Page 10 of Look for Me

“You can tell me the truth.” Corinne tried to remain calm.

Slime nodded. “When Flavian found out what happened to you two months ago, they sent us here.”

“You still didn’t explain how you found me.”

“The same way we knew that jerk—no rest of his soul—attacked you.”

Slam leaned over from the driver’s side. “You don’t have to keep the baby, you know, on account that the father is deceased.”

“Did you… Were you the ones…” Corinne’s jaw dropped.

“We plead the fifth.” Slam looked mighty proud of himself.

“We’ve been watching over you all this time,” the other said.

“All this time? Like how?” Corinne’s legs wobbled.

“WITSEC is overrated.” Slam laughed.

“We’ve been watching over your house,” Slime added. “Flavian doesn’t want his baby girl hurt.”

It hit Corinne like a rock. “You know where I live.”

“Uh-huh. FBI is like a leaky sieve.” Slam laughed again.

Now Corinne regretted contacting her FBI handler. Flavian knew where she was. Then again, why hadn’t he come after her? “Where’s Flavian?”

Slime shrugged. “He doesn’t tell us. Our job is to keep you safe. So you want a ride home or not?”

Corinne had told herself never to get into any vehicle owned or sent by Flavian. “No, thanks. I need to walk.”

“Like I said, we know where you live,” Slime reminded her. “We’ve been taking turns sleeping in the car for two months.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” What else could Corinne say. “I’ll still walk.”

“You want us to follow you?” Slim asked.

“We better,” Slime said. “Or we’ll never hear the end of it from Flavian if she’s attacked again.”

Corinne winced. She did not want to recall the episode. Maybe she should let them escort her home. Then again, who was to say these two weren’t lying to her about knowing where she lived.

I can’t take any chances.

She made an about turn and walked back into town. She didn’t know who to call. Hardin was no match for these two guys. Martin would be, but she had no idea how to contact him.

What about Erika? She seemed to know martial arts.

A loud car honk startled her. She turned to look.

An SUV pulled up at the curb. The passenger window rolled down.

And out of the car, Corinne heard Erika's voice. “Sorry I’m late!”

What a relief! Corinne nearly cried. She waved to the two men in the car nearby, and made a beeline for the passenger side.

She climbed in and locked the door. “Thank you, Erika. I thought you were working.”

“Hardin went back to work so I asked him how you were doing. When I found out he dropped you off by the side of the road, I nearly punched him.”

---