believe you,” Denise smiled.
“Try to act quickly on your dreams Denizen. The future for Myla may be very bad if she is not found soon.”
“Yes, as will the future be of those who hold her if she is harmed in any way.”
Mercedes turned to walk to the car the two young men waited at.
“Mercedes,” Denise said.
She turned to Denise.
“One moment, please.”
Denise reached into the back seat of the Mustang and took out one of the envelopes she had pre-filled with various amounts of cash.
“Here, I want you to have this as a token of my thanks,” Denise said.
“I did not come here for a reward.”
“It is not a reward, it is a thank you. Please,” Denise said handing her the envelope.
“Thank you Denizen. Good luck and be careful.”
“We will, thanks.”
Their car did a U-turn and was gone in a blink.
“Well baby, what’s next? Layla asked.
“We need to find a place to change clothes,” Denise said getting into the Mustang and closing the door.
“Sweet.”
Denise keyed the address into Google Maps, 3162 18TH Street. “Texas Tech?” she asked.
“A good place to hide someone, in the middle of a campus, and not just any campus, but one that has faculty and staff who could be tapped into for a price to examine her,” Layla said.
“It’s a fucking dorm from what I can see.”
“Well maybe we won’t need to change after all.”
“No, I think we’d better. No telling what we are going to find.”
Denise sat back to relay the information they had gathered to Nola as Layla steered the Mustang west across town to campus.
Chapter 34
18th Street
“So, I wind up in a dorm anyway,” Denise giggled as the Mustang GTO turned on to University Avenue heading north to campus.
“I loved and hated the dorms when I was in one for my entire first year at school. Neely was a real party dorm when I was there,” Layla said.
“We can park at their Rec Center and it is just a short walk from there,” Denise said.
Layla drove the Mustang past the address on 18th Street before driving around to park. “I think we can blend in without the suits, what do you think?”
“Yeah, I think we can. Hey, there’s a Starbucks at the Rec Center,” Denise said.
“Let’s hit it on the way out.”
They parked the Mustang and strolled through the Center. “I guess if you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all,” Layla said.
“I like our Student Center in Carbondale, especially after the night of It Came From the Chicago Subway,” Denise laughed.
They exited the building. The bright sun was beating down on them as they walked across a field heading south. “Let’s get some Texas dirt on these new boots,” Layla laughed.
There was a surprisingly ghost town feel to the Dorm as they approached it.
“Summer term. The building is not being used I’ll bet due to the lower attendance now,” Layla said.
“Suits?”
“Nah, let’s rough it.”
When they got to the front door it was open. They walked in and were stopped by a student whose job it was to make sure whoever was let into the building was authorized to be there. “Can I help you?” the young woman asked.
“Yes. We’re supposed to report to the sixth floor to clean,” Layla said.
“Great. Just sign in here. I’ll need to see your student I.D.’s.”
“Sure,” Layla smiled. She signed in as Abigail Albatross.
You’re not really going to need to see our student I.D.’s, Denise thought.
“At least it’s nice and cool in here,” Layla said.
Denise signed in as Jenna Bushkowski.
“Ok. The elevators are just beyond the door,” the woman said buzzing them in.
Many of the doors to the rooms were open providing the only light as they walked down the long dark hall.
“Room 602,” Layla whispered. She listened at the door for any sound in the room. After nodding to Denise that she did not hear anything, she tried the handle. “Locked.”
“Go Supergirl,” Denise giggled in a whisper.
The door created a loud pop when Layla forced it open with a twisting wave. They waited in silence for a moment to see if the loud noise alerted anyone who might be on the floor that they could not see. The sound of their breathing was all they heard.
When they entered the room it was dark inside. She tried the light switch and it did not work. “Must be out on the entire floor from the looks of things in the hallway,” Layla said. They walked inside and closed the door behind them. Denise pulled out her iPhone, turned it on and activated her Flashlight App. She made her way to the window and raised the blinds just enough to light the room.
There were beddings and towels strewn about the room. It had the appearance of someone leaving in a hurry.
Denise walked over to the sink Myla had stood at and looked at her own reflection in the mirror. Where are you Myla?
Layla found a few caps that cover the tip of a new syringe on the floor and handed one to Denise. “Small wonder why you’re not getting anything from her. They’ve probably got her so dopey she does not know where she is or is completely unconscious.”
“Yeah. Looks like they kept this place pretty clean up to the last minute. I can’t really explain why, but let’s take the bedding,” Denise said. They wrapped up a sheet and pillowcase inside a second sheet on the floor. “Let’s check the bathroom.”
“Ugh. Dueling bathrooms?” Denise asked, trying to see her way around the room with her iPhone. She tried the door to the adjoining room but it did not open.
“Check the lock,” Layla whispered.
“You lived like this for a year?”
“Yeah, but it was worth it for all the romance,” Layla giggled.
