Page 43 of Brutal King

“My negatives have been coming out fogged. I’m not sure what…” She’s flipping through the manual’s troubleshooting section. “I think it’s the developer. Hmm.”

“Eat,” I remind her.

Absentmindedly, she takes a bite. “I’m going to start from scratch. You said I’m allowed to explore the house?”

“Anywhere that isn’t closed off by doors with electronic locks.”

“Can I go into your office? It doesn’t have an electronic lock.”

“No. That’s off limits. So is the outside.” She stills, her hackles visibly rising. “For your safety,” I add.

“Right.” She finishes the remainder of her food and gathers her dish to take to the kitchen. “You want me to take yours too?”

She’s taken on the task of doing the cleanup since I’ve been doing the cooking. It’s not necessary, the staff is still tending to the manor, just remaining out of her view. But I allow it because it keeps her busy.

I clear my throat and take a sip of orange juice, wanting to empty it before letting her take it away. It burns as it goes down,but I ignore it. I don’t have time for a cold, too much work to be done. “Thanks.”

“I’m going to be in the dark room for a while. Then I’m taking some shots to test out my new formula.”

“I’ll be in my study.”

She makes to leave the dining room, but pauses as if she wants to say something more. Whatever it was, she changes her mind and walks away.

When she’s out of sight, I send a message giving the day off to the few staff members that were going to come in today for fridge and pantry restocking, miscellaneous cleaning, etcetera.

I need Sofia all for myself until she gives me what I want.

Until she gives me… herself.

I’ve barely made it back to my study and shut the door behind me when Scarlet calls.

“I just sent you a video,” she informs me. “Did you watch it?”

“I don’t have time to watch everything you send me, Scar. I’ve told you this already.”

“It’s not a funny one. In your e-mail. Open it and call me right back.”

Going to my e-mail, I find it in an encrypted message. Which means, it’s not one of her Army Fails she enjoys watching, where people attempt all sorts of stunts or tricks and fail miserably.

I hit play. It’s footage captured by security cameras both inside and out of the Louda Underground Lounge in Philadelphia. The video, which comprises of several clips pieced together, shows a man dressed in a dark suit exiting the establishment, his face at an angle that makes it impossible to identify. The next shot is from someone’s bodycam, perhaps anofficer, entering the now empty club. They go into the bathroom where a body is bent over the urinal.

I call Scarlet back immediately. “Explain.”

“That’s Thomas Cameron.”

“Shit.”

“Vicky sent it to me. It’s happening as we speak.”

Vicky. I don’t know what god sent her to me, but she’s been worth every penny. She’s got contacts in most of the major law enforcement agencies.

“This is an unfortunate turn of events.” It’s not that I mourn his death, but that it wasn’t exactly what had I planned for him. “Who did it?”

“The doorman identified him as Hugo Sanz. But I doubt that’s his real name.”

“Have Vicky run facial recognition software.”

“She tried. He knew to avoid the cameras. A professional. Horrible way to live, with your head always bowed. I bet he has neck problems.”

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