Cold Threat

by Mary Stone

  “Who is the master?”

  Arthur shrugged and ducked his head. “No one knows, but the order came down from him. When his right-hand man shows up to clean your mess, you get out of the way, or you get caught up.”

  “Arthur, you did the smart thing.”

  He smiled, making direct eye contact and holding it for the first time since she’d walked in. “I knew there was something I liked about you.”

  His smile made her skin crawl, but she never allowed her gaze to break away from his. “Tell me about the man who took her.”

  “One of you,” he whispered. His eyes darted nervously around the room, landing on the one-way glass. “Who’s watching through the window? Do you know them?”

  “The assistant D.A. What did you mean by ‘one of you?’”

  “The man who took her was the one who worked the case.”

  Was he bullshitting her, talking in riddles? She wanted to reach across the table and yank him up by his shirt collar, shake him to make him spit it out. Instead, she called up every drop of patience she possessed. “I’m the one working the case. I don’t have a partner.”

  He huffed, leaning back and crossing his arms as best as he could with the cuffs surrounding his wrists. His eyes were still shifty. “Not your partner. Like you.” He gestured at the dress shirt and jacket she wore.

  She looked down at her shirt, expecting to see a coffee stain, when it hit her. “Another detective?”

  He nodded, blowing out a breath. Sweat beaded on his brow.

  “You don’t mean?” She leaned forward, trying to make sense of what he was saying, and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Are you talking about the detective who investigated Ben Brooks’s murder two years ago?”

  Talking to his hands, he mumbled, “Why do you think so many cases were never tied together?”

  She shook her head, sitting back. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe me or don’t, but it was him.” He moaned and buried his head in his hands, sobbing quietly. “He came back just to take my sweet Taryn away.”

  “What about Ben Brooks’s murder?” When he didn’t answer, she tapped insistently on the table and tried again. “Arthur, what about Ben Brooks? Do you know who killed him?”

  He lifted his head, face drenched in tears. “I don’t know his name, but he’s the one who bought Taryn.”

  “You just said the detective took her,” she hissed, hoping Terrence Vaughn couldn’t hear her even as she expected the D.A. to come barging through the door. “Did he buy her too?”

  “No, not him. He’s just delivering her to the man who bought her online.” Arthur scrunched his nose up like he smelled something foul. “The detective thinks I’m a pervert. I could tell by the way he looked at me. He wouldn’t take care of Taryn. He wouldn’t love her the way I did.”

  “Are you saying the man who killed Ben is the same man who bought Valerie?”

  Arthur recoiled. “Don’t you dare call her that.”

  Ellie held up her hands. “I’m sorry. I just want to help her.”

  “I knew you would.” His voice softened, his light eyes slithering over her face. “I knew when you first came into my home that you like to help people.” He smiled a little, looking wistful, and something else she didn’t want to name. “And so does that pretty friend of yours. So pretty.”

  Stomach lurching, Ellie slid the notepad across the table, hoping to take this pathetic man’s attention away from her friend. “Arthur, can you write down everything you know about the man who killed Ben Brooks and bought Taryn?” She cringed inwardly when she said the name but kept the beseeching look plastered on her face.

  Arthur nodded, visibly relaxing as he reached for the pen. “I don’t know a lot, but I’ll tell you everything I know.”

  “Thank you, Arthur. You probably just saved her life.” Ellie swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. “Again.”

  Arthur Fink’s grin spread from ear to ear as the pen scratched over the paper. When he was finished, he flipped it facedown and folded his arms over the notepad, frowning. “They’re going to kill me.”

  “We won’t let that happen. I told you, if you help me stop this ring, we can keep you safe.”

  “I can’t. And you can’t stop them. They’re more powerful than you realize.” He inspected his fingernails, looking like he regretted ever opening his mouth. “Why else would a man who covered for them for years without getting caught come out of retirement to clean up another mess? He was home free. There was no reason for him to get involved again, but he didn’t have a choice. No one has a choice.”

  Ellie leaned close, still keeping her voice low, her heart pounding. “You mean detective Jones?”

  “Him and everyone else who’s ever been involved. The detective is a low man on the totem pole.”

  Ellie’s fingers itched, and she fought the wave of disbelief and outrage that threatened to swamp her. “Can you give me more names?”

  “I already said too much.” His body quaked as he ran a hand over his short hair. “I’m as good as dead, but I’m not a fool.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “There are a million ways to die.” His voice was thin with panic. “I don’t want to suffer more than I already will.”

  “The more you tell us, the more we can help.” She straightened her shoulders, steeling herself for what she was about to say. “If you give the D.A. enough to take down the whole trafficking ring, you can probably get into witness protection and live a normal life without looking over your shoulder.”

  “I’m done talking.” He licked his lips, abruptly stood, and turned toward the door. “Guard!”

  “Wait,” she said as the door opened, and a burly man in a prison guard uniform stepped inside, unlocking Arthur Fink’s ankle shackles from the floor.

  “Fink, wait.” Ellie took a step forward, unsure of what she’d said to get this reaction.

  But the guard held up his hand and shook his head. In seconds, the two men were gone.

