Page 19 of Hard Game

Stop this! You’re working.

Not to mention, everything about him screamed criminal. He was too good-looking and smart-mouthed for his good. His clothes were more expensive than my apartment, and he had a purpose for being here that didn’t include shopping. Even the woman with him had no bags, although she wore designer clothes too.

Forget them. Focus.

“Sorry to bother you,” I say with a smile as the cleaner turns to me, her eyes wide with fear.

“No English,” she splutters without an accent, jabbing the elevator button repeatedly.

I exchange a glance with Elijah.

Why is she lying?

“Please,” I say, tilting my head to see her face. “You’re not in any trouble.”

“Cops,” she says, licking her dry lips. “I know.”

“It’s alright,” I say soothingly. “We wanted to ask you some questions, that’s all.”

She remains silent until the elevator doors open, and she shoves her cart into it.

We’re losing her.

“You were being watched,” I blurt out, holding the elevator doors open. “Please.”

This seems to get her attention, but she doesn’t say a word.

“Can we buy you a coffee?”

She studies me, then Elijah, before pointing at me. “You, in here. You can ask me questions in here.”

I dart into the elevator and nod to Elijah, who shoves his hands in his pockets and locks eyes with me.

I nod at him again.

I’m okay.

The doors slide shut, and I turn to the woman who says, “Who was watching me? The guy in the jacket?”

I’m surprised she knows—not once did I see her look in his direction. “Yes.”

“Why are cops interested in a man watching a cleaner?” She scoffs, her eyes locked on the elevator floors as they light up.

I know I only have seconds. “We think he is a trafficker.”

She whips her head to me. “Think? Of course, he is.”

I open my mouth to speak, but the doors open, and she begins pushing her cart out.

“They’re everywhere. Girls like me make them money,” she says over her shoulder. “But girls like me know how to avoid them.”

“Do you know this woman?” I swipe through my phone, but she’s already walking away.

“Please!” I plead with her, shoving the phone in her face.

She stops, taken aback by the image on the screen.

I wish I had something other than a corpse to show her, but at least it’s after it’s been cleaned up. Fucking hell.

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