The Dragon at The Edge of The Map: A Crime Thriller Novel

by P. A. Wilson

  “I haven’t started figuring it out, but I need to do it soon so I can rent the place. You think people will want to rent? After two murders?”

  Monique took a step into her apartment before answering, hoping Bob would take the hint. “I’m pretty sure no one will know if you don’t tell them. And I won’t tell anyone, you might want to ask Mac to keep his mouth shut. The rent you charge is pretty low, so you shouldn’t have any problems.”

  “I guess. Anyway, I’ve got to go. My wife hates it when I work such long hours. The day job is hard enough, but I can’t tell my dad I won’t work in the store.” He shrugged. “Anyway this should all be over in a couple of days. See you.”

  “Yes, take care, Bob.” Monique closed her door.

  She ran through her apartment gathering clothes and toiletries. She pulled the picture from its hiding place and slipped it into her purse, then grabbed a grocery bag and filled it with the fresh food from the fridge. There was no need to let that go to waste. She glanced at Didi’s things and shook her head. She didn’t need to drag his bags along with hers.

  The conversation with Bob had slowed her down and she didn’t want Rafe worrying that something had happened to her. She locked her door and ran down to the street, gulping in cold fresh air to rid herself of the taint of decay.

  Outside Rafe’s building, Monique dug through her purse for his keys, feeling anxious to get inside before he worried. Her half hour had turned into almost an hour. Monique hoped he was absorbed in his work and hadn’t noticed. She touched the fob against the reader and used her elbow to pull the door open.

  Monique realized she was feeling something other than anxiousness for a change. She was looking forward to being with Rafe, to spending time with him. When this was over, when The Colonel was caught, maybe they could take some time off and they could get away. She could get used to this happiness thing.

  The elevator opened on his floor and she missed seeing his smiling face greet her. Monique walked around the corner, sorting the keys in her fingers to bring the right one to the top. Looking up she saw that the door was unlocked and ajar. Rafe was so considerate, he’d realized she’d be handicapped with all her stuff and left the door so she just needed to push it. She bumped it open with her elbow.

  “I’m sorry it took so long. Bob was there and I had to—”

  Rafe wasn’t there.

  Someone had been inside while she was gone. Someone who had tossed Rafe’s things on the floor and tipped over the furniture. Monique let her bags drop as she ran to the small bedroom Rafe used as an office. Her heart in her throat, she pushed open the door.

  The room had also been trashed, but Rafe was nowhere.

  She stepped over a pile of paper that had fallen from an overturned file cabinet and inspected the desk and chair.

  There was a smear of blood on the edge of the desk. Just a smear, not what she’d feared, not a pool of it with Rafe in the center carved up. The room began to spin, and she had to lower herself to the carpet so she didn’t add to the mess. She pressed her head to her knees and waited for the room to settle.

  So little blood, but it had been Rafe’s. She knew that without a trace of doubt. He was hurt, and he was gone.

  That feeling she’d had before. Had someone followed her? How had they known which apartment was Rafe’s? Was this just an unrelated random act of violence? Was it something Rafe had brought on through his work, or was it her fault?

  The dizziness faded slowly. As she regained her balance, the questions in her mind focused. She knew that the odds were low that this was not related to The Colonel and the other murders. And that meant Rafe was not going to live very long. It didn’t matter that she’d have to face the consequences of breaking into Alexi’s apartment. She was going to tell the police everything.

  It took a few more minutes for her to feel safe standing. Even then, she had to put her hand on the desk to steady herself. Her things were in the middle of the living room. Her phone was in her purse. She kept repeating the words as she made her way down the hall.

  She’d call Adams’ number.

  She’d tell them everything.

  She’d make them find Rafe, and then she’d take her punishment.

  Monique stumbled in to the living room and noticed a pool of milk spreading from the grocery bag. The mess brought tears. Rafe didn’t need to have her making things worse. She reached for her purse and dug inside looking for her phone, regretting her penchant for black purses and black accessories. The smooth plastic slipped from her fingers twice before she was able to grasp it.

  Turning it on, she blinked back the tears that blurred the screen. She was ready to redial the number when her phone rang.

  Unknown number.

  She slid the bar to ignore the call and tried to dial Adams’ number.

  The unknown caller rang again. Fucking spammers! She ignored the call again.

  When the caller dialed back, she accepted it. “Look, stop calling me. I don’t have time to buy whatever you are selling.”

  “I am not selling anything, Ms. Duchesne.”

  It was the same voice that had called a few days ago to warn her off. He sounded so different on the phone, but Monique knew it could only be one man. “Vincent, right?”

  “Very good. At least you can remember me calling you. Too bad you didn’t take my advice.”

  It didn’t help to have confirmation that Vincent had been in the apartment. She hoped Rafe was still alive. “The police know who you are.”

  “Yes, that is true, but I am not afraid of your police. They are nothing like the police I know. But that is not why I called. Aren’t you interested?”

  Monique wasn’t going to let him control the conversation. “You took Rafe.”

  “So direct.” Vincent sighed. “Yes, we have your man.”

  “Is he alive?” She heard the quaver in her voice and hated him for making her sound weak.

