Deathtrap (Crossbreed #3)(17)
After a long puff, he shook his hand to put out the flame and dropped the matchstick on the floor.
I stood up, my back stiff. “Why was she living in her car if she had a job?”
“Had a job being the operative word,” he said. “She used to spike their specialty drinks, but it’s hard for pregnant Sensors to work, so I’m guessing they let her go when they found out.”
“What does being pregnant have to do with spiking drinks?”
He blew out a cloud of smoke. “Pregnancy does strange things to a Sensor. Most can’t use their sensory skills, and others have problems harnessing the right emotional energy when they have hormones fluttering about in a tiny person inside them. Those drinks have to be spiked just so.”
“Did you find anything about a boyfriend?”
He shook his head. “The files Wyatt found on her are just job records, her Breed alias, last-known residence, and her former banker.”
“What about getting a list of all the places she’s charged her card?”
His brows gathered into a frown. “Hell to the no.”
“I’m not talking about her entire life. Just the past year or so. It might show a break in her pattern that’s worth checking out.”
“One of us should investigate the Nine Circles club,” Niko said. “Her coworkers might have more information.”
“You mean Nine Circles of Hell?” Gem straightened her legs and tapped the ends of her tall sneakers together. “I heard that place is for weirdos. Their theme revolves around the underworld.”
“It’s not that bad,” I remarked. “They have good lunch specials.”
Everyone silently judged me.
“What?” I sat on the couch facing the desk. “It wasn’t that far from Claude’s salon. It’s nothing as devious as what goes on at Club Hell. Anyone ever seen that place? They have torture rooms and make you participate. No, thanks. That’s why I used to stick to human clubs. But no, I didn’t see anything weird going on at Club Nine. Their gimmick attracts people, but it’s just another club.”
Viktor stood up. “I want Gem and Claude to go. Find out what you can from her coworkers. Speak to the person who terminated her employment. Talk to the regulars. If anyone asks, pretend you are concerned friends looking for her whereabouts. She has a baby, and you have not heard from her lately.”
Gem played with the crystal pendant around her neck. “Should I pretend I’m her cousin?”
“Nyet. If they find out you’re not a Sensor, that will require further explanation. If a Chitah questions you, let Claude do all the talking. He understands how to dance around lies that would trigger a suspicious scent.”
“Or Gem could go to dinner with Shepherd, and I could go to the club,” I suggested. “I’ve already been there, so they’ve seen my face. I know my way around.”
His eyes twinkled. “You are not escaping this dinner.”
Shepherd flicked his ashes into a can of soda. “Then I’ll go. Claude doesn’t know the right people to talk to like I do.”
Viktor glared at him. “Don’t try my patience.”
Shepherd smirked as he took another drag. “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”
When Christian strode into the room, the first thing he did was pick up the burned matchstick. He tucked it in Shepherd’s shirt pocket and gave it a pat. “I couldn’t help but overhear you’re planning to go undercover. Need a driver?”
Viktor gestured toward the empty leather chair. “What we need is someone to watch the new auctions when Wyatt is away from the room or asleep.”
Christian sat down, his legs spread wide. We were directly across from each other, and I felt a strange flutter in my stomach when our eyes briefly met.
Gem stood up and straightened out her short dress. I questioned whether it was a dress or an oversized shirt since it stopped at her upper thigh. “What do I wear to a club like that?”
“Whatever you want,” I said. “I didn’t see any dress codes.”
She snapped her fingers. “I’ve got just the thing. Blue, can I borrow your long gloves? Blue?”
I glanced over at where the beanbag chairs were. Blue was facing away from everyone, her head resting against her shoulder. She had fallen asleep about a half hour ago, but no one had noticed except Shepherd and me.
“Hope it’s not food poisoning,” Christian quipped. “That was a remarkable meal you served us this morning. Haven’t seen anything like that since the Chicago Fire of 1871.”
I flashed him a look of disdain. “Maybe you should try something before you formulate an opinion on it.”
He tapped his finger against one of his teeth. “Didn’t want to chip a fang on the toast.”
“I’ll remember this when it’s your week to cook.”
When Wyatt appeared at the door, he looked sweaty and pale. Gravewalkers didn’t contract diseases or viruses, but they were prone to stomachaches and headaches like everyone else. Sometimes you just had to ride it out. And when he turned around and bolted, I had a feeling he was going to be riding it out for a little bit longer.
Viktor strode toward the door and pointed at the computer screen. “Keep an eye on the new auctions. Niko, come with me. We can discuss strategy for different scenarios should the baby come up for auction.”