Secrets of the Dead

by Kylie Brant

  The elevator pinged. The doors opened with a quiet swoosh. They moved into the hall, a silent quartet, before he stopped them. “Remove the robe and veil.”

  A flush of embarrassment heated her skin, but slowly she did as she was told. Dropped them to the floor. The fishnet body suit left nothing to the imagination, with the scrap of black panties and bra beneath. Red stilettos and a matching collar and leash completed the outfit he’d brought for her. Looping his hand through the handle of the leash, he pulled her after him.

  “She looks like a whore,” Kim told him.

  “All women are whores.” His flat obsidian gaze flicked over her, and the woman drew back. “After today, she will never forget it.”

  Armed guards dotted the hallway. Huan met them at the only open door into the room, her gaze cool and professional. Consulting the electronic tablet she carried she said, “Items one hundred sixty-two and one hundred sixty-three. Let me show you to your spots.” She’d changed clothes since this morning, Eve noted. She wore a suit in coral, the skirt hitting her mid-thigh, and her hair was twisted into a chignon at her nape.

  The area they crossed was vast. The ballroom and surrounding hallways took up the entire top floor. Windows lined one wall, showing a breathtaking view of the city. The room was already full of people. Paintings. Sculptures. Some of the glass cases they passed displayed jewels. Coins. Stamps. One man was setting up a video that showed a magnificent stallion. Eve saw a few other women in the room, scantily clad. None made eye contact. There was a full size cell with three small Asian girls in it, all wearing fluffy white dresses. The sight of them had Eve’s stomach twisting in nausea. My God, what was this place?

  “This will be your exhibition area.” Huan waved a hand. The item numbers she’d mentioned hung on the wall behind her. “The table you asked for.” It was set squarely in the center of the spaced reserved for them, with another electronic tablet on a stand. “Silent bidding is allowed prior to the auction.” She indicated the tablet. “If you have a bid, it will appear before you, and it is your choice whether to accept it or wait for the auction. Please finish unloading. I will need photos for the video that will start soon. Customers who don’t wish to browse will rely on the digital viewing prior to the auction.” She waited impatiently for Kim and Malsovic to unload the boy and then took several pictures of Eve and Royce with her phone.

  Nodding toward another woman making her way toward them, she said, “Cheng will be handing out catalogs. You will see I included your items.”

  Another woman gestured to her from across the room, and Huan hurried away. Kim and Malsovic lifted Royce’s cage and set it on one side of the table. Eve had to follow closely, or risk having the collar yanked tight on her throat when Malsovic moved beyond the length of the leash.

  He dismissed the other woman, and she rolled the cart away and out of the room. Digging into a bag he carried with him, he withdrew several documents and spread them across the table. Then he turned his dark flat gaze on Eve. “You already have an admirer.”

  A portly man with slicked back thinning hair was approaching them. His brown gaze painted Eve with a long lecherous look. In Italian he said, “That hair. Like a blond princess. I would use you well. Perhaps give you to my friends to enjoy, also.”

  “If you buy me my husband will hunt you down and cut out your heart,” she responded in the same language. And had a brief moment of satisfaction when the man’s expression went shocked, before hardening. Turning on his heel, he marched away. There was a forceful yank on the leash that had her staggering back a few steps.

  “What did you say to him,” demanded Malsovic in a furious voice. She felt a surprising lack of fear when she looked at him. He could do nothing to her now. There was no bathtub in sight.

  “I told him he should make a bid quickly. Before more men came.”

  “Liar.” He leaned closer, breathed into her ear. “You need to be in one piece to fetch the best price. The boy does not.” The fear that had been absent earlier was back, a jagged blade of it. “Each time you disobey…each time you send someone away, the boy loses part of a finger. Do you understand?”

  Swallowing, she nodded, a wave of desolation sweeping over her. Eve understood completely. She understood their situation here had passed desperate and was looking increasingly hopeless.

  And she understood that she’d failed Royce Raiker.

