Bad Bitch

Chapter 3

Penthouse Problems

Frank called me back almost immediately. "Jade, honey, sweetie... lord you may have just saved humanity, and I need a giant favor from you."

"What the fuck, Frank. Just spill it and can the sweet shit."

"The escort service is run out of a residence, the address is listed is the "penthouse suite" at River's Fork Inn."

"That run-down piece of shit? What penthouse? The hotel is only three stories tall, Frank."

"Yeah, whatever. The desk manager says they rent out the whole top floor and most of the escorts live and work right there. That apartment at the Palms belonged to their top earner. I guess she didn't like competition."

"So what, you ordered the hotel evacuated, right? I mean, you're getting somebody over there, right?"

"Well, see, Jade, you're at least a half hour ahead of the teams. We're still dealing with the situation on base, and right now we're on total lock down. I'm trying to get clearance for emergency teams to breach the gate, but the higher ups are holding out. They aren't ready to buy the contagious angle just yet. Or, well, they buy it, they just won't admit it."

"What about the teams who are already deployed? Where the fuck are they?"

"The mall. And the zoo. Highly sensitive areas. There's no way they can leave until the threat is contained. I need you to get over there and just, try to contain the top floor. Tell the manager to lock everything down, shut down the elevator, and then... guard the stairwell?"

"FUCK ME RUNNING, FRANK!" FUCK! What in the HELL do you think we're going to do with nothing but a baseball bat and a Gucci bag full of CAT FOOD?" We AREN'T ARMED, Frank! We got lucky with that hooker! I'm not trained for this shit! You know what? FUCK this! I'm not gonna put MY life on the line to save a bunch of no-tell hotel sleazebags! Just fucking bomb the place!"

"Jade, think... we can't! We have to try and find out who those people have been with over the last two days. Hopefully the list is short..."

"No SHIT, Sherlock! JESUS HENRY CHRIST! Wow. Tamsyn, do you believe this shit? What do we do?" I was lost. I was scared out of my mind, but I couldn't stop thinking just how bad things could get, and somehow, even though I knew it was probably suicide, I was going to try to help stop it.

Tamsyn gave me her best "Cut the shit" glare and rolled her eyes, then took the exit for River's Fork.

"Shit. Okay, Frank. I guess we're gonna try to save the world."