Chapter 7: Bay - Pisces

Bay could think of a hundred better ways to end his workweek than to meet with Logan Miller, but with the man about to transfer to much harsher conditions, he needed him to be aware of what he was walking into.

Logan was sitting on the other side of the table with his hands cuffed in front of him. He looked pretty good, considering the shitty food they’d been feeding him and his terrible sleeping conditions.

“I never thought I’d be so glad to see you,” Logan said as he held out his hand, his cuffs rattling as Bay shook his hand.

Bay lowered himself into the chair and then took out some papers to look busy. “I wanted to let you know that they’ve arranged your transfer. Your trial is set for a couple of months, and that was the best I could do.”

Logan shrugged. “It’s okay, man. I’m good in here.”

Bay hated his false sense of security. He saw it not only as a sign of weakness but as a sign of stupidity. “I don’t think you understand what a shithole you’re about to enter.”

“One where the killer can’t reach me. That’s where. You guys are sitting ducks. Even if I get my ass beat, I’m still better off.” He smiled like an idiot, and Bay wasn’t sure he hadn’t snapped. Too bad it was too late for a plea of insanity.

“You’re delusional if you think an ass beating is all you’re up against. There are gangs, men who will make you their woman, and others who will knock your teeth out so you can’t bite their dicks while you’re blowing them. The others are just going to rape your ass, and you’ll be lucky if you spend much time sitting down.”

“You’re just trying to scare me,” Logan said. “I know it’s bad, but I plan on keeping to myself.”

Bay shook his head. “You’ll do what they want you to do. Who they want you to do. You’re nothing in there. Don’t forget it.”

Logan’s eyes darkened, and finally, the look of fear crossed his face that Bay was looking for.

“Now, fear not, for I’ve come to bring hope.” Bay used a dramatic voice, but only he was humored by it. “Your stay on the inside can be horrible or tolerable, but that’s all up to you and how much you decide to talk. I’m sure you get where I’m coming from, don’t you? After all, I’m the one who pulls the strings, so you’ll do things my way.”

Logan looked down at his cuffs and gave a slight nod.

“Good,” Bay said. “I’ll make sure that you’re taken care of once you get there, a mercy that I’m prepared to extend you for as long as you’re willing to play by my rules.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Because it’s that easy. I’ll look after you if you look after me.”

“Have you heard anything about Hannah? Did they find her?”

“No, no word, but don’t worry. I’m sure she’s fine. Probably living it up somewhere and thinking about the bullet she dodged when you were arrested.”

Logan’s lip curled, and if he had fangs, he’d have bared them. “How can you talk about her like that? She could be dead somewhere because of us, and you’re here making jokes.” He slapped the table. “She’s not like that.”

“I hate to break it to you, but I know her better than you think, Logan.” Bay gave him a smug look, and Logan’s eyes burned with anger.

“You’re a fucking liar. She hated you.”

Bay nodded. “Only because I didn’t call her after we fucked. Tell me, how’s that little apple-shaped birthmark on her hip? Is it just as sweet when you bite it as it used to be? I bet it is.”

“Fuck you,” Logan growled.

“Now, Logan, let’s not fight over a woman. That was a long time ago, and I’m sure she had her reasons for not telling you. Oh, and that reminds me, is there anyone you don’t want on your visitor’s list? I can make arrangements.”

Logan looked down at the table, his nostrils still flaring. “Aside from you?” He scratched his head. “My mother.”

“Aww, you don’t want her to see you this way?”

“I don’t care about her, and I don’t want to see her.”

“Fine.” Bay wondered if the woman even knew her baby boy was incarcerated. “I guess that’s all for today. Make sure you do your part, and I’ll do mine. Are we good?”

“Yeah, I hear you loud and clear. Do me a favor and send Katherine Fallwell in your place.” Bay laughed as the guard came in and took Logan’s arm.

He left the meeting room and then walked down the corridor and past security. Once he was halfway to his car, his phone buzzed, and he smiled when he saw who it was.

Bay answered the call. “How’s the trip? Finding any clues?”

“You asshole,” Darek cursed. “You knew it was a dead end, and you didn’t give me a fucking heads up?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He chuckled and then opened his car door and slid into the leather seat.

“Fuck you. The main building at camp burned down. The millstone was turned over and cleaned. You covered our tracks.”

“Someone has to take care things,” Bay said. “If it weren’t for me, you’d be cuffed and stuffed by now, and I’d be visiting you in jail and not Logan fucking Miller.”

“Have you been to see him again?”

“I’m just leaving,” Bay said. “They arranged for his transfer, and he’s still smiling like a dumbass. He really thinks he’s safe in there. I had to educate him on who is calling the shots.”

Darek sighed. “Please tell me you didn’t threaten him. Which reminds me, did you threaten a Greg Williford about reopening the camp?”

“Never heard of him, and no. I’m not going to leave a bigger trail while trying to cover one up. Why? Did you meet with him?” He laughed and imagined how uncomfortable Darek must have been.

“Yeah, and I went out to the millhouse, too,” Darek said. “How’d you manage to turn that stone over?”

“Your lack of memory is really annoying. Do you not remember how we covered your ass that night? It took every one of us to turn that fucking thing over. You helped.”

“That’s impossible. I’d have remembered something like that.”

“Yeah, like you remember so many other important fucking things. I think I’ll have your shrink give you a lower dose of your fucking meds.” He knew Darek still didn’t believe that he pulled his shrink’s strings, too, but it was fun to make him wonder.

“I can find out if that’s true, you know? And if I do, we’re going to have a big fucking problem on our hands.”

“What is it with you motherfuckers today?” Bay asked. “That’s two threats from weak-ass men who think they can actually raise my fucking blood pressure with a couple of words.” He laughed as Darek mumbled obscenities. “Save it.”

“Did Logan mention Hannah?” Darek asked.

Bay wondered if Darek thought that Logan was really capable of hurting Hannah. He for one knew the guy didn’t have it in him anymore.

“No, just that he was worried about her,” Bay said.

“I’m afraid if she ends up dead, he’s going to fucking talk.”

Bay was one step ahead of him, and that was why he’d put people in place to make sure Logan didn’t squeal. “Trust me; he won’t. I’ve already told him that I hold his life in my hands. If he looks like he’s going to be a threat, I’ll take care of it.” Bay didn’t see any reason not to be honest. It wasn’t like Darek would do a damned thing about it.

“Dammit, Bay. It’s shit like that. It makes me wonder if you don’t know where Hannah is or what happened to her. Did you shut her up, too?”

Bay’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you mean. I’ll try not to be insulted.” Bay hung up the phone and thought that Darek was sometimes too good at his job. Thankfully, the asshole was in just as much trouble as he was. Bay wasn’t answering questions about Hannah, and if there was one thing he knew for sure, that bitch wasn’t going to talk to anyone anytime soon.