Page 181 of Chalk Outline

“There are four gates that lead us into The Hall. The Hall is a large corridor that connects to every part of this prison. Some prisoners might be trapped behind certain doors, so pay attention. Weapon rooms are supposed to be in every section, behind each gate.” I fill them in. “The only way they can be opened is with a key card.”

Braxton pulls out two key cards from his pocket. “Take one.” He hands it to me, and I shove it into my thigh bag. “One more thing.” He shows me the earpiece in the palm of his hand. “You might hear Reeve with this. I gave him a microphone. If he activates it, you’ll hear him.”

I nod as I insert it into my ear.

“The first four gates only open from the outside, so once we go in, we can’t go back,” I say, inching forward.

“Sounds like fun.” Mitch aims his HK UMP 45 at the door. “Come to daddy.”

I reach for the gun in my holster and crack my neck until a muscle pops.

I’m coming for you.

Chapter thirty-five

Reeve Hardy

CONCRETE JUNGLE — Bad Omens

The gushing wound on my face is fresh with blood. The chains clank against the hooks in the ceiling as I try to balance myself. The shackles around my wrists cut into my skin. My mouth tastes like copper as I spit out blood.

A man wearing a clown mask is staring at me, sending the second masked man away. “I was surprised that Romina let you come here. Sending you straight to me when she knew who I am to you.” He applauds mockingly. “Always a few steps ahead.”

I laugh at his face.

What a clown.

“At least, now you’re smiling at me, not frowning like you used to.” He saunters toward me. No one else is in this dungeon-like room with us. His footsteps echo as my chains rattle. “No one has to wear a mask anymore.”

He peels the clown mask from his face.

James Hardy.

My father.

A cruel smile split his busted lips apart.

“Looks like someone beat me to it,” I comment. “Who hurt you? Wait, let me guess. You pissed off the wrong people on purpose.”

“I pissed off a lot of people on my way to the top.” Poison is laced in every word. “Years in the making. Romina didn’t even realize it until it was too late. My connections outnumbered hers.”

“What do you even want from me? You never cared. You never bothered to check up on me. You only showed up when it was convenient.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know, Reeve.” He places a cigarette between his lips and flicks his lighter to spark it as he paces across the room. “A whole story you’re unaware of.”

“Well then, enlighten me,” I sneer.

“We have to go back a few decades, to when you were born.” He puffs out smoke with a faraway look before meeting my eyes. “You know that saying about how one decision can change the course of your entire life? Well, it did.”

A part of me wants to know why they never bothered. Not him and not my mom. But honestly, what difference does it make? They made their choices, and I made mine.

“You were born in London. I was a cop, and your mom was a music teacher. We had lousy salaries, and we lived in a shitty dump. We thought it was a chance for us to do better when we met Third Eye’s brother. He told us he could make us rich.” He lets out an incredulous gasp for show. “I was so naive back then. I came to America, thinking I could give my family a better life, only to see the lies right before my eyes. I managed to get a badge here because of their connections, and Third Eye being the chiefof police. They even made me a detective. Anything to get the job done. To be another rotten apple in their tasteless pie. The circus was supposed to be temporary, but they caged us there like animals.”

I follow his footsteps across the room, listening closely to every word.

“I did as I was told until I got information from Dick Graves about a baby girl they were planning to bring here. While I was on the force, I ran into Izzy Summers, another police officer. She seemed genuine. I wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to help that baby girl. So I asked for her help. She told me I would get a phone call from a woman who could assist with these kinds of things. Under the radar. Without involving the police. Since theywerethe police, I thought it would be best. Romina saved Winona’s life and adopted her. Then, she offered me a chance to join BLACKBIRD and work undercover. Play both sides. And suddenly, it was my game. I could tell them whatever I wanted and keep the rest for myself.”

“So you pretended to be on our side while you were running around ruining people’s lives,” I seethe.