But it wasn't Chance's cell phone - it was the scarred plastic hotel phone on the desk next to the TV. Chance's eyes met mine briefly, and he jumped up to grab the phone off the table.
"Yeah?" he barked. Abruptly, his eyes widened. "Dominguez," he mouthed to me, putting his fingers over his lips.
"Dominguez," he was saying, "You've got this all wrong. They don't have anything to do with any of-- yeah, okay." He fell silent, jaw ticking.
I scooted toward the edge of the bed, trying desperately to hear the conversation, but my foot got caught on the ugly bedspread and the next thing I knew, I had my nose buried in the musty-smelling puce carpet. Chance hauled on the back of my shirt, pulling me back upright, where I tried to rub the smell of hotel mold out of my nose.
Suddenly, I gasped. I had completely forgotten about the Massive Millions. I would give every single cent of it up if it meant getting Julius home safely. Whoever Dominguez was, and whatever this was about, I figured having a whole crap load of money to throw at the situation wouldn't hurt.
"Chance!" I whispered loudly. "Let me talk to him!"
He shook his head furiously. "No, you don't understand," I whispered louder. "I have money!"
"Okay," he said into the phone, gesturing for me to shut up. "We'll play it your way for now, but I'm just as interested in wrapping this up as quickly as you are. If that's one of your conditions, that's fine, but you've gotta understand there is going to be a delay because of it. And the old man is going to need some meds in the meantime or you're going to lose your bargaining chip."
Chance's eyes bored into mine, warning me to be quiet. I stuffed my knuckles in my mouth.
After a few more silent moments, he grunted and hung up the phone. "Why didn't you listen to me? I could have ended this!" I yelled at him. "I could have paid a ransom!"
"Dominguez has another exchange in mind. He's not interested in negotiating a ransom."
Chance crossed the room quickly to peer through a crack in the curtains, and I was abruptly struck with a feeling of paranoia. "Is he out there?" I asked, dropping my voice to a whisper again.
"No, but Dominguez definitely knows we're here. He also knows we want Julius back and he's got the upper hand." Chance dropped down on the bed and started lacing up his boots. "Get that mangy cat back in the carrier," he said. "We've got to move."
"Where are we going?"
"Do you have to work tomorrow?" Chance asked.
"I was supposed to, but obviously this is more important!"
"Well, then we're going on a road trip. Ever been to Vegas?"
Great, the most unfortunate person alive was now headed toward Lady Luck's home turf.