Images of a monkey on a cross, a pig’s head twirling on something, Trent Reznor in a leather mask swinging from shackles, wearing some fetish ball-gag, and a medical diagram of the female sex…
I pulled in a breath the moment it ended and just stared at the screen. ArmyOps? Who the f**k was sending this shit? Oakley? My intel on him was about as secure as it could get. Lance Oakley was in Iraq and not going anywhere soon, unless it was in a body bag back to San Francisco if I got that lucky. It could happen I reasoned.
The text came through a moment later: Brynne, Help me; I’ve broke apart my insides. Brynne, Help me; I’ve got no soul to sell. Brynne, Help me get away from myself. Brynne, Help me tear down my reason. Brynne, Help me be somebody else. Brynne, HELP ME!!
My fingers definitely shook as I replied to that freakish mess of words: Who are u and what do u want from me?
The reply was instant: Not you, Blackstone. I want Brynne. Put out your smoke and go back inside and give her my message.
My head jerked up and scanned the perimeter and then the rooftops. This motherfucker was on me right now?! I don’t think I’ve ever moved so fast in my life but I had one purpose and one only—find Brynne and get her the hell out of here.
I ducked back inside and started running. I got Neil on headset and told him in brief to wrap it up.
“On-site security just got a bomb threat called in. They’re evac-ing the whole place, E.”
What? My mind was reeling with connections but there was no time to play Sherlock. “Stay on Brynne and wait for me!” I barked.
Neil paused before replying. Not a good sign.
“Do not f**king tell me you aren’t on her right now!”
“I think she went to the ladies, and in-house approached me—I’m going now to find her.”
“Fuck!”
I changed directions and the alarm system went off. Really bloody loud. All of the exits lit up and doors started opening. Gabrielle emerged from a door just ahead of me and bolted like she was in a foot race which was remarkable considering the heels she’d worn tonight. Her hair was all askew and so was the skirt of her green dress as she fled.
I didn’t have time to ask what was doing with her though; I needed to find my girl. I heard pounding footsteps behind me and turned. Ivan. He didn’t look much better than Gabrielle with his hair rearranged and his shirt halfway tucked. I had to wonder if they’d been together back there… I really don’t have time for this!
“Bomb threat. That’s what this is.” I gestured to the flashing lights. “Everyone’s being evacuated.”
“Are you f**king kidding me?! All this is because of me?!” Ivan exploded.
“I don’t know details. I was out having a smoke when the alarm went off. Neil said in-house security got a bomb threat called in and they’re closing everything down. We’ll sort it later. Just get the f**k out!”
I left Ivan and ran for the Victorian Gallery. The place was an absolute crush of insanity. People shouting and running around in a panic. A lot like me.
Brynne, where are you?!
I looked for a flash of periwinkle in the crowd and did not see it. And my heart sank.
“Do you have her?” I got Neil on headset again.
“Not yet. I’ve checked two different loos on that floor. Empty. I told Elaina to bring her along if she spotted her on the way out to the street where they’re herding people. I’ll keep checking.”
In my desperation I think I would’ve made a bargain with the devil himself if I could just find my girl safe and sound. I headed back to the wing where Lady Percival was on display, hoping she might offer me a clue. I remembered Brynne saying something about access to the back room where she’d helped out when Lady Percival had been moved from the Rothvale over here for this show tonight. I looked for a door and there it was not ten feet down, blending into the wall—the outline of the seal, and then a small sign marked private affixed to it.
Jackpot!
I turned the handle and pushed into a large work storage room with more doors—one of which was marked toilet.
“Brynne?!” I yelled her name and slammed my hand hard. I tried the knob but it was locked.
“I’m here,” came a weak reply, but praise the angels, it was her!
“Baby! Thank Christ...” I tried the knob again. “Let me in. We have to go!”
The door latch clicked and I wasted no time wrenching open the final barrier between me and my girl. I would have torn it off and thrown it if I’d had the ability.