Page 130 of The Kingpin's Call Girl

Did he erase those pictures from the web? And if it’s that important for him not to be recognized, did he kill to keep his secret? God, did I get poor Darren hurt—or worse?

And what does it mean for Mary?

I tell myself that Darren probably had his fingers in a lot of secret information. Isn’t the dark web full of killers and criminals?

But the timing seems suspicious.

Did he follow me to Darren’s? I feel like I shouldn’t go back to the residence hall.

With shaking hands, I text Luka yet again.

Heading to your place.

I can’t think of what to do next. My blood is racing, and I can’t think straight.

I should take an Uber, but what if Bender is tracking my credit card activity or something? If he sees that I called an Uber, he might be able to find out where I went.

I decide on the subway. I’m about to look up the best route on my phone, but then I set it to airplane mode, turn it off, and shove it back in my pocket because I’m in full-blown paranoia now.

I’ll do the old-fashioned thing and check an actual map. I make a beeline to the 116th Street station, stop at the map and figure out how to get myself near Luka’s condo. It’s just one transfer. I could be there in under an hour. But then I’d use tap-and-go and that could be tracked.

“Hey, fancy meeting you here.”

I know that voice.

Bender.

I fix my gaze on the map, pretending not to hear him. What if I darted down the steps into the subway? Would he chase me? But it’s not like I can run forever down there. Could I bolt up the sidewalk?

Running for it will probably tip him off that something’s up.

My stomach folds in on itself once and then again and then a third time. My stomach is a diamond of fear at this point. It’s a wonder I’m standing upright.

“Hey.” He comes up and stands next to me. He looks like his normal self, except he has a uniform on. He’s Luka’s half-brother.Andhe’s a cop.

“I got your text.”

I slap on my most neutral and bored face. My first thought is that he got the text I sent to Luka, but then I realize he’s talking about the proof of life ask.

“You didn’t respond,” I say.

He grins. “Well, I was busy asking your sister your completely random question.”

“You were?”

“What is her doll’s favorite food,” he says. “That would be chocolate chip pancakes, I believe?”

Something in my chest unclenches. “She’s alive?”

“Of course she is,” he says. “And I believe you have something for me now?”

“I—I don’t have the hair with me.”

“That’s okay. I got the hair from another source.”

“You did?” My mind spins. I have to warn Luka.

Bender smiles like a Cheshire cat. “But I will take the story. Tell me where he was.”