Reese

“Where were the bodies found?”

“There are none—not recent ones anyway. They just—poof—disappear. The original victims, however, were all found near dumpsters. Tossed out like trash. All different locations around the West Coast, but there is a concentration of them here.”

“Sounds like this could be the perp’s home turf. Smart killers hunt away from home, but some need the comfort of familiarity.”

I shrug. “Either way, it’s why I’m here investigating.”

Law frowns. “You a cop?”

“No. I’m something else.”

He opens his mouth to ask me more but then thinks better of it.

“I remember the cases you’re talking about. We had all these people turning up beaten to death, and not a single connection between any of them that we could find. They lived in different neighborhoods, ate at different restaurants, and ran in different social circles. If there was a connection, we didn’t find it. I don’t remember hearing anything about any new bodies turning up, though. I might not be a cop anymore, but I still have friends on the force, and they’d have mentioned something. How sure are you that these people are actually dead?”

“I’m sure they’re missing, but I’m not sure how many are dead without actual bodies to count.”

“So it’s either a different perp, or he’s deviating.”

At Blink’s confused look, I speak up. “Killers tend to stick with a certain MO. Not always, but most do, anyway. The body dump—being left out with yesterday’s trash as if they were nothing—was all part of a ritual. These people were seen as worthless by the perpetrator.”

Law scrubs his hand over his face. “I can ask around, see if anything else has come up since I left.”

“That would be great. It would also be good if you know anyone who can get the word out to the local homeless communities. Warn them to be extra vigilant.”

He nods and looks at me, taking me in from head to toe.

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

“Two of the original victims were locals back home. Neither were fighters. In fact, one girl had such horrendous PTSD that a fight club would be the last place anyone would expect to find her. And yet they were seen fighting. Not just fighting, but pitted against each other in a death match.”

The office goes deathly silent.

“Are you saying someone pulled these kids off the streets and forced them to fight to the death?” Vega asks, his voice low.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I just don’t know why.”

Vega and Blink look at each other for a moment, making me frown.

I stare at them in surprise. “You know something. What is it?”

“A competition. Four rounds. Last team standing wins.”

“Team? These guys were fighting solo.”

Vega shrugs. “You have to qualify solo to compete, that’s the first round. The final fights are team events. And Mal, each team has to have at least one female fighter.”

I close my eyes for a second as the pieces fit together.

“This is what you two wanted me for. You want me to fight with you?” I knew it wasn’t just about sex. I’m not sure if I’m pissed or relieved.

They both nod hesitantly.

“What’s the grand prize?”

“The Colosseum,” Vega replies.

Holy fuck.