Page 56 of Anarchy Missing

“Someone who wants to knock out cell service to Cathedral City, obviously.”

“Like your friend? The satellite phone guy?”

“Oh, the phones are just the domestic side of his business.”

“Case,” I say, putting a hand up. “I have no idea where you’re getting your information, but I don’t think I need to know all this—”

“You do, Lulu. Because the city is falling apart down there. And it’s my job to hold it all together. It’s counting on me to—”

“How do you know all this, Case? I haven’t even heard about the things you’re telling me.”

“See,” he says. “This is part of the reason we need to have this chat.”

I get up, skirt around the low table holding the food, grab my coat and purse, and then start walking towards the doors. I throw them open and head towards the elevator. “I’ve got to get back to work. We’ll have to do lunch some other time.”

But when I get to the elevator the flickering light show that calls himself Steve is blocking my way. “You can’t leave here without permission, Miss Lightly.” He says this so casually, I get a chill up my spine.

I turn to face Case, who is still back inside his office.

“Let me out,” I say, my voice thick with anger.

“No,” he says, walking over to me. “I can’t. Not yet. Not until we’re both on the same page.” He walks right up next to me, placing his hands on my hips. That’s when I think about the gloves again. And the heat. And the story that O’Neil told me this morning.

“Your hands,” I whisper. “Your hands were so warm last night.”

Case lets out a long breath and leans down into my neck. “Come back inside my office, Lulu. You don’t have a choice, because you can’t get out of this building unless I let you. And I’d hate to have to pick you up and carry you back, but I will if I have to because you’re not leaving yet. Not until I have your word.”

I pull out my phone and begin dialing—Case whips it out of my hand. “Who do you think you’re calling?”

“The police,” I say, unable to prevent the satisfied smugness from leaking out with my words.

Case studies the screen and scowls. “You had nine and one dialed. You were actually calling the police on me?”

“You’re the one who said you were holding me prisoner. Now give it back, call your creepy hologram to let me out of this building, and I’ll be on my way without a fuss.”

He says nothing. Just keeps still and silent, like he’s thoughtfully considering my offer.

“Give it back,” I say, making a grab for the phone.

He holds it high above his head. And smiles.

“That’s really mature.”

“Desperate times, Miss Lightly. Why are you being so uncool about this?”

My mouth does this dropping thing and I stop blinking. Because he’s an idiot, right? “You’re some kind of strange rich toy freak with creepy friends who make pretend light-show people and blow up cell towers just so they can sell more satellite phones. That’s why I’m being uncool.” I roll my eyes and cross my arms.

“He didn’t blow up those towers.”

“That’s the only part of that statement you’re going to bother denying?”

Case shrugs. “We have been known to blow things up before—”

“Like Blue Corp?” I say.

He stops talking and just tilts his head at me. “What do you know?”

“I’m not going to tell you because you’re being a dick.” And then I giggle because I almost want to tell him about stupid DickCage at the prison. Being the boy-man he is, I think Case might appreciate that little inside joke.