When Denise opened the door, a blow to the head that sent her reeling back into the bathroom greeted her, landing on the floor with a splat, dropping her iPhone that dimly lit the room. At the same time that she landed on the floor, the door to the room Myla was kept in flew open.
Denise could taste the blood in her mouth as she reached to grab the iPhone. A boot came down on her hand when it was over it. “I think we’d all just love to have a look at that fancy phone first.” It was the deep voice of a male. She could not see his face but judging from the size and feel of his boot he was not small.
Layla stood outside the bathroom in Myla’s room holding the beddings. “Help her up off the floor and go sit on that bed,” one of the men in the room said to Layla.
Layla reached down to help Denise to her feet.
More fucking bikers? Denise said when back in the room.
“More fucking bikers. Indeed,” Layla said.
“Watch your mouth bitch,” one of the other men said.
Are you ok?” Layla asked.
I’m from Chicago, I’ve had fat lips before.
“Put those sheets down and empty your pockets on to the bed, the biker said who walked out of the bathroom holding Denise’s iPhone. “Let’s see here,” he said looking down at her phone. “Password? What’s the password?”
Denise just stared at him. Her lip and hand were both throbbing now. “Eat shit,” she said softly.
One of the three pulled out a black handg
un and cocked it. “In case you haven’t noticed, you’re in a bad situation so I’d watch what you say to that guy holding your ex-phone,” he said.
“I’m not fucking around. The password.”
“Apologies, I left part of it out. Eat shit and die.”
“And I told you to drop those sheets and sit on the bed.”
I need them conscious, Denise said.
I’ll try. Layla said.
The one holding Denise’s iPhone motioned to the others. They started walking towards them standing by the bed.
Shoot him in the left foot, Denise said to the biker approaching with the gun in his hand. He turned to his left and shot the other biker in the left foot.
Layla swung the tied up bundle of sheets in a waving motion across the room sending the two approaching bikers flying into the walls and doors. “Oh, you said to drop the sheets not you,” Layla said. The one holding the gun had dropped it. When he reached for it Layla kicked him into a state of unconsciousness. She reached down and picked up the weapon and sat down on the bed keeping it trained on all three men.
You will answer our questions, Denise said.
“Who hired you to wait here for visitors?” Denise asked.
“Some guy,” the biker bleeding said.
“Does some guy have a name?”
“Brownsville.”
“What did he look like?” Layla asked.
“We never met him. The information was given to us by a member of our club.”
“What’s his name?”
“Johnny.”
“Fucking Johnny again huh?” Layla spoke through clenched teeth.
“Where have they taken the being you are holding?” Denise asked.
“I don’t know. None of us knows. We were just told to come here.”
“And what were your orders if someone showed up?” Layla asked.
Denise walked over to collect her iPhone. “You cracked my screen you miserable piece of shit.”
“I asked you a question. What were your orders?” Layla said.
“To eliminate you any way we saw fit.”
“Do you believe them?” Layla asked.
“Yeah, all things considered, I do.”
“How did you plan on eliminating us?” Layla asked.
“Aw hell, we were going to fuck the shit out of both of you and put a bullet in each of your heads when we were through.”
Now you can put them to sleep. Denise said.
Layla simply flicked her fingers at the two that were still conscious and in an instant they were lying on the floor out like a light.
“I know this sounds gross, but should we check them for identification?” Layla asked.
“Not necessary. Empty that gun into the walls and shoot out the window. I want this place swarming with police.”
“It’s going to be loud.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
Not knowing how many rounds were in the gun, Layla fired three shots into the walls before shooting out the window. She then emptied the weapon into the walls around the room.
They quickly wiped anything they thought they might have touched to be free from fingerprints. When Layla finished with the gun she left it lying on the floor between the three men.
Layla opened the door quickly and they bolted out the door closing it behind them. She led the way walking quickly to the stairwell. They hadn’t gotten more than fifteen feet when they heard something whiz by their heads just before they heard the gunfire. Instinctively they dove to the ground. “I can’t see anyone,” Layla said.
“Yeah, well hopefully they can’t see us either,” Denise said.
“Can you find your way to the end of the hall and the stairwell in the dark,” Layla whispered.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Get ready to move.” Layla forced all the doors shut that were the only source of light in the now completely black hall with a fury.
They dashed for the stairwell. “I hear someone coming up behind us,” Layla said as Denise slammed into the fire door and bolted down the stairs with Layla right behind.
“Just keep going,” Layla said. She stopped between the first landing and the second waiting for whoever was following. A large man wearing a headband to keep his long brown hair in place, dressed in the basic biker garb of worn too long dirty denim came bolting through the door and started down the stairs. By the time he saw Layla it was too late. She had him bouncing off the walls before slamming him to the hard floor writhing in pain. She kicked his handgun down the stairs and flew down them to a waiting Denise.
