Page 174 of Fractured Future

CHAPTER 24

HYLAND

DISARM – THE SMASHING PUMPKINS

Riding Sabre’selevator down to the interrogation floor, I run through Warner’s strict instructions one more time. It took a lot of trust on his part to allow this to happen while he rests up.

He was done with Axel’s fussing after a matter of minutes, begging me to bring the pup along for extra muscle. Now the three of us are on our way to face the ghost that just won’t stay dead.

Blaine Madden.

That name haunts me.

Deep in the bowels of Sabre’s HQ, we keep an array of rooms for interrogations. Our jurisdiction covers criminals arrested in the course of an investigation, granting us the power to question them.

I’d like to think it also allows us the power to snap their legs and spines if they fuck us around. From what I’ve heard, our two star witnesses are being tight-lipped.

“Looks like you’re learning on the job today.” I glance at Ember. “This isn’t a regular interrogation. You have a personal relationship with Madden.”

“If by relationship, you mean he threw me out of a moving vehicle, harassed me via text message and fought me in front of a warehouse full of thugs, then sure.”

Axel chuckles but remains silent.

“Trust me,” I continue brusquely. “The fact that he let you walk away alive on multiple occasions means he certainly believes you have a personal relationship.”

Scoffing in disgust, Ember tugs the hem of her black t-shirt down. It’s slightly cropped, riding above her waistband to reveal a flash of flat, creamy-white stomach. Enough to tighten my throat.

“Be careful.” I make myself focus on the task at hand. “Don’t try to be clever. If the asshole wants to talk, let him. We’ll document everything he wants to reveal then send him back to prison.”

“Gotcha,” she grinds out.

“He’s restrained. You’re perfectly safe.”

“I’m not scared of him,” Ember rebuffs.

“You should be.”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “Seriously?”

“Years back, a member of Madden’s family snitched,” I explain. “He was cooperating with the Serious Crimes Unit to bring about racketeering charges. Then their mole disappeared into thin air.”

Both Ember and Axel focus on me.

“They found him lynched and hanging from the rafters of an abandoned drugs farm in East London. Someone stapled a fucking note to his forehead. It saidDISLOYALTY.”

“Disloyalty?” Axel tests the word.

“These families operate on strict moral codes, even while they’re breaking the law. Loyalty is their lifeblood. Madden personally admitted to the killing when we arrested him.”

If I’m hoping to inspire Ember’s fear, I’m sorely mistaken. The crazy woman actually looks impressed by that level of commitment. Note to self: executions turn her on. That’s helpful information.

“I doubt he’s looking to hang me today,” she comments.

“Perhaps not, but Madden’s been playing an intricate game for a long time. He schemes and plots. That’s his modus operandi.”

“Your point being?”

“The Phantom has a plan. Try not to be a part of it.”