I nod. It makes perfect sense. And Midnight has an unrivaled reputation in the private investigation sector.
“Also,” Seth continues, “I finally got a message back from the kidnappers. It’s Point Ops, no question.”
He places his phone on my desk and taps the screen. A garbled, disguised voice sounds through the speaker. “No police, no FBI, or they die. Quietly cancel all your contracts if you want to see your parents alive again, and dissolve Nove. You have three days.”
Landon nods at the now-silent phone. “We’ll run that recording through our in-house recognition software. If you suspect that asshole Erich Pointer, we’ll run it against recordings of his voice. Chances are he would’ve had someone else read off the message, though, or put it through an artificial voice generator.”
My phone buzzes with a text. It’s Madison. I haven’t had a chance to respond to her earlier text this morning, and I’m beginning to feel like an absent lover.
Cody clears his throat and speaks. “Seth, will you send me the file?”
“I’ll do it right now.” Seth picks up his phone and taps at the screen.
“We’ll get started on it as soon as we get back to the offices.” Landon nods at us. “We’ve long admired your business, and wouldn’t mind connecting on future jobs, if you like the work we do.”
“We’ll keep it in mind,” I promise.
The two men take their leave. Seth and I face each other.
I gesture to my computer monitor. “I guess I can stop reading through thousands of mission summaries. The only person who wants Nove gone is Erich Pointer. He just can’t say so outright. What a fucking asshole.”
“Agreed.” Seth rubs a hand over his beard. “Was that Madison texting you just now?”
“Yes. I’ve been ignoring her and I feel terrible.” I pick up my phone. “She probably feels neglected. We should do something tonight. The three of us, if you’re also available?”
He nods.
Instead of texting her, I call. When she answers, I say, “Madison. Bella. Are you free this evening?”
“I am if you’re inviting me somewhere,” she says.
Seth picks up his phone and starts tapping on it.
“Have you seen Gorge yet?” It’s a zombie movie that recently came to theaters.
“Not yet.” There’s a smile in her voice. I thought she might like the idea.
“Then I’ll get us tickets. I’ll text you the time, and Seth and I will pick you up.”
“Sounds great.” I glance at Seth, who is still busy typing on his phone. I say to Madison, “Wear a skirt. If the movie is boring, I’ll pass the time by touching you in obscene places.”
“Damiano.” She sounds scandalized, aroused, and pleased.
We say our goodbyes and I start making tonight’s arrangements on my phone.
“What are you doing?” I ask Seth.
“I bought her a present.” He holds up his phone so I can see a picture of an anal plug. The green, heart-shaped jewel at the base matches Madison’s eyes. “We’ll help her put it in when we pick her up for the movie.”
4
MADISON
In addition to texting me the time they’ll pick me up tonight, Seth and Damiano also forwarded recent results from STI screenings. I send them mine as well, including my birth control prescription.
I know what this means—we might start fucking without condoms. The idea excites me, but I’m not scared. I trust them. I trust them with everything.
I’m waiting for them on the porch when they arrive. My pink skirt hangs loose, hitting just above my knees. I paired it with a fluffy, cream-colored sweater because it’s chilly. Not too chilly, though. It’s hard to feel cold after hearing Damiano’s hot words about touching me in “obscene places” during the movie.
