“She could make some big-time money on this too.” He slouches back in his chair. “She might need it, now that she’s a widow.”

“Okay.”

“Look, I haven’t done anything illegal. I’m trying to do the decent thing by talking to you guys. I don’t want to be bothered again for doing my job.”

“Then don’t bother Mrs. Bradley,” Chase says, voice slightly raised. I nudge him with my knee.

“Just don’t push her, Mr. Fleck,” I say. “Stay within the letter of the law. If she wants to talk to you, she will. If not, leave her alone, and we’ll leave you alone. But if your attention turns to harassment, that’s a different beast.”

He stands, slings his backpack over his shoulder. “Fair enough.”

Chase heads home, and I walk into the conference room where Joe works, bent over his laptop. I scoop my freshly dyed hair over my shoulders and take a deep breath. Joe being here, us working together again, has brought some of those old feelings to the surface. But damn, I like my life the way it is. I sigh. Maybe I’m just being a coward. In any case, I can’t think about my personal life right now. Lauren walks by, and I tap her shoulder. “Want to head over to Mac’s with Joe and me?”

CHAPTER 61 - Molly

CHAPTER 61

Molly

THE SMELL OF DECAY WAKES ME FROM A DEEP SLUMBER. I FEEL wretched, hungover. Then I remember the alley and the man. I shudder. Where am I? There’s little light, and I’m shaking, freezing, my nose running. On my right wrist, there’s a handcuff attached to a chain. I follow the metal with my left hand. The chain is anchored around a pipe that runs along a cement wall. I struggle to my feet and pull like a wild animal caught in a trap, but I can’t get away. Tears slip down my cheeks, and I clear my raw throat to scream, but my voice only echoes, bounces off the walls. I feel faint. My legs are like rubber, so I slide back down to the floor and take a couple of deep, fetid breaths.

There’s dim light coming from a small window high on the wall across the room. It must be morning. My clothes are undisturbed, so I wasn’t raped. I shut my eyes and swallow grateful tears. So why am I here? My caller’s words come back to me.

I won’t be happy until you’re back in that cellar for good.

That’s where I am, in a cellar. The mustiness and mold, water dripping somewhere in the distance. I’m shivering, and there are a couple of thick blankets on the floor next to me, as though my captor was somewhat afraid I’d freeze to death.