by Stacy Green
“I’ve seen this woman somewhere,” Cage said. “I just can’t place it.”
“I can,” Bonin said. “She showed up at the Jasper dig site, claiming to be from the local news. I ran her off, remember?”
Cage snapped his fingers. “Sheila Dietz’s restaurant. Remember I ran back inside to give Sheila my card and cell number? This woman had sat down at the bar. She must have come in while we were outside with Annabeth.”
Bonin shook her head. “I saw the woman you’re talking about. She had her head down, but that girl had a full Afro. The woman at the dig site had a weave.”
“Then she took it out,” Cage said. “Sheila was talking to her, and this woman looked pissed when I interrupted them.”
His knees turned to liquid, and he sagged against the wall. “He obsessed over the ones who got away, and we led him right to Sheila.”
61
My head is pounding. My hand and feet are zip-tied, the plastic digs into my wrist. It’s freezing in here.
I’m naked.
I start full-body shaking. Even my teeth knock together. I’m so freaking scared my brain is slower than usual, and my nerves feel like someone threw a match on me.
I force my eyes open, but it’s pitch black. I’m close to going into a full-blown panic attack. I suck in deep breaths, and I realize I’m lying on moldy smelling blankets. The floor beneath is cold and hard. Metal, I guess.
My brain’s caught up. Has he already … the rest of my body feels okay. He hasn’t attacked me yet.
“This is your fault.”
I freeze at the sound of her voice. It’s not the nasty beast who brought me here.
“Who’s there?”
“Sheila.”
It takes me a second to get it. Lyric’s warning from last night torments me. He obsessed over the ones who got away.
Did she know about Sheila?
“How long have you been here?”
“He took me last night when I left the restaurant. He knew I was closing by myself.”
“Did we somehow lead him to you?”
“You think? I told your cop buddy that the night I escaped and hid in the woods, he kept telling me he’d find me one day. That he would never give up.”
I can’t stop myself from asking the question. “Then why didn’t you have a weapon or something? Why did you leave by yourself?”
I feel her shift toward me. Suddenly her hot breath is on my face, and I think I can make out the outline of her hair.
“Are you seriously blaming me?” She sounds ready to fight.
“I’m sorry. I said it without thinking.” I still want to know the answer, but I manage to keep my mouth shut.
“I did have a gun,” she snaps. “He jumped me in the dark. I didn’t have a chance to get the gun out of my purse. Believe me, we wouldn’t be here if I had.”
I rub my neck. Whatever Crazy Eyes injected still burns my skin. “What about the woman with him? Who’s she?”
“What woman?”
“The bitch who kidnapped me this morning,” I say. “She’s biracial, but she’s older and mean, and she’s doing this because she wants to.”
“I haven’t seen anyone since he dumped me in here,” Sheila says. “He must have found someone else to train and lure girls.”
She doesn’t know. Should I tell her? Can he hear us? If he can, maybe he’ll be stressed enough to make a mistake. “Lyric is alive. I talked to her last night.”
Sheila’s practically whispering in my ear now. “What did you say?”
I tell her what happened last night—except for the part about Lyric hitting me and taking off. If he’s listening, I want him to think she’s still on my side.
“I was actually trying to contact her through the spirits when the woman showed up,” I say. “It was dark, and for a second I thought the spell had worked.”
I waited for her to ridicule the spell or ask me what the hell I was talking about, but she was silent for a while.
“Are you sure it was Lyric in the cemetery?”
“Totally sure.”
“Do you think she really knows where he is?” Sheila’s voice is shaking. “Even if she does, she took off, right? She isn’t going to know you’re gone, and no one knows where she’s at.”
I think back to last night. Fog was creeping in when crazy eyes took me to her fancy car. The drug made me feel like I’d floated into another dimension or something. Am I sure?
Something bangs hard on the metal wall behind us, and then it rattles and groans.
