Page 53 of Desecrated Saints
She reaches up to push back her hood. Straggly, grown-out blonde hair and an exhausted face are revealed, far from the perfectly put together facade of the person we knew. Life on the run has done her no favours.
“Miss White.”
“In the flesh,” she drawls.
We all gape at the ex-warden, looking so rough and unlike herself. She puffs on a cigarette, taking the time to inspect each and every one of us. When her gaze lands on Seven, the cigarette falls straight from her fingertips.
“Doctor Farlow? Jude?”
Dammit, I really hope he breaks her jaw for using that name.
“Who are you?” he hits back.
Miss White stares, open-mouthed. “You… don’t remember me?”
“I wouldn’t take it personally.” I snicker.
Brooklyn rests her palms on the table, commanding Miss White’s attention back from the ghost in our midst. “We arranged this meeting to discuss an exchange of information.”
“Brooklyn West. I hear you’ve gotten yourself into quite the pickle.”
“We’re not here to talk about me, Warden. Where have you been?”
Miss White lights a fresh cigarette while eyeing Seven. “When Augustus took over Blackwood, I knew my days were numbered. Nobody was permitted to hold more authority than him. I was just an obstacle for him to eliminate. I had to run, before it was too late.”
“You’ve escaped Incendia’s clutches for nearly nine months.” Kade glances back to the nightclub still in disarray. “We don’t have much time. If they’re searching for you, it’s because you know something.”
Miss White appears nervous. “I have information about Blackwood, Incendia Corporation, and all of their dirty dealings. Names, dates, the lot. All of it can be yours.”
“For what price?” Brooklyn deadpans.
“A fresh start.” Miss White gnaws her lip. “Since your escape, Bancroft has tripled his presence on the streets. I’m running out of assets and time. I want my safety guaranteed.”
Kade laughs in her face. “We can’t guarantee our own safety. How exactly do you propose we do this for you? We know nothing about Bancroft.”
“He has enough power to rally the support of the entire country and ensure our deaths. That’s all you need to know. Don’t play games with me, Kade. You’re all working with Sabre Security.”
My hand inches closer to the gun on instinct. I’d love nothing more than to put a bullet between her eyes. Brooklyn lays a reassuring palm on my leg, urging me to remain calm.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Kade lies easily.
“You think I didn’t know what that pink-haired fool was doing at Blackwood all along? I ran that place for seven years and had extra hidden cameras in all of my staff’s offices. Alyssa Farlow, tut tut.”
Seven’s hands curl into tight fists, resentment clouding his face. Kade once mentioned the concealed camera in Mike’s office, uncertain of what the warden’s intentions were. She’s a slippery fucking snake.
“I couldn’t get rid of her without incurring the wrath of Sabre,” Miss White continues. “I was there when she campaigned for information about her brother. I never forget a face. Tell your annoying friend that I want to make a deal with her employer.”
Before anyone else can say anything, there’s a blur of movement. Phoenix seizes hold of Miss White by her faded shirt and dangles her in the air. I’ve never seen him look so enraged.
“You protected Rio. He nearly killed Eli and Brooke! You helped them run the system. Smuggling in contraband, making sick patients worse for your own amusement. Playing us all like puppets and reaping the rewards. How do you sleep at night?”
Miss White scratches at his hands, attempting to break free. Before Phoenix can actually kill her, I lay a hand on his shoulder, easing him off. She hits the bench with a thud, rubbing her chest and spluttering.
“I was just doing my job. Augustus was the mastermind!”
“You turned a blind eye while the rest of us suffered,” Brooklyn snaps.
“But I didn’t profit from it.”