Page 46

Milton’s family hung out with the Lindor family, so it was natural for him to follow Ashton around. Why did he change his name? Did that mean Ashton had a new identity too? What kind of crime did Milton commit that required a name change?

“What do you know about him?” I asked.

Emmanuel leaned back on the couch. “He was my trainer when I started the health kick. Gave me a shot he claimed was a vitamin booster in liquid form.” He rubbed the bruised spot on his arm. “I became a different person after that. Easily agitated, violent, sporadic memory.”

“Was that when you started blackmailing Nessa?”

He nodded. “When he found out her art sold for a lot of money, he told me to blackmail her.” He leaned forward. “I don’tknow how he uncovered information about her past. She never mentioned it to me.”

“Why would she? You dated briefly.” I should beat the pulp out of him for putting Vanessa through the fear and anxiety. But he was also a victim, and something told me that Milton could be responsible for more crimes. “Did you send her the blackmail threat earlier today?”

“No.” His eyes widened. “I’ve been trying to detox, flush out whatever messed up my body.”

“You need to stop using that phone. Milton probably hacked it. Nessa received a threat from your number.”

He cursed. “I don’t know what to do. I need to get away from them.”

“Where did you meet him?”

“At an exclusive club. He’s a popular trainer for Ultra Health and Fitness. He has celebrity clients, so when he took me on, I was ecstatic.”

I planned on researching Milton when I got a moment. He hadn’t been a priority compared to the other members of the high school bully club, but now he’d made himself important.

“He served in the US Army for a few years,” Emmanuel said. “That’s what he told me.”

My mind spun with a plan. “If you’re okay with it, my friend is a doctor, and he can examine your blood work. Your trainer gave you something that messed up your body.”

I’d give Forrest a call when I left to brief him about Emmanuel’s condition. I needed someone I could trust. Perhaps Forrest could examine him. What kind of injection had Milton given to Emmanuel that altered his character?

The way Milton threatened Emmanuel over the phone didn’t sound like any trainer I’d encountered.

Looking nervous, Emmanuel said, “Okay.”

“When he calls again, try to act as normal as possible. Make him believe you’re still under their control. Play along with their game.” I rose from my seat. “If you do this right, you’ll survive and keep your sister out of this mess.”

Fear splashed onto his face. “Don’t get her involved in this. “

“Then stick to the script. Pretend we never met. They’ll kill you both if they suspect you’ve been compromised. Get a burner phone and call me whenever Jean-Claude contacts you.” I gave him a phone number for one of my burner phones. “After the bloodwork, try to stay home as much as possible.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can you let me know when it’s safe to contact my sister again?”

“I’ll do my best. Is Milton responsible for the severed finger?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know whose finger it is?”

“He didn’t say. I was just freaked out that he actually did it. “

“Someone must’ve told him to do it. Who’s his boss? “

“I don’t know.”

“Have you heard of The Trogyn? Has Milton or Enzo mentioned that name?”

“No, why?”

“It’s better that you don’t. After I leave, return his call. Make up an excuse for the disruption.”