Read Online One Last Night by Clara Bayard - Free Book Online Page A

him. You know the rest of that is a lie, why believe that I have this documentation?”
    “Because,” Fabian said, leaning over me. “We found traces of it on one of the computers from the office. I snagged it from the evidence room myself. It wasn’t complete, but our computer geek said it was enough. Someone was keeping records. Someone tracked and wrote down every delivery. Every person involved.”
    “But it couldn’t have been me?”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I had no idea any of this was going on until that day on the tape.”
    “Really? Smart girl like you never suspected?”
    I sighed. “No. Look, I knew Mitchell was scum. And I figured he was probably embezzling or something. But I had no idea about the drugs. I swear.”
    “So then who did it? Who had the evidence? One of the messengers?”
    “Maybe. I have no idea. But it wasn’t me.”
    Fabian crossed his arms and sighed. “I’d like to believe you, Carly.”
    “I swear I’m telling you the truth.”
    He looked into my eyes for a long time. “You know, I think you might be. But it really doesn’t matter now.”
    “What? Why?”
    “If you had the stuff maybe we could make an arrangement. But if you don’t, there’s no choice, really. We’re gonna have to do everything possible to make you talk.”
    I knew what that meant. “But you can’t. There’s nothing to know. Nothing to say.”
    “It’s the only way we know for sure.”
    “But you do know. You’re a cop, right? You can tell I’m not lying.”
    “I’m not in charge here, Carly.”
    “Then who is? Let me talk to him or her or whoever.”
    “Maybe. Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
    I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as he left the room. The door stayed cracked open a bit so I could hear him making a phone call. I couldn’t hear everything, but he said something about a second option and then was quiet for a long time.
    While I had a few minutes to myself I spent it thinking about the situation. None of it made sense. Whoever was in charge of this operation had to be smart enough to know what a spineless idiot Mitchell was. And that he’d say anything to save his own worthless hide.
    It seemed impossible that they’d go to so much trouble to abduct me, terrorize me, hurt my friends just for evidence that didn’t exist. A twinge in my shoulder reminded me how far they were willing to go to get…something. It couldn’t just be about files. There had to be more to it, but I had no idea what.

Chapter Seven
    Fabian walked back into the room, somewhat deflated. Obviously his conversation hadn’t gone the way he hoped.
    “Well? What next? Are you going to take me to the torture room next?”
    He chuckled. “No need. We can get what we need from you anywhere.”
    “Whatever. Just get on with it already.”
    “No more begging and pleading?”
    I shook my head, wincing from the pain it caused. “Something about this while situation stinks. You keep saying that I’m lying, but I think you know I’m not. There’s something else going on here. And since it seems to involve me being alive, I’ll just assume you can’t kill me.”
    He leaned against the wall, eyeing me. “Interesting. You really are quite perceptive. But don’t bother asking. I’m not letting you go and I’m not going to explain everything. That only happens in the movies.”
    “Fine. So, back to my cell?”
    He nodded. “Can you make it or shall I carry you.”
    “Don’t touch me,” I replied gruffly. Standing up was hard and dizzying, but I took my time, desperate to avoid showing any sign of weakness. For some reason my bitchy attitude seemed to relax Fabian. He wasn’t standing as close or being as careful as before. If I was going to have any shot at escaping, I needed him lax.
    Gritting my teeth as my eyes watered from the pain, I stomped downstairs ahead of him and walked back to the room I’d woken up in. On the way I caught a glimpse of another closed door, and a dim passageway