Page 99 of Cruel Riches

“Yeah, of course. There’s a psycho on the loose.” I sat up straighter and winced as my stitches pulled a little. “Do you have any idea who it is yet?”

“We can’t discuss that case with you. Sorry.”

I held up a palm. “It’s okay. I get it.”

“It’s odd that none of the security guards saw anything,” Fernandez piped up. “The Blackthorne administration tripled the security presence on campus after those bodies showed up, and the quad is a hotspot for them, seeing as that’s where the bodies were placed by the killer.”

I swallowed thickly. “You’ve already spoken to the guards?”

“Yes, we contacted all of those who were on duty after the hospital reported an attack on the campus.” She rubbed her chin and looked at me curiously. “You’re absolutely sure you were in the quad when you were attacked?”

“No. Just near it,” I said, wishing I’d told a different lie. “I guess that’s why no one saw anything.”

“Possibly, yes.” Her forehead wrinkled. “You said the man seemed to disappear afterwards. Can you go over that again? Make it a bit clearer for us?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what else to tell you. One second he was there, and then he wasn’t. Like I said before, I was kind of distracted by the knife in my guts.”

“That’s fair enough,” Belson cut in. “I’m sorry about all the questions, Nate. You haven’t done anything wrong. We’re just trying to gather as much information as we can.”

I nodded slowly. “It’s fine. I’m sorry I don’t have more to tell you. It’s all so blurry.”

He leaned over and muttered something to his partner. This time, I could hear every word.

“I’m not sure if this is just an old urban legend, but I’ve heard there are tunnels running underneath Blackthorne,” he said. “The attacker could’ve gone into one of them. That would explain why he seemed to disappear. He might even be using the tunnels to get around without being detected.”

Fernandez nodded. “Good point,” she whispered. “If they really exist, we should get a team out to search them right away.”

Oh, fuck.They knew about the Blackthorne tunnels.

They wouldn’t be able to get into them anytime soon without the gate keys—or some sort of welding equipment, at least—but they’d search them eventually, and then they’d find Alexis.

If I didn’t get out of here in the next few minutes, I was totally fucked.

“Is that all?” I asked, raising my brows. “I feel pretty shitty. Wouldn’t mind getting some more rest.”

The detectives stood. “That’s all for now, yes,” Fernandez said. “Thanks for your help, Nate. We’re going to do everything we can to find your attacker. For now, it’s just a waiting game.”

“I understand. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Feel better soon.”

I sank my head into the cool pillow and closed my eyes as they left, feigning exhaustion. As soon as their footsteps faded, I sat up again, heart hammering so loudly it echoed in my ears.

I had to leave. Now.

I pressed the call button next to my bed, summoning a nurse within seconds. She was reluctant to take my IV out and fetch the discharge papers, but I insisted.

Fifteen minutes later, I was free and clear.

I found my car in the parking lot and tore away from the teaching hospital. After making a couple of quick stops along the way to grab some necessary gear, I headed back to the Blackthorne med school building and parked outside, keeping a close eye on my surroundings. Fortunately, there weren’t any cops swarming the area yet.

Still, I had to hurry. It was only a matter of time until they showed up.

After making sure there was no one around to see me, I hurried down the side of the building and brushed the large patch of ivy aside so I could open the trapdoor. Then I dashed down the steps and into the tunnel. I wasn’t supposed to be exerting myself like this with stitches in my abdomen, but it was an emergency.

I arrived at Alexis’s cell and stared down at her through narrowed eyes. She was cowering on the mattress, thin arms wrapped around herself. When she saw me, her eyes widened and her pale face went even whiter. “You’re alive,” she said, voice barely above a whisper.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” I said. I raised a hand. “Get the fuck up.”

“Why? What are you going to do?”

“What the fuck do you think?” I growled, rattling the bars until she jerked back in terror.

“I… I... please…” Her low, petrified voice trailed into nothing, and I smiled down at her.

“I said get the fuck up, Alexis.” I leaned closer. “You’re done here.”

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