Page 18 of Degradation
‘Did she- What was she wearing?’
Lu frowns at me. ‘What? Uh, running gear, I think. Sneakers. Why?—’
Something passes over her face.
‘What is it?’ I ask.
‘I offered her a job at Grinder that day. She said she didn’t have any black pants to wear so we went to Second Love. You know, the consignment on Main Street. We got some stuff. She had like thirty bucks on her in cash. I remember because it looked wrinkled and sort ofold.’ She regards me thoughtfully. ‘What is this about?’
‘What has she told you about before she came here?’
Lu regards me impassively, maybe a little suspiciously, folding her arms. ‘Just that she was in the UK, and she just came back because her mom died in a car accident. I didn’t ask to be honest. If she wants to tell me more, she will. Later, Novelle.’
I nod. ‘See you tomorrow, Lu...’
‘Garmett.’
‘Garmett? Like...’
‘SarkGarmett? Yeah. He’s my cousin.’ She winks at me and smirks at my surprised face. ‘He says ‘hi’ by the way. Said he’ll catch up with you in a couple days since he couldn’t find you at the party.’
I glance at Daisy’s room and then at Lu, frowning. ‘Is this a strategic move?’
‘A Garmett making friends with your sister? No, Shade. I mean I knew. I’ll admit it, she told me her name when she joined Dagorhir.’
She steps closer. ‘Now, brace yourself. This might come as a real shock to you, but not everything that happens in Richmond is about you or your family.’
I snort. ‘See you, Garmett.’
‘Novelle.’
She turns to go and then hesitates. ‘The guys. The ones who attacked her. I don’t give a fuck who they are. They’re dead men walking, right?’
‘Yeah,’ I say low. ‘It’s only a matter of time.’
‘Good. I want to be there.’
I nod. ‘That can be arranged.’
She leaves without another word, and I stare after her. Trust Daisy to make friends with a member of a crime family on her first day here.
I hear low voices in her room, and I go back to Blake’s. He’s still at his computer.
‘Found anything else?’
‘Not really. Made sure those two campus cops really did lose her name. There’s no record of them picking her up. They’re getting fired come Monday. It’s done. I might also have made it look like they were receiving bribes from one of the other frats.’
I nod. ‘Good. That should ensure they can’t get work around here again in security. Maybe have the banks foreclose on their homes or something like that, too. Choose some life-destroying stuff. Whatever you want. Get creative.’
Blake’s smile is sinister. ‘Consider it done.’
‘Good.’
‘What do you want to do?’ he asks after a few taps of his trackpad.
‘About what?’
‘About Daisy?’
