“Right over there.” Glen stepped out of Casey’s line of sight.
Claire looked frail and exhausted. All her limbs were secured with ropes the same way Casey’s were. And there were ugly red welts around her neck.
“Claire?” Casey called out. “Are you okay?”
Claire raised her head a little and managed to nod.
She was definitely not okay.
“You choked her,” Casey said, staring at the bright red welts on Claire’s neck. “What else have you done to her?”
“Your psychic friend has been a perfect outlet for anger release,” Glen told Casey. “But she hasn’t enjoyed the benefits of our hospitality yet.”
“Does that mean you haven’t raped her?” Casey couldn’t help it. She blurted out her question before she could stop herself. It was stupid. Her fear for Claire was something Glen was going to feed on.
Sure enough, he smiled—a cruel, evil smile. “It means I’d rather have you awake to watch when I do. Mental torture for you will be an added bonus.”
Thank
God, Casey thought. She’d bought Claire a short reprieve.
This time she was careful to keep her sheer relief from showing.
“Where are we?” she asked instead.
“What difference does that make?”
“I want to know.”
Glen shook his head, more amusement twisting his lips. “Still hoping for a rescue? Not going to happen. Your boyfriend and your team have no idea where we took you. End of the road, Red.”
Casey readdressed the current most pressing issue. “Then why can’t you let Claire go? She’s served her purpose. She got me to you. I’m the real deal—a redhead and the woman you most hate. Pull one of those black sacks over her head, and drop her off somewhere.”
Glen leaned forward menacingly. “You’re in no position to negotiate.”
“I’m not negotiating. I’m being practical. Once you’re done with me, I’m sure you plan to leave the country. So why ruin your perfect track record? You haven’t had a victim who wasn’t a redhead since you were a novice, like with Jan and Holly.”
“True.” He considered that and shrugged. “You’re playing me. It’s not working. But the fact is I don’t really care what happens to your psychic friend. When the time comes, I’ll see who I’m feeling more amenable toward, Jack or her.” He jerked his thumb in Claire’s direction. “For whatever reason, my nephew wants her.”
You and your nephew can both go to hell, Casey thought.
Glen began pacing around the room. “Where the hell is that asshole?” he muttered. He glanced at his watch. “I’m giving him five more minutes. That’s it.”
Casey knew what that meant. She had to keep Glen occupied. It was the only way to buy enough time for her team to orchestrate a rescue. On the other hand, she couldn’t be too obvious. He’d recognize mind games. Glen Fisher was nothing if not smart.
“By the way, I understand why you only want redheads,” Casey told him.
Fisher stopped pacing and turned around. “What are you talking about?”
“Colleen McCoy. Your redheaded teacher. I know about her.”
Rage contorted Glen’s features. “You don’t know shit.”
He stalked over and squatted down, grabbing Casey’s face with one hand. His vice-grip felt as if it was going to snap her jaw. But she refused to cry out. Tears of pain filled her eyes, but she stared Fisher down, feverishly praying she hadn’t pushed him over the edge.
There was a glazed, faraway look in his eyes, and Casey knew he was remembering.
“That perverted bitch,” he said, lost in his memories.