Page 112 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Bay glanced at the door again before she could stop herself.

Sabre softened her tone. “Whoever usually handles things isn’t handling this one.”

Bay stared at the tabletop.

“We need something for Friday,” Sabre said. “Something true that helps you.”

Silence.

“Did Todd threaten you?”

No answer.

“Did he threaten someone else?”

Bay’s fingers tightened. “He talked too much.”

“Todd?”

Bay nodded.

“What did he know?”

Bay shut down. “Nothing.”

“That answer came too fast,” Sabre said.

“He knew enough to be dangerous.” Bay looked angry with herself for saying it.

“Dangerous to who?”

No response.

“Bay?” Sabre prompted. “How was the other girl involved?”

“He wasn’t supposed to know about her.” The words were barely audible.

Sabre felt her nerves tingle. “There is another girl.”

Bay said nothing.

“Is she safe now?”

Bay whispered, “No one is.”

Sabre sat back. They finally had something. Not enough to solve anything, but enough to frame an argument of defense of another, fear, immediate threat, a hidden vulnerable person.

“I can use part of that, but I’m going to need more real soon.”

Bay looked up fast. “No names.”

“You haven’t given me any.”

“No places.”

“You haven’t given me those either.”

“No paper that says too much.”