Page 57 of Vicious Hearts

But Iknowwhat I heard.

“Giulia,” Ben is saying. “It’s Benedikt. I know, baby, it’s been a while.”

Baby?I shoot him a furious glance, but he’s not looking at me.

“I need you to do something for me, okay?”

His voice is the same coaxing tone I’ve heard him use on me. I feel slightly sick to listen to him talk to another woman that way, and it’s disturbing how quickly he can switch on that glib charm.

“Can you access the Witness Protection database? Not the standard one, I mean the multi-level encryption.”

I hear the woman’s voice in the speaker, and Ben smiles at her reply. “Fantastic, that’s a good girl.”

My eyes feel hot, and I blink hard.

He just says whatever the fuck he needs to say to get his way. I’mright here. Doesn’t he think I’ll be pissed off that he’s speaking to her like that, or does he just not care?

“I need you to find a woman called Lois Farraday. Her surname at least has changed, but she used to live in downtown Manhattan. Got a bunch of money from a charity. Okay. Speak to you soon.”

“Who was that?” I ask as he hangs up. “Your ex?”

Ben wrinkles his nose. “No. Giulia freelances, like me, and does a bit of work for the Bratva since the CIA fucked her over. And crime pays, of course. That’s the important bit.”

“You really think she’ll find Lois?”

“Absolutely,” he says, “but Lois isn’t the only person we need to locate. Graham Fisher isn’t stable. That’s obvious. He has eyes on the hospital and possibly on Lois, so he might get wind of what’s happening. If he’s coming apart, fuck knows what he might do.”

I frown. “The cops won’t do anything unless Graham acts out, and by then, it could be too late. I should text Graham. Arrange to meet him or something.”

Ben runs his hand through his hair as he tries to think. “No. Would Oliver be willing to babysit the guy? They seem to be friendly.”

As friendly as you and the lovely Giulia? If so, I’ll buy a hat.

I wrinkle my nose. “I wouldn’t call them buddies. Graham was already a patron of Always Home before his son died, so I guess Oliver tried to stay on the right side of him. Donors are gods to a charity like ours.” I tap at my phone. “I’ll ask him if he’s seen Graham. Hold on.”

Ben and I stand only a few feet apart, but he never felt more distant than he does now.

I wonder how he could say the things he said to me last night, knowing he didn’tfeelthem. Then I recall what he told me about his empathy—that he can turn it off when it isn’t useful. He also told me that toying with people is sport to him. It’s not like he tried to hide his nature.More fool me for thinking there was more to him.

Not a minute after I send the text, the trill of my ringtone makes us both jump. I answer it immediately, pressing the handset to my ear.

“Roxy dear, I wish Ididn’tknow where Graham was,” Oliver says. “He’s here now. Showed up at the office bright and early. I had to cancel the drop-in session to talk him down.”

Woah. Not good.

“What’s he doing?”

“Ranting. Talking about how no one respects him, how he deserves better and we’ll all be sorry.”

“Is he still there now?” I ask. Ben looks at me, his eyebrows raised.

“Yes,” Oliver says. “He’s determined to ruin your life and mine. He’s saying he will get Always Home audited and me personally indicted for fraud if I don’t fire you. Said it wouldn’t be the first time he’d set someone up. As soon as I get him out of here, I’m calling the police.”

I nod at Ben and close my eyes.

Jesus.I don’t want to ask Oliver to do this.

“Please keep Graham there for as long as you can. Row with him, agree with him, but don’t let him leave.”

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