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Pity. I’d like to send him a basket of fruit or something.
Wait, a white mask? “Is it a fashion statement? I saw a bloke with a white mask like three times in the last couple weeks.”
Uri’s eyes jump to mine. “You did? Where?” He sounds very interested.
“Uhm, the first time outside the firm building, for less than a second before the elevator’s door closed. I thought I imagined him, but then I saw him at Crimson before getting dosed.”
“What was he doing?” Uri insists.
“Nothing, just standing near a column.” I shrug. “I saw him last two days ago outside your restaurant downtown, the one on restaurant row.”
Uri nods, seemingly lost in thought.
“Do you think there’s a connection with Bird Turd and the white-masked guy?” I ask Gabe.
“Bird Turd?” Uri inquires.
“Phoenix,” Gabe explains.
“No connection,” Uri answers.
“We can’t dismiss any theory,” Gabe states.
“He worked on Bailey before dropping him off at my house. Why would he do that if he was on Phoenix’s side?” Uri insists.
“Maybe they want to get rid of Bailey, and we’re actually doing their dirty work for them.” Gabe’s theory is plausible, but from what I learned about Phoenix, they like to get their hands bloody.
Raph’s voice suddenly resounds in the room from the intercom. “Rami said that Bailey has been having fun with minor prostitution lately on top of illegal drugs. The Dorridges liked that as well, very much.”
“Well, that adds a whole new layer of horror to this,” Michael mutters. I look at the glass wall; they’re standing there, looking tired. They stayed at the hospital with Meg a long time. Rami must be there now.
“Linda?” I ask.
“Doesn’t want to leave Meg.” Michael sighs. I did the same with Gran. I understand.
Bailey moans, saliva drools down the corners of his mouth.
“Did Sari take the samples?” I ask, and Uri nods. Sari always takes donor samples. He’s a medical researcher, and he exploits the donor’s body to find new cures or remedies. The bros have an amazing thing going here.
Gabe’s eyes are fixed on Bailey. I try to take a step toward the weapons, but Gabe’s hand doesn’t let go. I frown.
I glance at Michael, and his face reflects the same confused expression, because Gabe looks uneasy when he never looks anything but cold around the donors.
I move back to him and whisper, “Everything okay?”
“Bez never came to play in the FUNS room. Ever. He’s unstable when he comes out to protect me. I have no memory of my father’s death—Bez switched taking complete control—but I remember standing near his mutilated corpse. It was a blood bath.”
Gabe told me about his father’s disembowelment at Bez’s hands.
“If you see what he’s capable of… We won’t let you go, Lori. We can’t.” Is he afraid I’ll be scared of them? After everything we went through? Preposterous.
“I’m not interested in donors. But this is a revenge kill. For you. For what’s mine, and I want it,” Bez declares.
For a long second, I gaze at him, the fire in his eyes is replaced by something else that makes me nearly shiver. I dreamed about a thousand death scenarios for Bailey since he gave me that drug. But I realize that Bez needs this more than me.
“Then have your fun,” I tell him. “Gabe, let him do it. Trust me.” He squeezes my hand, and I take that as a yes.
“Let him.” I hear Bez snorting as he mocks my words. I pucker my lips, getting a quick slap on my ass as he lets go of my fingers and moves toward Bailey. No weapon in his hands. He pulls down the gag and stares at him.
