Page 23 of Room Ten: Praise Times Three

“Yes, that’s definitely her.”

“Okay.” I take in a deep breath because the last thing I want to do is upset her. “We are going to flip through some potential associates, and you let us know if any of them are familiar.”

She unconsciously curls into herself again, bringing her knees up, squeezing the pillow against her chest. “Okay.”

Earlier, I performed a search and scoured the internet, both public and private databases, for Claudine and any online communications she might have had in the last six months. I found a couple of encrypted conversations I have yet to crack, but I could trace them back to the non-secure IP address of the recipient. Then I cross-checked them with the computer’s physical location and its MAC address, and I’m ninety percent sure I found the right guy. After I pulled up his arrest record—aggravated assault, attempted rape, battery, and false imprisonment—I’m even more confident.

He is a big guy, and the idea of him manhandling Leti sets my blood to boil.

I’ve yet to share this winner’s details with Reese and Caiden. The laundry list of charges will send Reese through the roof and Caiden into the corner to clean his guns. He’s already talked about putting a bullet between the guy’s eyes once. His rap sheet will solidify Caiden’s feelings on the matter.

I advance the screen and bring up Contestant Number One: Joe P. Dawson.

Leti lowers her chin and nods. “That’s him.”

I make eye contact with Reese and shake my head, letting him know without speaking a word how bad this guy is. The way his jaw tightens tells me he understands.

“This is the one who assaulted you?”

“Yes, but there was another guy, too. Although he never touched me.”

“Another guy?” Reese says with a forced casualness to his voice.

“Yeah. He spoke about Pip, so he might know her.”

“What did he look like?”

She frowns. “Like a frat boy. That’s what I called him in my head. He was tall and thin compared to that guy. Clean cut with sandy brown hair.”

“What was his role?”

Leti shakes her head. “I don’t know. Maybe he was the driver? This guy tackled me to the ground and then tied me up in the back of an old tan van. Claudine was sitting in the passenger seat. I never saw the driver’s face, just his profile. I only saw him when he brought in a box of food and water before they left.”

I flip through a couple more pictures, but none of them is the man she described. These guys have criminal records, so I obviously need to broaden my search. “Okay. That’s it for tonight.” I close my laptop and turn it away from her.

“Anything in particular you can tell us about the van?” Caiden asks, as he places her sandwich down on the table.

She shrugs. “Old, weathered, tan. It stuck out in our neighborhood, but I figured they were workmen looking for an address.”

“That’s it for now.” Reese pats her knee. “Do you want to lie down?”

“Maybe later. I think I’ll eat that sandwich now,” Leti says, putting the pillow aside.

“Okay.”

Reese moves to stand, and she squeaks in a panicked voice, “Where are you going?”

“Caiden and I need to call the other team and make sure they know what we know. Meanwhile, Soren is going to get your movie started and stay with you.” He smiles down at her. “We’ll be back before the opening credits are over.”

I bring my tablet with the movie queued, connect it to the TV, and plan to retake my seat when Leti pats the cushion Caiden previously occupied. “Sit with me, please.”

“Only if you finish your sandwich.” I flash her a teasing grin.

She takes a big bite, chewing thoughtfully as she leans back into the cushions.

Narrowing my eyes, I plop down beside her and mutter without thinking, “Good girl.”

Sucking in her breath, Leti leans her body against mine, molding herself to me like a second skin. She practically purrs as she nestles in close to me.

I swallow the lump building in my throat and croak out. “Are you ready to start the movie?”

“Yes, please.”

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