Melody Jade Allen - Dead Breath

She and Leandra were in the dorm room, when they were still in the same college. They discussed a guy (whose name Mireya had already forgotten), and Leandra immediately said – stay away from him.

“You know, sometimes people hide their hidden essence. No one ever knows if there is a mask from a person who is so close to you.” She continued to speak from the tube. “And your new so-called potential boyfriend has a lie in every sentence that he says. Beware of such people, Mireya. Stay away.”

The call was interrupted.

Mireya stopped. Leandra was right again – that guy was already married and has wife was pregnant… the second time. Leandra probably somehow found out about it, but didn’t want to upset her friend, infinitely hinting. Mireya listened to her and didn’t regret it. And someone else knew about this all…

Mireya shuddered when she heard the signal from the car behind. She turned around – the dark sedan was approaching her. The headlights hid the driver’s face; the car stopped. The driver got out… it was Tom.

“No…” Mireya tiredly said and stepped back.

“Calm down!” Tom rubbed his hands. “I don’t bite. Don’t be afraid of me.”

“You know, now the only thing that scares me is the police.”

Tom raised his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

Mireya told him, forgetting the call from Leandra.

“Oh, now we are almost in the same team, my friend.” Tom laughed. “Only I was illegal, but Dennis had already told you that.”

“How did it happen?”

“Well…” Tom ran a hand through his thick hair, exhaling. “I came to the States from England to experience fate. But nothing that I planned worked, then the money ran out and here’s the result.” He smiled. “But I like this feeling of freedom!”

“Are they looking for you?”

Tom shook his head. “No, they are not anymore. A few months ago I hacked the FBI system. I was wanted. But time is up. They stopped hunted after me, knowing that I was illegal and that my activity in their system was not copied and distributed. They are not interested in me.”

“Really?”

Tom smiled maliciously. “If I was on the run, where would I be hiding and what would I say?”

“You would lie and hide in a city, where you can merge with the crowd.” Mireya spread her hands. “Like I do.”

“And what are you…?” Tom looked around, making sure that no one hears them. “Don’t want to escape? Do you want to fight?”

“Of course I will not give up without a fight, Tom. No one should retreat without having to struggle with the last forces.”

“But you can’t do it alone, Lady.”

Mireya smiled condescendingly. “You underestimate me.”

“Maybe.” Tom stepped toward her. “How well can you evaluate your possibilities?”

***

“Adrianna, what the hell?” Los Angeles Police Captain Warner Locke was standing in his spacious office, looking at Adrianna who was standing in front of him, closing her hands.

“Sir…” She said, not looking into his eyes. “I could not even imagine that she could escape. We all discussed it before someone like…”

The Captain interrupted her. “Before giving her the opportunity to be alone? God, Hale, you are a police officer and there can be no reason for you to let the criminal out of your sight! You are acting like a beginner!”

“Yes, Sir.” Adrianna agreed. “Sorry. She must have already left Las Vegas and…”

The Captain interrupted her again. “This is not your concern anymore. I’ll make the call, the police in Las Vegas and the whole of Nevada will be looking for her.”

“I am suspended?”

“No, you’re not for now. But you will work only inside the police department, is that clear?”

Adrianna lowered her eyes.

“Look, if you want to help your friend, don’t stop us from dealing with this case.” The Captain picked up the telephone.

“But Sir… She is not a killer.” Adrianna said, still looking at the floor.

“If she is not, we are the one who killed that girl. But if it’s her doing, Adrianna… Mireya Rothe will go to jail.”

“But is there anything that might detract her from it?”

“Yes.” The Captain put down the receiver and took a piece of paper, he handed it to Adrianna. “The experts were able to establish only the approximate time of Leandra Ray’s death, and here you see Rothe buying coffee in a coffee shop a few blocks away. Hypothetically, if we assume that Ray was killed an hour or even half an hour later – Mireya is innocent. But she was the last person out of her room, Adrianna. No one else came in and did not go out before the hotel staff arrived, who found Leandra’s body. You know, she’s more close to prison a week away from it.”

Adrianna nodded. “I see. But I must prove her innocence. I must.”

“Then act, according to the rules. There is no need to cross the boundaries to achieve the desired goal – sometimes monotony is the most correct decision.”

***

Motel “The heart of Las Vegas” was a two-story building away from the city. In this place, no one asked for names and, especially, documents, it was an ideal place for runaway criminals.

Tom stopped his car on this almost empty parking lot; Mireya got out and looked around – only two other cars, only in three windows there was a light, a street rat ran somewhere. She grinned. “The heart of Las Vegas?”

Tom got out after hearing her words.

“You know, this place should have called “The bottom of Las Vegas”.” Mireya gloomily looked at the old motel building.

“All right, Lady.” Tom approached her. “The fairy tale is over. Accept the reality as it is.”

“I’m suggesting an option better – creating your own reality.” Mireya winked.

“I don’t mind and I’m ready to help you. But a little later.”

