Page 4 of Dolly

“I’m putting you on a taskforce that’s tracking down several leads. Castro and Evans are being put on another case, so you’re stepping up.” He frowns. “If I had anyone else available, they’d be going, but as it is, you two are it.”

“Well, your confidence in us doesn’t go unnoticed.” I throw him a wide grin.

“Right.” He pushes the file toward me. “You’ll meet up with the taskforce in an hour.”

“A taskforce for one missing girl?” Cathy asks.

“No. They have bigger targets than just Abigail Johansen, but she fits the profile of a group they think has been abducting women and putting them in their underground porn flicks.”

“A sex ring?” This case just got a whole lot more interesting.

“That’s how she was spotted. In a movie. They’ll get you up to speed.” He waves us away.

I scoop up the file and take one more look at the picture before tucking it inside the manila folder. Cathy’s already gone back to her desk. She won’t spend any more time in his presence than warranted. Captain grins at her retreating form through the window of his door. He’s never gotten his cock in her, but he’s fucked her good, and he knows it.

I clench my jaw. Saying anything won’t improve her situation—or mine. For now, we work the cases given to us and keep our mouths shut.

“And…uh, Brian,” he says as my hand comes down on the door handle, “if by some chance you actually find the girl, try not to stick your dick in her, okay?”

“I’ll do my very best.” I wink, then get the fuck out of his office.

“We’re getting put on a taskforce?” Cathy tries to hush her voice, but she really only has one volume.

“Looks like.” I toss the file on my desk. “I’m going to change my shirt.” My coat has created a nice puddle beneath my chair.

“Why would he put us on a taskforce like that? It sounds like a big case.”

“Because there are two spots to fill and we’re expendable. Gets us out of his hair for a while.” I tap the file folder. “Worse case, we’re put on grunt duty.” Which will piss me right the fuck off and may push me to finally give up my badge. “Best case, we get to do some actual work and find these girls who are probably living in hell right now.”

She eyes the file with skepticism. Nothing good has been handed to either of us in the past six months.

“Maybe our punishments are finally over.” I smile. Although I will eventually be forgiven, Cathy will have to endure the Captain’s loaded comments and creepy stares until she manages a transfer.

“Go change your shirt. I can see through the cheap ass material.” She takes the file to her desk, and I make my way to the locker room, the image of Abigail Johansen flashing behind my eyes. Pretty enough girl to catch the depraved attention of wicked men. My years on the force send my imagination into overdrive, but nothing I come up with can probably compare to hell she’s living—the debauchery she’s facing.

I burst into the locker room. Our careers aside, worst case, we find the girl dead—or would that be the best case?

Four

Dolly

“Looks like Ken is still sleeping.” Beardman is back.

I roll onto my side, tucking my knees as far up to my chin as I can. I’m tired, so tired.

“C’mon, Dolly. Playtime.” The keys jangle as they work into the lock.

I shake my head, but don’t dare make a sound.

“We need to dress you up.” He’s inside. His feet shuffle over the concrete, and an eerie chill climbs down my spine. He’s standing over me. If I keep my eyes closed, will this all go away?

All this time, and stupid ideas still pop into my head.

He kicks the cot, and it’s enough to get me moving. My stomach will be next.

I push myself up, and before I can blink my eyes open, he pulls me to my feet. I shuffle behind him. He’s turned on all the lights in the hall. The brightness blinds me, so I keep my head down. It’s a small thing, protecting my eyes, but it’s all I can do.

The wooden stairs aren’t level. Some of them tilt to the side, and a few are loose. I trip twice going up them. Beardman doesn’t break stride even as my knees scrape on the last step.

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