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Talking to Graves only put that into a broader perspective. We’re not dealing with someone who is cold and calculating. We’re dealing with someone who is barely holding onto the threads of reality. It’s impossible to guess her next moves because she’s too erratic. Her mind doesn’t work logically. As someone who deals in numbers and equations, that makes her much more dangerous.
I ease the truck into the spot next to the SUV. Agent Knight is already outside, pacing back and forth in front of the vehicle in jeans and a leather jacket, a gun strapped openly at his side. He looks less like a federal agent and more like a South Side soldier ready for battle.
“Hold up,” I say just as DK reaches for the door. A rush of cold air floods the cab. Spring may officially start in a few days, but winter hasn’t let go yet. “That was kind of tense earlier tonight when Timothy said you weren’t his King.”
I know how hard it was for Damon to step into a position of leadership, and so far Timothy has cooperated, but the way he acted when he walked off earlier makes me think he’s not as good with it as he’s seemed.
“Yeah, it’s fucking complicated,” DK says, Adam’s apple bobbing in a way that makes his scar move across his throat. “I’m not going to fight Timothy for power, but I do know that the most important thing right now is that we find these girls and keep Ari safe.”
He’s right, and I’m glad he’s focused. “Then let’s do it.”
I hop out and slam the door behind me. DK walks around and leans into the bed of the truck, pulls out his crossbow, and straps it across his back.
“Isn’t that a little overkill?” Killian asks as we walk up to him and Knight. He jerks his chin at the bow. “We’re looking for a forty-year-old woman, not some buck in the woods you can hang over the mantle.”
“I guess we’ll find out,” DK answers, checking the strap one more time.
I pull the city blueprint from my bag and roll it out across the hood of the SUV. The paper crackles under the fluorescent light. I glance up at Knight, who pins one side down with his palm.
“Can you give us a rundown of what you know?” I ask him.
“Just after six, Auggie got a call from a girl that needed help,” Knight says, arms crossed tight over his chest. “She got someone to cover for her behind the bar, and she took off.”
“What the hell does that mean?” DK asks. “Help?”
Knight’s brown eyes cut to him. “It’s something she did. People pass her number out, and she goes and picks them up.”
DK frowns. “So they can become sex workers?”
“No, asshole,” Killian snaps. “No one at the Hideaway is forced to work, but Auggy has a rapport with these girls. If someone is in trouble, she’ll pick them up and give them a safe place to stay while they’re figuring it out.”
“Oh.” DK’s expression shifts. “How the fuck was I supposed to know that?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Knight grunts, clearly irritated. “She came down here to meet someone and never came back.” He jerks his thumb toward a little blue sports car. “That’s hers.”
Shit.
“You sure she didn’t get on a bus?” DK asks.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“I talked to the guy in the ticket booth. He saw her park, but she never came in.” Killian rubs his neck. “He thought she left. Didn’t realize the car was still parked out here.”
“So you’re thinking the call was a set up,” DK says. “Just a way to get her down here alone.”
Killian nods. “Most likely.”
“When did the package come in?” I ask, trying to establish a timeline. “How long after she left?”
“Around the time we thought she’d get back,” Knight answers.
“Who delivered it?”
“Just a random courier.” He runs a hand through his dark hair, leaving it a mess. “I spoke to him already—at length. He doesn’t know anything.”
I look back down at the blueprints, focusing on the area around the depot. There has to be a reason Auggy was called down here. Amber isn’t going to risk being out in public for long.
“Here.” I point to a spot on the far side of the lot. “There’s a tunnel access inside that maintenance building.”
