Page 45 of Hell on Wheels

“Spook has us on mute,” Grim reminded me.

“Yeah, I know.”

We watched through the screen on Grim’s phone. Spook used Skype to call us and then turned the camera toward Lark as he hid out of sight. She met with a man she called Torin. Their familiarity meant he was someone close to her. No physical resemblance, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t family. They could be cousins or siblings by marriage.

The guy held himself like he had served in the military. Once you were in, you could recognize the different branches. I guessed he had a brief stint in the Army. Infantry. Still kept his hair short and sported a buzz cut. Wore a suit but nothing too fancy. He wasn’t a cop. I would say a detective if I had to guess.

The guy was smart. Alert. He glanced around often, keeping an eye out for trouble.

Fuck. He knew something was up.

“What’s the matter, Tor?”

“I shouldn’t have come here.”

“Why?”

“Because I think we’re being followed.”

“Shit.” Lark spun around, checking out the aisle in the store. The place wasn’t crowded but not empty either. “You think it’s the cartel?”

“I don’t know. Probably. I don’t think Salazar would bother with the cat and mouse game.”

“Then it’s Angel.” She nibbled on her lip, clearly distressed. “He must have left instructions with some of his men.”

“It makes sense. He’s far too calculating to leave anything to chance.”

“What about Molly? If he knows, he could have—”

“Hey, we’re not going to speculate. It won’t do any good.”

Lark’s shoulders drooped. “I’ve given up a whole year of my life, Tor. What if it was for nothing? What if Molly is already gone?”

“Fuck. Don’t say that.”

Lark backed away, shaking her head. “Angel’s men will find me. They’ll take me back to that hole, Torin.”

“Hole? What the fuck are you talking about?”

“What if those were Molly’s bones?”

As soon as Lark said those words, I knew I’d kill Angel Mackenzie.

“What bones, Lark?”

“The skeletons underneath the floor in Angel’s closet. There’s a trap door there. It leads underground. He keeps it locked with the only key.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“He keeps girls down there. Pets. When one of us misbehaves, he puts us in the hole.” She shivered. “Women have died in that dark, small space. I’ve heard the screams.” Lark’s hands closed over her ears like she relived the horror, trying to block out the sounds only she could hear. “I can’t go back there.”

“You won’t,” Torin promised, “because we’re getting the fuck out of here. Now.” He snatched Lark’s arm, tugging her against his side. “I’m pulling you out. It’s too fucking dangerous. I told you I’d make that call if I felt you were in too deep. You’re done, Lark. I’m placing you in protective custody.”

Fuck that!

Wait. What the hell did he mean?

“She’s working undercover.” Grim shook his head. “Fuck. Why didn’t I see that before now? I sensed something about her was deceitful. I thought she was using you somehow.”

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