Page 40 of Ozzie

Once off the bridge, it’s a straight shot to the port, pulling up right outside the building.

“This port is closed, so no one will be coming to check on it. We need to get inside and wait for our ride,” Harding says.

Harding and Lightning check for a way in while I stay with the kid. He’s shivering. I bear hug him and rub his back.

“Too cold,” he slurs. “Want inside.”

Aside from the coat and boots, the kid’s clothes are thin, so I don’t doubt he’s cold. But my main concern now is that he is showing signs of hypothermia.

The front door clicks and opens. Lightning waves me inside. I pick up JB and run us in.

“He might be experiencing hypothermia. We need to warm him up.” I lay him on the carpet and notice he’s not moving his fingers. They are ice cold, so I rub my hands across his.

“I found some drop cloths we can use as blankets,” Harding says as she tosses them over JB.

A plume of dust rises from them, and I wave it away. They may not be clean, but hopefully, they’ll do the job.

“Any idea how long we need to wait here?” I ask.

Harding checks her phone. “Do you want the bad news or the worse news?”

I’m squatting over JB, but I fall back on my rear and sit down. Lightning stands and walks toward her. “Worse.”

“My phone is almost dead, and I’m about to lose communication with anyone who can help us.”

I glance around, hoping to spot a charger, but it’s clear this place was emptied out a long time ago. And the odds of finding a charger that would work are slim. I check my battery. It’s low.

“My phone’s dead already,” Lightning says. “What’s the bad news?”

“Our ride isn’t coming until tomorrow. I told him the situation and our location.”

“We’re stuck here for a day without food?” JB asks. The slurring is gone, which is a good sign. JB turns his head to me. “Got any more of those bars?”

“Sorry, I don’t.”

“I have an idea for food, but first, we need to talk.” She squats next to JB. “You said you weren’t aware you were kidnapped until just before we arrived. But before, you said you were cornered when leaving your hotel. Explain.”

The kid averts his eyes from Harding and stares at the floor. “At the party the night before, I was offered some pills, so I took them. I thought they were free, but I found out the next morning they weren’t. The guys who corneredme that day said I had to pay for them. They took me to their place and had me send them money.”

“How much?”

He shrugs. “Not much.”

Harding sighs. “How much?”

“One grand. I Venmo’d it to them.”

Harding looks up and closes her eyes. “And you are just now telling me this?”

“What does it matter?” JB asks.

Harding stands and walks away. “It matters because I could have had the number you Venmo’d traced. Now my phone is dead, and I can’t do shit about it.”

“These guys had you Venmo them? That explains why you didn’t realize you were kidnapped and why you had your phone. But why did they let you keep your phone?”

He shrugs. “They told me they would drive me home after their boss confirmed the money was received. They said it could take a while since it was moving between different countries.”

Harding turns around to face him. “It’s Venmo, not a goddamn wire transfer!”

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