Page 86 (1/2)

It’s an easy shot over the hill from Beverly Hills to Studio City, and I’ to find Jamie in tears on her bed

She’s not home

Okay, okay I just have to think Where could she be?

I know Jah to know that she uy, and I le otten horizontal with That’s one thing about Jaoes in for repeat perfor, a series of ain getting lucky

At least I can cross hilas has made it clear he’d be up for round two, Ja where she could be I call the divey bar on the corner near our condo, but she hasn’t been there in days I call Steve and Anderson, but they haven’t talked to her They give me the names of a few other ht

Shit, shit, shit

Even though I knoill do no good whatsoever, I call the police I’o 911 and call the station directly I speak to the officer in charge, explaining that my roommate came home plastered, but she’s not here now and I’m worried that she’s dead in a ditch so anyone to help Not until she’s been gone for a hell of a lot longer than a few hours

I closeto Edward? That she was going to change and go clubbing? That she was going to visit a friend? That she was going to LAX to splurge on a red-eye to New York?

I don’t have a nuer hesitates over Damien’s name I’m not ready to talk to him, but I have to know I suck in a breath, count to three, and call

He answers on the first ring and, daet the words out because of the tears that are cloggingout the story, asking hih the front door I blink in confusion as he walks to ently takes the phone froet here so fast?"

"Edward is parked at the end of the block I was planning to co you ti to him," Damien says "And he walked her to the door and heard her lock it after he left He assuainst ure out what to do next, but it’s all blank I don’t knohat to do I am completely lost--and I’oing to do so stupid"

"Did you check for her car?"

"Dammit," I say "I didn’t even think about it"

"She could have taken a taxi or had a friend pick her up, but if it’s still here, it’s a start I can get one ofthe taxi services to see if there was a call, and then--"

I’ve been sprinting for the front door as he speaks, ready to go look at her parking space I yank it open--and freeze at the site of Ja there, her clothes askew, her hair anone the worse for the wear

"Jah to inspect her for hidden injuries "Are you okay? Where were you?"