Page 55 of Duplicity

“You are going to deliver a message for me to both of those parties.”

This had to be the man that had abducted Simon. It had to be. She needed to get a look at him, but would he shoot her if sheremoved the hood? Yes, because that was exactly why she was wearing it. So that she had no chance of identifying him.

Like Simon.

“We are all going to live and let live.”

Did that mean he would letherlive? If she was the messenger, he had to keep her alive at least.

“Except for your friend Simon, who will receive the hand of justice soon enough for taking the life of one of my men.”

Yeah, years ago.If only she could scream the words at him.

“I suppose you don’t believe in an eye for an eye. And yet you attend church every Sunday. You read your Bible in the morning on your balcony.”

Cat swallowed against the sick feeling that churned in her stomach. This guy had been watching her. He had someone spying on her. Maybe spying on all of them—even her parents.

“Do not test my resolve. My family will not be touched, and the life of my man will be avenged.”

So why hadn’t he done it already? It had been years. Why wait until now?What do you want?She needed to ask the question but didn’t dare speak aloud.

“My business will continue. No lives lost. Just a little fun, and everyone goes home.”

Was he talking about the “party”? She shifted, reacting to what he’d said before she could force herself to sit still.

“The girls are returned.”

She couldn’t stay silent. “You destroy them.”

“And so, you’ll volunteer to take the place of one?” he asked. “I would accept a trade. Are you prepared to save a single girl?”

Cat swallowed back bile. Could she do that, offer herself up instead of one of them? She was desperate to get them out. That was what they’d been working on.

But an exchange like that? It would destroy her just as it had done with Alayna and the others. Ruining what should beprecious through degradation. The same way it would destroy the girl that she didn’t take the place of.

Before she could answer, she heard the beginning of a low chuckle. It kept going but didn’t increase in volume.

She made a face under the hood over his laughter, finding enough bravado to say, “You’ll want to keep a tighter leash on Hayden.”

The laughter stopped.

“If you want to stay under the radar.”

“Any other sage advice?”

Cat said, “No, but I have a question.” If they weren’t going to kill her, and they weren’t going to hurt her unless she offered to take a girl’s place, then she might not lose much of anything asking. “Who killed my partner and shot me? I don’t buy it was Arlo Wilson for a second.”

“Interesting.” He paused for several seconds and then asked, “You’re bargaining with me?”

No, but would that get him to tell her? “If you want the police to…ignore you, then maybe offer something substantial in return for a free pass.” As if she would actually give him one? The second she was out of here and free, she would tell the rest of the Benson PDeverything. Problem was, what did she actually know?

The sound of his voice.

A hint of new car smell? It was safe to say he’d ruined that scent for her.

“I will give your offer some consideration.”

Cat said, “Just do it. Call it a show of good faith.”

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