Page 121 of Missing Marcus

“What are you doing? My husband and his friends can help you. You don’t need to feel afraid, Jackie. They’re raiding Mr. Wilkinson’s house as we speak.”

Jackie laughed, making her tremble in fear of the woman she thought of as her friend.

“I’ll have to remember to thank your husband. The old man was becoming a pain in the ass,” Jackie confessed. “Now turn right at the next road.”

Gabby glanced at the gun pointed at her stomach and did as Jackie ordered. When they turned onto the deserted industrial road, she trembled as she scanned the area, searching for a place to run or hide.

“Stop the car,” her former friend ordered. Putting the truck in park, she shut the engine off.

“Get out of the truck slowly. I’m not the only one here. If you try to run, they’ve got orders to shoot your stomach first.”

Gabby slowly slid out and put a protective arm over her belly.

“Please, Jackie. You know how much this baby means to me. Don’t hurt an innocent child.”

Jackie poked her in the back with her weapon, making her wince. “Open the doors.” She waved the gun toward the rusted metal opening.

Gabby yanked on the handle, but it refused to move. “It’s stuck.”

“No, it’s heavy. Hurry up.” Jackie held the gun on her and refused to help.

Grunting, Gabby pulled with all her might and it slowly creaked open.

“Stop. Get inside and close it,” Jackie demanded.

Gabby managed to close the heavy metal and bent over, panting. “Why are you doing this? You’re my friend.” She watched as Jackie flipped on lights. The inside resembled a meat packing plant. Giant hooks hung from the ceiling, sending shivers down her spine. Fresh blood covered a table and another remained covered in plastic. Under it, she made out the pads used on patients in the hospital. Cold fear trickled along her neck as her eyes turned back to Jackie.

“It was you. The manager I replaced. Did you kill him?”

Jackie slowly grinned as if proud of herself. “It’s good I subbed for his assistant and discovered how close he came to outing us all.”

“I didn’t know anything about it. You pretended to be my friend. Why did you involve me?” Gabby asked as she moved in a circle hoping to evade the woman.

“Poor little Gabrielle,” Jackie laughed. “Don’t you get it? I know you’re smart. You caught on in mere days. Wilkinson warned me, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

“You traffic humans,” Gabby whispered.

“Here you walked right into the firm with a big old bullseye painted on your forehead. Poor Gabby. Her husband kicked her out and refused to speak to her. Her best friend didn’t return her calls. She lived in a shitty neighborhood where people disappeared regularly.”

“Why? I didn’t do anything to you,” she exclaimed as panic rose inside her. Gabby scanned the tables, searching for a weapon. Spying a surgeon’s scalpal sitting on a tray covered in clear plastic, she backed away from Jackie as she advanced.

“Let’s just say, I couldn’t pass up a good deal. You’re beautiful, Gabrielle. Your new owner will love your silky skin and long, black hair. As for your baby, it’ll go to the highest bidder. Babies sell faster than I can breed them. Don’t worry. I’ll implant a tracker under your skin in case you try to run away. Then, implant birth control unless a breeder wants you. You’ve grown lovely as you’ve rounded.”

“Please, Jackie. I’ll pay you,” Gabby offered.

She chuckled. “Did you suddenly become rich? Hit the lottery?”

“My husband and I reconciled. We have savings. You don’t need to do this,” she pleaded.

Jackie cocked her head and nodded toward the table. “It’s happening. For six months, I ensured you ate all the right foods and drank your milk like a good girl. At the first opportunity, you ran through a drive-thru for greasy tacos,” she sneered in disgust. “You risked my investment.”

Jackie moved closer, caging her between the bloody bed and the one covered in plastic. The gun remained pointed at her child.

“Pull the plastic off and climb on the bed. The doctor will be here soon.” Her voice turned low and menacing.

“I’m not due yet. I still have a few more weeks,” she said, trying to remain calm.

“Before you disappeared, you measured on target. The doc says it’s viable.” Jackie motioned toward the table. “Time to meet the little tyke.”

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