Page 77 of Prey

“There’s been a terrible oversight,” he said methodically, careful with his wording. “You shouldn’t have transferred to Gothenburg.”

“Why? Just tell me, Sergeant. Please. Tell me what’s wrong with this city,” I begged him to relieve me from my misery. Yet, I could almost sense what he was going to say.

“Okay,” he exhaled. “I don’t know how to say this to you, but you’re in the same city as the Kaisers. Did you know?”

“No. You’re mistaken. They’re in Larsson. Larsson is their territory,” I explained.

“They’ve expanded their territory to Gothenburg and other cities, and I’m deeply disturbed that Judith didn’t tell you this. I can’t for the life of me understand her logic by keeping this a secret, especially with Mikael…”

The pounding in my head was so loud that I barely heard him as his voice faded in and out like sea waves. “Mikael?” I managed to compose myself enough to ask, “Mikael is out of prison?”

“Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry, Riley. You didn’t know. Look, I need to talk to Judith to get some clarification because not only is this unprofessional, it’s a security breach,” he stated, trying to make me feel better. He was miles away in Larsson, though, and I’m here in the same city as some of the Kaisers.

“Please, Sergeant, please tell me who is here in Gothenburg? Is Mikael here? Give it to me straight without fluff,” I pleaded.

“The Kaisers bought a club in Gothenburg a couple of months before Lars Kaiser was murdered. Mikael and his main sidekick…, an Irishman surnamed Bryne, ran the club while Mikael was in prison. Sylvie Kaiser still remains in Larsson…”

I breathed a sigh of relief because although Sylvie was a kind person privately and a great Mom, she was tough and dirty professionally. She wouldn’t hesitate to cut a man at his knees. I intended to avoid Sylvie Kaiser for the rest of my life.

“So, Mikael is here in Gothenburg?” I asked again.

“Yes,” he replied.

I swallowed nervously, finding the courage to ask the most challenging question. “And Gunner? What about Gunner Kaiser?” I hurt so many people, but Gunner's beautiful heart was the hardest to shatter.

“He’s in Gothenburg, too. Studies at Gotland University. That’s why you should not be there. Riley. It’s too dangerous. I’ll arrange for you to be transferred,” he promised.

Sweltering heat surged into my cheeks and prickled my neck, yet I felt freezing cold and faint as a dull ache pulsated behind my eyes. “I don’t understand…”

“I’m sorry, Riley, I can’t understand why and how this happened. Of all the cities and universities…” he fretted, and a voice in the background spoke to him. “That was my senior officer. We’ll get you out of there and investigate how this happened.”

“But, Sergeant,” I had to get the truth out before I exploded. “Sergeant, it was Judith who recommended Gotland to me.”

“What?” he snarled. “How…what the hell was she thinking?”

“She sent me Gotland’s degree programs outlining the curriculum and even helped me fill out the application form. She said she had contacts here that could get me in,” I explained.

“Right. There’s a lot to unpack. But first things first, we need to get you out of Gothenburg,” he directed. But even as he said it, my entire body fought against the possibility of another move to an unfamiliar place with a new set of people to lie to. I was tired of running; perhaps it was time to meet my demons face-on.

“Okay,” I sighed in deep sadness. “I like it here, but it’s too dangerous. Send someone to pick me.”

“Doing that now. Pack your bags, and I will contact you when an officer arrives to pick you up,” he said sternly, taking control of the situation.

“I’m returning to my room now,” I told him.

“I will call you soon.”

I swiped off as my head spun, but my heart ached in grief and fear. I didn’t want to leave. I had a good job, and I was making friends…well, I had one friend…

Then it struck me.

That penetrating stare from behind the mask, those hands, that voice. Part of me always knew it was Gunner, yet it was too farfetched to assimilate, and my rational mind knew it simply could not be true.

My feet were running again back to my room as my heart thudded in my chest, and warm tears trickled down my cheeks. Why was Judith so neglectful? Was she aware that she virtually lured me to the lion’s den?

I didn’t stop to catch my breath until I arrived at Hallen Hall, ran up the stairs to my floor, and paused before opening the door, half expecting the masked man to relax back on my bed. It was a great relief to find my room empty because I didn’t know how I would react to him being there. There was no way I could fake it at this moment of extreme stress and fear.

It was Gunner all along.

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