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“He’ll need more time.”
“He’s supposed to be a genius. Make him work. Two hours or your bodyguard will die.”
“Wait,” Kaj said urgently. “I want proof of life. I want to talk to her.”
“Sorry. She’s asleep right now.”
Kaj swallowed audibly. “Asleep or unconscious?”
“Dunno and don’t care. You have one hour and fifty-eight minutes. And I’d advise you tell your computer guy not to bother wasting his time trying to track this call. He won’t find me. Use your time to find Bella.”
Lake Cataouatche, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2:35 P.M.
Noni was fading in and out. Everything still hurt, but she wasn’t alone. Dianne still sat with her on the floor, stroking her hair. And singing.
Dianne’s humming abruptly stilled, as did the hand stroking Noni’s hair.
What? Noni wanted to ask but couldn’t call up the breath to force the word out.
“Boats,” Dianne said, her dread a palpable thing. “Two of them. They’re coming back. I have to get back to my room. Pretend you’re unconscious. They’ll leave you alone if they think you’re passed out.” She scrambled to her feet and Noni heard the closing of the door as Dianne ran back to wherever she’d been kept.
Noni wouldn’t have to pretend to be unconscious. She was so tired and there was peace in the darkness. Just let go.
But Noni kept breathing. Her heart kept beating, even as she willed it to stop. Please don’t hurt me anymore.
“Put her in with Feldman,” a man said. Corey.
“C’mon, Corey,” another man whined, and Noni’s beating heart stuttered. Bobby. The one who’d... “Just let me play a little. You’ll still be able to trade her. I won’t leave any marks.”
“No,” Corey barked. “Put her in with Feldman.”
They were coming closer.
Put who in the bedroom? Trade her? To whom? For what?
Footsteps pounded across the floor before there was a thud. Like they’d dropped something. Or someone.
“Leave her,” Corey ordered. “And check Dianne.”
Bobby’s footsteps pounded again, coming close to Noni’s head, but he didn’t kick. Instead, his footsteps faded and there was quiet for a while. Until Bobby came back.
“Dianne’s still passed out,” Bobby reported. “Is Feldman still breathing?”
Corey came closer, knees popping as he crouched beside Noni. She tried to flinch away when he pressed fingers to her throat, but...
So tired.
“She alive?” Bobby asked.
“Barely,” Corey said, then straightened. “Let’s clean up. I need to stitch up your arm and clean out mine where that fucking dog bit me. All I need now is an infection.”
The door slammed closed and Noni wondered who they’d dropped beside her. She wondered if the woman would ever be able to tell her her name.
I’m sorry, whoever you are.
They’d be dying here together.
