Page 13 of Hard Game

“They like them young, seventeen years old or above.”

I grit my teeth and feel Elijah stiffen beside me as Carmen continues.

“They pimp them out or sell them on the black market.”

“Who to?” Elijah asks, his voice thin.

It’s taxing hearing this shit, even when it’s your job.

Carmen sighs. “That’s for you to find out.”

“Can we speak to the intel?” I ask, knowing her answer already.

Carmen shakes her head. “Detective Diess?—”

“I know, I know,” I protest, licking my lips. “Even if I don’t know their name, could I speak to them on the phone? Here, in front of you.”

Elijah stares at me in stunned silence, but I hold my nerve.

“However, this person knows what they know; I feel like I’d be the best person to speak with them, no offense.”

Carmen raises her brows.

“It’s personal, boss.”

The air feels pinched while she considers my request, and my blood pulses in my ears, almost preventing me from hearing her next word.

“No.”

Disappointment floods me, and she points a finger in my direction.

“No case can ever be personal, Detective Diess.” Her gaze softens when my head dips. “I know about your sister, but there’s no proof she was trafficked.”

My fists bunch at my sides.

How does she know that? Anything could’ve happened to her.

Pain slices through my gut at the memory of my sister’s smile.

Taken. Vanished without a trace.

“It’s also a possibility. You know the statistics better than I do,” I say, earning a meaningful glare from Elijah.

“Leave it, Diess,” he mutters, crossing his arms.

But I can’t.

“Something happened to my sister, and shit police work meant whoever took her got away with it.” I bow my head, knowing I’m pushing it by speaking to my boss this way, but this is something she brought up. I’m damned if I’m going to be told I’m wrong for trying to do the best I can, no matter what my reasons are.

“You can go now.” Carmen points to the door without looking at me, and I nod, moving away from her desk when she speaks again. “And Detective Diess?”

I stop and turn to look at her, clenching my jaw in preparation for the way she’s going to tear me a new asshole when she surprises me.

“Personal or not, your police work is anything but shit. Remember that when you’re doing your best.” She turns away from me, dismissing me.

I nod and follow Elijah out of the room, exhaling a shaky breath when the door shuts behind us.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Elijah says to me, throwing his hands in the air between us. “Have you not had your coffee today?”

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