Page 108 of Misery

Unknown number.

I almost didn't check it.

But something makes me look.

He's coming to me. Just like I planned. Your father will have company soon. Don't worry, little artist. When this is over, you'll understand. Everything I've done has been for you. Every death, a love letter. Every moment of watching, my worship to you. Soon you'll see.

Midnight tomorrow. Come alone or they both die.

- T

I show my mother and sister, watching their faces pale.

"You can't go," Helle says immediately.

"I can't not go either."

"It's a trap."

"I know."

But… how can I just sit back and do nothing?

CHAPTER TWELVE

Oskar

The clubhouse is too quiet for the amount of rage contained within its walls.

We've been strategizing for an hour, maps spread across the chapel table, everyone arguing about the best approach to getting Ivar.

We already know the Starlite Motel is a trap.

We know Thiago expects us, but Ivar's been missing for over eight hours now, and every minute we wait is another minute he could be bleeding out.

"We go in hard," Tor insists, stabbing his finger at the motel layout. "Full force. Overwhelm whatever defenses he has."

"That's what he expects," I counter. "Thiago knows how we operate. He'll have contingencies."

"Then what do you suggest?" Magnus asks. "We can't just leave Ivar with that psycho."

Before I can answer, we hear shouting from outside.

A woman's voice, high and desperate.

Then Bodul's voice, trying to calm her down.

"I need to talk to someone! I know about Thiago! Please!"

We all freeze and look at each other.

I'm moving before anyone else, hand on my weapon as I exitkirkja.

In the main bar area, Bodul has a woman cornered near the entrance.

She's maybe twenty-five, beautiful in that carefully maintained way.

Dark hair with expensive highlights.