Page 35 of Secrets

“Where the hell is he?” said one of the men.

“What the fuck is going on?” The second prisoner headed toward the door but was blocked by an immovable object. “What’s happening?”

The other inmate pushed, but the object didn’t move. Then, as suddenly as they were blocked, it was gone. Theywalked onto the walkway outside the cell and looked around. Everyone was down for the night.

“What do we do?” he mumbled.

“You die,” said the unattached voice.

“Who said that?” Both men spun around, swinging at air. “Who’s there?”

The first man backed up, but suddenly tripped on something, his body reeling toward the railing. It would have been comical, if not for being so tragic. His legs raised in the air, and his body went backwards over the railing, falling to the hard tile below.

The second man shook his head, backing up against the cell block wall. He ran toward his own cell, lying in the bed.

“No. No, I didn’t see anything,” he whispered.

“You saw it all,” said the voice. “The demon is here for you.”

He didn’t utter another sound as the knife raked across his throat. His eyes went wide as he gripped the open wound, the life and blood of his body gushing onto the mattress.

Trak moved back toward the cell of Jay Fraser, waiting patiently for the guard. He heard the footsteps, then the figure stopped in the doorway.

“What the hell?” he muttered, looking around the small space.

Trak gripped his neck, twisting him against the cellblock wall, the knife nicking at his flesh.

“Your time has come.”

“Everyone okay?” asked Ghost, staring at the three men.

“I-I’m not sure,” said Jay. “Am I okay?”

“You’re good. As long as you don’t touch Millicent, I won’t kill you,” said Nine. “The guard taken care of?”

“It’s done,” said Trak, turning his phone toward the group. The guard was hanging with a bed sheet around his neck, dangling over the railing, the note on his chest plain as day.

I had to let him go. He’s innocent. Find Beatrix Fraser Dyatlov and Agent Fowler.

“You’re evil,” laughed Ian. Trak shrugged, nodding his thanks at Juan.

“I’m going to feed Alvin. We’ve much to talk about.”

“Alvin? Is that his son?” asked Jay. Gaspar laughed, shaking his head.

“Not quite.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Did they say why they wanted to see me?” asked Millicent. She was walking slowly with Trevon, clinging to his hand. Her wedding band and engagement ring sparkled in the light.

“I’m not sure,” he lied.

Entering the office, Millicent saw a few men hanging outside the conference room door. Mama Irene, Erin, and Grace were standing there as well.

“Good evening,” smiled Millicent. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine, honey,” said Irene. “Come on in.”

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