The door is opening. I twist around and shrink away, but there isn’t very far to go. Sheila scoots next to me and takes my hand.
Her lips are against my ear. “Fight.”
The door swings open and sunlight blinds me. My eyes water, and I can only see a blob of light.
“Welcome home, ladies.”
62
Bonin ended the call. “Sheila’s roommate called the police when she didn’t come home last night. Shreveport police found her car parked in its usual spot behind the restaurant. The driver-side door was open, but no sign of Sheila.”
“You better find a way to charge Lionel Pietry with this,” Cage said. Pietry must have told his cousin more than he admitted to. The guy knew how to snoop and stay in the background. “He told him about us going to Jasper.”
The small interview room was just around the corner from the storage area Bonin had commandeered for a temporary workspace. Cage slipped down the hall and peeked into the interrogation room. He’d left the door partially open so that Lyric wouldn’t feel trapped and would hopefully learn to trust him.
She waved at him. “Can we finish this?”
“Couple of more minutes.”
“Little Rock’s about a five-hour drive,” Bonin said when Cage rejoined her around the corner. “An easy road trip for Billy and his new lady.”
“Billy didn’t go to Jasper,” Cage said. “He’s too smart. He sent her, she comes to the dig site, and probably finds a way to spy even after she’s run off. We led her to Sheila.”
“I can’t decide if he’s got balls of steel or a massive ego.”
“Lyric said he obsessed over the ones who got away.” Acid rolled in Cage’s stomach. His investigation had given Billy Pietry the information he needed to find both women. “I need to get back to Lyric. I’ve already asked her to wait twice. She’s probably ready to curse me.”
The walk back to the interview room took less than ninety seconds.
“Shit.”
Lyric was gone, and a note written on the back of a napkin left on the table.
Agent Foster,
I’ve told you everything I know, and I need to get back to Alex. She’s pretty upset. Call us as soon as you know anything.
~L.
Lyric’s disappearing act left Cage uneasy. Alexandrine gave him the impression the two had never really gotten along, so why did she feel any sort of loyalty to the priestess? Then again, Lyric didn’t have any other place to go.
The disembodied female voice from his dream revved up again, her words echoing in his head, louder this time, until he finally managed to make out some of the words.
“Lyric left.” Cage showed Bonin the note. “We need to keep her and Alexandrine updated.”
Bonin raised an eyebrow but didn’t question Lyric’s decision to bail. “The address on Chambers’s driver’s license is south of Shreveport, rural and well out of city limits. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office confirmed she’s still the owner. Water and electricity are in her name too. Satellite photos show a storage unit in the back, roughly ten feet away from the house. They’re getting a TAC team ready. Their K-9 has Sheila’s scent from the car.”
Shreveport was a half-day drive, and the women didn’t have that much time. He hated being stuck on the sidelines, especially when Annabeth was so unpredictable. If she panicked and attacked a cop, she could end up shot. “You told them about her issues, right? Do they understand Annabeth may come a
t them?”
“They’re aware. Are you going to call her parents?”
The Georges planned to go home this morning. Annabeth had promised she would call her mother in a few days. Walking away from her had taken its toll on Krista, and Cage didn’t want to upset her anymore. “Not yet. They can’t do anything for her, and they’re probably on the road.”
“Don’t be an idiot and keep this from Agent Rogers,” Bonin said. “He’s a dick, but he stuck his neck out for you. We may need the LBI’s resources, especially since the forensic anthropologist officially identified Mickie. Agent Tims arrives tomorrow for a full debriefing. Rogers won’t be able to put her off anymore.”
The shit just kept piling on. “Listen, I need you to translate something I overheard this morning. Please don’t ask me to explain. Just tell me what it means. Sorry if I butcher the language.”
He clumsily repeated the three Creole words.
“I’m not sure you have the whole sentence.” Bonin chewed the end of her pen. “Where did you hear this? Who said it?”
Cage shook his head. “Just translate, please.”