  “For now. We will see what happens.”

  “What do you want?” She strained to hear anything in the background that would identify where Vincent was. There was only silence.

  “You have something we want. I thought Marek took it, and you saw what I did to him, yes? And Alexi?”

  “Why do you think I have it?” She was sure it was the picture, but maybe it wasn’t.

  “Perhaps you do not, but my friend is willing to take that chance. If you do have it, and you give it back, perhaps your man will live.”

  “How do I know he’s still alive?” Monique picked up her purse and muted her phone so that Vincent wouldn’t hear her actions. Taking the photo out, she looked around for a place to hide it. There was no reason they would come back here and look for it when she didn’t hand it over. It was her only leverage, and she had to protect it. The couch cushions were lying on the floor, so she unzipped one and slid the picture between the foam and the cover. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do. When that was done, she unmuted her phone and started for the door.

  “Interesting, that you don’t ask if you will live. You must love this man very much.”

  “Stop stalling, Vincent. How do I know he’s alive?” She didn’t ask if he was unhurt because she knew the blood was Rafe’s.

  “You need to show more respect. My friend will not be as amused by your spirit as I am.”

  “If you don’t prove Rafe is alive, I’m calling the police.” She locked the door before heading to the elevator.

  “Calling the police will not help you, Ms. Duchesne. Your man is alive, listen.”

  There was a pause before Rafe mumbled through the phone. “I’m okay, Monique. Just go to the cops.” The sound of something hard smashing into flesh ended with a groan.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “That is a much better question. I will meet you at Lumberman’s Arch. We will be alone at this time of the night, yes?”

  There would be no way for her to bring help either. There was no way to sneak up on him at that location, only on
e way into Stanley Park, and only one way out.

  Could she negotiate something else? “Will Rafe be there?”

  “No. He will be safe here until our business is concluded.”

  And that meant they could kill him right now. “No. I see him, or I go to the police with what I have.”

  “How do you know I don’t have people waiting for you as you leave the building?”

  “Why would you just have them outside? I guess you aren’t crazy about kidnapping two people from the same building within an hour. It might cause someone to report suspicious behavior.” She stepped out through the doors to the building. No one came at her.

  “You are on the street now.”

  “Yeah, you heard the elevator and the front door, no magic there.” She headed for her car. “So where am I going? The police station? Or somewhere other than Lumberman’s Arch?”

  “You are right. I don’t feel like going out again tonight. Come to my office, suite 101 3500 Bleekman Street. Do not bring anyone with you.” He ended the call.

  The office was only a few blocks from the catering company. Monique fought her instincts and kept her speed just at the limit as she drove through the almost empty streets.

  CHAPTER 18

  Monique parked directly across from the building. The spot was suspiciously empty. Perhaps Vincent had arranged for it to be clear.

  The building was similar to the one housing the catering company in age and construction, a big brick block with small windows. This one had no other businesses leasing space. No signs graced the front. No lights on. She wondered what they did here that would mean they needed the whole building. Then she dismissed the thought. She didn’t care what happened any other time, just what was going to happen tonight.

  She held her purse close to her body as she stepped from her car, not wanting to give anyone the chance to grab it, hoping it would look more like there was something of value inside.

  She ran across the road and into the lobby. A single light shone through the transom of a door at the far end of the right hand corridor. The rest of the building was silent.

  Monique forced herself to walk toward the light, terrified of what waited for her. The entire drive she had been imagining how she would react. She knew Vincent would kill both of them if she did something wrong, maybe even if she didn’t.

  If Rafe were still alive, she’d try to save him. That was the priority.

  She reached out her hand to the door. It was off the latch and swung open as she touched it. The light was coming from one single bulb hanging in the center of the ceiling. It cast more shadows than light.

  Taking one step inside, Monique scanned the whole room. In the far corner under a boarded up window, Rafe sat with his back against the wall, head hung low. His arm rested on his knees, something wrong with the angle of his wrist.

  She took another step and whispered, “Rafe?” His head moved, not enough to look at her, but enough to indicate life. She rushed toward him trying to assess how badly he was injured. She crouched down, afraid to touch him. Bruises were forming on his face, darker swollen patches in his beautiful skin. His wrist was probably broken. As was his right ankle by the way his foot turned against the floor.

  “Rafe, can you say something?” She put a finger under his chin and raised his head. He tried a grin, but it turned into a wince.

  A noise behind her told Monique that her time with Rafe was done. She gave him a small nod. “It’ll be okay.” She rose from the crouch as she turned to face Vincent. He was alone in the room. She didn’t count on that being helpful.

  “Very sweet.” He strode toward them slapping a leather crop against his gloved hand. “You have what I want?”

  “I didn’t bring it with me. You need to get him to the hospital before I tell you where it is.”

  He raised the crop and slashed at her in answer. Monique managed to turn so the force hit her in the shoulder. The pain immobilized her for a moment then faded. She’d be bruised but nothing felt permanently damaged. “I won’t tell you anything.”

  “You will tell us eventually.” He slapped the crop against his thigh. “Everyone talks eventually.”

