Page 160 of Depths of Destruction

"Yes. I toured them when I did my piece on the prison system a few years ago."

Andre furrows his eyebrows. "You've been in the facility Gómez is in?"

"Yes. I had an extensive tour."

"Then tell me about it."

My heart continues to race. "The normal prison isn't any big deal. If he were there, it wouldn't be hard to find him. But it's the secret underground dungeons where the serious criminals are kept in."

"If they are secret, how did you find out?"

"One of the prison guards didn't agree with the way prisoners were treated. He became my informant and gave me a secret tour."

"This is the story you wrote Darien referenced?"

"Yes. And it's a horrible place with unimaginable conditions. When I toured the prison, I felt claustrophobic. I've never reacted to anything like that before. The worst of the worst criminals are kept in that part. Rats and bugs roam free. Men screamed, and not to scare me like in the other part of the prison. No, they yelled from the mental anguish they go through from being in there." I shudder, recalling my eye-opening experience from years ago, and Andre tugs me closer.

"How did you get in?"

"You're still going to go?" I don't know why I would think any different, but the glimmer of hope I had he would stay and not attempt this, fizzles.

He places his hand on my cheek. "I won't have anyone coming after you, Naomi. That includes the President of the United States. I'm going to finish this once and for all. So, tell me everything you know about the building and don't leave any details out. Even if you think it might not be important, tell me."

I close my eyes and try one last time, whispering, "Please. Don't go."

"Baby."

I sigh and slowly open my eyes.

"Tell me what you know."

There's nothing I can do to stop him.

I spend the next half hour filling Andre in on everything I remember about the premises, guards, and what I learned about their shift changes.

"Can you draw me a map of it?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Let's go back downstairs and talk with Blaise."

I turn and gaze out the window at the dark night.

"Naomi—"

"I don't want you to do this," I cry out.

"What if they capture Emilia? Hmm? Neither you nor Emilia is safe until we sort this issue out."

"There has to be another way."

"No. This is the only way."

I close my eyes. "What if something happens to you?"

"It won't."

I poke him in the chest. "You don't know that!"