Page 124 of Desolation

Ben runs his hands through his hair. “So we are back at square one. It could be Mariela, her husband, Rebecca, Smiths & Waters, or a good chunk of congress.”

“Can I get a hand in here?” Jimmy yells.

Ben disappears into the room and I slump into the chair next to David. Jackson paces the room as we wait for Mark and Charlie to return.

Noise from the other side of the house has me bolting from my seat. I fly into Mari’s room, gun drawn and I see her struggling to get the window open.

She screams when she sees my gun and I set it down. “Mar, what are you doing?”

“It’s hot in here. I woke up sweating. I was trying to get some air.”

My first thought was that she was trying to run because she truly is guilty but then I see she is wearing only the t-shirt I gave her earlier and no shoes. “Window is nailed shut so no one can get in.”

“Or to keep me from getting out.”

“No, Mar, that’s not it.” I wrap an arm around her because I have no self control. “Your door was unlocked. You aren’t a suspect.”

Of course, Ben thinks she might be, no doubt Charlie does, and Jackson is on the fence.

“Do you want some water? Food? You haven’t eaten since the dinner portion of the gala and that was hours ago.” She shrugs and I grab her hand. “Come on. Let’s get you something.”

She grabs a pair of sweats and follows me into the kitchen. “Dax!”

David stands and gives her a hug. “Hey Mar Bar.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Just today. Jackson wanted me here during the gala.”

I grab her a glass of water and she takes a seat ignoring me and making small talk with David. I am sure she is mad at me after the way I just walked out of the room on her earlier.

I check on Rebecca and Jimmy has her stitched up. She is passed out but Jimmy says she should recover fine.

I head out of the room with Ben and Jimmy just as Charlie and Mark come through the door.

“Is she awake?” Charlie asks.

“I’m right here,” Mari cuts in.

“Not you.”

“Wait, who else is here?”

Charlie throws the clutch on the table and Mari’s face goes pale. “Is that… is that Rebecca’s?”

“How do you know?” Charlie asks.

Mari swallows. “I gave it to her for her birthday this year. And she had it with her tonight.”

I stand across the room from her, fighting the urge to walk over there. But she made her choice. So I’ve made mine.

“Rebecca disappeared from the gala tonight. We found CCTV footage of her being dragged into an abandoned office building owned by Waters & Smith.” Jackson states.

“What?”

“We saved her before she bled to death. She’s safe.”

“What the hell is going on?”

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