Blindfold Vol. 2

The rest of the night's memories followed.

“Miss Gallagher?”

I tensed at the sound of my name. I hadn't been able to help it. I didn’t hate cops, didn’t distrust them, per se. But they’d made my life hell, had made my family’s life hell back when Vic had gotten in trouble. They'd assumed some of us – if not all of us – had been involved in the crap he’d been doing.

The FBI agent had noticed my flinch and had lifted a trim black eyebrow. Her skin had been a lovely shade of warm brown, and she smiled as she'd come into the room and sat down. “Don’t like cops, huh?”

“You’re with the FBI,” I'd said without thinking. “That’s actually scarier than the cops.”

She'd just chuckled. “You’re very blunt, Miss Gallagher…or is it Dr. Gallagher?”

“Not yet.” I'd grimaced at the thought of the final I'd had coming up the next morning and the notes I needed to study.

It hadn't ended up mattering. I hadn't gone in to take it. I'd still have a C even if I didn't retake the test. After a lifetime of perfection, one fucking C had barely even registered.

“Must be hard, working a job like this and still going to school.”

I'd shrugged. “I’ve always had to work. It’s nothing new.” I hadn't understood why she'd been asking about work rather than the phone call.

“I hear ya on that. I’ve been there.” She'd smiled. “Special Agent Dio

I'd leaned back, studying her. “I know the type.”

“You’re working for the type,” she'd countered.

“Isadora’s a doll. She’s not a complainer.” I'd blown out a sigh. “Please tell me you all have something.”

“I wish I could.”

Off in the distance, I'd heard Ash – Mr. Lang – his voice big and harsh. Dio

“Because she wanted me to do a job for her, and…” I'd stopped. It hadn't been easy to say. “I’m scared. I’m worried about her. Being here…well, I was hoping I’ll hear good news here, rather than something bad on the news.”

She'd continued to study me. She'd had a good game face, but hey, I’d grown up with Victor. I'd known when I was being played and I'd seen the wheels churning, see them spi

“Can I make this easy on both of us?” I'd said softly.

There had been just the tiniest break in her it’s just us girls mask. Then she'd cocked her eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“Look…” I'd hitched up a shoulder. “I'll give you credit. You're good at this – really good. But you can stop with the trying to bond with me thing. Just ask your questions.”

The friendly look had drained out of her eyes and she'd cocked her head, indicated that I should continue.

“Let’s just say I had a good crash course when it comes to cops. I know a routine when I see one.” I'd given her a wry smile and shrugged. “You already pointed out that I’m blunt. I am. And I prefer it when people are the same with me. I gave your buddy over there everything the kidnapper said to me on the phone. What else do you want to know?”

“Fair enough,” Dio

“No. Why would it be?” I'd answered honestly and kept my eyes steady on her.

Dio

“Can I share a secret?” I'd dropped my voice. “Life’s not fair. You learn to deal with it.”

She'd started to say something else and I'd lifted a hand. I was tired of it by then. They needed to be out trying to track down the caller, not questioning me about my life.

“Nothing else.” I'd said. “I get what you’re poking at. Somebody decided that it was plausible that I might have gotten drawn into this because I’m hard up for money. Somebody offered me easy money…nobody would be hurt. I just had to do what they asked…how close am I?”

Dio

“Yeah, well. I lived it.” Thinking about what happened with Victor had been enough to turn my stomach. If I'd had anything left in it, I might've thrown up again. “I lived it. It almost destroyed my family. If you think I would do something like that…”

She'd nodded and rose from her chair, heading toward the door. Halfway there, she'd paused and looked back. “If it helps? Personally, I don’t think you would. But personally can’t come into play here. It’s about the job and what can be proved.”

We'd stared at each other for a moment and then she'd nodded, turned around and left.

Things hadn't gotten any better from there. Like right now. It was Thursday morning and I was back at the Lang house, trying to find out what was going on. No one had told me anything.

I hovered outside the office, hardly daring to breathe. I had my eyes closed, and I kept having to unclench my hands from the fists I’d unconsciously knotted them into.

I wanted to barge inside and demand to know what was going on.

Not that it would do much good. Mr. Lang wasn’t talking to me. He hadn't since he'd screamed at me two days ago.

So I was reduced to this. Sneaking outside the door to Mr. Lang's office. Just beyond the door, I could hear people talking.

“…sorry. There was just no reason to hold him.” It was one of the FBI agents. I couldn’t remember the name.

“What do you mean you had no reason to hold him?” Ash snapped. His voice I knew. Even if I wished I didn't.

“Holding him any longer than we did would have been a violation of Mr. Stevens’ rights. There is simply no indication he’s involved. His alibi is ironclad and—”

“I don’t want to hear about anybody’s rights when my sister is still missing!” Ash shouted.

My heart ached for him and I couldn't quite hate myself for it. No matter how I felt about him right now, his sister was missing.

“What about her rights?”

“We're looking, Mr. Lang.” That firm no, nonsense voice…I recognized that one. Marcum. “But your sister’s boyfriend had an alibi, and there’s no sign he’s involved in this.”

“What do you expect him to do? Hang a sign in his window? Kidnapped woman – ask me for details?”

I closed my eyes at the angry desperation in his voice even as I eased away from the door. If I kept standing here, I’d get noticed by one of the household staff. They wouldn't yell at me, but it'd be awkward.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Lang. We’ve been monitoring his calls, his whereabouts, everything. He’s not involved…oh, hello.”

Marcum had opened the door. With her was a tall man, his blond hair already thi