“Brynne looks very busy right now.” He glanced over at my girl admiringly. “Maybe later.”

“Look, Ivan, there was a pseudo threat delivered to my office today. I’m not horribly concerned but I want you to know the details.” I handed him the envelope of photos I’d brought along tonight anticipating his attendance. I was a firm believer that everyone should know about the threats against them, no matter how insignificant. Crazy people never seem to get better, so everyone needs to know what could be a potential problem down the line.

Ivan and I had done this plenty of times before so it wasn’t anything new. He grunted at the photos as he flipped through and after a minute handed the whole lot back to me. “Thanks, E, for looking out. I’m sure it’ll all blow over when the Olympics are but a memory.” He looked at the drink in my hand. “At least I can hope, true?”

“It’s all we can do, mate.” I nodded, clapping him on the back with one hand.

“I need to have something along the lines of what you’re having.” He waved off and left for the bar.

I nursed my vodka for a few more minutes before deciding a smoke would be just the thing. Brynne was still too busy to be interrupted so I found Neil and told him where I was headed. I located an exit door down at street level, propped it open just enough so I could get back in the same way I’d gone out, and stepped into the cool, fresh, night.

The clove tasted so fine I think I got a tad hard. Just a few more hours and we’d be on our way out of London and I’d have her all to myself. The city lights and sounds were a comfort swirled with the scented smoke that wrapped around me like a cloak. As I stood there and indulged in another coffin nail, I wondered how I’d ever get off the ciggies completely. I was really trying to limit my consumption, but I’d been at it for so long, I just didn’t know how to let go completely. Addiction was a powerful component of the body and the spirit. And the smokes had more hold on me than just the nicotine. I suppose some professional help was needed and time to face up to that reality as well as some others.

I felt the vibration against my chest and it gave me a zing because it took a moment to determine what it was. Brynne’s old mobile in my front jacket pocket. The thing had been silent for so long I’d nearly forgotten to bring it tonight, but out of habit I kept charging it and turning it on.

I pulled it out and saw the multimedia message alert. That meant a picture. I felt myself go cold and knew the frightening blade of fear slice into my gut. I pressed open and tried to breathe.

ArmyOps has sent Brynne a music video on Spotify.

Oh, f**k no! This is not happening right now. I pressed accept against my better judgment, but was compelled to look. The professional in me had to see exactly what it was. I knew the song the moment it started playing. Nine Inch Nails’ Closer. The one that was used in the sex video with Brynne. I let it play through because I had to, but felt ill throughout the whole song. And it was just the official music video and not the one of Brynne.

Thank. Holy. Fuck.

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.”