Chapter Twelve

In the lobby of Priscilla’s Place, Betty the dog recognizes Lucky, undermining Lucky’s alias. Priscilla invites Lucky upstairs. Once alone, Priscilla locks the door while Lucky quietly connects with Betty, then demands to know why Priscilla has her dog.

Priscilla reveals a search of Lucky’s pod uncovered a hidden “shopping list” code. Pressing for details, she forces Lucky to fabricate a Facebook-based rendezvous plan under the alias Doll Conovan and supervises its setup, then abruptly ends the charade, insisting on honesty.

Priscilla exposes her surveillance, including knowledge of Lucky’s pregnancy, and uses it to assert control. Lucky, who has secretly miscarried, decides to maintain the pregnancy lie to protect herself, believing Priscilla would not risk harming her supposed grandchild.

Priscilla explains Betty was taken as collateral for money Cary laundered through his restaurant and warns that her associates are ruthless. She claims Cary likely stole funds, angered those partners, and may have been killed. Lucky is shaken but withholds the truth about what she knows.

Fixating on the coded list, Priscilla demands its meaning. Lucky says it opens a Boise storage locker holding sellable valuables. Priscilla agrees to verify this, scheduling a Friday drive with just the two of them, while threatening further harm if the hidden money does not surface, and orders Lucky to leave with the dog.