Page 50 of Depraved Truths

“I don’t see any sign of the car that your friend said they were in.”

She reaches into her duffle and pulls out a pair of binoculars. And not just regular binoculars, but ones with thermal imaging. They’re military grade, not a pair the average citizen could legally purchase.

“Christ, where do you get those?”

She side-eyes me. “I have my connections.”

Laughing, I shake my head, and her face turns serious as she aims the binoculars toward the warehouse.

“There is someone here, but I’m only seeing one person.”

“Maybe Wilson took off?” I reply, and she shrugs.

“We’re about to find out. You’re sure about this? You’re stepping into my world now,” she says hesitantly.

“I’d follow you to hell and back, Tessa. Never doubt that.”

Weapons in hand, we walk silently together to the side entrance. My instincts tell me it’s Dalton in there and not some vagrantlooking for shelter or a rebellious teenager hiding out from their parents.

Twisting the knob, I find the door unlocked, and we quietly enter the building. I step out in front of her, and she glares at me.

Shrugging, I hang back and let her take the lead. I look around the warehouse—there’s a dank smell in the air and old equipment sits covered in dust, appearing untouched for many years. This building has several hiding places. A few boats were left behind; either the owners passed away or moved away and didn’t bother to pick them up. There’s an office, an electrical closet, and a small bathroom at the opposite end of the warehouse.

“The heat signal is in that direction,” she whispers, pointing to the room where the office is located.

We slowly edge toward the room, my senses on high alert. I approach from the left and Tessa from the right.

Grabbing a rock off the floor, I heave it through the window, and a startled shout rings back before a figure walks out of the office with a pistol in his hand. I make sure he sees me and not Tess, and sure enough, Dalton immediately aims the gun in my direction.

“Eli, what the fuck are you doing here? Stay back,” he screams at me.

“Dalton, I’m just here to talk, my man.”

“Put the fucking gun down.” His hands tremble just slightly, and a bead of sweat rolls down his forehead.

I lower the gun to the ground and kick it away, raising my hands in the air.

“How did you find me?” he demands. “Did someone tell you I was here?”

“Who would tell me that, Dalton? Wilson, maybe?”

Dalton’s wild, outraged eyes meet mine.

“Wilson? That fucking traitor,” he sputters out. I know I need to handle the situation quickly, but I don’t particularly like a gun pointed at my face.

From the corner of my eye, I see Tessa inching closer, and I try to think of a way to distract him.

“Look, man, I know you didn’t mean to hurt Allie,” I say cautiously, while taking a non-threatening stance, and forcing a cynical smirk. “I’m sure the weak bitch deserved it.”

Dalton eyes me with confusion and a touch of suspicion. “I thought you two got along. Being cousins and all.”

“I tolerate her for the sake of my parents You know, family sticks together,” I scoff. “Look, I can help you.”

“Help me how?”

“The police are looking everywhere for you. I can help you get out of here.”

His eyes bore into mine. “You would help me leave?”

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