  She stared at the door for a long moment before remembering the notepad. Arthur had written something that he hadn’t wanted her to see until he was gone. Rushing to the table, she scooped up the tablet as the door opened, and Terrence Vaughn stepped into the room.

  He gestured to the notepad clutched to her chest, turned so only the cardboard backing was visible. “Anything we can use?”

  She shook her head before fishing in her pocket for her phone with an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I have to take this.” She held the phone to her ear with one hand and sailed out of the room without another word.

  Keeping up the ruse until she was safely in the elevator alone, she called Jillian as soon as the doors closed. “I need you to meet me in my car.”

  “In the parking lot?”

  “Yes.”

  Jillian hung up without another word.

  Ellie tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the elevator doors to open. When they did, she scurried down the hall to the side door.

  Jillian was waiting for her when Ellie stepped out into the parking lot. They were silent until both were safely in the SUV, windows rolled up, doors locked.

  Jillian turned in the passenger seat, face flushed, nostrils flaring. “What’s up? Did Fink say anything that could help us find Valerie?”

  “He said Jones was involved.”

  Jillian’s mouth dropped open, the very definition of stunned. “You don’t believe him, do you?”

  “I don’t know what to believe, but that’s not what I wanted to show you.” She flipped the notepad over with trembling hands. “Detective Jones wasn’t careless because he was ready to retire. He was covering for men who are probably very rich and very powerful.” The they Fink had kept referring to. “I think at this point, the only people we can trust are each other.”

  Jillian’s eyes widened as she read the note Arthur Fink had scrawled hastily on the lined yellow paper.

  Don’t trust anyone. The master co
ntrols more than you know.

  25

  The quaint, one-story bungalow on the edge of the wooded property was pristine, the paved driveway smooth as silk beneath the tires of my rental car. The drive from the Detroit airport to the place near Ford Lake had taken almost an hour, but as I stepped out of the car and breathed in the clean air, there was nothing but peace.

  I typed the date into the keyless entry pad in reverse and breathed a sigh of relief when the lock clicked open. The door swung inward on silent hinges, and as I stepped inside, the plush carpet softened my footsteps. When I let the door close behind me, it locked on its own.

  The hall was wide and bright, with high, narrow windows spaced strategically along the outside wall to let the natural light in. The walls were painted a soft, calming blue and decorated with small oil paintings of clear streams and waterfalls spilling over rocks that were so realistic, I could almost hear the water flowing along the banks.

  The kitchen was spacious and inviting with its dark cabinets and sleek, stylish appliances. A large refrigerator took up one corner of the room, and a modern cooktop with a glassy black surface blended seamlessly with the dark countertops. On the opposite end of the room, a wide entryway led to a formal dining room complete with a miniature chandelier over the heavy oak table.

  I checked inside the refrigerator, which was stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. But it was the clear plastic case on the top shelf that caught my eye. Inside, an assortment of vials and syringes tailored to my needs were carefully labeled. I bit my lip to keep from shouting as my heart began racing. Oh, the possibilities.

  A moan drew me away from the fridge and into the hallway that led deeper into the house. At the master bedroom door, I paused, my hand on the doorknob. I’d been waiting years for this moment, and it was finally here. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, pulling in and tucking away the thrill that must have been showing on my face.

  When I was sure my excitement didn’t show, that I was in control, I turned the knob.

  In the center of the dimly lit master bedroom, a cage held my purchase. I took a step forward. Then another.

  I couldn’t stop the soft inhale at the sight of him. Like Gabe, his brown hair looked touchably soft and complemented his deep brown eyes. He seemed so young and innocent, blinking up at me, his full lips dropping open to reveal straight teeth. A shiver went through me as I took in the tiny dimple on one cheek. Freshly scrubbed and neatly dressed, he blinked, slowly pulling himself out of a drug-induced haze.

  “The photos do you an injustice.” I knelt beside the cage so I was eye level with him. “Are you thirsty? Hungry?”

  “Where am I? How did I get here?” His gaze traveled over the room and back to me.

  “You’re safe now. As long as you do exactly what I say, everything will go as planned.”

  His dark eyebrows furrowed, and he blinked me into focus. “Who are you?”

  “No need to muddy the water with names. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that any attempt to escape will go poorly for you.” He nodded without hesitation, keeping his gaze on me. “That’s a good boy. Now, let’s have a look at you.”

  “I don’t sleep with men,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “If that’s what you’re after, you can kill me now.”

  Oh, so delectable.

  “That, my dear, is not something you have to worry about.”

  He visibly relaxed, and I gave him my warmest smile. “See? This isn’t so bad.”

  He nodded. “All right. Where do we go from here?” He touched the bar in front of him, and the chain of his handcuffs clinked against the metal. “I don’t want to stay in here.”

  “I can see that. We’ll play it by ear.”

  His eyes swam with tears, but he blinked them back, nodding with his jaw clenched. “Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. I just don’t want to be in here anymore.”

  “I understand, and that’s my priority as well. But you have to be smart about it, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  I wrapped my fingers around one of the bars close to his hand, to gauge whether he was going to be jumpy. So far, so good.

