Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(55)

Ernie nodded. “Y-yes, sir.”

“Hand me the machete, Sly,” Jeff said with a smile. “And bring the torch.”

The man carried it over. Jeff ran his thumb across the blade. Blood pooled on his finger. He dabbed the cut with a crisp, white handkerchief, then stuffed it in his pocket. “I’ll ask you again. What did you tell Montgomery?”

Ernie swallowed.

Jeff made a tsking sound.

With a swish, he brought down the machete.

Ernie’s hand fell to the ground.

Pain sliced up Ernie’s arm. He screamed. Blood poured from the wound.

Sly loosely wrapped the stump in a towel.

Ernie’s entire body screeched with pain. He lifted his head.

“You betrayed me.” Jeff pressed down on the open wound.

Spots of light dance in front of Ernie’s eyes. He wanted to pass out. He prayed to pass out.

“Tell me.”

“Grace O’Sullivan,” Ernie panted through gritted teeth. “R-Russians.”

“See, wasn’t that easy?” Jeff turned his back. “Finish it.”

Sly lit the torch and grabbed Ernie’s arm, then shook off the towel.

Seconds later, Ernie’s world went black.




Ashley stared at the computer monitor, but she couldn’t think. She squirmed in her seat. She needed a bathroom, and she hated asking. She hated they controlled everything she did.

One quick glance and she eyed her guardian of the day.

The redheaded guy. If she could have avoided going to the bathroom she would have. Finally, she broke down and asked. He gave her a smarmy grin and told her to wait.

An hour later, he dragged her into the hall.

If he tried to come in the bathroom with her, she’d castrate him. Maybe she could break the mirror, grab a shard, and really do it?

“Move it, Lansing.” He shoved her in the back, making her stagger.

She scowled at him. “I could walk faster if you took me to the restroom when I first asked you.”

“Oh, is the little baby going to wet her pants?” he taunted.

Ashley clenched her teeth and turned back around. The mirror idea was looking better and better all the time.

Mop boy—Floyd—was cleaning out one of the bathroom stalls when they got there.

“Hey, pansy, get out of the ladies’ room. She’s got to use it.”

Floyd poked his head out of the stall, looked up at the guard. “Sure. Give me a sec.” He slammed the toilet seat down, rustled around a little, then walked out. “I’m not done cleaning the whole bathroom yet,” he said, shoving his mop bucket in front of the second stall, leaving the one he’d just cleaned as the only one available. “I’ll be outside.”

The red-haired guy followed, glanced in the stall, then stood back.

As Floyd passed Ashley, his eyes flicked in the direction of the stall, then he winked. “There should be enough toilet paper. If not, you’ll find an extra roll on the tank.”

Ashley struggled to control her mystified expression. What was that all about? How many boys her age discussed toilet paper with girls?

“Hurry up, blondie. I haven’t got all day to be parading you around. You have work to do. I ain’t gettin’ the crap beat outta me like Niko, so move it.” He shoved past her, almost knocking her into the wall.

“You are such a gentleman.”

He grabbed her chin and yanked her face to within inches of his. “Watch it, sweetheart, or I’ll show you just how wrong you are.” With that, he pushed her away and shut the bathroom door.

Shuddering, Ashley entered the stall and looked around. Okay, that was weird. There was plenty of paper left on the roll. Why had Floyd mentioned the one on the tank?

She stilled. The paper wrap on the roll set on the tank had been disturbed. She grabbed it. Floyd had tucked a note inside. She clutched the paper tight and sat down to read it.

               Mainframe: Grid C shuts down that corridor and C2 exit. Set timer for 10:30 p.m. Security bypass lasts thirty min. Get out. Get help. Justin and Dave going, too. Tomorrow night. 10:45 p.m. Don’t fail.

The main bathroom door slammed open. “What’s taking you so long? Do I need to come in there?”

“Sorry, my time of the month. Takes a little longer,” she lied, praying they wouldn’t check. Oh God, what if they did?

“That’s disgusting.” The guard slammed the door.

Ashley memorized the note, tore it into pieces, did her business, then flushed the toilet. They would escape and bring back help.

Thanks, Mop Boy Floyd. She soaped her hands and rinsed them. You’ll have your justice for Fletcher. These bastards will pay for everything they’ve done.





* * *





CHAPTER THIRTEEN




* * *




DEB STARED OUT the front of the SUV while Gabe drove back to Denver. She couldn’t block the images of Britney’s body from her mind, couldn’t stop the ache low in her gut at the thought of what her sister could be going through. But Ashley was a fighter. Like everyone else in their family. She’d do whatever it took to survive. Deb had to believe that.

Her phone buzzed, and just the sound caused her heart to lurch. She glanced at the number, then pressed her hand against her stomach. “Hello, Father.”