Free The Deceived by Brett Battles

be able to get a little more information out of the woman, but that it might not be worth the time.
    Woodway Avenue was a couple blocks away. Quinn could see dozens of cars passing by on the busier road. Just before they reached it, he pulled the Bronco to the curb and turned to the woman. “One last time: what were you doing back there?”
    She hesitated, then said, “I was looking for Jenny. Jenny Fuentes. That was her house, but I think you probably know that.” She paused. “You... called me Jenny when you were chasing me.”
    “Why were you looking for her?” Again a pause. “She’s a friend. We’ve been friends for a long time.” “Good for you. But that still doesn’t tell me why.” The woman seemed to think for a moment, considering her words
    before she spoke. “We kept in pretty good touch. Then a few weeks ago, it was like she disappeared. I called her work but they said she was on a leave of absence.” She looked at Quinn. “Jenny would let me know if something was wrong. She wouldn’t just go away without a word.”
    “You’re that important to her?” “Important enough,” she said defensively. “How do you know her?” “Why do you need to know that? Who the hell are you ? And why
    are you looking for her?” “How do you know her?” he repeated, his voice impatient. Silence. “College,” she said, as if mad she had even opened her mouth.
    “Same major. Your turn now.” Quinn wasn’t sure if her story was true or not, but she had given
    him enough to check her out. “Get out,” he said. “What?” “Get out of the car. You can catch a ride here. Or call a taxi. I don’t
    care.” “No.”
    “Now,” he said.
    “I’m not leaving until you tell me who you are and why you’re looking for Jenny.” Her tone was defiant, challenging.
    Quinn stared at her for a moment. “Fine.”
    He opened his door and started to climb out.
    “Where are you going?”
    He didn’t answer.
    He walked back to the rented Lexus. The woman had followed him for a block, then stopped. As he glanced back over his shoulder, he could see her walking toward Woodway Avenue. Whether she was really a friend of Jenny’s or not, he wasn’t sure. But her fear had seemed genuine. Still, she was a loose end. Once he found a secure phone, he’d have Nate check her out.
    When he reached the Lexus, he saw that the street up toward Jenny’s house was filled with police cars and fire trucks. Bright lights on portable poles were erected in the driveway, lighting up the smoldering house like a Monday night football game. Firemen were fighting what was left of the flames, while most of the cops worked crowd detail.
    Quinn slipped quietly into his car. He kept his eyes forward as he started the engine, watchful in case anyone looked in his direction.
    He waited a full minute before pulling away from the curb, lights off. He made a quick U-turn, then headed back toward Woodway Avenue.
    If he’d been only mildly worried about Jenny before he came to Houston, he was now full-on concerned. And until proven otherwise, he had to assume that Markoff ’s death and the disappearance of his girlfriend were connected.
    He could feel the tension building in his shoulders.
    Nate had been right. This was one of those jobs they didn’t get paid for. Until Quinn knew Jenny was all right, he wasn’t going to be able to stop looking for her. The last thing he wanted was for what had happened to Markoff to happen to her, too.
    He only hoped he wasn’t too late.

CHAPTER

    FROM THE SCANT INFORMATION HE HAD, THE LAST
    place Jenny had been seen was in D.C. So a return to L.A. was going to have to wait. D.C. would have to come first.
    The fastest way there would have been to head back to Bush Intercontinental and catch a plane. Hobby Airport was also an option. But both posed potential risks. The men who had been following him in the Volvo couldn’t have known he was at the house when it exploded. They might still be trying to find