Chapter 20

“Lee Preece.”

“Pretty young thing. How old are you?”

“Dad, that’s enough.” Vaughn Southerland didn’t turn toward his father as he spoke. He kept his eyes on Gerald.

“Eighteen,” Jennalee said.

“Eighteen,” the old man squealed. “Hear that, son?”

“Dad, please.” Vaughn pushed his American Express card back into his wallet and slapped the leather fold shut.

“Just the way you like ‘em,” Haskel continued, rattling his wheelchair. “Better watch out, little girl, especially if he says he’s got a one-eyed worm—”

“Dad! That’s enough!” Vaughn whirled the chair and pushed his father away, Anita Southerland running along behind.

“Your key card, Mr. Southerland,” Gerald called.

Jennalee grabbed it and sprinted after the fleeing family. “Room number one,” she said to Anita, who’d stopped and turned. “Down at the end.”

The woman, who appeared to have once been beautiful, offered a weak nod as she took the card.