  _______

  “Does anyone else have the feeling that Huan is about to screw us over big time?” Kellan muttered.

  There were back at their hotel, taking turns watching the girl in one room, which involved showing her how to work the television. In the other they changed into the suits Huan insisted they buy. The auction, the woman had insisted, had a dress code.

  They’d used most of the trip back to Johor Bahru consulting with Stillions by email. His team’s flight should be landing in JB soon. But the bureau, the State Department or both were tagging the proper officials in Malaysia about the auction. While the FBI consulted on international kidnappings, they had no arrest power in foreign countries, necessitating a coordinated effort. Despite the Malaysian government’s efforts at improvement, corruption remained in both their law enforcement and politics, which was hardly comforting.

  They’d developed an alternate plan and it depended on the three of them going to the auction. Paulie had transferred the money out of Malsovic’s account to the one the first half of Shuang’s payment had been diverted to. Plenty of money to bid, if that was what it took to rescue Eve and Royce. The strategy wouldn’t be necessary if Stillions was coordinating a raid with local law enforcement, but the fed had been out of contact for hours. And time was running out.

  “Auction starts in an hour,” Finn said quietly from the girl’s side. An and Finn had developed an easy relationship on the trip back to Johor Bahru. He’d shown her how to work the camera on his phone, and they’d taken turns taking silly pictures of each other, much to the child’s delight. Now she was surrounded with soft drinks, candy and snacks in preparation for the time when they’d have to leave her alone.

  But for the men in the room, that time wasn’t coming fast enough. “We have to get in the ballroom soon.” Despite Stillions’ strict orders to wait to hear from him, Declan could feel each passing minute like a physical wound. Elmont Trettin was a high profile international criminal, who no doubt had friends in very high places. Had to have, in order to have remained free all these years despite his sheet of crimes. Malaysian officials had insisted on photo evidence that Eve and Royce were in the Corus Hotel. Huan had promised to deliver it to the FBI agent’s cell number. But the silence from the feds involved made him wonder if she ever had.

  He was beginning to think Kell’s fear was prophetic.

  “Stillions told us to stay here until we heard from him.” Finn looked at Declan and Kell. “Who thinks we should follow his orders?”

  Relief flickered in him when the three men looked at each other. Simultaneously they uttered, “Hell, no.”

  Fifteen minutes later the taxi dropped them off at the Corus. “I’ll go to the counter,” Kell volunteered. “You guys stay out here until we make sure we aren’t being set up.”

  The other two nodded. Declan was the only one Malsovic would recognize. Knowing that, he wasn’t clean-shaven as the other two were, and had bought a fedora that he wore low on his forehead. It wouldn’t be enough to prevent him from being identified. But by the time they drew close enough for Malsovic to do so, it would be too late.

  They loitered in front of the hotel while Kell went inside. It wasn’t raining today—not yet—but the dark ugly clouds scudding across the sky indicated that more precipitation was imminent. Declan felt his insides coiled so tightly it was all he could do to remain still. Huan had explained the way the auction worked. They had no way of being sure Malsovic wouldn’t accept early bids, and skip the auction all toget
her. They couldn’t be certain that Royce and Eve were still inside the ballroom of the hotel.

  He didn’t want to consider the possibility. Couldn’t. When Kell came to the front doors, waved them inside, he and Finn joined the man silently. All Declan could do at this point was hope like hell the two were inside. And that the rescue plan they’d concocted would succeed.

  _______

  “Congratulations.” One of the hostesses smiled prettily at Malsovic as she poured him water from a crystal pitcher. “Your items are bringing much interest, even the one that didn’t get placed in the catalog. You must be pleased.”

  “Very pleased.”

  She moved away, and he looked at Eve. “Soon now,” he said in English. “I hope you are ready for your new life.”

  “And what of the boy?” she asked in Serbian. Saw the shock on his expression, quickly followed by rage. “What will become of him?”

