Page 114 of The Unravelings

“So.” I clear my throat, turning my attention back to the woman of the hour. “The good stuff for the good doctor, huh?” I grin, sifting through her remaining belongings on the ground. “Ah, here we go,” I say, grabbing her fancy name-brand wallet and meandering toward her again.

“I have over a hundred thousand in that account. It’s all yours.” Her voice shakes with every word she says as her eyes focus on the green debit card I hold between my fingers. “It’s all I’ve made since I started at the hospital,” she says, her voice quivering more.

“How about this one?” I ask, holding up a black card with no name inscribed on it. It seems innocent enough, but I’d recognize a black credit card from anywhere. They’re what the rich and powerful use around town, associated with a bank in the middle of Greenwood that only the elite can get into. Doctors, fat chance. She’s not rich or powerful enough to garner such a reward.

So that leaves the person she’s working for. Whoever that is.

“I-I…” she stammers again, shaking her head as best she can. “It-It… I…”

“How curious,” I sing-song, throwing the green debit card on the ground and stepping on it. “A hundred grand on that one, but what about the specialized bank card here? The anonymous one?” I raise a brow, making her think I know more than I already do.

“I don’t know!” she says, shaking her head. “It showed up one day in a card, thanking me for…for…”

A grin builds across my lips until all my teeth are showing. “Thanking you for what, Doc? For…harvesting organs from an unsuspecting family man? Or taking the blood from students? Well, I haven’t quite figured that one out yet. Which is it? Because I’m very curious to understand what’s happening in my town.” I cock my head when she pales more, and I swear I’m about to lose her to a heart attack at the way she shakes and groans.

“No! I didn’t…” she shrieks, gasping when I grab her by the hair and lean over her face.

“Fuckery has been happening around town, Doc. Lots and lots of it. But there’s one fuckery I want to know all about, and you’re going to tell me the answers to my questions, or I’m going to start peeling the flesh from your toes and stuffing them down your throat.” I grin more when the smell of piss hits the air. “Ah, yes. You know I mean business, right?”

“Yes-yes-yes!” she shudders more, taking in heaving breaths when I forcefully let go of her hair and step back, watching with glee as she dissolves into a puddle of emotions.

“I want you to tell me everything you know about my sister Meredith Monroe. And don’t fucking lie to me, Doc,” I rumble, pointing the knife at her again. “Or your toes get it.” I grin when she shudders again, blubbering about her precious toes. Oh boo-hoo.

“Meredith…” she whispers, sniffling again. “Meredith. The-the nurse?” There’s a hiccup in her voice and a sense of regret emanating from her.

It’s delicious. I want to feast on every ounce of insecurity she has festering deep inside her.

“Yes.” I grin, tilting my head. “The nurse. My sister. The one who has been missing for weeks. Ring any bells?”

She pales even further, flapping her lips like a fish out of water. “N-no,” she stammers again, grating on my fucking nerves.

“Now, now, Doc. What did I say about lying to me?” Quickly, I grab my phone and find a beautiful picture of my sister. It was during her birthday celebration at the hospital, and I joined, bringing her a balloon and chocolates. I may not be a good man in any department, but I’d never forget my sister’s birthday.

Her coworkers were slightly frightened at the sight of me.

“Mal!” she squeals, instantly throwing her arms around me and pulling me into a bear hug. “You came?”

“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss your birthday celebration.” I grin and hand her a small birthday balloon attached to a box of candy.

She laughs, pulling back from our hug and examining the balloon with tears in her eyes. “You know we’re having dinner tonight, right?” She raises a brow.

“Pish, posh.” I wave a hand. “I want to double celebrate.”

And I did, because my sister deserved it. She deserved to work at the hospital in a normal job, with normal people around her. She didn’t have to worry about our mom popping back up or a crime syndicate coming after her. All she had to worry about was saving people’s lives. That’s it. No more. No less.

And yet, I still fucking failed her.

But not anymore.

“Just to confirm, Doc. You don’t know who this girl is?” I hold a picture of Mere’s smiling face, holding her birthday cake.

“No,” she says in a steadier voice. “I’ve never seen her before.” She slightly lifts her chin, giving me a look of disobedience.

I purse my lips, nodding slightly. “Ah, I get it, Doc. You don’t believe me, do you?”

“B-believe you?” she stammers again, losing that confident edge she so bravely put on.

“I mean, you’ve already tinkled in your big girl pants at the thought of me chopping toes off. What if I show you? What if I demonstrate exactly what I’m talking about?”