“Well, like I said, you’re missing some words. But what you just told me means, ‘she is revenge.’”
The words struck like shrapnel. “I need to make some calls.”
63
He’s tall. Taller than Cage, even. His potbelly lops over his jeans, but his legs are still skinny, his arms all wiry muscle. He doesn’t have enough hair to slick back, so he’s combed it over. If I wasn’t paralyzed with fear, I’d make fun of him. I expected someone dirty and mean looking. This guy’s dressed like my high school guidance counselor.
Was that a real memory? If I live, I guess I’ll find out.
He steps closer, and Sheila and I are jammed against the wall. He crouches down so he’s at eye level, but I can’t look at him.
He inhales, and then chuckles. “You both stink of fear. My favorite scent.”
My knees knock together. Sheila squeezes my hand.
“You ladies look uncomfortable, but I suggest you get used to it, because this is the best you’re going to feel.” He strokes Sheila’s leg. “I bet you thought I’d forgot all about you.”
She tries to kick him with her bound legs, but he anticipates it and slams her feet to the metal floor. “Now, you know that’s naughty. I’m sure you remember how all of this begins. Why don’t you refresh Annabeth’s memory?”
Sheila glares at him, her mouth clamps shut. He lunges forward, backhanding her across the face. She spits blood.
“It starts with you telling us everything you’re going to do, in detail.”
He smiles. “Good girl. I’ll take it from here because I’ve grown quite a bit since you and I last played. Obviously, my lady and I have brought you here to be our sex slaves.” He sounds like we should be excited about this.
“You’re not going to like it, and you’re going to fight, but you’ll learn pretty quick that just turns me on and causes you more pain. My lady too. You’ll be kept naked and housed in here unless we have you in the straps. This slave pod is sound proof and escape proof. Our sex room is too. Plus, it’s stocked with all sorts of equipment to satisfy us and bring you pain.”
I remember Sheila’s story about her rape and torture in the barn, and vomit bubbles in my stomach. I’m breathing too fast, my heart racing. Red clouds my vision.
Motherfucker.
“Understand your role here, and you’ll survive, at least until we’re done with you. Normally I’d say that’s less than a year, but I plan to make an exception in your cases. As long as you behave, you’ll be given enough food and water to survive. You’ll be hosed off at the end of every session. If you’re good, I’ll even use soap.” He laughs, and I’m shaking. Why the hell is he doing this? What gives him the right to act like he’s God?
“I’m sure people are already looking for you. But don’t waste your energy on hope. You’ll need it for other things. No one knows about this place. It’s quiet and secluded, and we’ve taken all the necessary security precautions. And if you try to run, the gators will probably get you before I do.”
He’s looking at me now, and I bite my tongue, trying to fight the explosion. I know it will only make things worse.
“So, what do you need to remember? You’re slaves. You will obey our every command, and we will use you whenever we feel like it.” He starts running his hand up and down my leg and then up my bare thigh. He forces my legs apart and crawls between them until he’s on top of me. His breath smells like garlic.
“You don’t say no, and you don’t speak unless we ask you a question. Do you understand, Annabeth?” He’s nose to nose with me. “Are you ready to play?”
I open my mouth and dig my teeth into his bottom lip.
64
Cage’s knee bounced against the desk. The Caddo Parish tactical team had surrounded Cathy Chambers’s two-acre property more than five minutes ago. He and Bonin waited for the captain’s phone call.
Stress knotted at the base of Cage’s neck as his mind obsessed over the past few days. Even without Lionel Pietry’s giant mouth, Annabeth’s story frontlined the national news by the time they’d discovered the Jasper graves. Cage should have expected Billy to check in—and he shouldn’t have been surprised by his having another sidekick. If he’d kept his head focused on the investigation instead of worrying about Annabeth’s delicate psyche, she and Sheila would probably be safe right now.
Dani had tried to warn him. He should have swallowed his ego and listened.