In the motel, its hall they were met by a man about 45-50 years old with mixed tattoos on his hands and a yin-yang pendant around his neck, he was more like a western movie character – he had a checkered blue shirt, worn torn jeans and cowboy boots. It took only a few hours, Mireya noticed her photo with the inscription “WANTED” at his desk, and that man, of course, recognized her, but did not even think to call the police. They got two rooms on the second floor, but until it got dark they settled in Mireya’s room.

Two double beds, TV, refrigerator, microwave, bathroom, and night lamps surrounded them. “Not bad for 50 bucks.” Mireya thought and closed the curtains.

“Okay.” Tom sat on the edge of one of the bed, locking the doors. “The good news is we can hide here for as long as you want because that guy is not interested in working with the police. But the bad news is… you’re already on the wanted list, it makes you more vulnerable.”

“Well, fine. It’s like being on sight.” Mireya leaned her elbows on the wall.

“Yes, but maybe there are answers in Leandra’s apartment, which the cops will not find for anything.”

Mireya looked at him. “Are you kidding? Damn, you do know where her apartment is, Tom?”

“Relax…” Tom exhaled. “Yes, I do know. But we will go there at night when there will be more people on the streets.”

“We will break the door?”

“No. Leandra was my brother’s girlfriend and… Let’s say, for example she invited us there and hypothetically I could make a mold of her key. Sometimes I had no money and then come easy prey.”

“You robbed her?”

“I have tried.” Tom grinned. “There was nothing for that… But I was there only a couple of times.”

“Why did you say that the cops would not find it?”

“Leandra did not live there officially. As you know, there are more illegal immigrants in this city and quite a few landlords don’t even ask names – they just ask for money ahead.”

“But what could she do…” Mireya was interrupted by another call from Leandra. Taking the phone, she apologized to Tom and went out into the corridor. “What should I hear now?” She accepted the call.

“You didn’t listen to me again! And you should leave before it’s too late!” Leandra spoke against a background of some noise, reminiscent of traffic. “Believe me, I know him better than you.”

Mireya smiled involuntarily. That day when she Leandra tried to push Mireya away from the next guy who was, as she said with dark inclinations. It seems that this guy was named Bill or something like that, who was an employee of a car service and was firmly on drugs.

“I’m like your guardian angel, Mireya.” Leandra continued. “You should always listen to my words. Believe me I will always take care of you.”

Mireya disconnected the phone and panting, went down the wall. Leandra never told her these words… Then who the hell just spoke to her? Installation of voice? Or was it really Leandra?

“We are leaving! Immediately!” Leandra screamed.

Mireya looked around – she was standing in the middle of the hotel room, the walls and some furniture were in the embrace of a flame; outside there was the sound of a fire alarm.

“I can’t leave!” Mireya shouted back at her. “They will find me!”

“No, they will not! But you can hide alone, but I could not!” Leandra smiled and walked closer. “There are not many people you can trust, Mireya. Give me the opportunity to be your true friend, whom I used to be. It’s all because of that damn Los Angeles.”

“What?” Mireya retreated.

“Run!”

The fire burned it down…

Mireya opened her eyes. She slept in her room of the motel “The heart of Las Vegas”; no fire, no Leandra. She was alone.

Mireya got up. Tom was obviously in his room; the night lamp was on. She went to the window and looked at the street – it was already night, Tom’s car was gone. “What the heck?” She said and took her backpack with her stuff, she ran out.

That “Cowboy” was still in the hall of the motel, drinking coffee from a mug with the cover of Back to the Future 3 Movie and reading a book.

“Sorry?” Mireya approached him. “I was here with a guy; do you know when he left the motel?”

Cowboy turned the page. “About three hours ago, Miss. But he said that he will return.”

“Yes…?” Mireya ran her hand over the tangled hair. “He did not say when exactly?”

Cowboy shrugged his shoulders. “He didn’t. And I didn’t ask.”

“I understood. Thank you.” Mireya came out; slightly cool night air made her finally clear her thoughts, there was parked one more car. Someone was inside and looking at her…

“Hey!” She came closer. “What the hell are you…?” She didn’t have time to finish her words before the car moved from the spot and disappeared under her enchanted gaze in the midnight darkness.

Another car…

Mireya turned around – Tom.

“Hello, Lady.” He stopped in front of her and lowered the glass of the passenger seat. “Let’s ride?”

Mireya raised her eyebrows.

“To Leandra’s apartment. I promised we will visit there tonight. Or have you changed your mind?”

“No way.” Mireya got into the car. “Are we going?”

Tom nodded and pressed the gas.

“I think I’m getting paranoia.” Mireya blurted out.

“Huh?” Tom a little distracted, but looked at the road.

“When I got out of the motel, there was a car; there was a man inside of it. I didn’t see his face, but he looked directly at me. When I approached him to ask what was the matter, he just drove away. And I did not see the car plate numbers.”