Page 137 of Say Yes to the Death

“Why so close to Victoria’s house?”

“I passed that spot every day when I drove to work. I got to relive every moment. And now I can’t because I’m in a fucking cage,” he said, almost shouting the last word.

“Where in the park is she?”

“About seventy yards off the highway, straight out from mile marker 107 on Route 45.”

Holy shit. She had done it. It was time for her to hold up her end of the bargain. She unbuttoned a second button and pulled her top to the side, exposing the place where Barney had thrust a knife into her chest.

His demeanor changed immediately. He zeroed in on her wound, then threw his head back, eyes closed for a moment. When he opened them, she recognized the same look he had had in the parking garage. Bloodthirsty. Evil. And totally sweaty.

“Get on your knees,” he spat at her.

“Excuse me?”

“On your knees. Beg me not to hurt you. And I’ll tell you where the rest of her body is.”

“Not a chance,” Claire said, standing up and pushing her chair back. She held the notepad protectively in front of her.

As the guards reached for Barney, Claire turned. Maybe there was time for one more quick probe about ESA. The feds couldn’t ignore her forever if Barney admitted to being part of the cult. Could they?

“They’re not happy with you, you know,” she said suddenly, staring at Barney.

“The feds? No, I can’t imagine they are,” he said nonchalantly. He was still staring at her collar.

“Not them. Your friends. ESA,” she said. She would show her father just how devastating a group of frat boys could be. “I caught one of them following me. What an idiot. All I had to do was tail him for a quarter mile and he gave away everything. They’re ashamed of you, just like your mother is.” She put both hands on the conference table and leaned forward. Her voice was low, but everyone in the room trained their eyes on her.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Bullshit. You wouldn’t have caught them.”

“I know they said you went rogue, ruined everything with a personal vendetta. Killed a couple of women in one of the ‘acceptable feminine careers,’ even.”

Another wild guess. Ariel had been a waitress.

“You were sloppy, and your targets were personal. You didn’t stay true to the mission. You betrayed the brotherhood and all that it stands for. No wonder they’re letting someone else take credit for your kills.”

Barney’s eyes suddenly blazed in a way that she hadn’t seen since the night of the kidnapping. His face was full-on scarlet now, and his hands shook.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, hissing like a cat backed into a corner.

“That’s why they haven’t visited you.” More assumptions—though she’d bet it was true. Her tone was mocking, though her knees were shaking. “You’re dead to them. It’s going to be awfully lonely in here without any of your buddies.”

She turned and walked to the door. “No friends, no hotels, no legacy. No power. I feel bad for you. Toodles. Don’t drop the soap.”

The knob was cold in her hand. Just a thin door separated her from freedom.

“Claire,” he shouted, trying to get out of his seat. The armed guards, who had been standing in the corner the entire time, hastily restrained him, pressing his face into the conference table.

Her stilettos struck the concrete floor as she exited the room without a backward glance. She had some misogynists to catch.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

To Do:

- Test fairy lights

- Vomit in a bush somewhere

- Bring ESA down

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