  “You are full of secrets.” He wound the leash around his hand, tightening it until her head was pulled back painfully. “The boy does not matter once he is sold.” He shrugged. “His father had his chance, but his people betrayed me. So someone else will buy him. One of his enemies, likely. Perhaps they will send proof of his parentage before sending pieces of him to the man. For ransom or revenge. He will be the lucky one. He will probably die.” His smile was ugly. “You will spend your life wishing you were dead.”

  Eve was silent. She wondered if he knew that the prospect of the fates he described for them served to remove fear, rather than instill it. There was nothing more dangerous than a person with nothing to lose.

  Scanning the crowded ballroom, she knew there was no chance she would get away with what she would do next. But it wasn’t her that she was worried about.

  The key to the padlock on Royce’s kennel was on the table. She eyed it now.

  She waited long minutes, until the leash loosened as he was busy trying to communicate with a crowd of five prospective buyers who had come up to ask questions. She moved one hand slowly up to the collar she wore. The hook that the leash attached to was at the back of it. She unsnapped it. Held her breath. But Malsovic didn’t appear to notice.

  He would, she knew, within seconds.

  “Royce.” The boy looked up at her. She continued in Spanish. “Get ready to run.”

  She dove for the key on the table and then to his cage, half falling to her knees. Fumbled to fit the key in the padlock and yank open the door. “Bitch!” A hand fisted in her hair. Pulled her backwards. Malsovic’s slap snapped her head to the side. She saw stars. He half dragged her with him as he began shouldering his way through the crowd. It was several more moments before Eve realized that the boy had been swallowed up in the human wall of people.

  _______

  Declan raised his arms for the guard to pass the metal detecting wand over him, before following up with a frisk. “What’s all the commotion inside?”

  The man blinked uncomprehendingly, shrugged. “No English.”

  The three of them had split up. Finn and Kell were being searched by different guards at another doorway that led into the room. Huan had left papers for them at the registration desk that allowed them access to the ballroom elevator and had passed perusal by the guards. But the place inside was a madhouse, with people jostling forward in a crushing rush. He wondered if the auction was beginning.

  He checked the time on his cell. It was still fifteen minutes before it was due to start.

  “What is happening?” he asked the men closest to him. All shrugged, but an older gentleman on his other side answered in a British accent. “One of the items got loose. The woman who let him out got quite a beating from her owner. Shame, that. Pretty little blonde. Fancied her for myself, but she’s too wild for my taste.” He winked. “I like them inventive, but obedient.”

  Everything stilled inside him. A blonde. There couldn’t be more than one here, could there? An item? Fury surged inside him, dark and lethal. Like a possession. A thing. And everyone in this room was here to buy and sell, with no regard for human life.

  “I don’t mind a bit of a wild streak.” It took effort to keep the rage from his voice. “Where can I get a look?”

  “Front of the room, toward the left corner.” The man began to drift away. “Or the digital display is playing on the wall behind you. One hundred sixty-three. Lots of interest in that one. Maybe less now after that outburst.”

  Declan turned. There were no fewer than three digital displays playing on large screens mounted on the wall. Each item bore a number. His gaze focused on the middle screen, depicting image one hundred fifty-five. He waited for what seemed an interminable time for the images to change. There was a wide array of offerings. Antiquities. Art work. Historic documents. And people. He caught his breath when one hundred sixty-two came on. Royce. And the next image showed Eve, in what could only be termed a porn fantasy outfit.

  He thought about taking pictures of the images, sending them to Stillions for the proof he was required to show the Malaysian authorities. But it was too late for that now. With the auction ready to begin, they were out of time. He took out his cell and texted Kell and Finn Royce and Eve’s location in the room. The British man had indicated there had been an escape, and the blonde had instigated it. If he’d been talking about Eve, did that mean she’d successfully released Royce?

