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“This is it.” He turned a key into the wall and the door retracted. We stepped inside and started to descend beneath the hotel.
I had forgotten the musky Earthy scent until it hit my nostrils with a violet pungent slap. I coughed into my elbow. The world below New Orleans was shadowy and dark. A city that couldn’t bury its dead below sea level, kept other secrets buried here instead. As soon as we stepped off the lift it was as if all those horrors wrapped around us. I had to grip my fist next to my thigh to stop the shiver that ran across my shoulders. Only a few nights ago I teased Kennedy for not believing in the folklore of this city. Now, I wished I didn’t know as much as I did.
Kimble held up a military-grade flashlight. The beam was focused and ultra-clear. He raised his finger to his lips and motioned for me to step behind me. The door closed behind us, and I realized we were here until we fought whatever demon had lured us underground.
Chapter24
Kennedy
“Mr. and Mrs. West.” I greeted Crew’s parents, already drinking coffee and huddled together on the couch when Renee and I entered the room. They seemed nervous. Anxious.
“We’re sorry we just showed up like this,” Mrs. West spoke.
“It’s fine,” I reassured them. “You’re welcome here. Has something come up?” I searched their faces for an explanation.
Crew’s mother was more assertive than our first meeting in my car. “The hotel is starting to get to us. You know all those people. Reporters. The headquarters. Thought we’d get out for a while. We thought we could—” She glanced at her husband. “Really, we want to know what you’re doing to find him. We know what you do. We know who you are. You are a very powerful woman, Ms. Martin. You could find our son. Why haven’t you found him?”
I blinked. Renee patted my arm.
“Ms. Martin is working diligently to find him. Hi, I’m Renee XX.” She reached over the coffee table to shake their hands. “I’m the attorney who set up the reward fund account for Crew’s return. I work very closely with Ms. Martin and I know Crew. We all want him back.”
“We know you could do more,” his father insisted. “You have people. We know there are people. People who do this kind of stuff.”
I twisted my lips together. “Mrs. West, I know you’re tired and you’re stressed. I can’t even imagine the level of stress, but I promise I’m doing what I can do. There are no people.” I smiled. “And Mr. West, I hope you understand that if you need more funds for the search, they are yours.”
“Just call us Kyle and Rebecca.” He sounded exasperated. “We didn’t come here for money. We came for help. You have resources.”
I shook my head. “My best resource for you right now is money. Take it Use it.” I glanced at Renee.
“We wouldn’t know how to use it the way you do,” he argued. “What good is money when we don’t know this city? Please, you have to do more for Crew.”
“She’s doing everything.”
We all turned toward the door when Seraphina appeared. She pulled a thin wrap over her shoulders, tying it above the baby bump.
“Seraphina? What are you doing here?” Rebecca crossed the room to her. She glanced at Seraphina’s stomach, putting both her arms around her. “How are you feeling?”
Seraphina nodded. Her dark hair had spilled out of the messy bun she fastened before her nap. “I’m okay. The baby’s been kicking. Want to feel?”
“Yes. Of course.” Rebecca’s face lit up. Seraphina guided her hand to the side of her abdomen.
I felt like the rest of us were intruding on this moment between them. They smiled at each other and Rebecca led Seraphina to sit with her and Kyle.
“You’re okay?” Rebecca repeated.
“Yes. Tired. I tried to sleep. I don’t think I was very successful, though. The baby kept moving.”
“You’re friends with Ms. Martin?” I could tell Kyle was trying to piece it together.
“Yes,” she admitted. “Can we talk about my brother, please? He didn’t take Crew. It’s not possible.” Seraphina stopped. Her attention moved to me. “Where is Knight?”
“Is he here?” Kyle barked.
I put my hands up “No. He’s not here right now. Please just calm down.”
“Calm down? That man is a criminal. There’s a reason he is the only suspect the police have. We are sorry, Seraphina. We know he’s your brother, but Knight Corban will face justice for kidnapping our son.”
“I think everyone just needs to take a deep breath,” Renee interjected. “Maybe get Bella to start cocktail hour early.” She checked the door as if Bella appeared whenever her name was spoken.
