Page 67 of Kane
If Cassie refused to do what Lyle wanted, then Lyle very much had it in his power to ruin Cassie’s life. It wasn’t something that Cassie wanted to contemplate for even a second.
Ultimately, Cassie felt like she had no choice.
She had worked so hard to get her career up and running.
To build her fan base.
To see her efforts rewarded with success.
Cassie took a big, deep breath of air.
‘Driver, can we change destination please?’ Cassie asked, her voice wobbling. ‘Right now, please. We need to go in a very different direction.’
The driver shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head in agreement. Cassie showed the driver the location on her cellphone and after a swift U-turn out of the traffic, they were heading for Lyle’s place.
Cassie knew the worst was still to come.
But what she didn’t realize was just how bad things would get…
The stairs leading up to Lyle’s apartment were gross.
The floor itself sticky underfoot. There was trash on the floor, empty takeout cartons and cans of European beers.
The walls were a faded, yellowy off-white color. Way overdue a new paint job.
Cassie paused to get her breath back.
The elevator was out of order.
Nine flights under her belt. And now she had arrived at the tenth floor.
Cassie listened to the sound of various contrasting beats pumping in the background, each apartment seemingly competing to see who could have the loudest music playing.
This place gives me the creeps.
But I have to do this.
Come on, one more effort and it will be over…
Cassie walked towards Lyle’s apartment number. Just as she pulled her hand back to knock, she heard the door chain coming off and the lock being twisted.
Lyle mut have been waiting at the door, peering out through the spyglass.
If Cassie felt creeped out before, the feeling had just multiplied by about one hundred.
‘In. Now,’ Lyle said, his hair slicked back and looking greasier than ever. ‘You look… cute.’
Cassie shuddered.
Along with Lyle’s creepy behavior, the apartment itself was not exactly putting her mind at ease. If anything, it was making things even worse.
There was a strange, intense humming noise all around her.
‘The noise huh? Yeah, it takes getting used to,’ Lyle said, cackling as he pointed over toward his huge computer set-up. ‘My hacker name is Cobra. But don’t worry, I won’t bite.’
Cassie rolled her eyes.
As scared as she was, she wasn’t about to give in and fake a smile at this jerk’s terrible jokes.