The Prof Croft Series: Books 0-4 (Prof Croft Box Sets Book 1) Brad Magnarella (ink book reader txt) 📖

all hated her.” Casey glanced around before leaning forward and lowering her voice to a husky whisper. “But I know for a fact Sonny hired some sort of private investigator to look for her. Didn’t find shit.” She gave a self-satisfied snort as she sat back.

“Thanks for talking with us,” Vega said. “You’ve been very helpful.”

“That’s it?” Having attained a degree of authority, Casey was reluctant to relinquish her chair. I felt a prick of pity for the aging dancer as she stood slowly, tugging her robe by its fraying hem.

“If anything else comes up, we’ll be in touch,” I assured her.

After Casey left, I looked at Vega. “Think we have enough?”

“I’d like more info on this Chastity,” she said, “but if a P.I. couldn’t track her down almost two decades ago, I doubt we’d do any better.”

“Lady Bastet said she’s in the city.”

“Still a needle in a haystack, especially since Chastity wouldn’t be Chastity anymore.”

“Think she changed her name?” I asked.

“I’m sure of it.” Vega spun her chair from the desk and stood. “Let’s go out and see if we played Arnaud’s game to his satisfaction.” She took two steps toward the door and collapsed.

I caught her before she hit the floor and lowered her the rest of the way, one hand under her head. The stomach of her sweatshirt featured a fist-sized spot of blood. I didn’t have to look underneath to know the bandage was a sopping mess.

“Detective,” I whispered, patting her cheek.

Her eyelids fluttered open, and I watched her pupils sharpen. “Did I trip?”

“You passed out. You’re running on empty.”

“I’m fine.” She sat up and blinked as though to straighten her vision. “Just stood too fast.” She extended a hand for me to pull her to her feet. I complied, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her.

“Would you stop?” she said, elbowing me away.

“Would you let me help you?” I cried. “You can’t do this alone.”

She wheeled on me, staggering slightly before regaining her footing. Though her body was about to wilt, her dark eyes burned with emotion. “We’ll worry about me after this is over. But I am not going out there to face the creatures holding my son with you propping me up. Got it?”

I relented with a sigh. “Am I allowed to catch you, at least?”

Vega turned and opened the office door onto the beating lights of the club. I followed, hoping to hell we had met Arnaud’s terms. Vega wasn’t going to be able to hold out much longer.

30

We emerged from the club and looked up and down the block of flashing marquees and pay-by-the hour hotels. If blood slaves were lurking among the skeletal street walkers, I couldn’t spot them.

“Arnaud!” Vega called, her voice hoarse.

When no one appeared after several moments, I hooked a thumb toward the sedan. “He might want to meet someplace less public. Why don’t we drive a few blocks and park?”

Vega shivered as she nodded.

“I’m going to have to ask for your keys, though,” I said.

“So you can finish the demolition job you started at the Towers?”

I had banged up her car pretty badly. But Vega relented, slapping the key chain into my palm. She shivered again as she dropped into the passenger seat, eyes closed, the cuffs of the sweatshirt I’d loaned her balled inside her fists.

I cranked the engine and turned up the heat. I was about to pull the gearshift into drive when I caught the silhouette of someone’s head and shoulders in the backseat. I wheeled with my revolver.

“At ease,” Zarko said, almond eyes glinting red in the darkness.

My heart slammed through my breaths. “You could’ve given us a little warning.”

“I just thought the detective would want to meet out of the cold,” Arnaud said through his blood slave. “She is not looking at all well, is she?”

I peeked over at Vega, whose eyes remained closed.

“Chastity Summers,” she said. “That’s the name of the mother.”

“Was the name of the mother,” Zarko corrected her. “But I think you know that.”

Rage burned through me. “Can’t you see the condition she’s in?”

He gave a mysterious smile. “But you are so very close.”

“To what?” I shouted.

“The truth.”

“Look.” I paused to control my voice. “Just release her son, let her get some medical care. We’ll continue the search. We’ll find out who this Chastity Summers is. You have our word.”

“Amend the original agreement?” Zarko chuckled. “I wouldn’t think of it. Besides, it would seem we are in a race against someone intent on keeping that information in the dark, no?”

“Look at her, for God’s sake. The situation’s changed.”

“No, Mr. Croft. The situation has only become more interesting. I have placed associates of my own at stake. I have even lost a few. It would only seem fair that you have skin in the game as well.”

“Is that what this is to you? A goddamned game?”

“A figure of speech, Mr. Croft, I assure you.” The smile on his lips thinned. “The revealed truth would have profound consequences. Why, it could change the very landscape of this city. Why do you think someone is going to such great lengths to suppress it?”

“But you already know the truth,” I said.

“A truth I can do nothing with at the moment.”

“Why not?” I demanded.

“Perhaps I have already hedged my bets, and there is no gain in it for me. I am an investor after all. And the best investors cover all sides of a trade. Or…” The word lingered, teasing, on his tongue. “Or perhaps it is that you are not the only ones bound by an agreement.”

Vega stirred in the passenger seat. “Does this have something to do with you being hired to protect her daughter?”

“Very astute, Detective. There is hope for your son yet.”

I expected the not-so-veiled threat to light a fire in Vega, but she remained slumped against the seat back, eyes closed. With her blood loss, everything probably seemed dull and hazy. “He’s still safe?” she asked.

“Sleeping like an angel.”

“And once we find out who Chastity