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Finn nodded.
Nolan faced his computer and a huge map of Belize filled the screen. They strode closer to him.
Finn glanced over Nolan’s shoulder. “What are you showing us?”
“See that red dot?” Nolan pointed to the object in question that was pulsing on the screen. “According to my program, that’s where Jewel is.”
“But that dot’s on the Caribbean Sea,” Carrie hissed.
“Maybe she’s on a boat?” Joana asked hopefully.
“I thought so too until I hacked into the Belize Meteorology satellite to take a real-time image of the location.” Nolan smacked his fingers on the keyboard.
Beautiful, turquoise water filled the screen.
No boat.
Joana whimpered. “That can’t be right.”
“My friend is not dead,” Carrie shrieked.
“I don’t think she’s dead either.” Finn straightened and looked determinedly at the wall. “But wherever she is, death might be better.”
Joana and Carrie exchanged fearful glances.
Finn folded his fingers into fists. “He has her. Kross has Jewel.”
27
Jewel finished throwing up in the toilet and flushed it. Still feeling weak, she stumbled to her feet and washed her hands in the sink.
The reflection in the mirror revealed a slim girl with dark skin, hopeless eyes and gaunt cheeks. Her hair was thick and knotted, in desperate need of a comb and some Eco-styler gel.
She had neither the energy nor the desire to make herself presentable. At least, in this state, Kross hadn’t bothered with her.
Looking like crap had its benefits.
Jewel sighed wearily and shuffled out of the bathroom. She stopped short when she saw her mother leaning on the wall. A cigarette lingered between her two dark fingers. She peered at Jewel with a knowing gaze.
“Do you know the sex?” she rasped.
Jewel stuttered. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Miranda pointed to her stomach with the butt of the cigarette. “Is the baby a boy or a girl?”
Jewel stared at the ground.
Miranda pushed off the wall and approached her. Jewel could hear her own heartbeat like a drum in her ears.
“Tell me.”
“I don’t know.”
“Who’s the father?”
Jewel kept silent.
“One of those little boys at your school?”
