Page 50 of Out of Control

Talia looked back and forth between them. “You won’t hurt her? You promise?”

Spencer answered, “We won’t lay a finger on her. You have my word of honor on it.”

Just as well that Spencer answered. He was the sincere one who didn’t look like he could lie even if you tortured him for it. Talia nodded.

Drago murmured, “You help us, we help you. You screw us, things won’t go well for you.”

Understanding and a measure of hard respect entered her doe-eyed gaze. “Lena’s where you said she is. There’s a back way. I can show you.”

“Where does Madame Eva hang out?”

“Ground floor. An office to the right of the front door.”

Prefect. The madam shouldn’t get in the way, then.

He handed over the cash. “Pleasure doing business with you, Talia. And you really are way too talented for a dive like this. I’ve given you enough money to buy a plane ticket to Tokyo or New York City. You could make a fortune in either place with your virgin woman-child schtick.”

She looked thoughtful as she bounced on the edge of the squeaky bed and let out a startled mewl. He grinned at her, and she grinned back while moaning in what sounded exactly like virginal wonder and a touch of fear.

He reached for the doorknob, and Spencer murmured low, “Will there be cameras in the hallways?”

Talia moaned, “Nooo.”

Got it. No cameras in hallways. Only in rooms.

She led them quickly down the hallway to a back stairwell that was narrow and dingy. Only for staff, then.

The girl pointed up. “Top floor. From this direction, Lena will be the first door on the left.”

“Where are you going?”

“Down to the basement to pay off the security guard sitting at the cameras, and then I’m out of here. I’ll wait outside for the rest of my money. And… thanks.”

“In case I don’t get a chance to say it later, good luck, kid.” With that, he and Spencer ran up the stairs lightly and silently, pausing before Lena’s door.

Déjà vu. He’d come to this same room three weeks ago, pistol in hand, with the intent to interrogate and then kill the occupant. But he’d walked in on a corpse, a pool of blood, and a terrified girl cowering under the bed. He’d had about two seconds to take in the sight before sirens had screamed outside, and he’d had to jump out the window and race down the fire escape to avoid the police. It had been way too close a call.

Spencer tapped his shoulder to indicate he was ready to enter.

Without knocking, he opened the door, and they slipped inside.

Only a dim lamp with a red scarf thrown over it glowed, and another young girl snored gently in the bed. Skirting the wall, Drago moved fast to the corner, climbed on a nightstand, and slapped a glob of chewing gum over the camera aperture.

As soon as the camera was covered, Spencer moved forward and laid his hand over the girl’s mouth. She awoke with a start, struggling against him.

“Shh, I won’t hurt you. You’re safe,” Spencer whispered in credible German.

The girl subsided, looking up at them fearfully.

In a low voice, Drago said, “Talia sent us to talk with you.” He pulled out the wad of euros and made sure the girl saw it. “If my friend removes his hand, would you be willing to answer a few questions, Lena?” He peeled off several large bills.

A nod under Spencer’s hand.

Spencer stepped back, and the girl sat up in bed. A worn tank top, grayed with washing, clung to her bony shoulders. She wasn’t as pretty as Talia but had the same waiflike quality.

“Who are you?” she asked.

She’d kept her voice very low, and Drago matched her volume on the assumption that she would know how quiet she had to be for the camera feed not to pick up the sound.