“Victor islying.”
I lean forward. The rope at my wrists tightens painfully, but I get a few extra inches.
“Think about it,” I say. “Why were the bodies burned?”
He shrugs. “Some sadistic sons of bitches love burning bodies.”
“Are you?”
“What?”
“That kind of guy. Wouldyouhave done it?”
“Personally? No. Too risky. Once you start a fire, it’s out of your control. You don’t burn a body unless you’ve got a reason that’s more than just liking the smell.”
“Exactly.”
I sit up as straight as the chair lets me.
“You saw the way Victor was acting. Tell me with a straight face he’s a leader. Someone you want to spend the rest of your life following.”
The guard doesn’t say anything. My mind races as my pulse quickens.
“So, why the fire? Not because Victor ordered it. So, either someone on his side made a sloppy decision he didn’t authorize,orthe man supposedly under those bodiesburned them himselfon his way out. To make sure Victor doesn’t see a face. To buy himself time.”
The guard laughs. “That is astretch, lady.”
“It’s a stretch I’m betting on.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“Then I’m wrong, and you’ve spent thirty seconds typing on a phone, and you go back to scrolling. You’re out a thumb tap. But if I’m right?—“
I let it hang.
If he isn’t dead, you helped him. And helping him is the only way you survive his vengeance.
The guard watches me carefully. But I can’t get a read. Not yet.
I press.
“He promised you things. Right?”
“Who?”
“Victor. He promised you. Money, rank, a step up. They all promise the same things, right?”
“So?”
“Has he delivered?”
The guard glances at the door Victor just stormed out of and rolls his eyes.
“That’s a man who’s going to get someone killed and thenblame the someonefor getting killed,” I continue. “You want to work for that?”
His face twitches into a momentary sneer. My heart jumps.
I’m getting through. I can see it.