Bonin’s ringtone blasted through the small room. She put the call on speaker. “Detective Bonin, with Agent Cage Foster.”
“Captain Mary Forbes, Caddo Parrish. Our K-9’s been all over this property, including the shed in the back. He didn’t scent on anything, and the shed’s full of junk. Sheila’s never been here.”
“We confirmed Cathy Chambers owned this property,” Bonin said.
“I hear you,” Captain Forbes said, “but we’ve gone through the residence, the grounds, and the shed. If Sheila set foot here, the dog would have scented.”
“What the hell?” Cage asked. “This is the only Louisiana address for Cathy Chambers. We matched her driver’s license to the witness’s description.”
“Is it possible your witness is mistaken?” Forbes asked.
“It’s possible she played us,” Bonin snapped, glaring at him. “I’m sending a unit to Alexandrine’s.”
Cage dropped his head to his hands. “She won’t be there.”
65
“Lyric never talked to Alexandrine this morning.” Bonin stood over Cage as he checked his phone for the umpteenth time.
“What? You think she’s going to call and tell you where she is?” Bonin didn’t give him time to answer. “She knew Annabeth was taken because she’s in on it. You got played. Understand?”
He shook his head. “She’s not working with Billy. You didn’t see the hate in her eyes.”
“Get a grip,” Bonin said. “She manipulated you just like she did Annabeth. And she kept us sufficiently distracted while she met up with Billy and Cathy—if Cathy’s even a part of this. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lyric randomly chose her as a decoy. We are screwed.”
Cage shoved his chair back, the metal slamming against the wall. “I’m not some bonehead country cop who doesn’t know when he’s being conned.”
“Really? What’s your grand plan then?”
“Lyric said Cathy Chambers was a widower when she met Billy and that their first victim together was Cathy’s stepdaughter.”
“So what?”
“Chambers is likely her married name. Lyric also said Cathy’s husband had only been dead a few months, and Billy brought the stepdaughter into his toy box. This happened in Nacogdoches. Since Billy only takes a girl every few years, I’m betting he and Lyric had some kind of permanent setup there, and that’s where he met Cathy.”
“All right,” Bonin said. “But Cathy could
have been from anywhere.”
“Billy told Lyric that fate brought him and Cathy together. When I asked her about the local police not questioning Cathy after her husband died and then her stepdaughter went missing just months later, she didn’t say anything about moving. In fact, when the stepdaughter was being abused, Lyric went into the house, but she could still hear the girl screaming from the toy shed. You follow me?”
“You think Cathy Chambers is local to Nacogdoches or at least lived there when her husband died.”
“Or somewhere relatively close. Cathy came into the picture four years ago. Her husband died in a freak accident shortly before that, last name Chambers.” Cage held up his phone. “Ranger Lewis is on it. I’m just waiting for him to call me.”
There’s blood everywhere. Running down his chin and pooling in my mouth. Before I can spit it out, Billy punches me in the face. My head snaps back and bangs against the metal wall.
“Fucking bitch.” He kicks me over and over as Sheila screams, wiggling so she’s between his boot and my ribs.
He’s suddenly calm, breathing hard, blood dripping from his mouth. He stares down at us, his eyes flat, pure evil.
“You’re going to suffer dearly for that.” He walks to the door and screams for Cathy.
My ribs throb, and my throat’s so dry I can’t talk.
“What the hell?” Cathy’s inside the metal pod now. She’s ditched the black clothes she wore last night for a pair of cut offs and a skimpy-ass tank top that makes her boobs look like they’re ready to spill out.
“This little bitch bit me.” Billy points to me, and Cathy sneers.
“I knew she’d be trouble. Why don’t we take her to the play room and show her who’s boss? You can go first.”
Billy stares me down, rubbing his crotch. “I’d like that. Bet she hasn’t had any since the last time I played with her.”
He walks toward us, and Sheila tries to block him, but he yanks her by the hair and throws her to the side like a ragdoll.