“What?” he snapped. I glanced around him at the woman who stood behind him, shirt torn, bone-thin and covered in bruises. The same dead look in my eyes reflected in hers. She had suffered, seen things no one should.
His eyes went to Ella, and they lit up in recognition. “Mikaella?” He took a step forward, and I stepped to my right to get between them. His eyes narrowed as he looked me over.
“You best get out of my way before I move you myself.”
“I wouldn’t make threats if I were you.”
His gaze went back to Ella, and I knew he was trying to intimidate her to get his way.
“Ella is looking for her mother.”
His laughter caused my eye to twitch. I wouldn’t have spent another goddamn second talking to this asshole, but she needed answers.
“Haven’t seen that dumb bitch in years.”
“We just want to know where she is.”
He looked me over suspiciously before shaking his head. “I already told you no. Now leave.” He slammed the door, and I sighed as I retreated down the stairs, glancing over my shoulder at the dilapidated house as he yelled obscenities inside, presumably at the woman. It was hard to walk away knowing just what went on in places like this, but I had no other choice.
At times like these, I was thankful I felt empty inside, because the guilt alone would have killed me. I pulled a cell phone from my pocket and dialed Trigger’s number. He was the only one of the guys who knew I still had Ella around. It rang twice before he picked up. The music in the background made it impossible to hear him.
“No luck.”
“None on this end either.” If there was an electronic trail, Trig would have found it. Ella’s mom had vanished with no trace.
“I guess it’s plan B then.”
There was a pregnant pause before the line went dead. I handed my phone to Ella, mumbling obscenities under my breath. “Go wait in the car. If he has answers, I will find them out for you.”
“I’ll never know what happened to her.”
“He’ll talk. Trust me.” I pressed my lips against her forehead before taking a step back. She nodded and reluctantly got into the passenger side of the SUV.
I walked up the steps, not bothering to knock as I opened the front door, causing it to bang loudly off the wall behind it. The woman appeared shaken as he froze, wide-eyed.
“Does he hurt you?” I asked just as the old man made his way down the steps.
“What the hell are you doing here? This is private property, you son of a bitch!” he growled. I ignored him and returned my gaze to the woman.
“Answer me truthfully, and I’ll make sure he never hurts you again.”
She looked to the man and back to me, hopeful. “Yes,” she whispered, and I gestured to the door behind me with a nod.
“Go. Run. Find someone to call the police. Forget you saw me.” I knew it would take her a few minutes at least to get to the next property.
“The police?” the old man said with a sneer. “What are they going to do?”
“Identify your body,” I snapped back to him as she ran around me and out the front door. The man’s eyes grew wide, and he retreated backward a step.
“You can’t just come in here and threaten me. Do you have any idea who I am? Didn’t Mikaella tell you?”
I put my foot on the first step, and he stumbled backward, climbing higher. Ella and I both knew her mother was long dead. She was never going to get her answers, but at least I could make sure he could never hurt her again.
“Yeah. She told me who you are. You want to know who I am?” I asked as I moved slowly toward him. “I expected a monster, a challenge. You’re just a weak old man.”
“That girl never did know how to listen. Just another dumb bitch like her mother.” He was still yelling, but his voice wavered, and I knew he was afraid. Funny how the biggest bullies only liked to pick on the small and fragile who couldn’t defend themselves. “You want that girl? She’s all yours. I’m sure she hasn’t gotten far yet. I won’t even charge you.”
My stomach sank, and the world around me went black. Anger flooded me, and before I could stop myself, I was on top of the man, swinging wildly. His wrinkled, papery skin busted and bled under my fists. I felt the bones in his nose crumble under my knuckles, and he slipped, falling back onto the stairs with a grunt, moaning as he struggled to protect his face with his arms. I hit him again. The sound finally stopped, and I was able to get myself back under control. I stood over him, my chest heaving as I struggled to calm my breathing. I didn’t want it to be this easy. He deserved worse.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small green lighter and a cigarette from my pack. I lit it, blowing out the smoke toward him as he hacked.