“How crazy is it that I like the thought of mentally breaking your aunt?”
“Not crazy at all,” I reassure her, taking her in my arms for a tight squeeze before heading into the closet for my own change of clothes. “I’d have broken her a long time ago if Miah would let me use waterboarding.”
That’s not exactly true, but I won’t admit to feeling a little sorry for the old girl and being unwilling to harm her in any way. She was my aunt, someone I loved and trusted for a long time.
Well, at least I felt that way before considering she’s one of the masterminds behind a plot to kill us all and run a money-making terrorist organization at the same time.
Now I may not be willing to hurt her, but to get Roman back and find Paulie for Jared, I am more than willing to let Trace loose on her and watch her crack like a freaking egg.
“It’s not crazy, babe. This is our only shot right now and I’m not too broken up about watching her mind shatter, to tell you the truth. We need something to go on here, just one clue to point us in the right direction. These people are too well organized, and no amount of training or know-how will help us if they don’t show themselves. We know this. Just go in and do what you can and hopefully she’ll give us something. She’s arrogant and still high on her victory, so we should get something.”
I take Trace’s hand and our bags and start for the stairs. Lynn…she’ll either start gloating or she’ll clam up. Only time will tell, and right now we’re running out of the shit.
“Where are the two of you going?” I hear as soon as we hit the foyer and I groan when Ma comes stalking up with Pop hot on her heels and ready to start yelling.
“Jason, this is getting out of hand. With Roman gone we think it’s best for you boys to stick close to home for the time being.”
“Pop, I need to go and do some stuff.”
“Jason.”
“No, Ma. We’re trying to find Roman and Trace has a lead that she thinks will get us some answers as to where he may be. Now I know that leaving isn’t a good idea, and I understand your concerns, but Trace and I need to go. We’ll be back tomorrow night at the latest, and I’ll tell you everything then,” I say, kissing her once before nodding to Pop and taking Trace’s hand.
She’s still saying good-bye when I pull her to the car waiting for us, Miah at the wheel, and shuffle her into the back seat before jumping in front with Miah.
“You two ready?”
“As we’ll ever be.”
Chapter Twelve
Trace
I’m so nervous, my palms won’t stop sweating as we pull up to the “hospital” and the driver gets out to open the door. Our flight took a little over three hours. By the time we landed, Jace and I had been over my questions a million times, tweaking them here and there so as to get them exactly right.
I have to play this right if I don’t want to tip my hand, and to that end I’m going in alone and posing as a doctor and not Jace’s girlfriend.
But I am nervous, and not just because this woman is certifiably insane and one of the most evil specimens I’ve ever heard of, but because if I screw up the chances of us finding Roman alive are very slim.
I can’t fail. I won’t fail. I just hope all that cocky confidence I had with Jared isn’t me blowing smoke up my own ass.
“This way, please.”
The doctor, a cold-looking man with bushy gray eyebrows and a limp in his gait, meets us at the door and we enter what looks like a horror-movie hospital that echoes with moans and the distinct smell of hopelessness and evil.
Whoever is housed here is not good—that I know when the main gate buzzes open and I hear cackling and screaming.
“Easy, babe. They’re all locked up nice and tight, so stop worrying. I also have a piece tucked into my boot, so you’re safe,” he whispers when I jump and shiver with fear.
Man up, Mayfield! You’re a freaking agent, not a civilian. Remember that and grow a spine, I yell silently, breathing through my nose as tight knots form in my belly.
We walk down a long, dimly lit corridor before the doc stops at a door at the end and produces a set of keys.
“Mrs. Conrad will be in shortly. Mr. Lane, you can follow me to the room next door where a two-way mirror is available. Miss Mayfield, if I may suggest, leave the file with your colleague. Mrs. Conrad is sedated, but the old girl is not sane and she does not need a weapon to aid her. Even a file can be dangerous when dealing with these individuals.”
Oh great. If she’s capable of attacking me with some empty cardboard, I feel really good about going in there alone, I think, swallowing as Jace pulls me close and whispers in my ear.