“You’re insane,” I tell myself softly.
Maybe I am. But today isn’t for sanity. Today is for Deacon.
The problem is that my best lead is garbage, and I have no clue what steps to take next.
I sit cross-legged on the bed with my phone in hand and stare again at the address I pulled from Nash’s computer. I’ve already plugged it into Google Maps twice, once last night and once this morning, like maybe it would magically become more useful while I sleep.
It doesn’t.
Apparently Deacon lives in a shack in the bayou. Rotting wood, if the satellite image can be trusted. Too much green swallowing too little structure. No road access thatI can see. No cars. No nearby businesses. No signs of life. The place looks less like an address and more like a grave somebody forgot to fill in.
A dead end—maybe literally. I’m not desperate enough for that yet. Not yet. Not when it’s an obviously false address.
But I have another lead. Noir Night. The name by itself is enough to put a sour taste in my mouth.
They don’t want me there, have done everything they can to make sure I’m kept away from it…but if I’m going after him, then maybe I stop trying to hunt him from the outside and walk right into the darkness. With or without their permission. Especially since Nash told me that Deacon is a part owner in it.
I don’t love the idea.
Actually, that’s a lie.I hate it.It terrifies me.
But hate and need have been holding hands within me for years now. I can do this.
I pull up Sonny’s number and stare at it for a second before typing.
Me
Are you busy later?
The dots appear almost immediately.
Sonny
Depends. Are you dying or are you being dramatic?
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.
Me
Maybe both. Can I come over? I need help. Hair, makeup, dress. The whole thing.
There’s a slightly longer pause this time.
Sonny
Ohhhh. Girl help as in GIRL help.
Yes.
Do I get an explanation?
When I get there.
Then yes. Come over this afternoon. And Reva?
Me: Yeah?
Wear real underwear. If I have to save your life, I’m not doing it while you’re in survival granny panties.
