Free Hide 'N Seek by Yvonne Harriott Page B

did want was a taste of the water. Her throat was parched. She eyed the water.
    “Who do you work for?” Somewhere out in the hall a vent came on and Sydney could feel cold air circulating into the room. The woman looked over her shoulder into the hall then closed the door. “You were going to tell me your employer’s name.”
    “I don’t work for anyone,” Sydney said and swallowed as she watched the woman and the taser gun.
    “Wrong answer.” Blondie turned on the taser gun and stroked it as if it were a pet. It was as though she had some sort of connection with the device. “Why did you take the pictures?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Your sister is very pretty. Quick on her feet, too.” She stopped stroking the taser, but kept looking at it. Maybe it was talking to her. “You’re not like that, are you? Quick on your feet, I mean. I guess if you were, you wouldn’t be here.”
    “Put that taser down and I’ll show you.”
    Blondie paused as if considering what Sydney had said then laughed. “She’s much prettier than you. I bet she was the favorite. You know, always had her life in order.” Her mouth twisted in a bitter smile. “She probably did everything right. And you were a royal screw up.”
    Whatever issues she had with Markie she wasn’t going to discuss them with the mad woman standing in front of her having a séance with the taser. “Why did you bring me here?”
    “Your sister survived the accident last night, but I’m not sure she’ll be so lucky the next time around.”
    “What accident?” Sydney froze. Cold sweat washed over her body. “Is she okay?”
    “She’s still standing. Whether she remains that way is up to you.”
    What has she done? A tear slid down Sydney’s cheek. After her phone call to Dalton Beck, she had decided to hide the pictures until she’d spoken to Markie. She didn’t think anyone would find them. Markie’s life was in danger because she had been impulsive. Impulsive was her middle name Nan had told her once. Why couldn’t she be more like Markie.
    “Tears. How touching. I’m still waiting for an answer. Who do you work for and why were you taking pictures in Jamaica Plains?”
    “I’m a photographer for
Upscale Design Magazine
.”
    It was a one-off assignment. A friend had gotten her the job. She probably wouldn’t get another chance with the magazine again because she wasn’t going to make the deadline. Right now making the deadline was the least of her worries.
    “Why don’t I believe you?”
    “I’m telling you the truth. I was taking pictures for a layout in the magazine. After that, I decided to go for a walk. I didn’t see anything or take any other pictures.”
    “Then what’s your sister doing with the pictures?”
    Either way, she was going to be tasered again. Blondie was moving a little too close for comfort. Sydney pushed herself up from the cot and balled her fist the best she could with her hands bounded together, ready to swing.
    “I don’t—”
    The shock from the taser gun cut off her reply. She lost her balance and hit the floor.
    Pain.
    Darkness.
    •  •  •
    All eyes focused on Markie when she removed the sunglasses. She wanted the meeting to be about Sydney, not her eye. Jamie looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel. She didn’t call him last night because she didn’t want to worry him. Now she wished she had because she was going to hear about it after the meeting.
    “Gentlemen,” she said to Carlos and Karter who strolled into the conference room a few minutes later, “I’d like you to meet Dalton Beck. Beck, meet two of our other investigators, Carlos and Karter whom I’ve asked to join us.”
    Carlos was built like a refrigerator with short black spiked hair, olive complexion dressed in Brooks Investigations shirt and jeans. Since he and Jamie were allergic to suits, Markie had no objections to them wearing promotional gear.
    Karter, on the other hand, was a