*
In the quiet of my room, I pushed my brain to its limit, trying to recall all that I’d learned from my hellish time with Bo. It was hard to concentrate with images of tormented Hayden circling in my head, but there was too much on the line for me to dwell in remorse.
There were two things that Bo had said earlier that gave me hope, although they weren’t necessarily connected. One was about how and why Nick’s video found its way to the Darknet, and the other one was about Mr. White, who’d apparently been growing paranoid in his old age.
The door opened, and Samuel walked in holding a tray. He had wheeled me back to the room earlier after stopping to get my wound restitched. I had a hefty dose of painkillers in my system, but my leg still throbbed. Samuel gave me the tray with the same tasteless food I’d been having for days. Before he could turn to leave, I said, “Wait.”
He sighed and crossed his arms. “What is it?”
“I know what Bo has been doing to Hayden.”
His expression softened. “He shouldn’t have snooped.”
“He’s a detective.”
“And how’s that been going for him?”
I held back my anger because I needed his help. “Bo promised to let Hayden out after we… he promised.”
Samuel nodded. “Yeah, he’s out. Resting.”
I exhaled, both relieved and surprised Bo had gone through with his promise. “Thank you for telling me.”
He turned to leave.
“Wait. Do you know Mr. White?”
“Yeah, I’ve met him a few times.” It sounded like he would have preferred not to have met him at all.
“I need you to send him a message from me.”
“Sure. Should I add a fruit basket with that?”
“Bo is putting this operation in danger.”
Samuel rolled his eyes. “Here we go. Bo warned me you’d try to pull off something like that.”
Of course he did.“Did he also tell you he’s been selling videos on the Darknet?”
Samuel narrowed his eyes. “Explain.”
“When the police started to investigate Nick’s disappearance, they found a video of him being tortured on the Darknet. Bo confessed to me that he was the one who sold the video for money. If you tell that to Mr. White, he won’t let it slide.”
Samuel chewed on his bottom lip, face troubled. “I think that I should speak with Bo before starting something that might kick me in the ass later.”
“Go ahead.” I shrugged to mask my dread. “I’m sure he’d be fine with having one of his employees know his secret. He definitely won’t kill you for that.”
He took a step forward, and I readied myself for pain. “You’re playing with fire, Jonah. I’ve tried very hard to be cool with you, but you’re pushing it.”
“I’ve got nothing to lose, and I’m telling the truth. I don’t know how many other videos he sold, but heisputting all of you in danger. Please tell that to Mr. White. You know he’ll reward you for speaking up.”
He snorted. “You think you know him?”
“As much as one can know a psychopath.”
Samuel seemed thoughtful, and I used the opportunity to ask, “What were you in prison for?”
He leaned back as if I’d hit him. “Fuck, you have nerves.”
