Chapter 44

"Samuel!" Abigail's name carries through the house. "He's got something."

For someone who I'm pretty sure absolutely despised me a few weeks ago, Grant has been working tirelessly to help find Cora. Everyone has.

And I'm really not certain why.

Steadily making my way across the house, I find Grant exactly where I left him a few hours ago. Hunched over a laptop at my dining room table, clicking away at the keyboard.

The phone number I gave him didn't get us very far. He managed to trace it to a business in Greensboro. The Emerald Gentlemen's Club. William paid a visit that night, only to find that the address was nothing more than an abandoned lot.

It"s taken a substantial amount of digging to wade through the shell corporations, but we finally found Madame. Or at least her name. Anneliese Rotschilde.

Likely not her real name, but the same name each and every one of her properties and businesses are listed under. Right down to the monthly bill of her internet provider.

We found her two hours ago, and as much as I was raring to go in guns blazing, the others were happy to allow Grant a little more time to do what it is that he does best—or at least what it has made him a large fortune.

"I told you," he says, spinning the laptop in my direction as I enter the room. "You don't become as powerful and invisible as she is without some help. And a little dirt on some important people in powerful places."

"Fuck." The word escapes me as I stare at the screen before me. "Do I even want to know what you have buried somewhere?"

Grant laughs with a haughtiness, letting me know that he's got dirt well beyond the devils.

"Now what?" I question as Grant slides a burner phone across the table to Edmund.

I'm looking for some entertainment.

MADAME

You must have the wrong number.

It's the right number.

I'm certain.

An acquaintance gave it to me a few months back.

What friend?

Samuel Millington.

And your name?

Edmund.

???

"Your whole name," I say over his shoulder as he reads her message. "She's going to vet you. Make sure you can afford her."

Parker.

He had informed me that for the right price, I could get whatever I wanted.

Show me you're serious.

0384930103434. 403943274039274392.

"How much?" Edmund queries as he looks at the off-shore routing numbers.

"One hundred thousand is her buy-in."

"Are you fucking serious?" Edmund spins in his seat. "And that doesn't even get me pussy?"

Pulling out his own phone, Edmund sighs as he makes the transfer. "You fucking owe me."

And what is it that you want Mr. Parker?

Is it possible to see what you have to offer?

403927 Glendale Ln, Greensboro

2 hours.

Do not be late.