Page 23 of Hell’s Weapon

“Who is dead?” I ask, pushing my luck with a demanding tone.

“Seventy-Eight.”

My brain quickly racks through the list of contestants. Seventy-Eight was a man, mid-thirties, average build, had tattoos on his left wrist and right calf, as I observed yesterday in the gym.

I think he was incarcerated for running a drug ring. But, as I’ve yet to figure out a way into the Guards’ offices, I only have the words of others on that one.

I’m going to need to move up my plans to break into the Officers’ quarters soon.

“Was he killed in his room?” I ask.

“Yes,” Tarron answers in a tone which indicates he’s getting bored with my continued questioning. “And I’m afraid that until we clear the building, you can’t go inside.”

I knew that already, otherwise I’d be in there.

“He was rooming with Fifty-Four, did he do it?” Tarron’s interest perks up at that question. He narrows both his eyes on me.

“You’re observant.”

“And? That’s correct, is it not?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Was it him that killed Seventy-Eight?”

“No idea,” he presses more firmly, trying to end the conversation. I carry on anyway.

“Our rooms are only accessible with our bracelets. If he didn’t do it, someone else got access, or do you think Seventy-Eight trusted the killer enough to let them in?”

“Let us worry about it, Ninety-Eight.” It’s Garrick’s voice that responds this time. He strides out of the open entryway a second later, stops beside Tarron and folds his arms across his stupidly broad chest.

“But I could help.” It’s a feeble attempt but I have to try. If this is work of the mole I could have this whole thing wrapped up by midnight and be outta here. The thought of releasing my wings and flying back to my penthouse is an alluring one. I want a long soak in my tub and an evening lounging around on my roof-top terrace.

“You can help by heading to the dining hall,” Garrick answers.

I look between the two guards and an idea lights up in my brain.

“Nah, the body’s on the second floor, so the top floor is fine. Come on Milo, lets go to our room.” I grab my roommate and try to barge past the two males.

As I thought, they are quick to grab us, blocking our entry before we get more than a step inside the building.

“I don’t think so,” Garrick growls as I plough into him. Pushing and shoving, Garrick’s hands come down my upper arms, stopping my progress. Thankfully, I’m not human. I’d definitely have bruises if I were from the iron grip he takes.

I cause more commotion by turning, pulling us back into Tarron, who has stepped from his position against the doorframe to grab Milo. In the kerfuffle, no one notices as I slip my hand into Tarron’s pocket and relieve him of his all-access pass. Tucking it into my waistband, I fake flailing once more before shooting backwards and shaking Officer Just-got-outsmarted off me.

Running a hand through my hair, I smooth the strands down and gather them, before draping it over my right shoulder and spilling it over my chest. It has the desired effect as both males watch my upper body and don’t scan their eyes lower. Sometimes, males really are too easy.

Milo looks entirely shocked by the whole thing, and scared that the guards are going to come down heavy handed on him, as he stumbles backward.

“Fine.” I level both guards with a pissed off stare before turning to Milo. “I’m hungry anyway, lets go get dinner first.”

Milo scurries along beside me as I stride for the main building. I sense him gazing behind us to make sure the guards aren’t following us. I don’t need to turn to know they’re both watching us walk away. Officer Pain-in-my-backside is probably gloating, thinking he got one up on me. The laugh that escapes my lips at that thought is completely involuntary but it feels good.

I wait until we’re inside and seated in the dining hall before I transfer the pass from my waistband to my satchel. Milo goes around to the other side of the bench and sits opposite me. As soon as he’s seated, he spreads his hands and cocks his head. I don’t need the verbal question, it’s very obvious he’s wondering what the fuck I was attempting back there.

“I don’t take orders well,” I tell him. Even though we’ve been getting on and spending several hours of our days together, as well as sleeping in the same room, I am not trusting him yet. Not with the fact I’ve just stolen a staff pass, and not with my reason for stealing it. I guess I could give him some half-truths but it might risk my entire mission.

He was with me for the entire afternoon afterall, so he’s the only one I can rule out as the killer on this occasion. And as I feel there is a good chance the killer is the mole, maybe I can strike one candidate off my list. Milo shakes his head in disbelief before pulling his own bag onto the table to check through his things.