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“That’s right.” Mireya looked at her updated phone, it had everything she needed.

“So they are guided only by your fake correspondence?” Dennis asked with his arms crossed.

“Well, I was at the hotel, when she was killed, in part they were enough of this, now in addition, they have what makes me look almost like a devil in the flesh. I’m a killer for them because my alibi is the crime scene. So it’s ironic…”

“Yes. Or it’s cynical… on the part of the murderer. As if he was ready.”

“Did you say “he”?”

“Well yes.” Dennis ran his hand around his neck. “Somebody strangled her, right? I think not every girl is capable of this because it’s pretty cold-bloodedly.”

“You’re right, but who knows what a girl can do being in a moment of passion…” Mireya snorted.

“So? Are you really going to run away all your life? Until they catch the real criminal?”

“Come on, they will not look for someone else. Instead, they will strain all their gyrus to find me. I already feel they will describe me as a particularly dangerous criminal, and my portraits will be on all TV shows in the country. And by the way, my face certainly will be on all the pillars of this city too. Very cute.” Mireya leaned back.

“And how are you going to justify yourself?”

“Dennis, who is Tom?”

“Sorry?”

“Well, Tom? Tom Walt? Adrianna said the local police could not find him in the database. As if he does not exist at all. Then who is he?”

Dennis exhaled. “In fact, he said he is illegally here and his name is a fake. We did not demand anything from him because he was working with something that was not quite legal.”

“Hey, buddy, slow down… You know what that means we don’t know who Tom Walt is? And is this not really his real name? Who is he, Dennis?”

***

After visiting the Hot Moon, Mireya asked herself a question about the car and the new documents, but given her location, it was easy to her to hide in the city among millions of other people and an endless number of tourists. She knew there are quite a few people in Las Vegas, who are here illegally and are engaged in “grey” activities. Maybe she could find some of them to get a new name, new personality and with their help a new life. But she was not a killer and she was going to prove it to everyone. Someone wanted her to disappear… “It will not work, Stranger”.

For several hours, Mireya wandered along the city and at last she found herself on that lonely road that led to the suburbs. There it was always safe – a lot of people, a lot of newbies, and no one would pay attention to her. But something made her nervous… like someone was watching her.

Another phone call… “Well, no.” Mireya thought. No one could know this number, except for Dennis. She looked at the display. It was not Dennis’s number… It was Leandra’s one. She answered.

“… Come on, Mireya. He’s so… carefree. I would not trust him. Never!” Leandra spoke. “Stay away from him!”

Mireya remembered that day.

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.”