  He made his way toward the corner the Brit had indicated. His progress was slowed by the crowd. Apparently there would be no chairs arranged in rows for the sale. Most of the people held an electronic tablet. Online bidding system, he deduced grimly. Which would make it extremely difficult to discover the identity of the buyers.

  His cell vibrated in his hand. The text was from Kell. I have a tablet. Just put in a pre-bid on Eve. Finn did the same on Royce.

  Ruthlessly Declan shoved through the people. He had to stay back to avoid Malsovic seeing him, but nothing would prevent him from getting a glimpse of Eve. The British man’s words played on an endless recording in his mind. …got quite a beating from her owner… First they’d get the two away to safety. Then Malsovic would pay for every minute of suffering he’d inflicted on Royce Raiker and Eve.

  He hung back when he got close to the corner in question. Craning his neck, he could see Eve, head held high, sporting a red mark on her cheekbone that showed promise of blooming into a vicious bruise. So she had been the blonde the British man had mentioned. Malsovic had her restrained. A rope. No. He shifted position so he could see more clearly. A leash. His chest went tight with anger. But there was a small body next to her huddled in a dog cage. And he knew that her efforts had been in vain. Royce had been recaptured.

  The vibration in his hand signaled another text. Bidding closed on Eve. Bastard isn’t waiting for auction.

  He texted Kell back. I’m ready.

  Turning, he moved toward one of the double doors leading to the hallway. There was only one elevator that went to the ballroom, located in an isolated hall on the lobby level. There must be a stairway exit somewhere, but Declan was betting the buyer would elect for the privacy the elevator would ensure.

  A man’s amplified voice boomed out from behind him. “Good afternoon to all of our guests. I trust you find today’s offerings intriguing.” The greeting was repeated in several other languages, each time to appreciative applause from the crowd. “Please get your tablets ready. The first item is up for bid.”

  Declan stopped listening. Because Eve was being led from the ballroom through another set of doors by a hulk of a man. Bearded. Not particularly tall, but wide. His suit strained across his massive shoulders as he tugged her toward the elevator. With a purposeful stride he went out the doors closest to him, headed in the same direction, several yards ahead of them. There was only one button to press, for lobby floor. He reached out a finger to stab at it.

/>   He didn’t look at the couple who stopped a little behind him. Not until the elevator doors opened and he stepped in. The man followed, positioning Eve on his other side. Which suited Declan perfectly. He reached forward and pressed the button to begin the descent. They had twelve floors to reach the lobby.

  “When I rush him, stop the elevator,” he said in Scottish Gaelic, smiling at the man as if the words were addressed to him. Eve’s captor just frowned and didn’t answer. Crouching to the floor, Declan did a deft sleight of hand and picked up the pen he’d just laid there. Rising, he offered it to her captor. “Is this yours?”

  He wouldn’t understand the language any better this time around, but his meaning was clear. The man’s gaze dropped to the outstretched pen. Even as he shook his head Declan closed in to knee him violently in the balls.

  The man let out a high-pitched keening moan. His grip on the leash slackened. Eve surged forward and pressed the button that would stop the elevator. Then the man’s hands came up, and with a roar he wrapped them around Declan’s throat. Took him down.

  Declan was outweighed by a hundred pounds, give or take. So he had to be sneaky. Fast. And he had no qualms about fighting dirty. He brought the pen up, narrowly dodging the hamlike fist that grazed his cheek and jammed it into the man’s neck. Blood spurted from the wound. But it didn’t stop him from wrapping his hands around Declan’s throat. Squeezing.

  He jabbed repetitively at the hands choking him with the pen. But his vision was graying. His strength ebbing. His motions grew weaker. Then the man above him screamed. Rolled to the side. Howled again.

  It took a moment to realize what was going on. Declan rose. Eve had taken off a stiletto and was grinding its sharp heel into her buyer’s temple. The man reached up to capture her wrist. And Declan took the opportunity to raise his foot and stomp violently on the man’s balls again. And this time the man cried out and curled to a fetal position, the fight streaming out of him.