Page 30 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

I look proudly at my kill room. It’d taken months to set it up. Even longer scouting the perfect spot. When I first set eyes on it, I knew I’d found my Shangri-la.

“We shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe,” he complains.

I ignore him, reveling in the splendor of my work. “It’s perfect. No one will disturb us here.”

“For good reason. This place should be condemned.”

“Stop complaining and get to work.”

“Where?”

I pull back the heavy plastic to reveal the makeshift operating room I’ve set up. I can admit, a working elevator would’ve made the set up more convenient, but there is something to be said for hiding in plain sight.

Here we have a literal playground to ourselves, and I plan to make full use of it.

“This is just the preliminary setup,” I explain. “We can expand as we need.”

“Expand?” he stares at my work, his face twisted with horror.

That isn’t the reaction I’m owed for my efforts. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything!” he shouts. “I can’t operate here. I’ve seen better conditions in third world countries. Infection alone will kill these people.”

“They’re already dead!” I yell.

I see him look at the steady rhythm of the heart monitors in confusion.

“Metaphorically,” I clarify. “We can’t let them leave. They know too much. Tell me you understand.”

He nods.

“Good. Now do your job, or do I need to remind you what’s at stake?”

“No,” he replies, instantly submitting.

I gloat, reveling in my new leadership role. The apprentice has truly become the master. “Good. Now get to work. And I expect no waste during this harvest. Her life depends on it.”