Page 108 of Eternal Obsession

He peered sheepishly through the bars.

“Alex, haven’t you learned by now. . . ?”

“Get me out of here.”

I subdued my fury. “I’m working on it. What happened?”

“I was taking a unit of blood from the⁠—”

“Dear God!”

“I got attacked by this burly security man. He had this taser thing and zapped me.”

“Are you hurt?”

“No, please don’t be angry,” he said.

“Sometimes, you just need to⁠—”

“What’s the time?”

“I’ll get you out of here before dawn, okay?”

“Your word?”

I nodded. “Look, you need to know that Ingrid is working on a murder case. It’s connected somehow to the blood you stole.”

“How?”

I turned to see Ingrid advancing toward me.

“Jadeon?” she called out. “How did you get in here past the guards?”

“Ingrid, there’s been some mistake. Alex⁠—”

“You didn’t answer my question,” she said sternly.

“Perhaps that’s a question for your men,” I said.

She rested her hands on her hips. “Look, I need to interview him. I know this is difficult for you. It’s difficult for me. I’m seriously considering handing him over to a colleague to interview because of our . . .”

“Relationship?”

“Friendship,” she said.

“There’s been a mistake,” I said, “but let him out, and I won’t take this any further.”

“No mistake has been made.” Ingrid frowned.

“Ingrid, you must listen to me.”

“He’s a suspect in a murder case. I could get into a lot of trouble for just talking with you. Look, I’m sure this is some huge misunderstanding and we’re going to sort it all out. However, you have to let me do my job. Okay.”

“Ingrid,” I whispered, “surely after everything that you and I have done together⁠—”

“Don’t you go there, Jadeon.”

I lowered my voice. “Perhaps if I could invite you back to⁠—”