Page 44 of Fresh Flesh

He grunts. “And you believe that Joras also has no knowledge of it, at least not until he came upon their stronghold?”

“I assure you that he did not.”

He grunts again. “I would be inclined to believe you, except for one little detail.”

“Sir?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.

“Your friend Joras, he was carrying the human woman further back into the mine, rather than toward the exit. It seems to me he was trying to escape.”

“More likely than not, he just got turned around. I saw the report, and gas grenades were used. He was probably blinded and disoriented and going the wrong way.”

Mlarx straightens his collar after his massive lie. To my shock, Tolex buys it, and soon Joras is set free.

We clap our companion on the shoulders, and walk away acting all merry and happy to see each other again. I can’t help but notice that we’re being tailed by some of Tolex’s men.

“They’re just here for your own protection,” Tolex assures me when I radio him at the shuttle. The men insist on coming with us.

There’s nothing we can do but head back to the Vegas farms. Even when we arrive there, Tolex’s men remain in the camp, watching us like hawks. But at least we can speak freely once we are inside the house.

“Now what?” Mlarx demands. “How are we going to get her back?”

“Should we even try?” I ask. “Is it worth it?”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize that yes, yes it’s worth it. My companions agree.

“Yes, we must get her back,” Joras says.

“I concur,” Mlarx adds.

I sigh, and nod. “All right. We’re going to head back to the former Los Angeles and try to figure out where Maisie has gone.”

“And then?” Joras asks.

“And then,” I say, my eyes narrowing “we’re going to get her back.”

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