“I hear voices out there,” Denise said.
They stood silent for a brief second. “Police,” Layla said. “I’m going to run out the door freaking out like someone is up there having a gun battle. You do your thing to convince them and let’s hope it works.”
“Go,” Denise said.
Layla ran out the door ahead of Denise screaming about someone upstairs having a gun battle.
Help us. They are shooting at everything. They are going to kill us all, Denise thought.
A parade of six police officers made their way up the stairwell. An ambulance crew was tending to the girl who was working at the front desk when they arrived.
“Girls, are you okay?” a paramedic asked.
“Yeah, we’re fine, just completely freaked out. I don’t like firearms,” Denise said.
More police and SWAT teams were arriving when they walked out the front door, still trying to look timid and terrified.
No one gave them a second look as they quickly made their way to the Mustang, Layla still carrying the sheets.
“Do we have time for that latte?” Denise asked.
“Those lattes, I want a couple before I need a drink,” Layla laughed.
“You are Supergirl.” Denise smiled moving over to stop her and give her a kiss.
“If only bullets could bounce off me,” she smiled.
“No really. You’re amazing.”
“How’s your lip besides obviously swollen?”
“Throbbing. I’ll survive.”
“Come one, lattes are on me,” Layla said.
“Thanks Supergirl.”
Chapter 35
Roswell
Once they got off campus, Denise had Layla pull over so she could change the outer appearance of the Mustang. “It’s my turn. I loved the GTO but no telling who saw us leave in it.” She pushed the button and the outer appearance of the Mustang was now that of a Ford Galaxy two door circa 1969, in metallic green with a black vinyl top.
“Okay. The parent’s car. It’s kinda perfect actually.”
“Ha.”
Layla drove the Mustang Galaxy at a leisurely pace to Roswell. They were happy to get out of Texas, and checked into a Holiday Inn when they arrived. Denise wanted to clean up before going out to a Mexican Dinner.
“Bring up the beddings,” Denise said.
Layla stuffed them into her bag and they made their way up to their corner room on the second floor.
“It feels good to shower off Texas,” Denise said coming out of the bathroom.
“How’s your lip?”
“Fat. How are you? Did you acquire any nicks, cuts or scratches?”
“No, I’m good. My foot is a little sore. That guy had a thick skull,” Layla laughed. “Well, I’m going to get in the shower.”
“Enjoy.”
Denise plugged in her charger on the iPhone and unlocked it. “I have to replace this.” The screen was cracked and the home button was unresponsive. “I guess I’ll have to do it the hard way,” she sighed. She took out the Yellow Pages and looked for places that might sell iPhones. “Hate wasting my time on this but I need a phone.” There was a soft knock at the door. She looked through the peephole to see Cyn and Suar standing in the hall.
“Come in, please,” she said.
“Oh my. I am sorry you were injured,” Cyn said.
“Oh, it’s nothing really. Still have
all my teeth and wits,” Denise giggled, flinching a little when she smiled.
“Please, lay down on the bed and I will make sure you have not sustained any other injuries,” Suar said.
She heard the shower stop. Honey we have guests so don’t freak out, she said.
From upstairs?
Yes.
The doctor opened a bag and took out a similar but smaller device to the one he used to treat her bruise on the Tyrine.
“Luckily you have no internal injuries from your fall. Tell me, does this hurt?” he asked doing something to the device he had in his hands.
“Oooh, yes it does,” Denise said.
“Please lay on your stomach,” Suar said.
Denise flipped herself over. When she did she noticed the pain he pointed out hurt more.
“You have a bruised vertebrae,” he said.
Layla walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. “Hello. How’s the patient?”
“Hello,” Cyn said.
“Hello. She’ll be fine in a moment.”
Suar used a device that hovered over her back for a few minutes and the pain was gone. “You can turn back over and get comfortable.” When she did, he used a smaller device that tingled quite a bit. Layla watched in amazement as the fat split lip Denise had moments ago changed to perfectly normal.
“That tickled.”
“It may continue for a few minutes,” Suar said.
When the doctor was finished Denise propped up the pillows and sat on the bed.
“I am sorry we were not close enough to assist you earlier today,” Cyn said.
“Yeah, well, no sense in leveling an entire dorm over a few scumbag bikers,” Denise laughed.
“Oh, there are many other ways to assist you,” Cyn said.
Layla sat in a chair and sighed. “Your lip looks so kissable again,” she giggled.
Denise just shook her head and smiled.
Cyn walked over and handed Denise a small box. “I heard you needed a new one,” she said.
“How could you possibly have known mine was broken?” Denise asked opening it to find a new iPhone.
Cyn simply smiled. “May I have your broken one?”
“You want my broken iPhone?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Well, I’ll have to activate this one and load up all my programs and other stuff.
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