When Villains Rise (Market of Monsters #3) - Rebecca Schaeffer Page 0,100
possible but adding her own flavor to it. “He had a lot of information on that mafia group in the States. The one recently arrested after the videos came out. They were . . . bad. Really bad. I think he knew INHUP would probably kill him anyway, but I think he also felt like he had to stop the people who’d hurt him for so long, who’d made him hurt others.”
The policeman had started recording her. That was fine. Nita didn’t want to have to tell the story again. She hoped it got leaked. She should have recorded it herself.
“What happened at INHUP?” the policeman asked.
“I don’t know all the details. We didn’t get to see each other much after I went into protective custody. The news keeps talking about how he was dating that INHUP agent, but that’s not true. She’s his sister. But they’d been separated when INHUP killed their parents a decade ago.” Her eyes flicked to the policeman and then away. “Kovit was in some sort of INHUP witness protection thing for a while, and they spent a lot of time together while he informed on the mafia group that had kept him prisoner. But after INHUP had all the information they needed, she turned around and betrayed him. She put him on the list and—” Nita swallowed a huge gulp of air, not needing to fake the shaking in her hands. “He got shot.”
The officer was silent, before he responded slowly. “That’s a pretty hefty accusation.”
Nita snorted, then wiped her nose because it was snotty from crying. “I haven’t got any proof either. I mean, I’m sure there’s records in INHUP but . . .”
“INHUP wouldn’t release them,” agreed the police officer. “You said you went to INHUP too?”
“I stayed with them in the Bogotá office for a while. My case worker was Agent Ximena Quispe.”
The officer made a note, and Nita twisted her web of truth and lies tighter and tighter. If he went and investigated, if anyone did, they’d be able to prove a lot of this—just not all of it. And the parts they couldn’t prove would be the parts INHUP would want to hide.
It wouldn’t hold up in a court. But it might hold up enough to keep Kovit safe. If he survived.
Even if he didn’t. Even if her mother won, even if Kovit was gone forever, and she could never get him back, at least she’d be able to take down the Dangerous Unnaturals List. Surely that would be something? A sad conciliatory prize, but something.
He swallowed, then said carefully, “I’ve not seen you on any of the other coverage about the DUL.”
“No. I was filmed on the black market demonstrating my ability, and now I’m worth a lot of money. I’ve been in hiding—or trying to be in hiding. I was in Toronto, and things got . . . violent. Black market hunters everywhere trying to kill me. INHUP was useless at protecting me. So I’ve tried to stay out of the limelight. I don’t want them to find me again.” Nita took a deep breath, then continued, “Kovit was helping protect me. People are scared of zannies, and he can fight well. After the disaster where INHUP betrayed him and couldn’t adequately protect me, we met back up so we could keep each other safe.”
The officer was silent for a long moment. “That’s quite a story.”
“I know.”
“I’ll need to talk to my superiors. Do you need a protective detail here?”
Nita shook her head. “I don’t want anyone to know I’m here. I’m scared. Kovit’s already got enough attention without the black market finding out about me being here.”
“I see.”
Nita hesitated. “But Kovit will need one. If . . . if he survives.”
The officer sighed. “I’m aware. We’ve got some people here already.”
It made Nita uneasy, having the police so close. But she couldn’t see any alternative, so she just nodded. “Thank you.”
The officer looked down, frowning. Nita couldn’t tell how much of her story he believed. But he’d believe a lot more once he started researching Nita. She hoped.
She rose. “I’m going to go get some food from the cafeteria. Do you have any more questions?”
He shook his head. “No. Do you have a phone number?”
She gave it to him, and one of her burner emails, then said quietly, “But you won’t need to use them. I’ll be here, at the hospital until . . .”
Until the end.
He grimaced, understanding her unspoken words. “Thank you for your