Page 102 of Her Dark Lies

“I’m starting to see that,” Jack says, moving to heft Malcolm’s inert body. “This one, too. When did he turn? Has he been acting strangely?”

Gideon nods. “He has, actually. He said he was considering quitting a couple of weeks ago. Said he couldn’t take the pressure. I assumed he meant our work—we’ve been burning the midnight oil lately, just like you. I told him I could pick up the slack, but he should talk to you, STAT. If he was doing something wrong...”

“You should have told me. I trusted him with Claire. And he has to be the one who killed Henna. He must be working with this Eister woman.”

“That’s a safe bet. Boss, I am so sorry. I didn’t see it, but I take full responsibility.”

“We’ll discuss this later. For now, let’s get this mess cleaned up.”

Malcolm’s body is wrestled free of the stake, and Jack is thankful for the heavy rain, which washes the blood away, into the wet ground. They make it down the hill to the external entrance to the basements that hold the crypt. Jack puts a hand on the biometric pad. They maneuver Malcolm inside, and Jack drops the heavy inert legs to the dirt floor.

“We’ll deal with this shithead later. Is there anything else I need to know about? Have you been approached by anyone?”

“No, sir.”

“Would you tell me if you had?”

Gideon starts to sputter and Jack holds up a hand. “Okay. I had to ask. I don’t know who’s on my side anymore. Karmen’s still with us, yes?”

“Absolutely. She’s always been devoted to your dad, and the family. I’ll tell her about Malcolm. She’s not going to be happy.”

Jack digs in Malcolm’s pocket and brings out his phone. “Any idea what his passcode is?”

“Try 20210611. We rotate them daily based on the date. Secure but easy to remember.”

Jack inputs the numbers into the keypad and the phone unlocks.

The phone casts a strange blue light in the dark space. Jack goes to Malcolm’s text messages, which are empty. His email doesn’t have anything weird, either. But the recent call list has a single number. It’s a 212 area code—New York. Could it really be this easy?

Jack presses the number and puts the phone on speaker as it connects.

On the fifth ring, a female voice answers brusquely. “Is it done?”

“No,” Jack says. “It’s just beginning.”

58

Leverage

For the record, Elliot was a terrible lay.

I only fucked him to get back at Jack, after he blew me off at the Foundation party, though of course I had no intention of Jack ever finding out. It was a little silent leverage I had. A girl always needs some leverage, right?

I didn’t expect Elliot to develop feelings. I didn’t expect him to fall in love.

Idiot.

He had to make things complicated. Panted after me like a puppy, calling, texting, when can I see you again, you’re amazing, blah, blah, blah. He even tried to corner me in a bathroom at my wedding, tried to stick his tongue down my throat. I want you, I love you, you should have married me.

As if.

I had to push him away and he stumbled backward into the lounge sofa and went down, hard.

“Never, ever, touch me again, do you understand?”

No, Elliot didn’t take rejection well.

He got his revenge.