I moved toward the side of the building with the fire escape. I jogged, worried they had both gotten away already.
Suddenly something bowled into me head-first.
I didn’t have time to say anything, because we went down together in a tangle of limbs. Whatever hit me immediately began to struggle and try to scramble to its feet.
“Stop her!” I heard Cole’s voice and realized that Marla was the one trying to untangle herself from my limbs.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms and legs around her and pinned her down.
“Ah! Fuck!” she yelled, trying to get away. “Help me!”
“Stop, Marla,” I grunted at her, working hard to keep her still.
A few seconds later, I felt a pair of strong hands grab Marla and lift her up into the air.
“Let me go, you prick!” Marla screamed.
I stood up slowly, catching my breath. I ached in a hundred places, but I was okay otherwise.
“You good?” Cole asked me, holding Marla while she struggled.
“I’m good.”
There wasn’t anybody around, which was damn lucky, because I was pretty sure it looked like we were abducting the poor girl. Actually, was that what we were doing?
“Cole, let’s go into the alley.”
He nodded and carried Marla back toward the fire escape and away from the sidewalk.
We stopped near some dumpsters.
“Can I put you down?” Cole asked Marla.
She sighed and went limp. “Fine.”
He let her down softly. She looked like she wanted to bolt but thought better of it.
“Well?” Cole asked.
“It wasn’t my idea!” she said instantly, her eyes wide.
He gave me a look and I shook my head. “What wasn’t, Marla?” I asked her.
“The pictures.”
Cole looked smug, and I felt my heart skip a beat. “You took them?” he asked.
“Of you two kissing, yeah,” she said. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”
“It is,” Cole said, “but we weren’t sure you actually did it.”
“Shit,” she said.
“Where are they, Marla?” I asked her.
“I don’t know.”
“You know this shit can ruin my whole family’s life, right?” Cole growled at her. “I don’t like when people fuck with my family.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know who they were when I took the job.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked her. “Who hired you?”
She held up her hands. “Look, she said it was just a normal job. I take a few pictures of the rich San Fran elite, I get paid like normal.”
“So why are you afraid, then?” Cole asked. “You seem to know about the blackmail.”
Marla nodded. “I overheard her on the phone after I made the drop. I didn’t mean to. I went into the bathroom and she just made the call. I guess she forgot I was listening?”
“What did she say?
“Just that they were going to send the letter soon and now that they had pictures, they could finally destroy your family, or whatever. I put two and two together.”
“Who is she, Marla?” Cole cut in.
Marla cocked her head. “You really don’t know?”
“Tell us,” he growled.
“I don’t know her name,” Marla said quickly, “and I don’t know who she’s working with, but I’ve seen her hovering around Mrs. Redson. A little shrill, blond, stuck up.”
My heart nearly stopped. I looked at Cole. “Madison.”
He looked like he had come to the same conclusion.
“Yeah. Her assistant, I think,” Marla said.
“Are you sure about that?” Cole asked.
“Man, it’s my job to know these people. That’s why I get paid so much.” She looked afraid, and she went on quickly. “But I don’t do blackmail. You have to believe me! I’ve been hiding out ever since I found out what they were doing.”
Cole stared at her seriously for a second, and I put my hand on his arm.
“Cole,” I said softly, “I think she’s telling the truth.”
He nodded slowly. “She better be,” he growled. “Or else I’ll be back.”
Marla squeaked. “I’m not lying!”
Cole stepped away, moving back toward the sidewalk. Marla relaxed visibly, clearly scared shitless of Cole. I didn’t blame her; Cole could be terrifying, all muscle and intensity. I was even a little frightened of him at the moment even though I knew he would never hurt me.
“Listen, Marla,” I said softly, “do you know anything else that can help us?”
“No. I’m sorry. I don’t even know who she works with.”