Shadows In The Corner (#1.5 Masters Of The Dark Series)

IN THE WOODS

Two days after chatting with Tana, we were both tense and nervous about our confessions. She decided to tell me about the first time she was with Doll - Julien's wife - and how Carol - Richard's evil mistress - made her train to be able to shoot the scenes with the sweet Doll. Tana felt ashamed for having done the things she did at the mansion. At no time did I reproach her for anything, while she poured confession after confession, I held her in my arms until the tremors of her sobs faded along with the tears spilled on the wooden floor. After that, she refused to talk to me anymore; She did not speak to me at all, much less did she dare to meet my eyes. The times I tried to get close to her, she avoided me with some ridiculous excuse. So, I gave up and decided to give her space to absorb things. I busied myself with small chores around the cabin, fixing things that didn't need repair, cutting wood for the fireplace, or cooking. Thus, we had spent two days of our tortuous coexistence in a cabin on the outskirts of Seattle. We could come back at any time, but we weren't ready yet.

On the morning of the third day, Detective Rogers appeared in a Jeep with two burning coffees in his hands. "Good Morning." the huge smile on his face coupled with his beach boy appearance, made an outrageous contrast to the forest. In a way, he didn't belong here. "It is a simple American coffee and very strong." he said as he handed me one. "There are donuts in the car."

"It amazes me that you help keep the typical police stereotype alive by bringing donuts and coffee in the car." I rolled my eyes as I took the lid off the cup to let the strong aroma waft onto my face. “But this is good coffee, congrats Rogers.”

“I’m glad you like.” Then a guilty expression marred his handsome face. “I’m afraid I brought nothing for Tana, maybe I should have.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I assured him with a grin. “But you can leave those donuts here.”

“Sure thing.” Rogers leaned back against the side of his red Jeep and took a sip from his coffee. Both eyes set on Tana, who was visible through the kitchen’s window. “How is she doing?” he asked, full concern in his voice.

I went to take the same position as Rogers, soon we both were casually staring at Tana who was oblivious of the two men following her every move. From where I was standing, I admired my fiancée. How beautiful she was, how radiant her skin was here- far from the city. The countryside suited her well. Maybe at some point we could both go to enjoy our days away from the pollution and dangers of the city.

I shrugged. “Better.” I glanced over my shoulder and cringed at the bright red. “Why would you be driving this s**t? Are you trying to make a statement?”

Rogers chuckled as he turned to face me. “It’s my day off. It’s not mine.” When I quirked a brow at him, he groaned, as if it pained him to talk about it. “It belongs to the woman I’m dating.”

“Wow. Must be serious if she lets you use her car.”

“It must be serious because she’s the secretary of Dr. Emily Vargas.”

“What?” my brows furrowed at the way he spoke that name. “Should it mean anything to me?”

“It should, Madox. Emily Vargas is Richard Thorn’s new pet.”

Richard Thorn had a new project on his hands? It hadn't been long since Tana and I returned to Seattle. Richard wasted no time and apparently, we had meant nothing but money to him. It was disappointing in a way because the crueler he was, the more he seemed to care about us. In an unhealthy and demeaning way of course. "How long have you been dating this woman?"

“A couple of weeks?”

“Is it a coincidence of sorts?”

Rogers barked out a lough. “If you want to think of it that way, yes.” Then motioned for me to get closer and when I did, he whispered into my ear. I thought it was quite unnecessary for there was no one around- unless he didn’t want Tana hearing anything. “I found out that our guy is involved in quite a few activities. Most of them have to do with him being a silent partner in pornographic productions.” No wonder. “It’s been brought to my attention he might be also involved in human trafficking.”

My eyes widened and my breath caught. A huge lump in my throat formed. “Human trafficking?” Putting money under the table to eventually get it back and double the profit was one thing but human trafficking? That was dark, even for someone like Richard. A person would have to be really insane to get money like that.

Rogers finished his coffee right after and gave me a knowing look. “Just because he let you get away; doesn’t mean he is an innocent man. I know he’s hiding way more, it’s just a matter of knowing what else has showered him in gold.”

“I don’t think he’s into human trafficking, Rogers. The porno thing, yeah. Absolutely. But human trafficking it’s flat out sick. Even for that man.” It’s not that I was trying to defend the guy, however I was having a hard time believing Richard would be capable of such a monstrosity. “Both Tana and I were in the same mansion and although we were kept in different parts of the house, we never saw anything or anyone…” and as I was speaking I realized how stupid I sounded. Rogers’s eyes shone with pity and something else I couldn’t quite place.

“Now you see what I mean?”

“I’m just having a hard time believing it, that’s all. I am glad both Tana and I are out in one piece.”

Rogers handed me the empty paper cup and walked around the front of the Jeep then opened the passenger’s door and reached for something. When he came back, he was holding a white box. “A dozen of the best donuts in Seattle.” He said proudly as he presented the box. I handed him back his cup and grabbed the box. “I hope you two like ‘em.”

“Oh yeah.” I said as I stared down at the box. “Tana has been very optimistic about fattening food.”

If only she could be optimistic about us, that would be great.