Page 125 of The Packaged Deal

“Benson?”

“The cat.” She points to an obese tabby cat that lets out a rumbling meow. “Quick, close the door over or Nanna will get in.”

“Nanna?”

She points between our legs with a gusty sigh. I look down and find a thrilled black staffy smiling up at us.

“Uh, hello, Nanna.” I cast Sven a bemused look, but he’s not paying attention.

Nanna woofs back at me and charges into the apartment.

“Oh, darn, now I’m going to have to share my dinner with her.”

I look at the way she’s living and pull out some cash. I put it in her hands, ignoring her protests.

“Nope, it’s our fault. Order some take-away! Make sure you eat.”

“One more question,” Sven adds. “Have you heard of any Trevors here?”

“Not Trevor, but Trathers moved out six months ago. I heard he won some payout or something and moved to the upper side. But someone else saw him and said the drugs have got their claws in him.”

“The drugs?”

“Oh, I don’t know what he likes, but they get most of the people living here. You’re cold, or hungry, or without hope, or sick, so you think it won’t hurt just once. Next thing, you’re overdosing on a street corner.”

“You don’t look like a user-”

“You can tell, can you? It ain’t that black and white. Lots of people do it, and no one knows. But you’re right. I don’t. No, I was a counselor. For years, I saved as many as I could. Got off the streets, cleaned up, some money, some kindness. Some took the chance and flew as high as they could…some ended back here. I just fell on hard times, that’s all.”

“What’s your name?” I ask gently.

“Sue. Sue Gunner.”

“Do you need work, Sue?”

“Always looking for work.”

“Our friend is a doctor. He’s working at the Refuge. I know he’s looking for some help.”

Sven glares holes into the side of my head, but this is exactly the type of person Adrian is looking for.

“Oh, yes! That would be fabulous! Thank you so much. Thank you.”

She’s crying. And now I feel awful. Hell, if Adrian doesn’t hire her, I’ll make Darion do it.

“Kandi, we need to leave!”

I excuse myself and step backwards, turning to jog after Sven, who’s already left me behind.

“This was a ruse,” Sven growls.

“Looks that way.” I sigh and scratch my head. “But where is he? I mean, if he hasn’t lived here for months, he’s got to be somewhere else. Why lead us here?”

“To draw us away,” Sven says, and I swear his jaw cracks as he watches his screen.

I lean over his shoulders and stare at the man jimmying Adrian’s glass doors open. He gets into the house and immediately comes face-to-face with Adrian.

The man lashes out before Adrian can lift his arm. He goes down hard and fast.

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