Page 90 of Mind Maze

Me: Cut the shit. What do you want?

Keep him talking…

While the dots move as he formulates his reply, I flip over to one of my apps I’ve tweaked to triangulate a number. It won’t tell me exactly where this person is, but it’ll give me an idea.

Unknown Number: To talk about last night.

Me: What about last night?

Unknown Number: Did you know she was there? Right under your nose and you missed it?

My blood runs cold. It’s a lie. If Calista had been there, I’d have been able to sense it—to feel my sister’s presence.

He’s taunting me, distracting me from discovering who he is and where he’s at.

Me: Bullshit.

Unknown Number: I don’t lie.

Me: I don’t know you, therefore I don’t believe that.

The app spins slowly after I paste S’s number in. Since he appears to be watching me, I don’t think he’s using a computer program this time. I think he has a bag full of burner phones he uses and tosses after our texts.

My bars are low in this area. I stand and walk a few steps to see if it helps. Another bar forms, so I stay in that spot, waiting for the app to pinpoint his location.

Unknown Number: You know me, friend.

A chill that has nothing to do with the icy weather freezes me to my marrow.

Me: I’m not your friend. Why hide behind anonymity?

Unknown Number: I know how much you love games, Caius. Isn’t this fun?

Me: Toying with me isn’t fun.

Finally, the app stops spinning. Dozens of possible locations begin to populate. While it does that, S replies again.

Unknown Number: Don’t worry. All will be revealed soon.

Me: Not soon enough.

Unknown Number: I know where she’s at. Do you want to know where?

Of course I do, but I don’t trust S. He can’t even show himself.

My phone buzzes, but this time alerting me that all the possible locations have been added. I press the “triangulate”button and wait for it to make a likely determination of where the phone is at.

I need to keep him talking.

Me: Tell me.

Unknown Number: I don’t have to. You’re hot on the trail.

Buzz.

Two blocks north.

I start jogging in the direction of the address while continuing my conversation with S.

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