Page 10 of Never Lost

I can’t talk long. I shouldn’t even have this phone

Langer Enterprises Technical Consultant

Tell me where you are. I’ll get you out

Unknown Number

You can’t. Not yet. Listen, I know you’re looking for Maeve. I knew all along. And I know how to find her

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Langer Enterprises Technical Consultant

What?? How??

Unknown Number

I think I know where she is. But you have to come here. The house. I’ll tell you everything

Langer Enterprises Technical Consultant

When?

Unknown Number

Friday. Resi won’t be here and I can distract her security goons. I can still move around the house a little. I’ll give you everything you need to get in

Langer Enterprises Technical Consultant

How do I know this isn’t a setup?

Yes, I felt like an asshole, but come on.

Unknown Number

I swear it’s not. I wouldn’t have messaged you if I had any other choice. I thought I could handle this, but I can’t. I’m so sorry

Langer Enterprises Technical Consultant

Fuck. No, I am. I never should’ve gone off the tour. I got you in trouble

Unknown Number

No. That wasn’t your fault. You were right to look for Maeve. And now she needs you. We all need you

And just like that, I had what I needed. Or at least, I thought I did. Because if I was wrong, if this was a trap—well, it wouldn’t be the first time I’d walked straight into one.I stared at the screen, my pulse hammering.

If your opponent offers you a free piece, boy, ask yourself why they want you to take it,the old professor used to say.

Then again, he also used to say,sometimes the only way to know if it’s a trap is to step right into it—and hope you see a way out in time.

Langer Enterprises Technical Consultant

Okay. Send me everything

A pause. Then:

Unknown Number