Page 85 of Hidden Ascent

“I told Sharpe about your part in all of this, by the way,” Jay said when they got out of the car.

“Yeah?” he said. “Thanks for that.”

“No problem.”

“How do you want to do this? You think she’ll go with you?”

“Not ’cause she wants to.” He laughed, and Simmo joined in.

“What are you going to do with her once you leave here?”

“Sharpe didn’t tell you what I’m using her for?”

“No, he said to let you have her. That’s all.”

“I’ll let him tell you then. I don’t want to step on any toes.”

“Ah, come on. Can’t you give me a hint?”

“I’m using her as bait.”

Simmo’s eyes widened in glee. “You need any help? You always get the best jobs.”

“Sorry. This is a one-man show, but I’ll keep you in mind for future projects.”

“I’d appreciate that, man.”

Jay followed Simmo down the hall to the lockup, but they both ran when they heard the yelling.

Simmo reached the door first. “Hulk, what’re you doing!” He raced into the cell where a big man stood over Isla’s unconscious body. Jay noticed another man lying against the wall outside the cell who was beginning to stir.

“Get off her,” Simmo yelled at Hulk but didn’t engage.

“Aren’t you going to stop him?” Jay said. “He’ll kill her.”

“No way, man. Not my job.”

Jay pushed past him and locked his arm around Hulk’s neck, dragging him backward.

“What’re you doing?” Simmo said, tripping out of the way as Jay removed the big man from the cell.

“I need her alive,” Jay said, wrenching his head out of the way of Hulk’s flailing arms.

“You’re gonna kill him.”

“No, I’m not,” Jay grunted as Hulk dropped to his knee. When he was on all fours, Jay released him and leapt out of the way, hurrying so Simmo was between them.

Hulk jumped to his feet, roaring, and Simmo pulled a gun. His hands were shaking, but he kept it pointed at the big guy. “You can’t touch him.”

“Out of my way.”

“No. Mr. Sharpe’s cleared him. You can’t hurt him.”

“He almost killed me.”

“He needs the girl alive. Now stand down.”

Hulk growled. “She tried to escape. Look what she did to Tag.”

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