  Monique had no doubt that he could get her to talk, but she didn’t plan to let it get that far. “Yes, but you’d never know if what you want was going somewhere else while you took your time.” She glanced at Rafe. “Here’s how it will go. You’ll call an ambulance for Rafe. You’ll carry him outside – gently. You’ll say you noticed him on your way by, so no one will suspect anything. And the ambulance guys won’t come in here. When Rafe is on his way, I’ll get the evidence I have and give it to you.”

  “And then I let you go?” He sneered. “I think this is too good to believe.”

  Monique clenched her fists to control the trembling. She couldn’t let him know how frightened she really was. “What happens to me is something we’ll get to. You can try it my way, or you can beat it out of me. Maybe I’ll make something up to stop the pain. Maybe I’ve got a weak heart and I’ll die before you get the information. Maybe the evidence is just waiting for the cops to find it.”

  Vincent smiled. It wasn’t a happy sight. “This is a good plan, I am impressed. Okay we try it your way.” He took out his phone and made the call to 911.

  Monique bent to whisper in Rafe’s ear. “You have to let him take you outside. I’ll be okay. When this is over, maybe we can get away for a few days, talk about our future.”

  He tried to say something, but his mouth wouldn’t move right. It was going to be a long road to healing. Monique blinked away the tears. She hadn’t cried this much since she was eighteen. It didn’t feel like it was doing any good. It felt weak and stupid.

  She put her arms under Rafe’s elbow and waited for Vincent to help him to his feet. Rafe was able to move while leaning on both of them to take the weight off his ankle.

  Vincent started moving. “Hurry, the ambulance will not take very long. And don’t try to get away. I can find him in the hospital as easily as I found him at home.”

  She kissed Rafe on the cheek before leaving him slumped against the wall of the building. Sirens sounded in the distance as she followed Vincent into the lobby. He continued down the hall to the office. Half way back he seemed to realize that Monique wasn’t following. He spun to face her. She waited for the punishment, but he simply smiled. “You agreed to this. Now give me the evidence.”

  She leaned against the wall, not willing to go anywhere until Rafe was in the ambulance, and on his way to the hospital. “No, I said when he is safe. They can’t see me, don’t worry.”

  He moved to stand beside her. His silent presence almost as frightening as his threats. Monique felt her body contract, as if she could make herself small enough to avoid his attention. That wasn’t going to give her the edge she needed. Acting and looking like a victim wouldn’t save her life. Shifting subtly, she expanded until she was standing up straight.

  The lights from the ambulance flooded the hallway as it stopped in front of the doors. Vincent took her arm in a painful grip and pulled her farther into the hall. She tried to shrug him off, but he squeezed harder until she gasped with the pain. “Just a taste. Now it is time for your part. Where is the evidence?”

  The pain was intense, Monique had to hiss her words out, “If you don’t let me go, I’ll scream, and that will bring everyone in. You know they send the cops with the ambulance, right?” She had no idea if that was true.

  “In the office. Now.” He pulled her so fast she couldn’t cry out.

  When they were inside, Vincent closed the door with a gentleness that frightened her. He was tightly in control, and she needed him to get angry enough to be careless.

  She pushed away the pain in her arm. “What is the big deal, Vincent? Why is this evidence so important?”

  He flung her across the room. “Where is it?” His voice was still calm and quiet. The violence of his actions contrasted with his voice, brought a shiver of terror to Monique.r />
  She sent the fear into the place where she kept the horror of her father’s actions. Into a dark part of herself that could contain all the fear in her life. “Do you even know what it is? Doesn’t he trust you enough to tell you?”

  That struck home, she saw a flicker of something hot and resentful. “I do not need to know anything more than I am told. You have something that can harm the man I work for. Something I need to get from you.” He slid his fingers around her neck and squeezed enough to make her choke. Then, when he saw her understand how close she was to death, he raised his other fist. “If you survive, you do want to continue to sing, yes? I can make it impossible. I can make your voice broken.”

  Monique blinked unable to speak. She waited for his fist to land, to feel her cheek shatter. Instead he lowered his fist and released her throat. She wheezed in a breath that started a coughing fit. Vincent waited patiently for her to get control, that creepy smile across his lips the whole time.

  She finally got control of her breathing and along with the rush of oxygen came a plan to survive. “How will you know whether it’s the right thing?”

  “I don’t have to know that. You will wait until it is verified. Then we will decide what to do with you.” He dragged her to the door. “Now you will take me to it.”

  Monique pulled her arm out of his grip and rubbed away the pain. “Okay, relax. We can go. I’ll drive.”

  “No, I will drive. You will give me directions.” He shoved her through the door. When they were on the street, Vincent kept dragging her by the arm until they reached a black SUV. He unlocked the door and pushed her into the seat. “Do I have to lock you to the door?”

  “No, I’ll behave.” She wasn’t going to get away here, besides there was nowhere to run.

  Vincent slammed the door and walked around, keeping his eyes on her the whole time he was outside. When he was settled into the driver’s seat, he glanced at her. “Buckle up, it’s safer.” He curled his lip in a smile. “I would hate to be pulled over because you violate the seatbelt law, yes?”