Page 3 of All He Takes
"Thank you," Nicky said to the guard. "I can take it from here."
"We'll be right outside if you need anything," the guard said.
With that, Nicky was left alone with Fred Garrison.
He eyed her up and down, as though trying to read her, and Nicky kept her own gaze firm.
"Mr. Garrison," she began. "Do you know why I'm here?"
"I have no idea," Fred said. "Are you some kind of therapist?"
Nicky shook her head. "I'm with the FBI. My name is Nicky Lyons."
"FBI?" He raised an eyebrow. "Shit, what is this about? They told me I'd been on good behavior."
"You aren't in trouble, Fred," Nicky said. "Actually, I was thinking you and I might be able to help each other."
Fred's eyes flashed. Nicky kept her posture strong.
"You've got my attention," Fred said. "What do you want, and what do I get out of it?"
Nicky cleared her throat and crossed her hands on the table. "Here's the thing, Fred. You only have a year left in this place. You've been good. The ideal inmate, actually. What if I told you I could get you out of here sooner?"
"I'd marry you," Fred said, but his expression was serious. "What's in it for you?"
"I need you to get some information for me," Nicky stated. "There's a man in this prison. Felix Anderson. He was arrested for kidnapping and believe me when I say that this is a twisted man. What I need is for you to get close to him and get a name for me."
"Sounds like a dangerous game."
"It is," Nicky said. "But if you do this for me, I can get you out of here in less than a year. I can get you a cushy job. I can get you out of Florida and away from here in general."
"Shit, I'd do anything to get out of this hellhole."
"Then let's do this," Nicky said. "I want you to get information on a kidnapper, someone who was Felix's mentor. You can ask Felix all the questions you want, but you need to do it in a way that doesn't make him suspicious. I want to know the name of the man who mentored Felix and taught him how to kidnap girls."
Fred leaned back in his chair. "And how the hell am I supposed to do that?"
"You become his friend. You stay close to him. Make up something about your past he might be able to relate to. Make yourself someone he can trust, then find out the information. All I need is the name of the person who mentored him. Even if it's just a first name, or just a last name--anything will help."
Fred stared at Nicky for a long time. She felt tense and nervous, but she kept her posture strong. She was ready to do whatever it took to save Rosie, and if it meant bribing a con in order to get information, then that's what she'd have to do.
Fred finally nodded. "I'll get the information for you."
Relief hit her. She got the immediate sense that Fred meant it--he had a sincerity in his eyes.
"Thank you, Fred," Nicky said.
"But for this to work, you have to get me out of here early. I do this for you, I want that deal."
"And I'll make sure you get it."
Nicky was about to stand when Fred began to say something else.
"You said he was kidnapping girls," Fred said. A certain emotion filled his eyes, and Nicky relaxed in her seat.
"Yes," she said. "He was kidnapping twin sisters and playing games with them, threatening to kill one if another tried to escape. But I was able to stop him. The person who mentored him seemed to have a similar fascination with sisters." Nicky left out the part where she knew, firsthand, what it felt like to be kidnapped by that man. She couldn't quite put into words the evil she'd experienced.
"I've got daughters waiting for me outside of this place," Fred said. "I'll get you the information."
