Page 114 of Merciless Obsession

My phone went off just as we got to the doors of the center.

Stalker

I have an event to attend with you by my side, of course.

You know normal people ask someone on a date and not demand it!

I stepped through the door. Instantly, my eyes scanned the small foyer area we were in. Not much had changed since my sister used to come here. The center had two gyms side by side, separated by a wall, and a community room on the other side of the hallway. If I remembered correctly, the office was around the corner from where we were before we hit the gyms and community room.

We both know by now I’m anything but normal, Bumblebee. But I’ll play along. Friday at six there is a black-tie event we need to attend. So can you be dressed and ready by then?

A stifled laugh escaped my mouth. This man truly thought he owned me and had access to me at any time.

Won’t people think we’re together if we go to an event like that?

“The office should be this way.” I went to the right, and just as we were turning the corner, an older, brown skin woman with a pixie cut emerged.

I stumbled back in surprise. “Can I help you?” she asked. Glasses sat at the top of her hair. She was dressed comfortably in jeans and a sweater.

“Ms. Rubin?” I asked.

“Yes. Can I help you? If you’re here for the center, we don’t open until?—”

Inaya came to my side. “Actually, we came to talk to you,” she cut in.

Her eyes bounced between us. “Are you looking for information pertaining to our center?” She smiled. “I have a pamphlet of the programs we offer. Is this for you or someone younger?”

I slid my phone in my back pocket and stood straight. “Actually, my little sister used to come here for your after-school program. She also was part of your youth mentoring program.”

Her smile grew. “Oh really? That’s wonderful. The mentoring program is one I’m very happy about. These young kids needguidance and we’re here to offer it in any way we can. What’s your sister’s name?”

“Her namewasCharlie. She was kidnapped and killed nine years ago.”

The smile on her face slowly dwindled. “Oh my. I’m sorry to hear that. The amount of girls going missing lately is such a tragedy. That’s why I try to keep them active and occupied as much as possible so they stay out of trouble.”

I squinted. “My sister wasn’t a troublemaker. Her being here wasn’t to keep her out of trouble.”

“Oh no, of course. That’s not what I meant.”

“We noticed most of the missing girls came to this center and from troubled backgrounds,” Inaya cut in again.

Ms. Rubin shot a deadpan look her way. “Are you implying something?”

“Not at all.” Inaya’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “But isn’t it odd that this is the common ground for all those girls? You never thought that was strange or you should speak up and say something to the police?”

I studied Ms. Rubin’s body language as she spoke. She wasn’t defensive or tense. “Look, I’m sorry about your sister.” Her eyes found mine. “But although this neighborhood has gotten better over the years with the gentrification they’re attempting in certain areas, it’s still rough. This center is a safe space for the youth, especially ones that come from hard home lives or have limited resources available for them. As much as I would love to say we saved every kid that’s come through that door, it’s just not possible, but I try my hardest.”

“Who owns the center?” I questioned as my phone vibrated in my pocket.

“Excuse me?”

“The center? I read that it almost closed due to lack of funding years ago, but suddenly it was bought and has beenrunning since with no issue. According to public records it was bought by a company that technically doesn’t exist.”

Everything about the company that saved the center led to a dead end. Whoever was running it went to extreme measures to keep their identity a secret. Their records looked legit but all the information was bogus.

She pressed her lips together “I’m not sure. My job is to keep the center up and running. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some things to take care of. You ladies enjoy the rest of your day.” Ms. Rubin turned around and walked back in the direction she had just come from.

“Did we just get dismissed?” Inaya asked, throwing her hand to her chest.