  “First, you need to know that we’re surrounded by a dense forest, and outside the fenced yard is a dangerous place for you. Do you understand?”

  “Why the danger?”

  “I chose this place to protect my investment. It’s set up to ensure that if you escape these walls, you don’t get far. I didn’t buy you to watch you run away.”

  “But you did buy me.” A glint of anger shown in his eyes, but he hid it quickly.

  “And not a moment too soon, from the looks of it.” Shifting my position, I caressed the back of his hand holding on to the bar in front of him. “I want to feed you, but I won’t tolerate misbehavior.”

  “I won’t try to run.” He swallowed and licked his parched lips, but he didn’t stop me from touching him. He tolerated the connection of our skin for a beat, then another. After another five seconds, he slid his hand from beneath mine and tugged at the leather collar around his throat. “What about this? Can you take it off?”

  I clicked my tongue. “One thing at a time, my prince.”

  This time, a single tear escaped onto his cheek, but he held my gaze. Bold. Beautiful. And worth every penny.

  I unlocked the cage and stood back, giving him space to crawl out and right himself. He flinched when I reached out, but stood his ground, his eyes on me while I buttoned only the bottom button of his casual sport jacket, just like Gabe did. “I always did like you in black.”

  I watched his eyes cloud in confusion before he clearly decided to just go with it. “Thank you.” His voice was just above a whisper, its tremor the only sign that he was terrified.

  “You’re going to be fine.”

  “I’m thirsty.”

  “I’m sure you are.” I turned and motioned that he should follow me.

  He stumbled the first few steps before he found his balance and managed to shuffle through the house. In the dining room, he took a seat with a loud thud.

  “The drugs will wear off soon, and your limbs won’t feel so heavy.” I took a chilled water bottle from the fridge and opened it for him. “Can you feed yourself?”

  He nodded. I slid the water bottle across the table, and he snapped it up when it was a few inches from his hands, which were still cuffed together. I watched him drink thirstily for a moment and turned back to the fridge. Humming under my breath, I made us each a turkey sandwich on artisan bread with a cranberry pesto spread, Havarti cheese, and exactly four pickles.

  I cut his sandwich in quarters and set it in front of him. He devoured the sandwich before I had a chance to take a bite of mine, so I slid my plate to him and rose to make myself another.

  He took a greedy bite, swallowed, and drained the last of his water. “Thank you. You’re the first person to be kind to me since I was captured.”

  “The world is filled with animals.”

  He nodded, his lips stretching into a small smile. “It’s like the nightmare is finally over.”

  I wasn’t fooled by his sudden friendliness, but I let him jabber on while I took careful bites and savored as I chewed.

  His second sandwich devoured and another water bottle emptied, he bit his lip, shifted in his chair, and reached his hands out toward me. “I need to use the bathroom and I…um…” He stared down at his hands. “I can’t do what I need to do with my hands cuffed in front of me like this.”

  His performance was award worthy, but I went along with it. The sooner he learned the boundaries, the better. Otherwise, it was going to be a long few days. I unlocked the cuffs.

  He stood from the table, rubbing his wrists. Taking his time, his gaze ran over the dining room and into the kitchen.

  I suppressed a smile when our eyes locked. I’d seen this before.

  He bolted out of the dining room and into the hall so fast that he’d most likely have a bruise from hitting the doorframe with his arm.


  I made no move to go after him.

  He made it all the way to the end of the hallway before he shrieked in pain and flopped to the floor. Convulsing, he writhed in agony as the collar around his neck sent electricity through his body.

  I slowly got up and made my way to where he lay. Leaning over him, I gave him another of my warmest smiles. “Have you learned your lesson?”

  “Please.” His body shook. Too close to the sensors, bolt after bolt of electricity tore through him. But I wasn’t worried. As long as he was still conscious, he would be fine.

  “I’ll leave you here to take the shocks next time you try to run. Are we clear?”

  “Yes!” He gasped, trying to form words while his body struggled in agony. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good boy.” I used my foot to shove him out of range and stepped over him. “I’m going to finish my meal,” I called over my shoulder. “You think about how you want to proceed and come back to the dining room when you’re ready to behave yourself.”

  It didn’t take him long to decide he was better off with me than he had been before.

  I took my time with him, slowly breaking down his defenses until his fear was replaced with a careful optimism that I found quite charming. When it became apparent that he was far more malleable than I’d expected, I briefly wondered if I should take him home instead of what I had planned, but quickly dismissed the idea.

  Here, he knew his only way out was to earn my trust. Once we walked out of this fortress, there was no telling how he would act, even with the drugs to slow his thoughts and muddy his protests.

  A heavy sort of melancholy hung over me on the final day, but I was determined to cherish every moment left with my sweet, strong-willed pet.

  After breakfast, he sat on the couch in the living room, shifting nervously as I explained hypnosis to him. “Will it hurt?”

  “Just a little pinch from the needle, but if you don’t fight it, even that’s not too bad.”

  He nodded, accepting as usual. “And when it’s over?”

  “You’ll experience freedom like you’ve never felt before.” I caressed his cheek, and he leaned into my touch, eyes turned trustingly in my direction.