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.
